Year: 1873

them constantly, but nothing would induce
her to marry, and in order to rid herself O
her suitors, of whom there were grea
number, she invented the following device
| 10 every prince who sought her hand, sh,
presented the half of double almond, whil
she ate the other half and said: "lf You
lordship can succeed in getting me to taxi
anything from your hand before | say til,
words 4 remember, them am ready to be


ONE your BRIDE But if, on the contrary
YOU receive anything from me, without think


ing to say these words, then you must agre,
to have your hair shaven entirely off youl
head and leave the Kingdom"


This, however, was an artiul strategem
for, according to the Court custom. no one
dared to hand anything directly to the prin
offered it to her. But il, on the other hand
the princess should desire to give or take
anything who would refuse her! So it was
useless for her suiors TO make the trial, for
when they seemed likely to be successful,
AID had diverted the princess so that she
was about to take something from them, the
Court lady stepped between and spoiled the
best laid plan.


When the princess wished to dispose Of
any one of them, she would appear so charm
ing and encouraging to him that he would
be entirel y fascinated, and when he sat at
her feet, overcome with joy, then she would
seize upon anything near her, as though by
accident; "Take this as remembrance of
me, and when he had it in his hands, before
he could think or speak the necessary words
there would spring ont at him, from it, per
haps frog or a hornet, or bat, and SO
starlle him that he would forget the words
away with him. This went on for some
years, and in all the palaces of the other
kingdoms the princes wore wigs. Thus it
came to be the custom from that time.


Finally. it happened That foreign prince
came upon some peculiar business, and by
accident saw the almond princess. II
thought her very beautiful, and at once per-
ceived the strategem. A friendly little gray
man had given him an apple that once year
he was privileged to smell, and then there
came in his mind W Sc idea, and he had
became much renowned ON account of his
wisdom. Now, it was exactly time for him
70 make use Of his apple. So with the scent
from it came this warning:


"lf thou would win in the game of giving
and taking, under no circumstances must
thou either give or take anything"


So he had his hands bound in his belt and
went with with his marshal to the palace and
asked to be allowed to eat his almond. The
princess was secretly much pleased with him,
and Immediately handed lin an almond,
which his marshal took and placed in his
mouth. The princess inquired what this
meant, and, moreover, why he constantly
carried his hands in his grdle.


He replied that at his Court the custom
was even more strong y enforced than at hers,
and he dared not give or take anything with
his hand, at the most only with his head
and feet. Then the princess laughed and
said


In this case we will never be able to
have our little game together.


He sighed and answered:


"Not unless you will be pleased to take
something from my boots.


"rhat can never happen!' exclaimed the
whole Court.


"Why have you come hither? p asked the
princess, angrily, "when you have such
stupid customs ?"


because you are so beautiful" replied
the prince. "And if cannot. win you,
may at least have the pleasure of seeing you "


"On the other hand, have no similar
qualification, said she.


So the prince remained at the palace, and
he pleased her more and nor; but when
the humor seized her, she tried in every man
ner to persuade him to take is hands from
bis grdle, and receive something from her
She also entertained him charmh ely, and
frequently offered him flowers, ribbons and
trinkets, and finally her bracelet, but moi
once did he forget and stretch out his hand
to take them, for the pressure Of bis girdlc
reminded him in time. So he would nol to
his marshal, and he received them saying,
1--WE remember"


Thus year passed away, and the prin
cess said to herself:


"Ihis cannot remain so. 1t must be set
tied in some way or other.


She said to the prince:


Il have one of the finest gardens in the
world. will show your lordship over it
to-day"


The prince smelt of his apple, and as they
entered the garden said:


"lt is very beautiful here, and in order
that we may walk near each other in peace,
and not be disturbed by the desire to try our
game, beg you, my lady, that for this one
houf YOU will take upon you the custom Of
my Court, and let your hands also be f's
tened. Then we shall be safe from each
o he s art, and there w be nothing to an
ncy u.s."


The princess did not feel very safe about
his arrangement, but he begged so strongly
that she could not refuse him this small IA
vor. So they went on alone together, with
heir hands fastened in their girdles. The
birds sang the sun shone warmly, aud from
the trees the red cherries hung so low that
hey brushed their cheeks as they passed.
The princess saw them and exclaimed