A FRAGMENTARY LEAF OR TWO FROM THE LIFE OF A PRINCESS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2080, 4 January 1894, Page 45

A FRAGMENTARY LEAF OR TWO FROM THE LIFE OF A PRINCESS.

By S. E. Blacke.

A great and mighty King who ruled over vast realms had a beautiful daughter. She was fairer really than anyone could imagine who had not seen her. Her father confided greatly in her, and one day while they were talking over affairs of State she ' besought him that she might go and dwell in a certain garden of bis where some of his subjects worked for men, and where ■ grew the loveliest of flowers, and sweet-birds charmed the ear with melodies.

The King loved his people very much. He was the embodiment of love and gentleness and righteousness. He gazed on his sweet daughter with increased fondness at her proposal, and at length it was settled that she should go. Now there was a certain barrier between this realm and the outskirts of the garden. Those in the garden' knew it to be there, and yet they could not see it, but those on the other side Baw it plainly. The King, together with a train of his attendants, escorted the Princess as far as this. barrier, then raising his hand and placing it upon her head he pronounced a blessing. Now all the flowers and the birds and the people were so delighted with the Princess when she came to live amongst them, that no matter how tired they felt at any time when she drew near the flowers would send forth their sweetest perfume and blush their fairest tints, the birds sing with dulcet softness, and the people .feel a happy desire to work for the King. All went well until one summer evening, when an ugly, cunning-looking creature crept into the garden. One flower whispered the news to another, and so did^the birds, until the talk became quite general. But many of the people received the beaat with open arms, delighted with his insinuating manners, though they owned in their hearts that he was not even nice-looking. And the birds and the flowers grew quite apprehensive of the Princess's safety should the beast see her. They did not notice that as he drew near where she rested a hill arose separating her from him, and then night fell down and they knew no more. Next morning, far, far away, almost beyond sight, there stood a high mountain which no one in the garden had ever noticed before. The Princess had been removed, and now she dwelt on top of it. The beast had enchanted the people, and they themselves had made the hill. Thus separated from those so dear to her, the Princess wept for days and days, and crigd down the mountain side for the people to come to her, but no one heard her. The beast found the garden such a delightful place that he just remained. The King tridd to interpose, and sent messages again and again to warn bis subjects against the beasts' fawning, flattering tongue. But it was only the birds and the flowers who could see how deceitful and deadly the beast was. -> \ At length the King issued a proclamation that whoever listened to him would surely die, for his law was that his subjects should shun him. But by this time some of the people hajd become so attached to the beast that they were ready to do anything in his defence, and so a fierce battle took place between these and thode loyal to the King. The beast won, and the King's people were turned out of the garden into a wilderness. V Hungry and thirsty and sad they wandered there, for although a few got what barely kept life in, the majority died of starvation. Now the mountain on whioh the Princess lived stood in this wilderness. As already mentioned, was enchanted, and sometimes it seemed quite near, while at other times it appeared to be miles and miles away. It ever rose up steep ana rocky, and was very high, but no one could see how high, for a white mist always capped it. ' One day a poor despairing old man, with a long white beard and stiff, slow walk, came to the foot of it. He had often done so, but he had never observed it as now, for it shone with a strange heavenly light. He was awed. Some beautiful spirit dwells there, he thought ; and he sat down. Memories recurred to him of the happy days when the Princess dwelt in the garden amongst the King's people, and the tears trickled down the old man's cheeks as thus he pondered. He was just going to rise and retrace his footsteps when he saw something gleaming at his feet. He picked it up, and in so doing he heard a voice far, far away speak to him. It seemed to say, " Eat." He looked around him, and gazed in stupid wonder at his treasure, for it was a pearl. Then again a voice said, " Eat, and you shall know more." . > Still the old man hesitated. But something occurred to him : he thought the voice sounded like the dear Princess's, so he ate the pearl. He was refreshed, strengthened, and he craved for more ; so instead of going back to his tent in the wilderness, he turned and climbed the mountain side in quest of the owner of the voice and for- more treasures. As he did so, behold ! he met others at some distance up, toiling hard to reach the top. He spoke to some. They all told the same tale — of pearls found, of the voice, and of strength gained in eating. The ascent was difficult, and the summit ever seemed the same distance off, no matter how they struggled. But to return to the Princess. Her father, the King, had bestowed on her, his loveliest daughter, eternal youth. She never grew old, and grew the lovelier in contrast with the people below, who were so much contaminated by the beast's influence. For years and years she had tried to make the people below hear her, but they could not. One day a handsom9 fairy Prince arrived at the palace of the Princess on the mountain side. He became very much enamoured with her, and finally proposed to marry her. But she would not listen to bis solicitations, and he went away. He came again, however, but the maiden's beauty was so dazzling to him this time that he felt it was his place to only stand afar off and look at her. It was early morning — the sun ju9t rising. < His golden streams of light shone far into the grey of vanishing night. Against the horizon stood the taU, graceful figure of the Princess. Her long fair hair fell in waves to her waist. One raised

