The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-12-29
TIE NORNS'
THREE GIFTS.
A Queer Story of scandinavian Su-
perstition.

II happened, a long time ago, that
great king had very beautiful queen,
but the joy of his life was darkened be-
cause no prince had come to them to
inherit his kingdom.
Many were the prayers and offerings
% the gods 10 grant them their desire,
made hot only by the king and queen,
but by all the people Of the land, and
one day a strange thing happened.
The queen was walking in the gar
den, when suddenly, from a dark re-
cess, three women stood before her.
They were strange looking creatures,
not at all alike, and one wondered how
they could be together, for they were
inseparabie.
One was an old, decrepit woman,
with snBken eyes and wrinkled skin.
She had her head turned, looking
backwards, aud this position she main-
tanned all the time. The second ore
was young, strong and active. The
bright eyes looked fearlessly ahead and
her elastic step betokened the hope in
her heart
The third was the youngest, merely
a girl, budding into wOmanhood, whose
slight, delicate form was closely veiled
/ from head to foot. She bad her head
turned in the opposite direction from
that in which the first sister looked.
They stood before the beautiful
queen, and the oldest said
sorrow is in your heart, fair queen,
but l can give you no comfort. I see
the sunshine all behind, but foolish
mortaIs will not see the truth"
May said the second. 81 live
now. Be not sad, fair queen, for much
have you to live for; be glad with what
you have
But the queen only wept at their
words.
Then the young veiled creature
stepped forth, and touched the queen
gently, aud her voice was like the
murmur of distant waters, as she said;
"Rejoiee, beautiful queen, bring
you hope Of the future. The wish Of
your heart shall be granted, and on
thot day think Of my promise, and we
three shall be with you"
Before the queen realized what she
she had heard, the vision vanished.
And time passed away.
One day great joy spread throughout
the kingdom. \ baby prince was in
the palace, and the people were wild
with delight.
As she held her child in her arms,
the queen bethought her of the three
sisters, and Immediately they were be-
fore her. Then the eldest said
Each of US shall bestow a gift on
the babe. | promise that he shall
grow up handsome and brave"
Then the second one prophesied that
he would be prosperous, and would be-
come a great seald, and the parents
hearts were glad.
At this moment the people, in their
eagerness to see the strangers, crowded
into the room, and Skuid, the youngest
sister, she that had first given hope to
the queen, was pushed by them from
the chair.
Angered at the insult she arose
threateningly. The youthful figure
expanded in its indignation, and in "A
voice far different from the soft muir
mur in the garden, she said:
.'Hy sisters gifts shall be Of noavail.
Ny promise to thee, fair queen, shall be
annulled in its fulfliment For 1
promise now that the prince shall live
only ill yonder taper shall have burnt
out"
At these fearful words the queen ut
tered a scream and elasped the child
closer. The taper could live but no-
ment longer, for already it was nearly
burnt to the end.
But something happened then. The
oldest sister, not wishing to SEE her
promise set at naught, darted forward
and extinguished the flame. Then
handing the still smoking stump 70 the
mother, she said
"Guard this well. / cannot change
my sisters words, or make her retract
them therefore, so long as your son
loves life, let him treasure this taper"
And again the three disappeared.
Years and years passed away. Nor
nagesta, as the prince was called, in
honor of three Norns, or Fotes, for
such were the three sisters, grew up
strong and brave and handsome. He
He became a great poet and singer, ard
being light of heart was glsd Of life.
So he treasured the burnt taper that
his mother had given him in the hol-
low part of his harp.
He Outlived all the heroes Of his
time. He travelled from court to court,
singing, and earfying gladless to AL.
He lived to :, e the superstitions Of
his land give way to the doctrine Of
new faith, and by and by was COM
PEELED to abandon the beliefs Of his
fathers.
Then, one day, at the court Of a king
he was commanded to produce the ta-
per. The king wished to prove the fall
lacy of his old belief, and the stump
was lighted.
Noruagesta was an old man now, and
though be had c0nformed to new
views, his heart was strong in the old
faith.
Anxi"usly he watched the flame,
with all the blood of his heart surgiug
TO his brain. II fliekered. 1t went out!
And with a cry, the poet fell at the feet
Of the king, dead.
Deafness Cannot be Cured