Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1902-06-04
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J The ENCHANTED:
!. WHISTLE !
By Alexandra Dumas



beauty. When this princess arrived ut
an age to be married, he caused proc
lamatioB 60 be made BY sound OF a trum-
pct and BY piacards on all tho walls OF
bis kingdom to the effect that ali those
who had any pretension to her hand
were 70 assemble IN widespread mead
ow.
Her would be suitors being 10 this way
gathered together, the princess would
throw into the air a golden apple, and
whoever succeeded in catching il would
then have to resolve three problems, aft.
er doing which he might marry the
princess and. the king having no son, In
hsrii the kingdom.
Ga the day appointed the meeting took
place. The princess threw the golden ap-
pie into the air. and Il fell into the hands
OF young shepherd. who was the hand.
soonest but At the same time the poorest
OF all the competitors.
The hsst problem given him 10 solve.
certainly as difficult as a problem in
mathematics, was this:
The king had caused 100 hares 10 be
shut gp In a stable. He who should sue
coed In leading them out to feed upon
the meadow where the meeting was be-
iag held the next morning aud conduct
them ell back 10 the stable the next
evening would have resolved the FIRST
problem.
The shepherd Immediately took his
way 10 the forest 10 mediate there on
the means OF accomplishing the task set
him.
With down bent head he slowly trav-
ersra a narrow path running beside n
brook. when he came upon a little old
woman with snow white hair. but spar
kltaE eyes. who inquired the cause of his
sadness.
The young shepherds heart was so
heavy that be needed no entreaty to tell
her his story.
She took from her pocket an ivory
whistle and gave Il 10 him. This whistle
was just like other whistles in appear
ance. 50 the shepherd. thinking that II
needed TO be blown in a particular way,
turned to ask the little old woman how
this was. bat she had disappeared. Full
Of confidence. however. In what he re-
garded as a good genius. he went next
day 10 the palace and said TO che king:
Il accept. STR. and have come Ia search
OF the hares TO Lead them to the mead.
ow."
On hearing this the kins rose and said
to his minister OF the interior:
Have all the harez turned out OF the
stable"
The young man placed himself on the
threshold OF the door to count them. bu,
the hrst was already far away when the
last was set at liberty. so much so that
when be reached the meadow be had not
a slngle hare with him.
He sat himself down pensively. not
daring 10 believe Ia the virtue OF his
whistle. However. he sqd no other re-
source. and. placing the whistle TO his
lips. be blew into il with all his might.
Immediately. TO his great astonish.
meat. from right aud left. from before
him aud behind him. from all sides. In
fact. leaped the hundred hares and set to
quietly browsing on the meadow around
him.
News was brought TO the king how the
young shepherd had probably resolved
the problem OF the hares. The king con
ferrsi on the matter with his daughter.
Both were greatly vexed. for II the young
shepherd succeeded with the two other
problems ss well as be had with the frst
the princess would become the wife OF a
simple peasant. than which nothing could
be more humiliating to royal pride,
The princess retired to her chamber
and disguised herself In such way as
% render herself unrecognizable. Then
she had a horse brought for her, mount
ed Il aud wrnt TO the young shepherd.
The hundred hares were frisking joy
Dusty around him.
"Will yon sell me one Of your hares 2
asked the youag princess.
Il wouid not sell you one Of my hares
for all the gold In the world replied the
shepherd, but you may gain one"
AT what prieeg' asked the princess.
by dismoungihg from your horse and
sitting By me on the grass for a quarter
| Of an hour"
The princess made some objections
| but. IS there was no other means OF OBJ
| timing the hare she descended to the
| ground and seated herself b. the young
| shepherd.
The hundred hares leaped and bounded
around him.
At the end OF a quarter OF an hour
/ during which the young shepherd said &
hundred tender things TO her. she ross
4
| herd. faithful to his promise. gave her.
The princess joyfully shut IL in a has
| ket which she carried at the bow OF hei
saddle aud rode back toward the palace
But hardly had she ridden quarter Of
league when the young shepherd
| placed bis whistle TO his lips and blew
Into IL, and at his imperative call tbs
hare forced up the lid OF the basket
sprang TO the ground and made off a
fast as his legs would carry him.
A moment afterward the shepherd saw
a peasant coming toward him mounted
on a donkey. 1t was tho old king. ais'
disguised. who had quilted the palace
with the same intention as his daughter
A large bag hung from the donkey
| saddle.
"Win you sell me one of your hares ?
he asked OF the young shepherd.
"Ny hares are not for SALE" repliet
| the shepherd. but they may be gained
| what must enc do to gain oneF'
The shepherd considered for moment
"You must kiss three times the tail O.
/ your donkey" he said
| rrhfa atrauga condition was greatly re