hand was arched to shade her eyes. She was straining to see something. She was looking away to the east. She approached the Prince. He bowed in reverent love. "See, "l shej said, "the star— yon bright Btar. That is the sign of the deliverer. I may not go to my people, but if they agree to his guiding he will lead them to me." And the Prince went away and told the people of his country that he had seen an angel. So he had, and that morning was tbe first Qhxißtmts Day.

LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLKS.

Dear Dot, — I am a field of wheat growing on the Hawea Flat. I grow alongside the Main road, and till lately every passer-by admired me. I was even quite proud of myself, and my ownerwas quite pleased at the thought of the large amount of money he was going to make out of me. But one night lately there came a sharp frost and withered me up and spoiled my beautiful appearance. The other day, as my owner was walking past, I heard him say- that he would cut me down soon and feed his horses with me. Indeed, dear Dot, you have no idea how crest-fallen I am over what has happened to me, and when I think that I am only fit to feed horse's I am quite tired of life. I was sown last autumn, andj I had such a hard time of it during the winter. I suffered from cold and frost until I really thonght it would kill me. When the warm weather came, and I got a little stronger, I was eaten down by some sheep until I was afraid there would be none of me left. However, I somehow got over it all, and I grew big and strong. And now, dear Dot, do you not think it very sad that 1 should be cut off in my prime P I wisb you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. — Yours truly, A Field of Wheat. Hawea Flat, December 23. [I do indeed, you poor sufferer, and, under the circumstances, it wovld be simply mockery to wish you the compliments of the season. You, however, have the consolation of knowing that during your short and troublesome lite you have been of great service to your owner, for did you not keep his sheep sleek and fat at the most trying time of the year, and are you not going to do a similar service for his horses P So that you have done well, even though you might have done better had it not been for the frost. — Dot.] Dear Dot, — After having read the little folks' letters in the Witness for a long time I thought I should like to write too. I live in a beautiful country place, about a hundred miles from' Dunedin. I have never been to Dunedin yet, but I have heard that it is a very pretty place. The name of the country that I live in is Heriot. There is a Good Templars' lodge at Heriot, and my brother and sisters have joined it. There is a flaxmill and a fellmongery at Heriot, too. We are to have Caledonian sports on the 29 th, and I wish you were able to come up and see them. Dear- Dot, I hope this letter is not too long. — Yours truly, Heriot, December 19. _ Katie. [Not at all, Katie. lam afraid a hundred miles is rather far to travel to see the Heriot Caledonian game?, but I hope you will have fine weather, and will enjoy yourself at them. — Dot.]

. Dear Dot, — I go to school, and am in the Fourth Standard. This is the first time I have written to you. I have no pets to tell you about except a kitten ; please will you give me a name for it. We are having our Christmas holidays now. I was Binging at the school

concert,, and it was very nice. I have three sisters and four brothers. We are not going to have a school picnic this year, but we are to have one in harvest time. Ido not much like going to school. Our teacher is Mr McDonald.— Yours truly, Alice Quigley (aged 10 years). Otepopo, December 22. [Why not call it Christmas ?— Dot.] Dear Dot, — This is the first time that I have written to you. Igo to school, and am in the Fourth Standard. Every Monday we have singing in the school. We had a concert here on December 15, and I liked it very much. I have a cat ; will you please give me a name for her. We are having our Christmas holidays now. I have three sisters and four brothers. We have only onecow,'and her name is Beauty. My sister Johanna has a kitten ; will you please give her a name for it. — Yours truly, Margaret Quigley (aged 12 years). Otepopo, December 22. , [Call the kitten New Year, and the cat Hogmanay. — Dot.]