The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1912-03-15
THE HAPPY
SECRET
by JESSIE ANNE ANDERSON

Once upon a time there lived beau
tiful Princess who became so 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 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 alarmed
and advised the King to get her mar
ried 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
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 a land both large and wealthy,
many suitors come forward with
plans.
These plans, however, we're only
e<her 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,
which should be safe from the cold of
winter from year to year, and to such
plans the Princess would not even
listen.
81 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 a youth named Ulf, who
was much befriendcd by the fairies
because of his goodness and industry,
and to him, as he tended his masters
flocks, the Fairy Queen came, and
said:
you must find the Great Gift for
the Princess"
''But what is it?" asked sUlf.
when you find it you shall know
replied the Fairy Queen. 81 think II
is very near to the Princess already
Go quickly to the city"
Upon this Ulf begged his master to
give him a holiday, and set out as fast
as he could through the snow
While he was trudging through q
great forest little bird fell at his
feet, half frozen by the colda
Picking it up, he placed it in his
bosom to warm it. and presently, Il
said:
Now shall help you. Go down the
narrow path until you reach a hermitl
cottage. He who lives in that cottage
has the Great Gift"
Thus speaking the little bird few
away; and. knowing that it was Z
fairy bird, Ulf faithfully followed tn,
path; and ere long he cana to the cot
tage
Near by the hermit was scattering
food for theebirds.
Good morning, my SON. he said
''You have come for the Great Gift;
and. saying this, he placed a small
crystal heart in Ulfs hand.
1T has often been lost by neglect,
he went on. 1T has been chippe,
and scratched by csrelessnessi bu
Il has still virtue enough in it to maxi
the kingdom lovely and a happ.
place to whoever carries IT,"
Joyfully accepting. the Great Gift
Ulf thanked the giver. and set on
again towards the city Of the King
palace.
Soon while he Travelled the youtl
became aware OF a new, delightful
rover within him. He could see III
der the snow to where the roots O
all plants were kept safe ard warm
lie saw into the hearts Of trees an
shrubs and felt that they were gath
crins gtrengih, and dreaming OF sun
mer whilst hey slept under the snow
lie could see that beneath the ice IN
little fishes swan, warm and lnerry
At the bottom OF the water. And tn
icy air wos no lcrger hateful TO hin
because he knew It swept into nook
end Graz ies arc- killed ~ evil things