Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-01-04
A DUMB PRINCESS.

inches of its yew tree hedge stood white
marble statues, and strange flowers of burn
ing colors surrounded the grass plats. But
in the middle Of the garden was pond,
in the center of which was q group of fish
tailed sea gods, who. sitting upon spout
ing dolphins, were blowing their shell
trumpets.
All the world admired this garden.
There was only one person whom it did
not please--this was the kings Young and
most beautiful daughter. Those shameless
neathen gods frightened her, and she al
ways avoided the garden.
Therefore the king, who loved his daugh-
ter above all the world, sent for young
gardener, who had Travelled through many
lands and had seen many splendid things,
aud commanded him to make new gar
den in place of the old one. He wished
to make I, present OF it to the princess on
her birthday.
The gardener did his best. lie dug and
chopped and he planted. Sunshine and
rain did their part also, and wien the
birthday came the gardener stood at the
entrance gate and held Il salyer on which
he offered to the princess the golden keys
to the garden. Followed by courtiera and
ladies in waiting, the princess then made
the tour of the garden.
The heart of the kings daughter leaped
within her for joy. She forsook the gravel
walk and s2rang lightly over the lawn, SO
that her co..st ladies had difficulty III Keep
ing up with her But with measured read
and frequent shake of the head the court
dueuna followed the frolicsomc young peo-
pie 4 uodding rose twif, had stuck in
her powdered hair - she passed She
thought the new garden hideous.
Now, the princess was nearing The spot
where the marble basin had formerly had
II place Today there lay :. tiny, smiling
green lake.
ooh, how charmingt' exclaimed the
princess, ana q, ladies repeated the word
after her.
Then u dreadful thing happened. \ fat,
green frog which Was sitting in the reeds
looking out for waite. ladies, being dis
turbed by the rustic of silken garments,
made II great jump and plunged into the
water so violently that the drops spurted
up
Every one screamed, and the princess
sank down, all pale, upon the ground.
Now the court duenna Fastened her steps
and was shocked TO see what had happen
ed. Luckily musk and smelling salts We're
easily found. The fainting girl soon came
to herself, but fright had taken away her
power of speech. With disturbed faces
and shaking with anxiety, the ladies in
waiting carried her back to the palace.
In honor of the princess the townspeOple
had ,deckcd their houses with green and
gay flags, but when the midday hour
chimed they removed all signs Of decora
ton, for Dame Kumor announced that the
kings daughter had suddenly become
dumb.
p And unhappily this was no empty hear
say
Tho princess had long recovered from
her fright She could eat and drink, but
no word passed her lips. She had lost the
power of speech.
Physicians came to her side. They
caused all the circumstances to be told
them. put their heads together and wrote
long prescriptions. The patient swallowed
obediently drops, pills and powders, but
the power of speech did not return.
The whole court was drapcd in mourn
ing But the old king who was usually
so mild and kind, foamed with rage. He
ordered I'll the frogs in his kingdom to be
killed and set IL price of IL farthing on the
head of every frog. But he threw tho gar
dcner into prison. OF what use was it all?
The princess remained dumb.
Days, weeks and months passed by.
Physicians collected there from all corners
of the globe. What one ordered the other
always condemned, but not one of them
could give back to the king daughter her
power of speech. Wise women and clever
shepherds We're also sent for. Even Master
Hammerein, the eXecutioner, wat com
mandetl to come. They piled their strange
and secret remedies, but none of them
could help her
In the meantime The poor gardener was
in sorry plight. He had hoped for IL rich
reward, and now he was lying in chains
and could behold neither sun nor moon.
Bit his cid mother was Sill living in the
homestead. and she was Il clever woman
of much experience. When she heard what
had happened to her son. she tied up her
bundle and wandered Off to the kings
town. When she arrived there, she betook
herself to tho prison ard implored the
turnkey with such moving words that he
ut last led her into the prison.
The mother and son remained alone to-
gether for half an hour. Then the old wo
man hobbled Off. But when the war;ler
brought his jug of water to the young man
he was walking about his cell, with his
head high. whistling tune
Next day he demanded to be taken be-
fore the king. He claimed that he possess
ed the remedy which would restore the
power of speech to the princess.
The princess had been obliged that same
day to undergo n great deal. First she
had been pr;ckcd with redhot needles by
n foreign doctor. At this she had groaned
and sobbed, but not n word had she spo-
ken. After that she had been given, at
the advice of an old herb doctor, the heart,
brain and tongue of 4 maybe, and this
svas also quite useless. Now the princess
,sas lying. pale and langnd, on a couch.
20 exhausted that she had closed her eyes.
They brought the gardener to her side.
His chains Were clanking, but he walked
erets and seemed in good spirits.
TRY your arts, j." said the king, land If
you can cure her you shall receive the or
dero of the Green Crocodile and as much
gold as you can carry"
The gardener went to the invalid's
couch, made her sit up, which she did will
lingly, took her little white hand in his
and gazed into her tired eyes.
Poor little princess" he then said.
tCn nnboy,pv onA oplv ora oyI fraptx,