Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-09-12

countenance: but 10. when be cane
into her glorious chamber his own
face changed to sadness when he had
but gazed into her sad blue eyes. 80
be could do nothing but leave the room
instantly.
, It was said that when Florentina
was born she was cursed by wicked
enemy Of her mother. who in reality
was q witch, and this curse. Floren
tina's mother said. was that 1.-THE beau
dful princess would never smile or
laugh until the wicked witch was
killed"
Many miles from the palace there
lived a poor peasant family. This
peasant had three sons. The young.
est was considered the most foolish Of
all and was usually called Quincy"
This Quincy would never cry. no mat
ter what happened. but would always
laugh.
One day his brothers wished to 60
and seek their fortunes and the father
gave each enough Of his small guam.
tity If gold to last for only short
time. The two went together. imag-
lining great fortunes. but for all that
they were made servants for the king.
One day QUINCY heard Of the princess
who would never smile. and asked his
father If he could 60. but the peasant
only laughed. At last, to get rid Of his
son. he said. "You may 60 and ! will
give you a gold piece 80 you can buy
enough food to last through your Jour.
ney." QUINCY was much pleased at his
fathers sudden change of mind and
Immediately started out Now. one
thing QUINCY could do exceedingly
well. and that was to shoot: he could
take such good aim that be never
missed bird or animal at which be
shot.
One night while QUINCY was yet trav-
cling be grew tired and climbed up n
tall tree. Here he fell fast asleep.
About 10 o'clock he heard a great
noise and saw bird of fire alight on
a branch not far from him. "Ha. hal
screeched the bird. IT am the witch
who cursed the princess never to smile
and this she will never do until I. tht
witch. shall die. and only he who kills
me can make the Princess Florintina
SMILE" Uttering these .sst words. she
vanished quickly from the branch.
The next morning Quincy descended
the tree and made himself fine bow
and arrow before nightfall and climb
ed the tree to wait for the bird. But
poor QUINCY! When she came he was
fast asleep. and Just rs she vanished
be awoke. but was helpless The next
night she came IA before. but QUINCY
was ready for her. Instantly his ar
row shot directly at her. and she was
killed: the enchantment was broken.
When he descended the tree the next
morning he found at the bottom not
the bird of fire. but the ugly witch ly.
ing dead. with an arrow In her heart
This was not far from the palace.
and in a day Quincy was there. All
the kings servants laughed when they
saw him going to the palace. but he
did not mind Before he went to the
princess he was dressed in beautiful
velvet mantle. Az soon al he came
into Princess Florintina's room and
she saw him she began to smile and
laugh. Soon the king heard her and
came into the chamber. and Of course
when he saw QUINCY he knew every
thing.
80 before long the princess married
QUINCY. and the wedding festivities
lasted days and days Even the poor
peasants had all they wanted. and the
land around the palace for miles and
miles was covered with the most de-
Icious sweetmeats And all the people
shouted. Long live the prince and
princessw Chicago Tribune.