Holbrook argus., 1910-01-11
The Happy Secret
 By Jessie Annie Anderson

Once upon time there lived beau- tiful Princess who became 60 unhappy in winter that as soon as the cold season came she shut herself up in her own rooms in the palace, and there stayed until summer came round again.
 Her father was greatly distressed In vain he tried by splendid balls and ice carnivsls to draw the Princess back into court life. She would only sit in her own apartments and think how wretched everyone must be-
 Now, as she should be Queen on her fathers death, and he was growing an old man, the ministers were alarmed and advised the King to get her mar ried as @ husband might manage her better.
 But the Princess declared that she should marry only 6 man who could make the land pleasant from years beginning to years end.
 The ministers were in despair; but the King proclaimed the decision of the Princess; and as she was famed for her beauty, and was heir-apparent to land both large and wealthy, many 1suitors come forward with plans.
 These plans, however, were only either to take the Princess away to the suitOr's own warmer kingdoms, or to build in her own land magnificent palaces, enclosing gardens and forests, rh ch H1n fa a1Il ,Nf winter from year to year, and to such plans the Princess would not even listen.
 T must see my own land and all it's people, pleasant and happy" she de- clared.
 Now, at the edge of this kingdom there lived youth named Ulf, who was much befriended by the fairies because of his goodness and industry, and to him, as he tended his masters fiocks, the Fairy Queen came, and said:
 You must find the Great Gift for the Princess
 But what is it?i' asked Ulf.
 When you find 1t you shall know" r. is very near to the Princess already. Go quickly to the city"
 Upon this Ulf begged his master to give him holiday, and set out as fast as he could through the snow.
 While he was, trudging through a great forest little bird fell at his feet, half frozen by the cold.
 Picking it up. he placed it in his bosom to warm it, and presently, it said:
 Now shall help you. Go down the narrow path until you reach hermits cottage. He who lives in that cottage has the Great Gift"
 Thus speaking the little bird flew away; and, knowing that it was a fairy bird. Ulf faithfully followed the path; and ere long he came to the cot tage.
 Near by the hermit was scattering food for the birds.
 Good morning, my son." he said You have come for the Great Gift" and, saying this, he placed a small crystal heart in Ulf's hand
 Tt has often been lost by neglect" he went en Ut has been chipped and scratched by carelessness; but it has still virtue enough in it to make the kingdom a lovely and happy place to whoever carries it.
 Joyfully accepting the Great Gift, Ulf thanked the giver, and set out again towards the city of the Kings palace.
 Soon while he travelled, the youth became aware of new, delightful power within him. He could see un- der the snow to where the roots of all plants were kept safe and warm. He saw into the hearts of trees and shrubs and felt that they were gath ering strength, and dreaming of sum- mer whilst they slept under the snow. He could see that beneath the ice the little fishes swan, warm and merry, at the bottom of the water. And the icy air was no longer hateful to him. and crannies and killed all evil things Every snowflake was a fairy on some good mission.
 Coming out from the forest, and passing through the villages, Ulf knew in some magical fashion that those who had been idle in the abund- ance of summer were now constrained to work; that the wasteful were forced to be careful; and that the kind-hearted were more than ever moved to deny themselves that they might help others.
 So that the same cold season which killed evil insects and purified the air. killed also selflshness, and made hearts brighter, warmer, and purer than ever, and well content to lose their pleasures for season, as the trees and plants lost their leaves.
 Therefore, it seemed to Ulf that this was the very pleasantest land in all