The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-04-01

pennants and flags and the sails were
of brlght-hued eolors. Ar.rich dowry,
suited to the high birth of the princess,
was sent also on the vessel, and every
thing seemed bright and joyous.
But after sailing few days they
suddenly encountered heavy storm.
Great black clouds mounted up i'm the
skies, piling upon each other, and
threatening to empty their deluge upon
the now frightened voyagers. The sea
became calm, but only to be followed
by such wild ragings as seldom disturb
the deep. The waves rose mountain
high, Just as the storm burst i'm its fury,
and when daylight broke there was no
sign of vessel or crew upon the wide
ocean. But suddenly voice rung out
clear in the morning sunlight. There,
clinging to a spar was the princess Of
all the host she alone was living. And
as she sung from out the deep, the YES
sci suddenly rose, and the princess,
mounting upon the PROV, seemed safe
for the time.
Now, you must know that, when the
princess left her home, and old nurse
gave her stone, which seemed dull
and: useless, but which she bade the
maiden guard as she would her life.
The stone was now hanging about the
maiden's neck, and it had the power
in If of fulfilling anything she might
wish. As she looked about she beheld
a whale following the risen vessel, and
in her terror she grasped the stone.
Immediately a fire sprung up about
her, and the whale was frightened
away.
But when night came again, the
maiden was weary and slept. And the
stone slipped from her grasp and the
chain on her neck looSened and the
talisman dropped into the sea. Then
the fire was suddenly eXtinguished
and the whale came and devoured the
sleeping princess. Then she awoke,
and with a sharp knife which she had
fastened in her belt, she wounded the
whale till it made for The shore, feeling
that il was sick unto death.
There walked on the sand a noble
man Of Anselmus's kingdom, and when
he saw the whale, after it had grown
light, he summoned his men to come
and kill it, And as they struck at the
huge sides, the princess cried out
"Have mercy, and save me, for
am princess ~
In alarm the men at first ran away,
but summoned by their master they
again set to work, aud soon the prin-
cess was released from her dark prison.
The nobleman took pity on her when
he heard her sad tale, and took her
home with him. Then word was sent
to Anselmus, and he came with great
train of followers to welcome the maid
en-.
my child" he said, "you have suf-
fered much. But one more trial have
you before | can call you daughter"
Then turning to an attendant he said,
Bring the caskets ~
Immediately a slave knelt before the
princess holding on velvet cushion
three caskets. The first was of gold,
beautifully wrought and set with pre-
cious gems, but inside it contained
dead mems bones. The second was of
silver, embossed and highly ornament
ed, but inside it was nothing but dust
and ashes. The third was made of dull
lead, plain and ugly to look upon, but
inside was great treasure, rubies and
diamonds and pearls beysnd price.
my child, you must choose one of
these easkets. If you choose that which
shall be of profit to yourself and to 9TH
ers, you shall marry the prince and in
time become queen. But if you choose
unwisely, then in peace shall yoa re-
turn to your fathers kingdom"
The princess looked upon the three
caskets, taking up the gold one read its
inscriptions:
"Whoso chooseth me shall receive
that which he deserves
"Ab beautiful casket, you are fair to
lock upon, but | know not what is
hidden beneath your fair outside" =" said
the maiden. ~ will pass you by"
Then she read on the silver casket:
Whose chOoseth me shall have that
which he desires ~
NAY, nay, oh, silver casket ~ she
cried, ''what / desire may be wrong
and wicked I'll none of thee ~
Then the plain leaden casket was
raised:
"Whoso chooseth me shall receive
that which is ordained for him ~
~ cried the princess, 'in this
there is promise, for whatsoever is or
dained must be for the best. This shall
be my choicer'
"Well chosen, thou good and virtu-
oas maiden" cried the king as he bent
and kissed her on the brow.
And the wedding of the prince and
princess was celebrated with great re-
ioicings.
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IT, s.rI