LITTLE PRUDY SERIES. 

 FAIRY BOOK. 

 BY

 SOPHIE MAY. 

 BOSTON: LEE AND SHEPARD, (SUCCESSORS TO PHILLIPS, SAMPSON, & CO. ) 1866. 

 Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1865, by LEE & SHEPARD, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. 

 [Illustration: CRISTOBAL. Page 32. ]

 THIS BOOK OF FAIRY TALES IS DEDICATED TO LITTLE BESSIE. 

LITTLE PRUDY SERIES. 

BY SOPHIE MAY. 

 I. LITTLE PRUDY. 

 II. LITTLE PRUDY'S SISTER SUSY. 

 III. LITTLE PRUDY'S CAPTAIN HORACE. 

 IV. LITTLE PRUDY'S COUSIN GRACIE. 

 V. LITTLE PRUDY'S STORY BOOK. 

 VI. LITTLE PRUDY'S DOTTY DIMPLE. 

CONTENTS. 

 PAGE INTRODUCTION 9

 CRISTOBAL 19

 WILD ROBIN 35

 THE VESPER STAR 53

 THE WATER-KELPIE 59

 THE LOST SYLPHID 74

 THE CASTLE OF GEMS 100

 THE ELF OF LIGHT 117

 THE PRINCESS HILDA 137

 GOLDILOCKS 160

FAIRY BOOK. 

INTRODUCTION. 

While Prudy was in Indiana visiting the Cliffords, and in the midst ofher trials with mosquitoes, she said one day, --

"I wouldn't cry, Aunt 'Ria, only my heart's breaking. The very nextperson that ever dies, I wish they'd ask God to please stop sendingthese awful skeeters. I can't bear 'em any longer, now, certainly. "

There was a look of utter despair on Prudy's disfigured face. Bittertears were trickling from the two white puff-balls which had been hereyes; her forehead and cheeks were of a flaming pink, broken intolittle snow-drifts full of stings: she looked as if she had just beenrescued from an angry beehive. Altogether, her appearance wasexceedingly droll; yet Grace would not allow herself to smile at herafflicted little cousin. "Strange, " said she, "what makes ourmosquitoes so impolite to strangers! It's a downright shame, isn't it, ma, to have little Prudy so imposed upon? If I could only amuse her, and make her forget it!"

"Oh, mamma, " Grace broke forth again suddenly, "I have an idea, a verybrilliant idea! Please listen, and pay particular attention; for Ishall speak _in a figure_, as Robin says. There's a certain smallindividual who is not to understand. "

"I wouldn't risk that style of talking, " said Mrs. Clifford, smiling;"or, if you do, your figures of speech must be _very_ obscure, remember. "

"Well, ma, " continued Grace with a significant glance at Prudy, "whatI was going to say is this: We wish to treat certain young relativesof ours very kindly; don't we, now?--certain afflicted and abusedyoung relatives, you know. 

"Now, I've thought of an entertainment. Ahem! Yesterday I entered acertain Englishman's house, "--here Grace pointed through the windowtowards Mr. Sherwood's cottage, lest her mother should, by chance, lose her meaning, --"I entered a certain Englishman's house just as thefamily were sitting down to the table, --_festal board_, I mean. 

"They were talking about mistle-toe boughs, and all sorts of old-countrycustoms; and then they said what a funny time they had one Christmas, with the youngest, about the _mizzle_, as he called it: do you remember, ma? do you understand?"

"You mean little Harvey? Oh, yes. "

"Pray do be careful, ma! Then Mr. Sherwood said to his--I mean, the _hat_said to the _bonnet_, that there were some wonderful--ahem--legends, about genii and sprites and--and so forth; not printed, but _written_, which the boy liked to hear when he was 'overgetting' the measles. Acertain lady, not three inches from your chair, ma, was the one who wrotethem; and now"--

Prudy had turned about, and the only remnants of her face which lookedat all natural--that is, the irises and pupils of her swolleneyes--were shining with curiosity. 

"There, now, what is it, Gracie? what is it you don't want me tohear?"

Grace laughed. "Oh, nothing much, dear: never mind. "

"You oughtn't to say 'Never mind, '" pursued Prudy: "my mother tells me_always_ to mind. "

"I only mean it isn't any matter, Prudy. "

"Oh! do you? Then don't you care for my skeeter-bites? You always say, 'Never mind!' I didn't know it wasn't _any matter_. "

"Now, ma, " Grace went on, "I want to ask you where are thoseI-don't-know-what-to-call-'ems? And may I copy them, Cassy and I, intoa book, for a certain afflicted relative?"

"Yes, yes, on gold-edged paper!" cried Prudy, springing up from thesofa; "oh, do, do; I'll love you dearly if you will! Fairy stories arejust as nice! What little Harvey Sherwood likes, _I_ like, and I'vehad the measles; _but_ I shouldn't think his father and mother'd weartheir hat and bonnet to the dinner-table!"

