Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-03-26

count Of her beauty.
A little while before the marriage
JaCinta was walking in the orchard one
evening when an old crone approached,
asking for aims, but suddenly jumped
back with shrek as if she had stepped
on toad, crying, Heavens, what do 1
see?'
What is the matter, my good wom
an? What is it you see? Tell me. "
1.-THE uglieSt creature I ever beheld.
"Then you are not looking at me"
said Jacinta, with innocent vanity.
las yes, my poor child, it is you.
have been long time on this earth,
but never have l met any one so hideous
rs you
What! Am 1 ugly?"
"A hundred times uRlier than I can
tell you.
but my eyes
"Thcy are sort Of dirty gray. But
that would be nothing if you had not
such an outrageous squintl"
My Complexion"-
ut looks as if you had rubbed coal
dust on your forehead and cheeks. "
MY mouth
at il pale and withered, like II faded
flower"
My teeth
IF the beauty of teeth is TO be large
and yellow, never saw any so beauti-
ful as yours.
But. at least, my ears
They arc So big, so red and so mis-
shapen under your coarse elf locks that
they are revolving. ] am not pretty my
self, but | should die Of shame if mine
were like them. After this last blow
the old witch, having repeated what the
queen had taught her, hObbled off, with
II harsh croak of laughter, leaving poor
Jacimta dissolved i'll tears, prone on the
ground beneath the apple trees.
Nothing conld divert her mind from
her grief II am ugly am ugly" she
repeated constantly. 1t was i'll vain that
Naluntim assured and treasured her with
the most solemn Oaths.
"Lct me alone! You are lying ont of
pity. | understand it all now. You new
or loved me You are only sorry for me-
The hcggar woman had no interest in
decciving me. 1t is only too true-I am
ugly / do not see how you can endure
the sight Of me "
To umdeceive her he brought people
from far and near Every man declared
that JaCinta was created to delight the
eyes Even the women said as much,
though they were less enthusiastic. But
the poor child persisted in her conviction
that she was a repulsive object, and
when Valentin pressed her to name their
wedding day, II, your wifel" cried she.
"Neverl love you too dearly to burden
you with being so hideous as / am. "
You can fancy the despair of the poor
fellow so sincerely i'll love. He threw
himself on his knees, he prayed, he sup
plicated; she answered still that she
was too ugly to marry him.
What was he to do? The only way to
give the lie to the old woman and prove
the truth to Jacinta was to put a mirror
before her. But there was no such thing
In the kingdom, and SO great was the
terror inspired by the queen that no
workman dared make one.
well, / shall 60 to court" said the
lover in despair. Harsh as our mis-
tress is, she cannot fail to be moved by
the tears and the beauty of .Iacinta. She
will retract, for a few hours at least
this cruel sdict which has caused our
trouble"
1t was not without difficulty that he
persuaded the young girl to let him take
her TO the palace. She did not like TO
show herself and asked of what use
would he II mirror, only to impress her
more deeply with her misfortune But
when he wopt her heart was moved, and
she consented To please him.
What is all this?" said the wicked
queen. "Who are these people? And
what do they want?'
Your majesty, you have before you
the most unfortunate lover Oh the face
of the earth. -
do you consider that good reason
for coming here to annoy me?'
"Have pity on me-.
What have l to do with your love
affairs?"
IF You would permit a mirror
The queen rose to her feet, trembling
with rage. "Who dares to speak to me
of a mirror" she said, grinding hel
teeth.
do not be angry, your majesty,
beg of you, and deign to hear me. This
young girl whom you see before you, sc
fresh and pretty, is the victim of @
strange delusion. She imagines that she
is ugly"
well, said the queen, with a ma
licious grin, "she is right. never saw
a more hideous object"
Jacinta, at these cruel words, thought
she would die Of modification. Doubt
was no longer possible; she must bt
ugly. Her eyes closed she fell on the
steps Of the throne in deadly swoon.
But Valentin was affected very differ
emily. He cried out loudly that her maj
esty must be mad to tell such lie HI
had no time to say more. The guards
seized him, and at a sign from the queer
the headsman came forward He was al
ways beside the throne, for she NIGH
need his services at any moment.
do your duty" said the queen
pointing out the man who had insultec
her. The executioner raised his CLEAN
ing AK just as Jacinta came to herselt
and opened her eyes. Then two shrek.
pierced the air. One was a cry of JOY
for in the glittering steel Jacinta saw
herself. so charmingly pretty, and tn,
other scream of anguish us the wicked
soul Of the queen took flight, unable L
bear tho sight Of her face in the i'm
promE miIr0r. From the French il