The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-02-09
THE NIGHTINGALE.

u uSalcS Ill BOlucn cages ana red
an'. cared for them with his own hands.
One morning no was riding out on
bird catching expedition, with n groom
to follow him laden with nets and bait.
Over night the buds on tho beech trees
had burst forth, and the tender leaves
were glistcning in the morning sunshine
like green silk. The spring breeze gen
thy 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.
In tho densest part of the forest there
was spring where the animal inhab-
itants of the wood were wont to drink.
There our two bird catchers dismount-
ed, led their horses to ono sido and
spread their net Already the birds
were to be heard in tho branches of tho
trees. Gay fnches, red breasted robins
and steel blue tomtits wero lowering
about, and i'll the distance could be
heard the call of the nightingale.
Suddenly tho sound of Il song coming
from mortal lips was heard, the birds
flew startled away into tho forest, and
the bird catchcrs were foiled for that
day. \ slender maid came tripping to
the brook. Il pale checked lass with long
brown braids, and in her hands she car
ried an carthcn jug. Her song was
such us the village children sing, but
her voice was us clear us Il bell The
prince listened with pleasure and for
gave the sonSstrcss for having spoiled
his sport. He came ont from behind
the bushes and after bowling to her gave
the maiden very kindly greeting.
Tho little lass was startled when tho
king S son stood SO suddenly before her.
She turned to flee away into the forest,
but the prince begged her to stay and
to grant him drink from her pitcher.
She offered the prince its pure, cool
contents, and as he took Il 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 tho saddle, he
bent down again to the palo child and
caresscd her brow with his white hand.
Then he rode away.
She followed him with her gaze until
he had quite disappeared behind tho
tree trunks. Then she sat down OH
stone and stared mt the water. The sun
rose higher, and the strength of his
rays brought out thousands of buds.
All. if l only were Il nightingale"
said the maiden to herself. II would
let myself he caught by him; he would
carry Inc away to his castle. whcro
should sec him every day
'You would like to be Il nightin-
galc?" inquired Il voice which camo
from an old woman who suddenly stood
before the girl leaning with her palsicd
right hand ON Il crutchlikc staff.
SO you would like To he IL nightin-
gale:' asked the old woman again.
That can lie managed. BY my magic
will change you into one. In the day
time you must be nightingale and mt
night a little maiden. Will you do
that"
Yes, mother, will"
But as reward, went on the old
woman, ''you must give me 10 years of
your life. Will you do this also?"
Yes. 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. J" With these words the witch
led the girl deep into the forest.
The next day when the prince came
to the brook he found tho most beauti-
full nightingale he had ever seen sing
ing among the hedges. He laid his net,
and the songstrcss camo tluttering to-
ward it, but instead OF falling into the
trap it flew over TO him and pcrched it
self upon his hand and SO was captured.
Ho carried the nightingale home,
placed it in splendid cage and was
delighted with its wonderful notes. To
the other captive birds, however he
gave their freedom, for he now 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 her
at all. Wherever he went tho nightin-
gale accompanied him, and even when
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. AS
soon as the cocks began to crow the
maiden turned into 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 then be crowned
king. A king should also have queen.
l have therefore sought and found for
you the most beautiful and virtuous
princess under the sun, who also brings
to You half II kingdom as dover And
that is something. She arrives tomor-