"Deary me!" laughed Grace; "how happened that little thing to mistrustwhat I meant?"

"It would be strange if a child of her age, of ordinary abilities, should _not_ understand, " remarked Mrs. Clifford, somewhat amused. "Next time you wish to ask me any thing confidentially, I advise youto choose a better opportunity. "

"When may she, Aunt 'Ria?" cried Prudy, entirely forgetting hertroubles; "when may she write it, Aunt 'Ria, she and Cassy?"

"A pretty piece of folly it would be, wouldn't it, dear, when youcan't read a word of writing?"

"But Susy can a little, auntie; and mother can a great deal: and I'llnever tease 'em, only nights when I go to bed, and days when I don'tfeel well. Please, Aunt 'Ria. "

"Yes, ma, I know you can't refuse, " said Grace. 

Mrs. Clifford hesitated. "The stories are yellow with age, Grace;they were written in my girlhood: and they are rather torn anddisarranged, if I remember. Besides, my child, my flowing hand isdifficult to read. "

"Oh, mamma, I think you write beautifully! splendidly!"

"Another objection, " continued Mrs. Clifford: "they are rather too oldfor Prudy, I should judge. "

"But I keep a-growing, Aunt 'Ria! Don't you s'pose I know what fairystories mean? They don't mean any thing! You didn't feel afraid I'dbelieve 'em, did you? I wouldn't believe 'em, I _promise_ I wouldn't;just as true's I'm walking on this floor!"

"Indeed, I hope you would not, little Prudy; for I made them up as Iwent along. There are no fairies but those we have in our hearts. Ourbest thoughts are good fairies; and our worst thoughts are evilfairies. "

"Oh, yes, auntie, I know! When we go bathing in the ocean, Susy says, 'Let's be all clean, so the spirit of the water can enter our hearts. 'And it does; but it goes in by our noses. "

Mrs. Clifford had tacitly given her consent to Grace's copying thestories. This task was performed accordingly, much to the disgust ofHorace, who declared that of the whole number only the tale of "WildRobin" was worth reading. 

"And 'Wild Robin, '" said Grace, instructively, "is the only one thathas a moral for you, Horace. When our soldiers are starving so, it isreally dreadful to see how you dislike corned beef and despisevegetables! Such a dainty boy as you needs to be stolen a while by thefairies. "

"Well, Gracie, I reckon you'd run double-quick to pull me off themilk-white steed. You couldn't get along without me two days. Lookhere! what story has a moral for you, miss? It's the 'Water-kelpie. 'You are like the man that married Moneta: you're always wantingmoney. "

"But it's for the soldiers, Horace, " said Grace, with a smile offorbearance toward her brother. "I'm willing to give all mypocket-money; and I mean the other girls shall. If we're stingy to ourcountry these days, we ought to be shot! 'Princess Hilda's' the beststory in the book. I wish Isa Harrington could read it! She wouldn'tmake any more mischief between Cassy and me!"

"I like 'The Lost Sylphid' the best, " said Prudy; "but _was_ she agreat butterfly, do you s'pose? The stories are all just as nice; justlike book stories. I shouldn't think anybody made 'em up. Aunt 'Riacan write as good as the big girls to the grammar-school. I promisednot to believe a single word; and I sha'n't. I'm glad she called it_my_ Fairy Book. "

CRISTOBAL. 

A CHRISTMAS LEGEND. 

Long ago, in fair Burgundy, lived a lad named Cristobal. His largedark eyes lay under the fringe of his lids, full of shadows; eyes aslustrous as purple amethysts, and, alas! as sightless. 

He had not always been blind, as perhaps a wild and passionate lad, named Jasper, might have told you. On a certain Christmas Eve, a merryboy was little Cristobal, as he pattered along to church, trying withhis wooden shoes to keep time to the dancing bells. In his hand hecarried a Christmas candle of various colors. Never, he thought, wasa rainbow so exquisitely tinted as that candle. Carefully he watchedit when it winked its sleepy eye, eagerly begging his mamma to snuffit awake again. How gayly the streets twinkled with midnight lanterns!And how mortifying to the stars to be outdone by such a grandillumination!

A new painting had just been hung in the church, --the Holy Child, called by the people "Little Jesus, " with an aureola about his head. Cristobal looked at this picture with reverent delight; and, to hissurprise, the Holy Child returned his gaze: wherever he went, thesweet, sorrowful eyes followed him. There was a wondrous charm in thatpleading glance. Why was it so wistful? What had those deep eyes tosay?

The air was cloudy with the breath of frankincense and myrrh. Deepvoices and the heavy organ sounded chants and anthems. There wereprayers to the coming Messiah, and the sprinkling of holy water; and, at last, the midnight mass was ended. 

Then, in tumult and great haste, the people went home formerry-makings. Cristobal, eager to see what the Yule-log might have instore for him, rushed out of the church with careless speed, stumblingover a boy who stood in his way, --the haughty, insolent Jasper. Jasper's beautiful Christmas-candle was cracked in twenty pieces byhis fall. 

