The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1903-04-15
"A BIRDS SONG

world SO well as the sound or TIE
n;chtingale's song. Therefore he
lept l great number Of f3nightingales
IN golden cages and fed and cared
- ior them with his own hands. ],
One morning he was riding out on
, bird catching expedition, with a.
. ~room to follow him.lade1 with nets
and bail. Over night the buds on
The beech trees had burst forth, and
the tcndcg leaves were glistening in
The morning sunshine like green
silk. The spring breeze gently STIR
rcd the anemones among the brown
leaves on the ground, and from the
grassy slopes nodded yellow prim-
roses. 1t was a delicious morning
for a ride. 4
In the densest part Of the forest
there was a spring where the ami
nal inhabitants of the wood were
wont VOL, to drink. There our Two bird
catchers dismounted, led their,
horses to one side and spread their
net ne Already the birds were to be
heard in Tie branches of the trees.
Cav inches, red breasted robins and
steel blue tonltits were lowering
about, and in the distance could be
heard the call Of the nightingale.
Suddenly the sound of a song
coming from srnortal lips was heard,
the birds few wstartled away into the
forest, and the bird catchers were
foiled for that day. A slender maid
came tripping to the brook, a pale
checked lass with long Blown braids,
and in her hands she carried an
earthen jug. Her song was such as.
the village children sing, but her
voice was as clear as hell. The
prince listened with pleasure and
forgave the songstress for having
spoiled his sport. He came out from
behind the bushes and after. bowing
to her gave the maiden o very kind
ly greeting.
The little lass was startled when
the kings son stood SO suddenly be-
fore her. She turned to fee away
into the forest, but the prince beg
gel her to stay and to grant him a
drink from her pitcher. TShe offered
the prince its hnre cnoll 3catt contents, SiitS
and as he took ID long, slow draft
she raised her eyes and allowed. her
gaze to wander over his strong
young figure. He thanked her, gave
back the Jug and had his horse
brought to him. When he was in
the saddle, lie bent down again to
the pale child and carassed her brow
with his white hand. Then 2hesrode
away.
She followed him with her gaze
until he had quite disappeared be-
hind the tree trunks. Then she, sat
down on a stone and stared at the
water. The sun. rose higher, and,
the strength of his rays brought out
thousands Of buds.
"Ah, If II &only were a nightin-i
gale~ said the smaiden to herself.
Il would Slet myself be caught by
him. Heswonld carry me away to-
his castle, where Isshould see him:
every day.: Z
"You would ikesto be d, nightin-
gale?" inquired q voice which came
from an old woman who suddenly
stood before the girl leaning with
her. palsied right hand on a. crutch-
like staff. E5 ~ lA5s
$50 yon, would like to be a night
ingale n asked the old woman again.
"That can be mana ged. B,ygf B,gf my mag
ic | will change syoT into tone. In
the daytime You must be 81 nightin-
gale and&af night a Little maiden.
Will uSdo that ?,''
eyes, mother, I will. z 81
But as reward went ION; the.
old woman, you must give ne ten
years Of your life. Win you do this
Yes Z answered the poor child.
ioyfully. ss 8 ssiS Is, sa s. "a sgssI s
very well; then follow me to.
my hut It is not very far from
here. I must give you a powe1 ( I'll Il
drop to drink z With these words!
forest. 80 3, I
The next day when the prince &
came to the brook he found the