Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-02-10
THE HAPPY SECRH

Once upon q time there lived a
beautiful princess who became so un-
happy 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
around again.
Her father was greatly distressed.
In vain he tried by splendid balls and
ice carnivals 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 alarm
ed. and advised the king to get her
married. as a husband might manage
her better.
But the princess declared that she
should marry only man who could
make the land pleasant from years be-
ginning to years end.
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 suitors came forward with
plans.
These plans, however, were only
either to take the princess away to
the suitors' own warmer kingdoms, or
to build in her own land magnificent
palaces, enclosing gardens and for
ests, which should be safe from the
cold of winter from year to year;
and to such plans the princess wodld
not even listen.
Il must see my own land, and all
its people, pleasant and happy" she
declared.
Now, at the edge OF this kingdom
there lived youth, named Ulf, who
was much befriended by the fairies
because of his goodness and indus
try; and to him, as he tended his mas
ter's 1ocks, the fairy queen came, and
said:
You must find the great gift for
the princess
But what is it," asked Ulf
when you find it you shall know"
replied the fairy queen. Il think it is
very near to the princess already. 60
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 1t
said:
Nov I shall help you. Go down
the narrow path until you reach a
hermit's cottage. He who lives in that
cottage has the great gift"
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 small
crystal heart in Ulrs hand.
1T has often been lost by neglect
scratched by carelessness; but it has
still virtue enough in it to make the
kingdom q lovely and happy place
to whoever carries it."
Joyfully' accepting the great gift,
Ulf thanked the giver, and set out
again toward the city OF the kings
palace.
Coming out from the forest, and
passing through the villages, Ulf knew
in some magical fashion that those
who had been idle in the abundance
OF summer we're 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
Therefore, it seemed to Ulf that
this was the very pleasantest land in
all the world.
And because of his thoughts his
face was SO bright and noble that
when he reached the palace the serv-
ants took him at once to their mis-
tress, the princess, for they knew that
he had some happy secret for her.
And when no had entered tho pres
ence of the princess and had given to
her the cystal heart, she rose up from
her couch with face as bright as an
angels and said:
Nov l know that to have a pure
heart, clear as crystal, is to see as the
angels see, and to see even little as
the angels see is to know that the
,and is always beautiful, because IT is
what the angels are making fo- God.
So Ulf and the princess, being OF
one heart, were married, AMI they
lived happy ever after, because they
knew the happy secretly Jessie
Annie Anderson.