"I'll teach you better manners, young peasant!" cried he, rushing uponCristobal in a frenzy, and dealing fierce blows without mercy orreason. 

It was then that Cristobal's eyes went out like falling stars. Theirlustre and beauty remained; but they were empty caskets, their visiongone. 

Then followed terrible anguish; and all Cristobal's mother could dowas to hold her boy in her arms, and soothe him by singing. At lastthe fever was spent; but the pain still throbbed on, and sometimesseemed to burn into Cristobal's brain. He cried out again and again, "What right had that fierce Jasper to spring upon me so? I meant himno harm; and he knew it. Oh, I would like to see him chained in a den!He is like the wicked people who are turned into wolves atChristmas-tide. I would cry for joy if I could hear him groan withsuch pain as mine!"

Poor Cristobal never hoped to see again. He carried in his mindpictures of cities and hamlets, of trees, flowers, and old familiarfaces; but oftenest came Jasper's face, just as it had last glared onhim with blood-thirsty eyes. It was a terrible countenance. Only onecharm could dispel the horror, --the remembrance of the beautiful Childin the church. That picture blotted out every thing else. It was likethe refrain in the Burgundy carols, "Noel, Noel, " which comes againand again, and never tires of coming. 

A whole year passed away. Cristobal's mother only prayed now that herboy might suffer less: she had ceased to pray for the healing of hisblindness. 

Now it was Christmas-tide again. Ever since Advent, people had beenclearing their throats, and singing carols. They roasted chestnuts, drank white wine, and chanted praises of the "Little Jesus, " who wassoon to come, bringing peace on earth, good-will to men. 

In the streets, one heard bagpipes and minstrels; and, by thehearthstones, the music of the wandering piper. The children began totalk again of the Yule-log, and to wonder what gifts Noel would bringto place under each end of it; for these little folks, who have nostocking-saint like our Santa Claus, believe in another quite as good, who rains down sugar-plums in the night. 

Everywhere there was a joyful bustle. Housewives were making readytheir choicest dishes for the great Christmas-supper; fathers wereslyly peeping into shop-windows, and children hoarding their sous andcentimes for bonbons and comfits. 

Everybody was merry but Cristobal; or so thought the lad. He had nomoney to spend, and little but pain for his holiday-cheer. A patchhere and there in his worn clothes was the best present his thriftymother was able to make; always excepting the little variegated taper, which few were too poor to buy. 

Christmas Eve came. Family friends dropped in. The Yule-log was seton the fire with shouts and singing. "Oh that I could see these kindfaces!" moaned Cristobal. "No doubt, Jasper's chestnuts are poppingmerrily; and his shoes will be full of presents. And here am I! Myhead aches, and my eye-balls burn. "

He stole out of the room, and, throwing himself on a wicker bench, mused over his troubles in solitude. One might have supposed himsleeping; for how should one imagine that his beautiful eyes were ofno manner of use, except when they were closed? When Cristobal said, "Let me see, " he dropped his eye-lids; and what he saw then, no artistcan paint. 

On this night, a beautiful child appeared before him, as like thepicture of the Little Jesus as if it had stepped out of its frame onthe church-wall. Even the crimson and blue tints of the old paintingwere faithfully preserved; and every fold of the soft drapery was thevery same. 

"I saw you, Cristobal, when you came before me with your coloredcandle, one year ago. "

"I knew it, I knew it!" cried Cristobal, clasping his hands in awe. "Isaw your eyes follow me; and I never once turned but you were looking. They told me it was only a picture; but I said for that very reasonyour eyes were sorrowful, --you longed to be alive. "

The child replied by a slight motion of the head; and the aureolatrembled like sunlight on the water. The longer Cristobal gazed, themore courage he gathered. "Lovely vision, " said he, "if vision you maybe, --I have said to myself, I would gladly walk to Rome with peas inmy shoes, if I could know what you wished to say to me that Christmasnight. "

"Only this, little brother: Are you ready for Christmas?"

"Alas! no: I never am. I have only two sous in the world. "

"Poor Cristobal! Yet, without a centime, one may be ready forChristmas. "

"But I am so very unhappy!"

"You do indeed look sad, little brother: where is your pain?"

"In my eyes, " moaned the boy, pouring out the words with a delightfulsense of relief; for he was sure they dropped into a pitying heart. "Beloved little Jesus, let me tell you that since I saw you last Ihave been wickedly injured. Now I have always a pain in my eyes: thereare two flames behind them, which burn day and night. "

"I grieve for you, " said the Child with exquisite tenderness; "yet, dear boy, for all that, you might be ready for Christmas: but is therenot also a pain throbbing and burning in your _heart_?"

"Oh, if you mean that, I am tossed up and down by vexation: I am fullof hatred against that terrible Jasper. It was all about a miserableChristmas-candle he carried. I broke it by pushing him down. Tell me, was he right to fly at me like a wild beast? Ought he not to suffereven as I have suffered? Is it just, is it right, for the great man'sson to put out a peasant boy's eyes, and be happy again?"

