Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1896-07-24

we, 20 " ulill dSdlu. IIc VIII
refuse You nothing. | cannot live
in this farmhouse. If | stay here,
| shall be i'll. fl have not a cha
teau, | shall die"
The apprehensive fisherman
again obeyed. aud the fish said TO
him, $50. Your new wish is
granted
When he returned home, what a
wonderful change awaited him! In
place of his rustic house he found
a beautiful chateau with flag way
ing on the top of its lofty tower. a
wide moat surrounded the high
walls inclosing the domain, and on
its draw-bridge stood Stora in a
silk gown with a gold chain about
her neck. Taking her husband by
the hand, she led him into their
apartment. Entering the large
door, they passed from room to
room completely and beautifully
furnished with soft carpets, superb
hangings, statuary and pictures.
On every side were domestics in
livery. In the court stood a
carriage with two beautiful horses,
coachman on the seat and a foot
man up behind. Near by was a
garden full OF flowers, conserva-
tory and an aviary.
"Ah," said Stora, with an air of
triumph, what do you think of all
this? Is this not better than a
country house? Are you not con-
tent"
Yes" replied the fisherman,
but for the love of all that's good
let US stay here"
A few days later Stora remarked
to her husband: / was on the
tower to-day and was astonished
and grieved to find how little land
we have. 1t is not enough that
you should be a lord. You must
have a kingdom. You must be
king"
What extravaganza" cried
the fisherman. Never, never will
l permit it,"
eff you do not wish to be king
replied Stora in a resolute tone
Il nevertheless am determined t6
be queen, and I desire you to &c
and explain my wish to the friend
who is under SO many obligations
to you.''
"No, indeed, reiterated the fisher
man. He has already been wonder
fully generous with us. I do not wisl,
to irritate and tire him."
But the ambitious Stora insisted
begged and threatened and the poor
fisherman again gave way to her in
flexible will. The fish looked upon
him in pity, saying sadly, "This
time also the wish of your wife is
granted"
In place of the lordly chateau there
was grand palace with magnificent
facade and four imposing towers. A
marble stairway covered with rich car
pet led to the first floor, to the recep-
ton room where the ministers, gene
rails and courliers we're congregated
and where Stora sat on golden
throne, an ermine mantle about her
and a crown OF diamonds on her head.
Finally" said she enthusiastically
to her husband, "here is burst OF
fortune, here is power, here is hap
piness! There is nothing more ]
could WISH"
"God be praised" he fervently re.
piled.
A few moments later, with q grave
air, she took him by the hand, draw
ing him into the embrasure of win
dow that she might talk to him unob-
served, and said to him, al am we'll
satisfied that am queen, am con-
tented with the respect of my minis
tiers and the tranquility of my SUBJ
jects, but sometimes the sun rises too
late; sometimes the moon is too late,
and sometimes the wind whistles and
blows in q manner that inconvenien-
ces ME greatly. I wish to govern
them according to my pleasure. The
fairy fish can refuse you nothing.
He must grant me this one additional
favor. 1t will be the last"
The peaceful fisherman was stupe-
fed. He could not believe she spoke
seriously. But when she, in reso-
lutte manner repeated her demand he
declared he would never take part in
any such insanity.
But, alas, the poor man had not the
courage to resist the headstrong will OF
his companion. After violent pro-
testations he again acquiesced.
He went in fear and trembling to
perform his strange mission. This
time the fish regarded him coldly and
said to him, in formidable voice:
"This is enough. Your wife is in
sane, and you are an imbecile. You
will no longer have either chateau or
lands. In pity I will give you back
your ancient cottage. You deserve
no more"
As the fairy fish disappeared be