RUSSIAN FOLK LORE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1322, 21 March 1884, Page 4

RUSSIAN FOLK LORE.

A certain woman had a daughter of her own and a step-daughter. She long wished to get rid of her step-daughter. At last she said to her husbaud—"Take your daughter away from my sight ; carry her wherever you like. Leave her in the open field to the crackling frost." The father wept and wailed, but at length he yielded, placed his daughter on his sledge, drove her opt into the open field, and there deposited her. Then, having crossed himself, he hastened home, so as not to witness his daughter's death. Thepoorgirl, leftalone, shivered and uttered a silent prayer. Up came Frost and said—" Maiden, maiden, lam Red-nosed Frost." "Good day.to you, Frost," she replied ; "I suppose God has sent you for my sinful soul." Frost had intended to smite her, but he wa3 pleased by her way of speaking, so he took compassion on her and threw her a warm cloak. She wrapped herself up in it and remained sitting there. Twice did Frost come again to visit her, and each time she pleased him so much by her sago replies that he made her all manner of presents. She decked herself with the gold and jewels he gave her, and sat on the box which had contained them singing songs. Meantime her stepmother was baking cakes for her funeral feast. When they were ready she sent her husband forth to fetch his daughter's body home. When he had been gone awhile the house dog barked from under the table : " The old man's daughter is being brought home all in gold and silver, but the old woman's daughter has no suitors." In vain did the Btep-mother regale it with cakes in order to make it change its tune. It barked on as before. When the girl arrived in all her glory the step-mother was at first astounded. Then, after hearing what had occurred, she ordered her husband to take her own daughter out to the same spot in the open field and leave her there. He obeyed. Presently Frost appeared and addressed the girl as he had addressed her predecessor, but no good words could he get from her, so he flew into a rage, and froze her to death. When her mother sent for her after a time, the house dog beneath the table again began to bark, this time exclaiming, " Suitors are coming for the old man's daughter; but the old woman's daughter is a bag of bones." The door opened, and the girl was brought in dead. Her mother wept and wailed, but it was too late.—Notes and Queries.