BOLSTRE CASTLE.

One evening, a long time ago, a little girl went up through the forest

to Bolstre Castle in search of some sheep that had gone astray.

Reaching the inside of the walls, the little girl was met by an old

woman, clothed in a red skirt and a gray head covering, who gave into

her possession a box, and commanded her to take care of it while she

went to invite a number of her friends to become guests at her

daughter’s wedding.

The girl was so frightened that she did not dare to refuse the charge,

and, taking the box, sat down upon a stone to wait the woman’s return.

When she had thus sat a long time she heard a bird twittering over her

head in a tree, and looking up, two leaves fell from the tree in such

manner as to form a cross upon the box, whereupon the cover instantly

flew open and revealed its contents—a bridal crown of shining gold and

many other costly jewels.

The girl waited long and patiently, but the old woman did not return,

so, finally she set out on her way home, taking with her the jewel

casket. But blessings do not go with Troll property. No bride would

wear the crown, it was so fine, and the girl soon after lost her lover.

Now that it was clear to every one that a Troll’s gold brought only

misfortune upon the household, it was carried back to the castle and

buried in the ground, where it surely lies to-day.

Swedish fairy tales · 第 98 / 121 题