The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-10-17

stead of making him feel better, the bit- ing salt water only increased his pain "I must hurry to the Wind Goddess the poor hare thought.
 ''He climbed the high hill with diff culty and lay down on the top. hoping for relief from his suffering. But the stiff grass pricked his wounds, and the biting l wind caused them to throb more pain fully. At last he realized that the cruel princes had deceived him, and he crawled back to his bush by the roadside, where | he lay with closed eyes.
 "A gentle voice reused him. Who has wounded you, little hare? it asked. The little hare looked up and saw a beautiful youth standing beside him. His experience with men made him think that It would be best to fly from the stranger; put the young mans kind glance con- quered his fear, and he answered. I left the island of Oki to see the wonders Of the mainland, and I have fared badly from the exchange Then he told once more how he had left the island and also about the bad advice the 80 princes had given him.
 The young man sighed They used you ill, little creature he said You learned that it is foolish to meddle with being stronger than yourself; now you see how wicked it is to torment those weaker. My brother princes should have told you to bathe in the fresh water of the river and to lie the soft rushes. Now, goodby, little friend. May good luck attend you! And he walked quietly away, bending beneath the large bur den he carried
 The little hare knew that the stranger was the eighty-first of the princes, and so for time he feared to follow his ad- Vice. But he was in such pain that he decided to go to the river, which flowed ell t,fl toward the ocean. Into the cool water he plunged and immediately felt better, as the sand and bitter salt of the sea were washed from his wounds. Then he took nap on the soft rushes
 When he awoke he no longer was in pain, so he was filled with gratitude to- ward the young prince who had given him such kind and wise advice. He sat up, feeling quite strong again. and tried to think Of way in which he could repay his benefactor. In the distance he saw the roofs of the princess palace rising among the trees which surrounded it. This gave him an idea, and he lost no time in carrying 1t out.
 Across the fields he hoped toward the palace. never stopping till he reached the garden wall. He crept in under the high gate. and there stood the princess under cherry tree covered with blossoms. The little hare went up to her and said re- spectfully:
 Gracious princess, I bring to you ad- vice, if you will accept it from so in- significant person as L.
 Speak, little hare," the beautiful prin- cess answered. for she knew that the best things are often found in unexpect- ed places. and things are not always what they seem to be.
 Eighty princes are coming today as suitors for your hand They are dressed In rich and beautiful robes, and their faces are gay and smiling; but all that is only to hide the cruelty of their hearts Following them Is a young man who Is as wise as he is kind and gentle. Turn the eighty from your gate. but honor the youngest slitor as greater than they
 How do you know all this?' the princess questioned.
 So the little hare told his story for , the third time, speaking so earnestly that the princess could not fail to be impressed by it. She tharked him for his advice, and after giving him some tender leavs to eat, prepared to receive the eight-one brothers. They came a few minutes later. resplendent in the magnificent clothes they lad put on in the princess's honor. Indeed. they all looked so handsome that she found it hard to believe the story of their cruelty. While they were talking of their Journey to her kingdom, however, one of the princes told how they had made sport of little hare too stupid to know that salt was not the best thing for open wounds, and she noticed that the young est brother was the only one who did not enjoy the story. At this, rage filed her gentle heart -H
 Turn out the eighty princes!' she cried to her attendants; no one who is cruel to so small a creature as little hare is fit to rule over a kingdom. But with you,' she added, turning to the youngest prince. will I share my throne. for you are a wise and merci- full man..
 "'You may be sure the youngest prince was happy to hear that, for, after once seeing the beautiful princess, the thought of parting from her was like lead in his breast.
 "So the cruel brothers were drummed out of the palace with shouts of scorn; but the gentle prince and princess went into the garden to thank the little hare. I They could not find him. however, search as they would: for soon as he learn ed of the success of his plan, he had hopped away to see the world, wiser for his days experiences.
 'Ts that a1lT' Alice asked
 That is all." Nurse answered And now it is time for you to go to bed.