"Misguided Jasper!" said the Child solemnly; "let him answer for hisown sin: judge not, little brother. "

Cristobal hid his face in his hands, and wept for shame. 

"Shall I give you ten golden words for a Christmas-gift? Will youhide them in your heart, and be happy?"

"I will, " answered Cristobal. 

"They are these, " said the Child with a voice of wondrous sweetness:"Pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you. "

Cristobal repeated the words, a soft light stealing over his face. "Iwill remember, " he said, looking up to meet the pleading eyes of theChild: but, lo! the whole face had melted into the aureola; nothingwas left but light. Yet Cristobal was filled with a new joy; and, ashe opened his eyes, his dream--if dream it were--changed, becoming assweet and solemn as a prayer. It seemed to him that the roof of thecottage glittered with stars, and was no longer a roof, but theboundless sky; and, afar off, like remembered music, a voice fell onhis ear, "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Fatherwill also forgive you your trespasses. "

Cristobal arose, and, although still blind, walked in light. "It isthe aureola which has stolen into my heart, " thought Cristobal. "Thepain and hate are all gone. Now I am ready for Christmas. I wish Icould help poor Jasper, who has such a weight of guilt to carry!"

Next day, "golden-sided" Burgundy saw no happier boy than Cristobal. He walked in the procession that night, carrying a candle whose lighthe could not see; but what did it signify, since there was light inhis soul?

Hark! In the midst of the Christmas-chimes breaks the jangling offire-bells. The count's house is on fire! The sparks pour out thickerand faster; tongues of flame leap to the sky; the bells clanghoarsely; the Christmas procession is broken into wild disorder; thewheels of the engine roll through the streets, unheard in the din. 

Cristobal rushed eagerly toward the flames, but was pulled away by thepeople. 

"We cannot drown the fire!" they cried: "the building must fall! Arethe inmates all safe?"

"All, thank Heaven!" cried the count. 

"No: _Jasper_! See, he waves his hand from the third story! Save him!save my boy!"

Jasper had set fire to a curtain with his fatal Christmas-candle. Nowhe raved and shouted in vain: no one would venture up the ladder. 

"O Little Jesus, " whispered Cristobal, "give light to my eyes, even asunto my soul! Let me save Jasper!"

At once the iron band fell from Cristobal's vision. He saw, and, atthe same moment, felt a supernatural strength. He tore away from therestraining arms of the people; he rushed up the ladder, shouting, "Inthe name of the Little Jesus!" He reached the window, heedless of hisscorched arms. "Jasper!" he cried, seizing the half-conscious boy, "benot afraid: I have the strength to carry you. "

And down the ladder he bore him, step by step, through the cracklingflames. 

Jasper was revived; and the fainting Cristobal was borne through thestreets in the arms of the populace. 

"Wonder of wonders!" they all shouted. 

"It was the Little Jesus, " gasped Cristobal: "he opened my eyes; heguided me up the ladder, and down again!"

"Hallelujah!" was now the cry. "On the birthday of our Lord, theblind receive their sight. "

"It is a triumph of faith, " said the saints reverently. 

"A miracle, " murmured the nuns, making the sign of the cross. 

"Not a miracle, " replied the wise doctors, after they had firstconsulted their books: "it is only the electrifying of the opticnerve. "

But hardly any two could agree, and what was so mysterious at the timeis no clearer now. 

"Dear little Cristobal, " sobbed the broken-hearted Jasper, "how couldyou forgive such a wicked boy as I?"

"It was very easy, " replied Cristobal, "when once the Little Jesuscalled me 'brother, ' and bade me pray for you. "

"Oh that I could repay you for your wonderful deed of love, " saidJasper, through his tears. 

"Do not thank me, " whispered Cristobal, with a look of awe; "thank theLittle Jesus. And when he comes again next year, to ask what feelingswe hold in our hearts, let us both be ready for Christmas. "

WILD ROBIN. 

A SCOTTISH FAIRY TALE. 

In the green valley of the Yarrow, near the castle-keep of Norham, dwelt an honest, sonsy little family, whose only grief was an unhappyson, named Robin. 

Janet, with jimp form, bonnie eyes, and cherry cheeks, was the best ofdaughters; the boys, Sandie and Davie, were swift-footed, brave, kind, and obedient; but Robin, the youngest, had a stormy temper, and, whenhis will was crossed, he became as reckless as a reeling hurricane. Once, in a passion, he drove two of his father's "kye, " or cattle, down a steep hill to their death. He seemed not to care for home orkindred, and often pierced the tender heart of his mother with sharpwords. When she came at night, and "happed" the bed-clothes carefullyabout his form, and then stooped to kiss his nut-brown cheeks, heturned away with a frown, muttering, "Mither, let me be. "

It was a sad case with Wild Robin, who seemed to have neither love norconscience. 

