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201

Vernaleken, F. Th., In the Land of Marvels. Folk-tales from Austria and Bohemia (Oesterreichische Kinder- und Hausmärchen, etc. Wien, 1864.) London, 1884. No. XXXIII, pp. 182 ff.

"BESOM-CAST, BRUSH-CAST, COMB-CASE."

[D. L. Ashliman's translation of this tale is available on his site at Broomthrow, Brushthrow, Combthrow.]

ABSTRACT

Deceased wife resemblance marriage test (golden cross on brow) -- Unnatural father--Heroine flight -- Faithful servant accompanies heroine, taking dresses and jewels.-- --Heroine disguise. Heroine stains hands and face; wears cap and ragged clothes--Menial heroine -- Token objects thrown --- Meeting-place (ball) -- Threefold flight--Love-sick prince--Recognition food (ring given at third ball)--Happy marriage.

TABULATION

(1) Count Rudolf's wife, who has gold cross on brow, dies when daughter, who has same sign, is twenty. Count goes in search of a second wife, tells daughter that if within year and a day he finds no one with cross on brow, he shall marry her.-- (2) Count departs, and Adelaide confides plan of escape to devoted servant. Sends carriages away during night laden with jewels and dresses, and sets out with Gotthold and other servants. They reach city and hire a house. Adelaide wishes to earn her living; Gotthold finds her situation as kitchen-maid to Prince Adolf, telling head-cook, in whom he recognises old friend, that she is his niece. Adelaide paints neck, face, and hands, brown, hides hair and gold cross under cap, and puts on old, torn clothes. Has small room allotted her.-- (3) Prince gives ball. That morning, whilst Adelaide is sweeping stairs, prince overturns sweepings, and, in anger at having boots made dusty, throws besom at Adelaide.-- (4) In evening she begs leave of cook to assist at ball; obtains permission, provided she returns early, and gives part of what she receives to cook. Adelaide goes to Gotthold's dwelling, dresses herself splendidly and drives to prince's in fine coach. Prince dances with her all evening, and asks her name and abode. "Adelaide, from Besom-Cast," she says. Returns to kitchen at midnight, having resumed disguise, and gives cook three gold pieces.-- (5) Prince cannot find Besom-Cast on map; wishing to learn more of beautiful lady, gives second ball. That morning Adelaide, whilst brushing clothes, drops brush on prince's foot. He throws brush at her head.-- (6) Adelaide goes again to ball; prince says he cannot find Besom-Cast, and she declares she said Brush-Cast. Returns at midnight, and gives gold ring to cook-- (7) Prince cannot find Brush-Cast; gives a third ball. Vexed that beautiful lady does not appear, prince goes downstairs; Adelaide is combing her hair as he passes, and drops comb, which he picks up and throws at her.-- (8) She then dresses and enters ball-room. Tells prince, who cannot find Brush-Cast, that she said Comb-Cast. Before she leaves, prince, unnoticed, slips ring on her finger.-- (9) Next morning prince is ill, and orders broth. Adelaide begs leave to make it, and puts in prince's ring. Prince finds it, asks who made broth, and sends for kitchen-maid. She appears dressed as at ball, and is recognised by prince.-- (10) They are married. Father of Adelaide returns home and hears of it.

Cox, Marian Roalfe. Cinderella: Three Hundred and Forty-five Variants of Cinderella, Catskin, and Cap O' Rushes, abstracted and tabulated. London: David Nutt for the Folklore Society, 1893.

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