The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-27
The FATAL Wish.


IRE In booking at him. and there was
really more light and brightness round
about his rags than lay upon the ssslias,
yelyets and brocades of the gentlemen and
noble ladies iounging in the court or
honor
.'oh, how lovely she isl exclaimed the
beggar. suddenly stopping.
He had seen the Princess Rosal.nd. who
was sitting at her window. and truly Il
was impossible 10 find anything more
lovely than she was. Motionless. with his
arms raised toward the window, as
though toward an opening In the sky
through which he caught glimpse or
paradise. thte beggar would have remain
ed thus until evening. il a guard had not
chased him away with the butt or Il
ha,berd and with hard words.
lie went away. holding down his head.
1t seemed 10 him that now everything was
gloomy before him and around him. the
horizon dark and the trees but shadows.
Unable 10 see Rosaiind. he believed this
sun was dead Sitting down under an oak
at the edge OF the wood, he began ID
cry.
...WeIi. well. yaung fellow, why are you
sorrow.ng in this fashion," asked an old
woman wood picker. who just then came
our OF the wood her back bent beneath .
fagot OF dried sticks.
".What good would II be 70 tell you7'
said he. You can do nothing for me, my
poor woman"
Perhaps you are mistaken about that"
said the crone.
While speaking she Strengthened herself
mp and threw away her burden. She was
no longer wood picker. but q fairy.
beautiful as the day, dressed in robe OF
silver lace. and with her hair garlanded
with precious stones. As to the dead
branches. Immediately she threw them
away they took flight, covering themselves
with green leaves and returning 10 the
trees from which they had fallen. while
the birds sang for joy TO welcome them
back.
"Oh, My Lady Fairy. cried the beg.
gar lad failing on his knees, take PITY on
my misfortune. Since l saw the princess
at the window my heart no longer belongs
TO me, and feel that shall never. never
love anyone but her.
We'll. said the fairy. there Ia no great
misfortune In that
"Ah." cried he. could there be greater
for me- DO You not understand that I
Shall die If do not marry the princess?'
'''WeH. what is 10 hinder you from mar
ry.ng herr said the fairy. she is not
engaged. l believe"
"Oh. madam. look at my rags. see my
bare feet ] am but Il poor fellow who
begs upon the road"
THAT does not matter" said the fairy.
Nothing can hinder one from being loved
who loves sincerely; such IS the sweet and
eternal law of life. The king and queen
will repnise YOU with dsdain and the cour-
tiers Will rld:cule you. but If your love for
the princess is true. she VIII be touched
by IL and Will give You her pity"
The young fellow shook his head: he
could not believe that such miracle was
possible
Take care" said the fairy. "or your
want Of faith VIII he punished in way
that viii be anything but pleasant. How
ever, as you are suffering am willing 10
come 10 your aid. Make wish and | VIII
grant H."
II wish" replied the youth promptly.
''to be the most powerful prince on earth.
go that ! may marry the princess. whom /
adore"
Dear. me. dear me- said the fairy,
why dent you go Instead and sing love
sorg underneath her window. and not
trouble yourself with the cares which
your wish will bring you? But since l
have promised IT, 1, shall be as you DE-
sire. lie, ne. however. first warn you OF
one thing; When you have ceased TO he
what YOU are now. no enchanter. no
fairy. not even myself. will he able 10 re-
store you 70 your first condition.: once be-
GENE a prince. AMI yOu will remain
prince forever
do you think" answered he youth,
''thst the royal husband Of the Princess
Resalnd viii ever wish 20 be again beg
gar upon the righways?'
We'll, ] only hope you may be happy
said the fairy with q sigh
Then with a golden wand she touched
him upon the shoulder. and In the twink
ling Of an eye the beggar became mag
n.fictnt lord. glitfsTing I'm silks and Jewels.
riding upon an Arabian courser az the
head ~ a train az piumed courtisrs and
thTcng ~ warriors ~ golden aynor
prince ~ such nlagnifcence could only
be received at the kingss eour; Isl one
way. lie wss welcomed with fuss and
hustle, ana Tor a whole week there were
feassings halls and fetes OF every con-
ceieah kind in rs honor
hat IL Was not In these pleasures that
the prince was occupied. Al every hour Of
the day and night no thought % Rosa
lind. when ne saw her he felt his hearr
bound With joy; when h heard her spsak
h sghought "a was listening 70 faulfle=s
music and he almost tainted svfta delight
y hea she gave him her hand 10 dance a
rnlnges.
E5u; one thing worried him somewhat.
Sc Elten he loved seemed 20 paw b1ir
nitie heed - all hls attention.. SHE re-
maIned Silent ard ~ about with
sneiane holy a!y
Al lengtlf b. asked the royal parents for
'hrsr daughters hand n marriage. and. as
nav bs- SupEsosed. they took cara rot
- refnee 80 SEsisnaia an o9er So the
teggar - a n.sie while ago vas going
- possess the loveiiset princess Ia tb.
@oF.d. ard 81 extraordinary was RS hap
pisces o0 receiving the parents ceaseut
taat ne fe.t shuGgh he could have
tanesd tae usinust by himself before ali
the eoar..
Alas BIS lay wss sh6Tf-fyed No sooner
~as Eosalnd t3ld ~ heg parents wishes
than $40 fsh - swGaa tn the arms of
htF lsdse~ - h010r. nj when ste came
"a hsssesf ii waS 20 say with tears and
1y.1RsaE % hands thar she akl Cos wish
= HAIRY. E~G that @z~ wa1li XIII herself
h<i@re she became tAe wife Of tbs prince.