"My heart is sair, " sighed his mother, "wi' greeting over sich a son. "

"He hates our auld cottage and our muckle wark, " said the poor father. "Ah, weel! I could a'maist wish the fairies had him for a season, toteach him better manners. "

This the gudeman said heedlessly, little knowing there was any dangerof Robin's being carried away to Elf-land. Whether the fairies were atthat instant listening under the eaves, will never be known; but itchanced, one day, that Wild Robin was sent across the moors to fetchthe kye. 

"I'll rin away, " thought the boy: "'tis hard indeed if ilka day agreat lad like me must mind the kye. I'll gae aff; and they'll thinkme dead. "

So he gaed, and he gaed, over round swelling hills, over oldbattle-fields, past the roofless ruins of houses whose walls werecrowned with tall climbing grasses, till he came to a crystal sheet ofwater, called St. Mary's Loch. Here he paused to take breath. The skywas dull and lowering; but at his feet were yellow flowers, whichshone, on that gray day, like freaks of sunshine. 

He threw himself wearily upon the grass, not heeding that he hadchosen his couch within a little mossy circle known as a "fairy'sring. " Wild Robin knew that the country people would say the fays hadpressed that green circle with their light feet. He had heard all theScottish lore of brownies, elves, will-o'-the-wisps, and the strangewater-kelpies, who shriek with eldritch laughter. He had been toldthat the queen of the fairies had coveted him from his birth, andwould have stolen him away, only that, just as she was about to seizehim from the cradle, he had _sneezed_; and from that instant thefairy-spell was over, and she had no more control of him. 

Yet, in spite of all these stories, the boy was not afraid; and if hehad been informed that any of the uncanny people were, even now, haunting his footsteps, he would not have believed it. 

"I see, " said Wild Robin, "the sun is drawing his night-cap over hiseyes, and dropping asleep. I believe I'll e'en take a nap mysel', andsee what comes o' it. "

In two minutes he had forgotten St. Mary's Loch, the hills, the moors, the yellow flowers. He heard, or fancied he heard, his sister Janetcalling him home. 

"And what have ye for supper?" he muttered between his teeth. 

"Parritch and milk, " answered the lassie gently. 

"Parritch and milk! Whist! say nae mair! Lang, lang may ye wait forWild Robin: he'll not gae back for oat-meal parritch!"

Next a sad voice fell on his ear. 

"Mither's; and she mourns me dead!" thought he; but it was only thefar-off village-bell, which sounded like the echo of music he hadheard lang syne, but might never hear again. 

"D'ye think I'm not alive?" tolled the bell. "I sit all day in mylittle wooden temple, brooding over the sins of the parish. "

"A brazen lie!" cried Robin. 

"Nay, the truth, as I'm a living soul! Wae worth ye, Robin Telfer: yethink yersel' hardly used. Say, have your brithers softer beds thanyours? Is your ain father served with larger potatoes or creamierbuttermilk? Whose mither sae kind as yours, ungrateful chiel? Gae toElf-land, Wild Robin; and dool and wae follow ye! dool and wae followye!"

The round yellow sun had dropped behind the hills; the evening breezesbegan to blow; and now could be heard the faint trampling of smallhoofs, and the tinkling of tiny bridle-bells: the fairies weretrooping over the ground. First of all rode the queen. 

 "Her skirt was of the grass-green silk, Her mantle of the velvet fine; At ilka tress of her horse's mane Hung fifty silver bells and nine. "

But Wild Robin's closed eyes saw nothing; his sleep-sealed ears heardnothing. The queen of fairies dismounted, stole up to him, and laidher soft fingers on his cheeks. 

"Here is a little man after my ain heart, " said she: "I like hisknitted brow, and the downward curve of his lips. Knights, lift himgently, set him on a red-roan steed, and waft him away to Fairy-land. "

Wild Robin was lifted as gently as a brown leaf borne by the wind; herode as softly as if the red-roan steed had been saddled with satin, and shod with velvet. It even may be that the faint tinkling of thebridle-bells lulled him into a deeper slumber; for when he awoke itwas morning in Fairy-land. 

Robin sprang from his mossy couch, and stared about him. Where was he?He rubbed his eyes, and looked again. Dreaming, no doubt; but whatmeant all these nimble little beings bustling hither and thither inhot haste? What meant these pearl-bedecked caves, scarcely larger thanswallows' nests? these green canopies, overgrown with moss? He pinchedhimself, and gazed again. Countless flowers nodded to him, and seemed, like himself, on tiptoe with curiosity, he thought. He beckoned one ofthe busy, dwarfish little brownies toward him. 

"I ken I'm talking in my sleep, " said the lad; "but can ye tell mewhat dell is this, and how I chanced to be in it?"

The brownie might or might not have heard; but, at any rate, hedeigned no reply, and went on with his task, which was pounding seedsin a stone mortar. 

"Am I Robin Telfer, of the Valley of Yarrow, and yet canna shake affmy silly dreams?"

