The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-09-07

Girls OeaumTu1 little story was
written by the only daughter of
Henry King Simmons, twin brother
of the late B. T. Simmons. who gave
his life for the South, leading a
change at Natural Bridge. Fla, under
General Miller Miss Simmons has
visited in Pensacola and her friends
here win read with interest this
charming story, which appeared in
McClure's magazine.)
In a far country lived q king. who
was wise man and a great musician;
his subjects called him Sofia. the
Good. To govern his people wisely,
and to cultivate In them true love
of music and poetry, was the chief aim
of this good kings life; but even more
than this, he loved his little daughter,
Madrigal. Princess Madrgal returned
her fathers love, and did everything in
her power to please him; but she was
of gay and laughing disposition. and
the time which she was compelled to
spend at the piano was a sore trial
Princess Madrigal called it time mis-
spent
To encourage the study Of music, the
king held a great yearly festival, when
prizes were given for the most excel
lent composition and to the most
held on the princess's birthday, and
the one which marked her tenth year
will long be remembered, as on that
occasion stranger came to the court
and begged the protection Of the king.
There was nothing remarkable In the
appearance of the stranger, who was a
little woman, but she told the king so
sad story that he willingly gave the
permission which she desired that she
might remain in his kingdom and be
allowed to attend the musical feasts.
Her gratitude for the kings favor was
such that she told him 1t was In her
power to give him whatsoever he
should ask for. The king greatly de-
lighted with this opportunity, at once
desired musical throne. The stranger
seemed pleased with the kings wish.
and said: Your Majesty shall find
the throne tomorrow morning in the
great hall of the castle; and, added
the strange little woman, lust as long
as you are good, and listen to the
prayer of the oppressed, the musical
throne shall play whenever you sit
upon it. It shall suit Its music to your
mood. When you are sad it shall con-
sole you with softest melodies; and
when you are happy it shall, by it's
magic strains. lead you on to greater
jcyfu1ness. But IL you should change
to your people, and be false to your
self, the musical throne shall mock
you, and that will cause wretchedness
OF which you could never dream" The
king was greatly impressed with the
words of his strange guest, and so ex-
cited that he scarcely slept at all that
night; and early morning found him
in the great hall, where, to his aston
ishment, he beheld the wonderful
throne, which is still the pride of the
Kingdom. Before the stranger left the
court, next day, she called the Prin-
cess Madriga1 to her. and offered her
also a wish. But the princess's head
was full of nonsense, and perhaps she
was little bit frightened; at any rate,
she could think OF nothing quite worth
wishing for. Her appearance was so
sweet and gentle, however, that the
lonely woman said: You may keep
your wish, little princess, and I shall
grant 1t if the time ever comes when
you really want one thing more than
all others. But your one wish must
be wished in my presence on your
birthday night, just before the clock
strikes one" The little strange woman
took up her abode in a tiny cottage
on the side Of a hill quite near the
castle; and as the years went on
heavy vines grew over the cottage
until it could scarcely be distinguished
from the green hill side; and as no one
was ever seen to enter or leave the
place. it came, in time, to be called
the Wishing Witchs Cave.
When Princess Madrigal had grown
to be a beautiful young woman, the
king was no longer young, and he de-
sired to marry his daughter to some
good prince, who should rule his peo-
PIE, and leave him more time for his |