Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1896-05-09

Of the North, the region of perpetual
snow; the King Of the South. where
the sun shines all the year round; the
King OF the East, from whence the
cold winds blow, and the King of the
West. where the gentle zephyrs
breathe upon the flowers and coax
them to open their petals while the
rest Of the world Is still sleeping.
And there was the great Dragon,
who lived on top of a high mountain
In the center OF the universe. He
could see everything that happened
everywhere by means Of his magic
spectacles, which enabled him to look
all ways at once, and to see through
solid substances; but he could only
see, not hear, for he was as deaf as u
post.
Now the King OF the North had
beautiful daughter called Crystal. Her
eyes were bright like the stars; her
hair was black like the sky at night:
her skin was as white as the snow
which covered the ground outside the
palace where she lived. which was
built entirely of crystals clear as the
clearest glass.
And the King Of the South had a
son who had been named Sunshine on
account of his brightness and warmth
Of heart.
The King OF the East had son who,
because he was always up early and
was very Industrious mad been given
the name of Sunrise
The King Of the West also had a son,
perhaps the handsomest of the three,
and always magnificently dressed; but
as 1t took him all day to make his
toilet, so that he was never seen be-
fore evening, he received the name of
Sunset.
An three princes were In love with
the Princess Crystal, each hoping to
win her for his bride When they had
the chance they would go and peep at
her as she wandered up and down in
her glass palace. But she liked Prince
Sunshine best, because he stayed long
er than the others, and was always
such excellent company. Prince Sun
shine was too busy TO be able to spare
her more than half an hour or so; and
Prince Sunset never came until she
was getting too tired and sleepy to
care to see him.
II was no use. however for her to
hope that Sunshine would be her hus-
band just because she happened to pre-
fer him to the others. Her father
the stern. blusterous old king. with a
beard made of icicles so long that Ii
reached to his waist and kept his
heart cold-declared that he had no
patience for such nonsense as likes
and dislikes; and one day he announc-
ed, far and wide, in a voice that was
heard by the other three kings, and
which made the earth shake so that
the great green Dragon Immediately
looked through his spectacles to see
what was happening:
HE who would win my daughter
must first bring me the casket con-
tanning the hidden treasure, which Is
concealed no man knows wherer'
or course the Dragon was none the
wiser for looking through his specta-
cles, because the words-loud though
they were-could not be heard by his
deaf ears.
But the other kings listened diligent-
ly; as did the young princes. And
poor Princess Crystal trembled in her
beautiful palace lest Sunrise, who was
always up so early, should find the
treasure before Sunshine had chance;
BIC was dlEdlu tuE
lent Sunset, except that 1t might oc-
cur to him to look In some spot for
gotten by his rivals.
Very early, indeed, on the following
morning did Prince Sunrise set to
work; he glided along the surface of
the earth, keeping close to the ground
In his anxiety not to miss a single
inch. He knew he was not first In the
field for the Northern's kings procla-
nation had been made toward evening
on the previous day, and Prince SUN
set had bestirred himself for once, and
had fingered about rather lat.r than
usual. being DESTROYS of finGing the
treasure and winning the charming
princess.
But the early morning was passing,
and very soon the CHEEKY, indefatiga-
BILE Sunshine had possession Of the en-
tire land, and flooded Crystals palace
with look from his eyes which babe
her not despair.
Then he talked to the trees and the
green fields and the flowers, begging
them to give up the secret In return
for the warmth and gladness he shed
80 freely on them. But they were 81
lent, except that the trees sighed their
sorrow at not being able to help him,
and the long grasses rustled a whis-
pered regret, and the flowers bowed
their heads In grief.
Not discouraged, however, Prince
Sunshine went to the brooks and riy-
ers, and asked their assistance. But
they, too, were helpless. The brooks
gurgled out great tears of woe. which
rushed down to the rivers, and 80 over
came them-sorry az they were on ac-
count Of their own inability to help
that they nearly overfIowed their
banks, and went tumbling into the
sea, who, of course, wanted to know
what was the matter; but, when told.
all the sea could do was to thunder a
loud and continuous Nor on all its
beaches. 80 Prince Sunshine had to
pass on and seek help elsewhere.
l.e tried to make the great Dragon
understand; but 1t could not hear him.
Other animals could, though, and he |
went from one to another. as cheerful |
as ever, In spite OF all the noes, he |
had met with; until. at last, he knew |