"Weel, my lad, " quoth the queen of the fairies, giving him a smart tapwith her wand, "stir yersel', and be at work; for naebody idles inElf-land. "

Bewildered Robin ventured a look at the little queen. By daylight sheseemed somewhat sleepy and tired; and was withal so tiny, that hemight almost have taken her between his thumb and finger, and twirledher above his head; yet she poised herself before him on amullein-stalk, and looked every inch a queen. Robin found her gazeoppressive; for her eyes were hard and cold and gray, as if they hadbeen little orbs of granite. 

"Get ye to work, Wild Robin!"

"What to do?" meekly asked the boy, hungrily glancing at a few kernelsof rye which had rolled out of one of the brownie's mortars. 

"Are ye hungry, my laddie? touch a grain of rye if ye dare! Shellthese dry bains; and if so be ye're starving, eat as many as ye canboil in an acorn-cup. "

With these words she gave the boy a withered bean-pod, and, summoninga meek little brownie, bade him see that the lad did not over-fill theacorn-cup, and that he did not so much as peck at a grain of rye. Then, glancing sternly at her unhappy prisoner, she withdrew, sweepingafter her the long train of her green robe. 

The dull days crept by, and still there seemed no hope that Wild Robinwould ever escape from his beautiful but detested prison. He had nowings, poor laddie; and he could neither become invisible nor drawhimself through a keyhole bodily. 

It is true, he had mortal companions: many chubby babies; manybright-eyed boys and girls, whose distracted parents were stillseeking them, far and wide, upon the earth. It would almost seem thatthe wonders of Fairy-land might make the little prisoners happy. Therewere countless treasures to be had for the taking, and the very dustin the little streets was precious with specks of gold: but the poorchildren shivered for the want of a mother's love; they all pined forthe dear home-people. If a certain task seemed to them particularlyirksome, the heartless queen was sure to find it out, and oblige themto perform it, day after day. If they disliked any article of food, that, and no other, were they forced to eat, or starve. 

Wild Robin, loathing his withered beans and unsalted broths, longedintensely for one little breath of fragrant steam from the toothsomeparritch on his father's table, one glance at a roasted potato. He washomesick for the gentle sister he had neglected, the rough brotherswhose cheeks he had pelted black and blue; and yearned for the verychinks in the walls, the very thatch on the home-roof. 

Gladly would he have given every fairy-flower, at the root of whichclung a lump of gold ore, if he might have had his own coverlet"happed" about him once more by the gentle hands he had despised. 

"Mither, " he whispered in his dreams, "my shoon are worn, and my feetbleed; but I'll soon creep hame, if I can. Keep the parritch warm forme. "

Robin was as strong as a mountain-goat; and his strength was put tothe task of threshing rye, grinding oats and corn, or drawing waterfrom a brook. 

Every night, troops of gay fairies and plodding brownies stole off ona visit to the upper world, leaving Robin and his companions in everdeeper despair. Poor Robin! he was fain to sing, --

 "Oh that my father had ne'er on me smiled! Oh that my mother had ne'er to me sung! Oh that my cradle had never been rocked, But that I had died when I was young!"

Now, there was one good-natured brownie who pitied Robin. When he tooka journey to earth with his fellow-brownies, he often threshed rye forthe laddie's father, or churned butter in his good mother's dairy, unseen and unsuspected. If the little creature had been watched, andpaid for these good offices, he would have left the farmhouse foreverin sore displeasure. 

To homesick Robin he brought news of the family who mourned him asdead. He stole a silky tress of Janet's fair hair, and wondered to seethe boy weep over it; for brotherly affection is a sentiment whichnever yet penetrated the heart of a brownie. The dull little spritewould gladly have helped the poor lad to his freedom, but told himthat only on one night of the year was there the least hope, and thatwas on Hallow-e'en, when the whole nation of fairies ride inprocession through the streets of earth. 

So Robin was instructed to spin a dream, which the kind brownie wouldhum in Janet's ear while she slept. By this means the lassie would notonly learn that her brother was in the power of the elves, but wouldalso learn how to release him. 

Accordingly, the night before Hallow-e'en, the bonnie Janet dreamedthat the long-lost Robin was living in Elf-land, and that he was topass through the streets with a cavalcade of fairies. But, alas! howshould even a sister know him in the dim starlight, among the passingtroops of elfish and mortal riders? The dream assured her that shemight let the first company go by, and the second; but Robin would beone of the third:--

 "First let pass the black, Janet, And syne let pass the brown; But grip ye to the milk-white steed, And pull the rider down. 

 For _I_ ride on the milk-white steed, And aye nearest the town: Because I was a christened lad They gave me that renown. 

 My right hand will be gloved, Janet; My left hand will be bare; And these the tokens I give thee: No doubt I will be there. 

 They'll shape me in your arms, Janet, A toad, snake, and an eel But hold me fast, nor let me gang, As you do love me weel. 

