The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-02-05
THE NIGHTINGALE.

Once upon a time there lived a prince
who loved nothing in the world so we'll
as the sound of the n~ightingale's song.
Therefore he kept a great number Of
nightingales in golden cage and fed
and cared for them with his own hands.
One morning he was riding out on a
bird catching expedition, with a groom
to follow him laden with nets and bait.
| Over night the buds on the beech trees
had burst forth, and the tender leaves
were glistening in the morning sunshine
like green silk. The spring breeze gen
tly stirred the anemones among the
brown leaves on the ground, and from
the grassy slopes nodded yellow prim-
roses. 1t was a delicious morning for
a ride.
n the densest part of the forest there
W. a spring where the animal inhab-
itants of the wood were wont to drink.
There our two bird catchers dismount-
ed, led their horses to n side and
spread their net. Already the birds
were to be heard in the branches of the
trees. Gay finches, red breasted robins
and steel blue tomtits We're lowering
about, and in the distance could be
heard the call of the nightingale.
Suddenly the sound of a song coming
from mortal lips was heard, the birds
few startled away into the forest, and
the bird catchers were foiled for that
day. A slender maid came tripping to
the brook, a pale checked lass with long
brown braids, and in her hands she car
ried an earthen jug. Her song was
such as the village children sing, but
her voice was as clear as q bell. The
prince listened with pleasure and for
gave the songstress for having spoiled
his sport. He came out from behind
the bushes and after bowling to her gave
the maiden a very kindly greeting.
The little lass was startled when the
kings son stood 80 suddenly before her.
She turned to fee away into the forest,
but the prince begged her to stay and
to grant him a drink from her pitcher.
She offered the prince its pure, cool
contents, and as he took a long, slow
draft she raised her eyes and allowed
her gaze to wander over his strong,
young figure. He thanked her, gave
back the jug and had his horse brought
to him. When he was In the saddle, he
bent down again to the pale child and
caressed her brow with his white hand.
Then he rode away.
She followed him with her gaze until
he had quite disappeared behind the
tree trunks. Then she sat down on q
stone and stared at the water. The sun
rose higher, and the strength Of bis
rays brought out thousands Of buds. ~
"Ah, if l only were q nightingale"
said the maiden to herself. II would
let myself be caught by him; he would
carry me away to his castle, where
should see him every day"
"You would like to be a nightin-
gale?' inquired a voice which came
from an old woman who suddenly stood
before the girl leaning with her palsied
right hand on a crutchlike staff.
80 you would like to be a nightin-
gale?" asked the old woman again.
That a be managed. BY my magic
l will change you into one. In the day
time you lnnst be a nightingale and at
night q little maiden. Will you dc
that?"
Yes, mother, l will"
But as a reward went on the old
woman, you must give me 10 years OF
your life. Will you do this also:'
| eyes, answered the poor child Joy
fully.
Very well; then follow me to my
hut. 1t is not very far from here. |
must give you a powerful drop to
drink With these words the witch
led Y girl deep into the forest.
The next day when the prince came
to the brook he found the mott beauti.
full nightingale he had ever seen sing
ing among the hedges. He laid his net,
and the songstress came f1uttering to-
ward it, but instead of falling into the
trap it few over to him and perched it.
self upon his hand and so was captured.
He carried the nightingale home,
placed it In a splendid cage and was
delighted with its wonderful notes. TIC
the other captive birds, however, he
gave their freedom, for he nov valued
their singing little more than he would
the twittering Of sparrows. At last he
began to love the nightingale SO dearly
that he could hardly be parted from hel
at all. Wherever he went the nightin.
gale accompanied him, and eve wher
he was on horseback she perched upon
his shoulder. She sang ceaselessly from
morning until evening, but at night
after she had sung the prince to SLEEP
she took on her mortal form and sitting
at his bedside gazed at her beloved. Az
soon as the cocks began to crow the
maiden turned into a nightingale again
and woke the prince with her song.
One day the old queen mother sent
for the prince and said to him: my
dear son, next month you will be Is
years old and will her be crowned
king. A king should also have a queen.
| have therefore sought and found for
you the most beautiful and ~virtuous
princess under the sun, who also brings
to you half a kingdom as dover. And
that is something. She arrives tomor.
row, and the wedding will be celebrated
In three days. Does this please your"
svas M Io5v p,otha~ ~ o,.,x-aJ