The Savannah morning news., 1902-06-15

to wed none but him who shall bring
her a gift which neither gold nor sill
yer can buy. An King Murtagh holds
her to that-sayin that that man shall
she sure wed, be he plain servin' lad or
one o. high degree. An her right
kings daughter!"
go, ho!" says Taig, seem the man
ridin' on his way afther speakin'.
IT'S to the court o. King Murdough
princess for wife to one of us, an
never need to work more" An Derg
agreed, GRIMM with his ugly face.
So they had Culain, pack up what
goods there were, an make them in
bundle to carry on his shoulder; an
he followed on foot where they two
rode on the horse. An much he
thought TO himself but said naught.
KNOWN that one day more would set
him free o. them, an eager TO be off
an 'doin' mans deeds.
When they rode into the outer court
o. King Murtagh's dwellin', there.
standin in a doorway, was Princess
Norma, an Love o. Sunshine was she
for on her sweet head IL shone like the
rare gold. When Culain set eyes on her
twas as if fire had leaped into his
heart. an he cast his burden far from
him, scornin the touch Of It. But all
around were laughin' at the look o.
the beggar men, an many stout war
riors gathered near.
Dread o. bein' forced to wed one o.
these beggar men was in the heart o.
Norma, but she raised her head brayely
an called on Taig to show his gift. So
he knelt down an whispered a word,
an there on the hard trodden earth o.
the court bloomed many gay flowers.
Go you within an wait" says Nor
ma, while l see yer companions So
Taig entered the door, feelin' triumph
in. an one who had secret word from
the princess brought him horn o.
strong mead.
Its no use at ALL" whispered the
servin' man. "Betther nor that has been
brought before. But I'll give a gold
piece to know the word, for pleasurin
me sweetheart
An Taig, greedy like, clutched the
gold an told IL. An at once he was
thrown out at the little back gate,
among the swineherds.
Next came Derg, leavin' Culain hold
in his horse an carryin' the sword
forgettin' that the time o. his servin'
was up. An Derg whistled, an from
the sky came a hundred singin' birds.
twitterin' as in early springtifne. So
then Norma, fearin' his look worse nor
the other, sent him in afther. An
when he had drunk mead II went with
MIN as Win lag lot ne sofa
his secert, an was pushed stumblin'
out among the pigs.
Last of all, Norma looked up an saw
Culain standin poorly dressed, but
proud an well to look on.
Have we also gift that no gold
can buy?' says she. half tremblin'. an
wonderin' at his differin' so from Taig
and Derg.
'Ay," says Culain,
AN what7" says Norma.
"'Tis the true love of kings son."
says he. Right quick he caught the
gladness film her eyes; an never
waitin' for askin, he sprung to the
saddle. swung her up before him, an
headed his horse for the outer gate.
" 'Tis the beggars' servant stealin' the
Princess!" shouted those around, try
in to catch the bride. But a word to
the horse was all that was needed. An
though many a strong fightin' man
drew sword to stop them. Culain was
too swift an skilled with thrust an
parry-an' before any thought to bar
the way. he had cut his patch out over
warrior an servin' man, an was ridin
like the wind over the moorland an
through the forest. An never did he
draw rain till he reached the castle o.
Clad, an claimed the Kingdom due
An happy he lived all his life with
Norma, Love o. Sunshine-each havin'
that which no gold could buy, an
blossonlin' flowers an the singin' o.
birds at their will.
An that's how the son o. Clad learn
ed the true meanin' o. what made
right king.