THE WITCH'S RING

Radio Record, 26 June 1936, Page 56

THE WITCH'S RING

MILLER of-Mayfield had three sons, who all fell in love with the same girl. "Her name was Marjorie, and she was the daughter of a farmer at Rotherfield, and the prettiest maiden in Sussex. But a rich old miser who lived in the village began to court her, and the farmer favoured his suit and kept the miller’s sons.away. : At. last ‘Richard, the eldest: son, determined to propose to Marjorie before the miser. won her. On his way to the farm he met Mad Molly. She was an old, feeble woman, suspected of being a witch. . . "Good-day, my son," said "Mad Molly. ‘‘Where are you going this morning?" Richard hurried on without replyiig. On reaching the | farm: he blurted ‘out a proposal of marriage, but Marjorie only laughed at him, -- Rowland, the second son, then tried his luck. He also met Mad Molly and hurried on without answering her, and he, also, returned in a downcast mood. Then Robin, the youngest boy, went ‘to the farm. But he set out withour hope. _ He was a strong, clever and gentle lad,. but he had a ° very long nose, and this, he knew, made him look ridiculous. When Mad Molly asked him where he was going, he said: "On-a hopeless errand, Granny. I am about to call on Marjorie and asked her to be my wife. ; "And you wife she shall be,’’ said Mad Molly. "Look at this ring, my.son.. Put it on your finger and say Bless it!" Robin did so,.and his nose grew half an inch shorter. and he. became'a very handsome youth. "Now,’?* said. Mad ‘Molly, "‘if Marjorie refuses you give her the ring to. wear.. Then every time you say Drat it! her pretty nose will grow half an inch longer, and she will become ugly, and be -very glad to marry you. Then you haye only te’ say Bless’ it; and her hose: will grow shorter and she ‘will. recover her’ beauty." Robin ran to the farmhouse, and, as Marjorie was out, he sat in"a chair and‘ ‘closed’ his-eyes. Just then the..miser entered; and-saw’ the Jing ‘on, his finger. "An ‘engagement ring!’’ he said. keep that." He pulled it off Robin’s finger and put it on. his own. But. Robin was-awake, and he began to whisper ‘Drat it! Drat it!" and as he said. these words-the miser’s nose grew longer and longer. "Something is stinging | me!’’ cried the. miser, running off to a doctor. "My nose swelling frightfully!"

Happily, Robin did not want his ring any more. Marjotie was surprised to see how’ handsome he looked, She had always liked bim for his gentleness, and she now fell quite in love with him, and agreed to marry him as soon as‘he got a farm. , "Return my ring and I'll cure you for one thousand pounds," said Robin to the miser when he came back. ‘The miser at Jast did so, and Robin and Marjorie then married and bought a farm, and lived there very happily . together. A