Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-04

countries tor other musicians, who, he
thought, would surely be able to CRAFTY his
desire. But, although MANY sweet voiced
singers from every land assembled at the
court of the King, the Prince could learn
nothing further of the enchanted maiden
and the white lawn.
He then travelled into foreign realms,
thinking that there he might gain the in
formation be desired. But all to no -pur-
pose, and the Kings son returned to his ma
tive land no wiser than when he left it. One
81 try summer day the Prince wandered
alone into the great forest surrounding mis-
fathers palace. Having become tired and
drowsy by the heat he lay down under a
wide-spreading oak, and was soon fast
asleep. He did not see the great storm
clouds mounting into the sky and throwing
q dark gloom over the forest, nor did he hear
the heavy roll of thunder, always growing
louder; much less did he heed a rustic among
the bushes, where a white fawn stepped eau
tiously, as If fearing 10 rouse the sleeper.
But Just before the rain began 10 fall in tor
rents from the heavens the beautiful animal
drew near and licked the Princes hand.
The boy awoke with a start. and caught a
glimpse of the fawn as it bounded through
the bushes.
THAT is the white fawn of my song" Z"
cried Prince Henry; and, in spite of the
rain and storm. he sought diligently
through the forest; but was unable TO find
the object OF his search.
Now the Prince became more uneasy tn an
before. He called together the hunters of
the kingdom, but none of them had seen the
white fawn, and they were of the opinion
that their kings son was surely mad, while
the Prince pronounced the hunters stupid
old men who cared for nothing but fat
venison." Even the king himself now be-
came interested in his sons desire TO hear
the strange song and see the white fawn.
Oue day having returned from a Journey
through his realm he said:
my son, near the palace is a large
meadow, where every day small boy comes
TO tend the sheep. As 1 passed him to-day
/ heard him singing your song"
These words delighted the Prince and he
at once sent to the meadow for the boy. But
when the poor shepherd lad arrived he was
30 abashed in the presence of so much splen-
dor that his memory failed him, and he
could remember only that part of the song
which Prince Henry already knew. Then
the young Prince exclaimed:
81 shall have no more beggars coming to
the palace. Take this fellow away; and
every dav shall 60 myself into the forest,
and watch for the fawn, which will surely
come again to me-"
And the next morning, having dressed
himself in the garb of peasant, the Prince
went into the forest, and sought again the
old oak tree, where first he had seen the
fawn. There ne whistled the air which was
always running through his mind. An old
woman, bent with age and bearing upon her
shoulders heavy burden, passed. As she
heard the voice of the Prince, she said:
THAT is strange song you sing. 1 thought
that and my grandson, who tends sheep in
the meadow, were the only ones who
knew it"
do you know that sonr?" cried the
Prince excitedly. "Sing it for me, and 1
shall pay you any sum you ASK
The woman, mistaking the Prince for
peasant boy replied: "What great sum can
poor lad like you give? But if your desire
to hear the song is so great, bear nv burden
to my cottage, and your wish shall be
gratifed." ."
The Prince willingly complied with this
request, and with the heavy burden on his
strong, young shoulders, he accompanied
the old woman to her humble home, and
there heard tire song which for so many
days he had been longing to hear. The
verses told the sorrowful history of q
beautiful princess who had been taken from
her fathers palace by u wicked enchanter,
and had been chained 10 a great rock, in
one OF the many mountain caves, from
which she was permitted to wander in the
form OF white iawn, for few hours each
DAY. When the old woman had ended the
song. the Prince asked:
is this story true, and is there no way to
rescue the Princess?''
Yes, replied the old woman, sthe story
n true. and happened many, many years
ago The old king is long since dead; but
his beautiful daughter, vino never grows
older, still sits in the ureary cave, Who
ever sees the white lawn, and follows it to
the cave can rescue the Princess. But the
~ay is long and dangerous. My two brave