Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1892-01-27

sPeeaiiy, hope. Tell nobody our
secret, least of all my mother, whom it
would greatly distress. If in the
course OF year you do not see me
dead" -' 10
kojata. giving way to his wishes,
gave him fine horse, with golden
sHtrrups, and a good sword. The
queen sobbingly gave him her bless
palace.
For three days he rode forward
without knowing whittier he was going.
On the evening of the fourth day he
stopped at the foot of a mountain on
silent and desert plain, in the midst
oil which, shining in the light of the
setting sun, a mirror-like lake Law
spread.
he approached this mysterious basin,
and beheld thirty beautiful ducks bath
ing and disporting themselves in its
| liquid waves, and thirty white robes ly-
ing upon the shore. The Prince dis
mountod, and slipped into the midst of
cluster of reeds, taking with him one
OF the snowy garments spread upon
the ground.
A few minutes later, the dncks, hav-
ing sufficiently enjoyed their bath, re-
turned to the shore to re.ake posses.
sion of their clothes, and Immediately
transformed themselves. In place of
twenty-nine web-footed ducklings ap-
pesred Internationally beautiful
young girls, who rapidly dressed them
selves and hurried away. The thirtieth,
unable to find her white robe, remained
IN the water, turning from one side to
the other, scared, bewildered, weeping
and sobbing.
The Prince took pity on her. He
put aside the reeds and rose. The
poor terrified duck saw him and cried
to him:
'Prince Milan, give me my robe.
For that good act you shall be reward
ed"
The Prince obeyed. He put down
the fairy linen on the shore of the lake
and then discreetly retired from the
spot.
In a moment the metamorphosis was
completed; he saw before him, dressed
IN white robe, a young girl of match
less beauty. She held her hand out
to him, and, lowering her eyes and
blushing, said to him, IN a gentle tone
of voice:
81 thank you for having done what
L asked you. You could not have done
anything better for yourself, and 1
hope that you will be content with me.
My name is Wellena. The young girls
you saw bathing with me are my sis
ters. Our father is the enchanter
Czernuch, who governs the subterrsn-
can world. He is possessed of rich
treasures and a large number of castles,
For long while he has been waiting
fnr yrfrr nd = r,.Nts
you arrive; but have no f ar, and fol-
low my advice punctually. When you
come in face of this powerful sover-
ei2n, cast yourself upon the ground
and approach him crawling on your
hands and knees. If he stamps his
foot with rage, if he threatens you, go
still nearer to him. L do not know
what he will order You to do, but what
ever it may be, L shnll be near to as
sist you. Now let us depart"
Giving the ground tap with her
little foot, the earth opened, and the
beautiful Wellena and the Prince de-
scended into the subterranean region
and entered the palace constructed en-
entirely OF carbuncles, and shining like
the sun. CZernuch was seated on his
throne. His eyes were as green as the
leaves on the trees, and his hands were
claws.
Following the instructions of his pro-
tectress, Prince Milan threw himself
down with his face towards the ground.
The terrible magician was in state of
rage. His eyes darted flames, and he gave
utterance to such horrible cries that
the roof of the palace trembled as if it
were going to collapse. The Prince
crawled humbly towards him. At
laDotb Cuarpncb hurat into fit nf
laughter, and cried:
1" Ills we'll; l shall not be your ene-
my. But, nevertheless, you must be
punished for not having come sooner.
Tomorrow You shall know my will"
Two ervants politely conducted the
Prince to the chamber which had been
reserved for him; and, being fatigued,
he Immediately went to sleep.
Next day the enchanter sent for him,
and said:
81 want to ascertain what you can
do. This evening you must set to |
work, and during the night you must |
build me palace, the roof and walls of
mar BILE, and the windows of crystal. /. |
Around this palace there must be a |
large garden, waterfall, and a lake with |
fish IN it. If this work is well executed, |
L shall be good natured towards you;
if not, you will have your head chopped
off"
"Accursed magician?" the Prince
said to himself, on returning to his |
chamber; she condemns me to death, |
and laughs at me while doing It."
He sat with his head between his |
hands all day, absorbed in the thought |
of his cruel destiny.
At last evening came, and with Its |
coming little bee tapped at his win
dow, and said to him:
"Let me in."
He opened the window. The bee
transformed itself: Wellena stood be-
fore him.
"Good evening"" she said; "why are
you so downcast?"
''Do You not know tn at your father
has condemned me to death?"
"And what are you going to dop"
Submit to my fate.
"What an ideal Don't let yourself |
be so easily conquered. Go to bed, and
sleep in peace. Tc-morrow porning
rise early; your palace shall Ds built;
go round it, hammer In your hand,
as if you had just finished constructing
it.
The next morning, on rising, Prince
Milan Deheld the palace compieteS
built. The Czernuch examined itmIn-
utely, and was astonished by it.
"Ab," he said to the young Prince,
s'you are a skillful artist. L must now
try the penetration of your mind.
have thirty daughters. Tomorrow
they shall be drawn up before you;
yon look at them once, twice, and, the
third time, you shall tell me which is
the Youngest, or you shall have your
head chopped Off"
Every good" said the Prince to him
self: CHATS an agreeable task. Why