 They'll shape me in your arms, Janet, A dove, bat, and a swan: Cast your green mantle over me, I'll be myself again. "

The good sister Janet, far from remembering any of the old sins of herbrother, wept for joy to know that he was yet among the living. Shetold no one of her strange dream; but hastened secretly to the MilesCross, saw the strange cavalcade pricking through the greenwood, andpulled down the rider on the milk-white steed, holding him fastthrough all his changing shapes. But when she had thrown her greenmantle over him, and clasped him in her arms as her own brotherRobin, the angry voice of the fairy queen was heard:--

 "Up then spake the queen of fairies, Out of a bush of rye, 'You've taken away the bonniest lad In all my companie. 

 'Had I but had the wit, yestreen, That I have learned to-day, I'd pinned the sister to her bed E're he'd been won away!'"

However, it was too late now. Wild Robin was safe, and the elves hadlost their power over him forever. His forgiving parents and hisleal-hearted brothers welcomed him home with more than the old love. 

So grateful and happy was the poor laddie, that he nevermore grumbledat his oat-meal parritch, or minded his kye with a scowling brow. 

But to the end of his days, when he heard mention of fairies andbrownies, his mind wandered off in a mizmaze. He died in peace, andwas buried on the banks of the Yarrow. 

THE VESPER STAR. 

Once upon a time, the new moon was shining like a silver bow in theheavens, and the stars glittered and trembled as if they were afraid. 

"What frightens you?" said the placid Moon; "be calm, like me. "

"I am freezing, " answered the North Star; "that is why I shake. "

"We are dancing, " said the Seven Sisters; "and, watch as closely asyou please, you can never get a fair peep at our golden sandals, ourfeet twinkle so. "

"I am sleepy, " grumbled the Great Bear; "I am trying to keep my eyesopen. Perhaps that is the reason I wink so much. "

Thus, with one accord, they made excuses to the pale Moon, who istheir guardian, --all but the sweet Vesper Star: she was silent; andwhen a white cloud floated by, she was glad of an excuse to hide herface. 

"Let the North Star shiver, and the Seven Sisters dance, and all thegolden stars hold a revel, " thought she; "as for me, I am sad. "

For you must know that the Vesper Star has a task to perform, and isnot allowed to sleep. She keeps vigil over the Earth, by night; andnever ceases her watch till the world is up in the morning. For thesick and sad, who cannot sleep, she feels an unutterable pity, so thather heart is always throbbing with sorrow. 

The Moon looked at the Vesper Star, and said, "Dream on, sweet sister;for you, the noblest of all, have told me no falsehood. "

This the Moon said because she knew that none of the stars had givena true reason for twinkling so gayly that night. The truth was, theywere filled with envy, and were trying to be as brilliant as possible, to compete with a flaming Comet which had just appeared in the sky. 

It is not for man to know how long and how peacefully the gentle starshad travelled together, doing the work which God has appointed, without a murmur. But now that this distinguished stranger hadarrived, the whole firmament was in dismay. How proudly he strode theheavens! how his blaze illumined the sky! The Stars whispered one toanother, and cast angry eyes on the shining wonder. 

"Make way for me, " he said, sweeping after him a glorious train oflight. 

"Not I, " muttered the fiery Mars. 

"Not I, " quoth the majestic Jupiter; "I do not move an inch. "

The Comet flashed with a lofty disdain. 

"Puny Stars, " said he, "keep your places, give out all yourlight, --nobody heeds you; the place of honor is always by the VesperStar; here I make my throne. "

The Vesper Star smiled sadly, but without a twinge of envy. 

"Welcome, shining one! Warm me with your fires; let us work together. "

"Work!" cried the Comet, throwing out sparkles of scorn; "I was notborn to work, but to _shine_!"

"Indeed!" said the Vesper Star; "you have come into strange company, then; for here we all work with a good will. " "He does not burn withthe true fire, " thought the good Star; and she wrapped herself aboutwith a soft cloud, and said no more. 

"Oh that I could be set on fire like the Comet!" thought the coldNorth Star. "I would gladly burn to death if I could astonish theworld with my blaze!"

"Let us die!" said the Seven Sisters; "let us die together; we haveceased to be noticed. "

"Ah, hum!" growled the Great Bear; "so many years as I have kept watchin this sky; and now to be set one side by this upstart of aforeigner! I've a great mind to go to sleep and never wake up!"

"Hush!" whispered the Vesper Star gently; "do your duty, and trust Godfor the rest. "

And lo! that very night there was an end of the Comet's splendor. 

"Adieu, my dull friends, " said he; "I am tired of a quiet life: alittle more, and I should fade out entirely!"

Then, with a blaze and a whiz, and a dizzy wheel, he flashed out ofthe sky; and no one knew whither he went, or whence he came, any morethan the path of the quick lightning. 

The stars were ashamed of their envy, and went to their old work witha stronger will and a steadier purpose: but to the Vesper Star wasgiven a brighter and sweeter light than to any other, because she haddone her work without envy and without repining. 

THE WATER-KELPIE. 

