Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-30

your CAKE anu eat IL TOO, 30 WOuIun !
eat it,"
And every time the prince made a
present. the crimson heralds blew en-
thusiastic blasts on their golden trum-
pets, as if to say: Behold, how good
the prince Is! ,Beholu the great gift
giver!"
Occasionally, while the prince was
giving advice to those receiving pres
ents from him, the chariot steeds (who
we're of the prancing, arch-necked
kind got very FESTIVE. Sometimes. II
his speech Of advice was q long one,
the people to whom it was addressed.
as we'll as the steeds, seemed to get
FESTIVE.
At first, all had gone gayly enough;
| but, as the months passed, the prince
began to wonder why he wasn't more
happy, why his kindness was not more
fully appreciated. His favor with the
people was not increasing. Indeed, he
was told that Hsavybrows (who was q
terrible radical and leader of the op-
position) had exclaimed: Bother the
prince! and his gifts and chariot and
heralds! They all ought to be thrown
into q dungeon!" This remark OF
Heavybrows troubled the prince great
ly.
One April day he wandered sadly
away into the forest; and. sitting down
on the moss, be tried to think why he
was not more happy. AS he sat there,
the sun slipped behind cloud; and
quiet, refreshing shower began to fall.
The prince went under big fir tree.
and 80 did not get wet. AS the gentle
rain fell, he could see the spring fow-
ers drinking It eagerly. Tender spears
Fof grass seemed to shoot up through
the earth to meet It, The trees col
lected great draughts brought to them
by their roots. Everything in the for
est seemed IN better spirits and to be
blessing the gentle little shower.
Then, as quietly as it began, the rain
became less. The sun struggled to
push away the cloud. ana the prince
thought he could see a faint rainbow;
but, on looking closer, 1t was not
rainbow at ali that he had seen. It
was the tridescent glitter Of a pair OF
wings These wings belonged to
dainty, graceful creature, her face
bright with happiness, who was hoat-
ing through the air. The prince
guessed that she was the spirit Of the
April shower
Here" he thought, rs some one
who seems to have found the happi-
ness that I hunt for In vain I'll ask
her about It." E.4
April shower!" he cried out aloud.
Come here, II you please, and tell me
why you look so happy" ..
She was rather startled at first; but,
seeing that It was only lad with q
gentle, II rather disconnected face, she
floated nearer.
why do look happy? Because
everything makes me happy. can't
help It. But goodbye. You see. I'm
nearly over" ..
The prince, however, begged 80 hard
Tor little talk with her that she con-
sented to stay; and the rain, which
had almost stopped, began again. She
gracefully balanced herself on the tip
end of q branch of the fir tree, and
the prince resumed the conversation.
Perhaps you can tell me what to do
I'm the prince, the ght-g1ver. But I'm
not happy"
THAT certainly Is strange" she re-
turned. II ind that giving Is my CHIEF
happiness. Whenever II becomes un.
bearably blue up there In the sky,
just drop gently down and freshen up
the flowers and grass bit and give
drink to the trees. And then I steal
away as quietly as possible, and let the
sun have his turn. All the growing
green things love me and are grateful.
though they scarcely know who am
come and 80 SO quickly and noiselees-
". And that's the best part OF It. You
never catch me spelling things by
laundering and making a great fuss I
leave that to other kinds Of showers
stupid, clustering fellows that don't
know any better!"
The prince kept quiet moment. He
was thinking Of the chariot and the
prancing steeds and the enthusiastic
heralds.
But don't you ever give advice to
the flowers and quote wise sayings to
them?" he ventured at length.
mo, OF course not. It isn't advice
especially unasked for advice-that is
wanted. I just slip down and give
them a good drink-which is al I have
to give-and then I'm off and never a
word. But they don't forget me-"
"Now. if you please" began the
prince, I want your advice about"
"Oh no, you DON'T" she Interrupted
with a laugh Just use your con-
conscience and your common sense,
two C's that are excellent advisers
and not used half enough. And, be-
sides, I'm due at farmers garden
where the little cabbages are thirsty.
Fareyell." And in twinkling she
was gone.
AS the prince hurried home, he,
smiled to himself; for he was begin.
ming to see what was the trouble with
his gift-giving. When he went through
the palace gate, he handed the warden
a silver penny, and was just saying
Remember a penny saved is penny"
But he checked himself, and ran on
upstairs to the royal apartments.
Here he found the tutor.
Tutor" he cried, tissue a decree
abolishing the chariot and the pranc-
ing steeds and the enthusiastic her