The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-04-01
THE THREE CASKETS
A Wonder-stOry of The Reign of Good
King Anselmus.
BY EDWARD COURTNEY.

Centuries have come and gone since
Anselmus reigned over the Romans.
lie was good and great monarch, and
he had taken for his queen the fair
daughter of the king Of Jerusalem.
They were both loved and honOred by
their people and would have been per-
fectly happy but for one sorrow that
hovered over them like 3 cloud. This
was that no prince had been born to
inherit the throne and TO comfort his
parents with his childish prattle.
Often, as the queen walked out with
attendants, she would see a little one
playing in the sunshine or rolling in
the sand, laughing at bright butterfly
or softly Growing over little flower.
Aud her heart would be filed with sad
ness that no baby's fingers ever wand
cred over her face or filled her heart
with the rapture that a mother feels as
she folds her little one close to her bos-
ON.
And the king, as he saw all the glor-
les around him, would sigh that there
were no pattering steps and laughing
voice 10 make the long halls of his
palace ring with childish mirth.
One day as Anselmus wandered
through his gardens, he sat down by a
fountain and looked idly upon the
water, dimpling in the sunlight. And
as he sat he grew weary, his head fell
forward npon his arms, which rested
on the fountains basin, and the king
slept.
Then a vision rose before him. He
thought the day was bright, but he
saw the moon shining, pale and droop-
ing, and while he looked little bird
flew towards him. Then two lions
/ came and stood, one on each side OF
the bird, and shielded it from the
wind. And when the king, in surprise
at this strange sight, lifted his eyes, be-
held, the garden seemed filled with
! N1A.lAA-N atAAAEAa1AAHr slAA UDNtl
down to the little bird.
Then, suddenly, the air was filled
with moving wings, and Anselmus be-
held birds of both gay and sombrt
plumage, all singing together, joyfully
and sweetly. And 50 loud did the
music grow that it awoke the king, and
the vision vanished But not so thC
memory of it.
Anselmus pondered long upon the
wonder be had seen; and then he sum
moned his counselIors and courtiers
and all the wise men of the land, and
when the hall was filed, the king
spoke to the assembly.
'I have summoned you, my people
TO hear the strange adventure that la:
befallen me. ! can not but fear thai
/ it presages some great event in my
kingdom, but whether good or evil,
must hear from nay wise counsellors. y
And thereupon he related his dream
At its conclusion the wise men with.
drew and i'm short time re-entered the
room with bright joyous faces.
"Rejoice, OH king - they cried.
Hear what the vision foretells. The
moon shining in the light of the sun
was our queen "eside our king. The
little bird was but to portray prince
,Orn into the land. The two beasts
that sheltered il were the good and the
great OF the land, who will give from
their plenty to support and protect
their future king. The strange ami
mails that bowed before our prince were
emblems OF the foreign nations that
will yield to his power. And the
sweet singing from the throats Of many
birds was but the sign Of the rejoicings
that We, yoar own people, will give
forth to welcome our kings son.
Rejoice, oh king, and be glad,
for the omen is goodw
! One day the city of Rome rung with
song and rejoicings. An heir to the
/ throne had been presented to the peo-
! pie, and their hearts were glad.
Now, it happened that King AM
phrey, who reigned over kingdo;A
near Rome, had carried on a contin-
ual war with Anselmus. But when he
heard of the birth OF tine prince, terror
crept into his heart, for he knew that
when the child had grown TO man
hood he would avenge his father. s.
Anphrey wrote to Anselmus, begging
that peace might henoeforth exist be-
I tween them. And Anselmus was
! pleased and answered, promising to
give help and protection to Amphrey
If he would acknowledge the eGper-
or's sovereignty ami give security for
his own word of faith.
Then King Amphrey called his
council and showed them the letter of
the emperor, and asked their help in
deciding what the tribute should be.
After much discussion, noble stepped
forth and said /:
"O.i king, theTe can be but one trib.
ate paid to Ausel.nIs that viii still
keep to yolrsel. your dignity and hon
or. Anselmas las son you have q
daughter, fair and good and noble. Let
the prince and princess become betroth-
ed, and in time the glory Of our king
dom viii be united to the glory OF
Rome"
1T is well, - answered Amphrey.
And forthwith he wrote To Anselmus
offering his daughter in marriage to
the baby prince. And Anselmus was
glad and the betrothal was celebrated
with pomp and ceremony.
After number of years had passed,
and the prince had grown to manhood,
and had proved his nobility and valar,
Anseiinus wrote to Amphrey TO send
his daughter to Rome.
SO the princess babe farewell 10 her
horne and set out upon her voyage.
She was accompanied by many noble
DANES and maids, and courtiers of high
degree. The vessels carrying the COM
pany were gay with floating siIken