Once there lived under the earth a race of fairies called gnomes. Theywere strange little beings, with dull eyes and harsh voices; but theydid no harm, and lived in peace. 

They never saw the sun; but they had lamps much brighter than ourgaslight, which burned night and day, year after year. 

They had music; but it was the tinkling of silver bells and goldenharps, --not half so sweet as the singing of birds and the babbling ofbrooks. 

Flowers they had none, but plenty of gems, --"the stars of earth. "There were green trees in the kingdom: but the leaves were hardemeralds; and the fruit, apples of gold or cherries of ruby; and theseprecious gems the gnomes ground to powder, and swallowed with muchsatisfaction. 

They heaped up piles of gold and diamonds as high as your head; andnever was there a gnome so poor as to build a house of any thing awhit coarser than jasper or onyx. You would have believed yourselfdreaming, if you could have walked through the streets of theircities. They were paved with rosy almandine and snowy alabaster; andthe palaces glittered in the gay lamplight like a million stars. 

These gnomes led, for the most part, rather dull lives. Like theircousins, the water-sprites, or undines, they were roguish and shrewd, but had no higher views of life than our katydids and crickets. Indeed, they hardly cared for any thing but frisking about, eatingand sleeping. But, after all, what can be expected of creatureswithout souls? One sees, now and then, stupid human beings, whose eyeshave no thoughts in them, and whose souls seem to be sound asleep. Such lumps of dulness might almost as well be gnomes, and slip intothe earth and have done with it. 

These underground folk had a great horror of our world. They knew allabout it; for one of them had peeped out and taken a bird's-eye view. He went up very bravely, but hurried back with such strange accounts, that his friends considered him a little insane. 

"Listen!" said the gnome, whose name was Clod. "The earth has a softcarpet, of a new kind of emerald; overhead is a blue roof, made ofturquoise; but I am told that there is a crack in it, and sometimeswater comes pouring down in torrents. But the worst plague of all isa great glaring eye-ball of fire, which mortals call the sun. "

When Clod told his stories of the earth, he always ended by saying, --

"Believe me, it is bad luck to have the sun shine on you. It nearlyput my eyes out; and I have had the headache ever since. "

Now, there was a young girl, named Moneta, who listened very eagerlyto the old gnome's stories of the earth, and thought she would like tosee it for herself. She was a kind little maiden, as playful as akitten; and her friends were not willing she should go. But Moneta hadsomewhere heard that fairies who marry mortals receive the gift of ahuman soul: so, in spite of all objections, she was resolved to takethe journey; for she had in her dark mind some vague aspirations aftera higher state of being. 

Then the gnome-family declared, that, if she once went away, theywould never allow her to return; for they highly disapproved ofrunning backward and forward between the two worlds, gossiping. 

"Have you no love of country, " cried they, "that you would willinglycast your lot among silly creatures who look down upon your race?"

The old gnome, who had travelled, took the romantic maiden one side, and said, --

"My dear Moneta, since you _will_ go, I must tell you a secret; foryou remember I have seen the world, and know all about it. Mortals area higher race than ourselves, it is true; but that is only becausethey live atop o' the earth, while we are under their feet. They makea great parade about their little ticking jewel they call Conscience;but, after all, they will any of them sell it for one of ourear-rings! I assure you they love money better than their own souls;and I would advise you, as a friend that has seen the world, to loadyourself with as much gold as you can carry. "

So Moneta donned a heavy dress of spun gold, which was woven in such amanner, that, at every motion she made, it let fall a shower ofgold-dust. She filled the sleeves with sardonyx, almandine, andamethyst; and hid in her bosom diamonds and sapphires enough topurchase a kingdom. 

Then she went up a steep ladder, and knocked on the alabaster ceiling, using the charm which the gnome had given her:--

"Mother Earth, Mother Earth, set me free!"

At her words there was a sound as of an earthquake, and a little spacewas made, just large enough for her to crawl through. When she hadreached the top, the earth closed again, and she was left seated upona rock; and the light of the sun was so dazzling, that she hid herface in her hands. 

Thus she sat for a long time, not knowing whither to go, till a youngman chanced to come that way, who said, "What do you here?"

She raised her face at his words, and could not speak, so great washer surprise at the beauty of the strange youth. He, for his part, could not help smiling; for she was as yellow as an orange; and anuglier little creature he had never beheld: but he said in a kindvoice, --

"Come with me to my mother's house, and you shall be refreshed withcake and wine. "

She arose to follow him; and, as she walked, a bright shower ofgold-dust sprinkled the earth at every step. 

The young man held out his hands eagerly to catch the shining spray, thinking he would like such a rarely-gifted damsel for his wife; and, in truth, he smiled so sweetly, and dropped such winning words, thatin time he won her heart and she became his bride. 

 "And, when she cam' into the kirk, She shimmered like the sun; The belt that was about her waist Was a' with pearles bedone. "

So great was her love for him, that she forgot her lost home under theearth; and every day, when she bade her husband "good-morning, " sheplaced in his hand a precious stone; and he kissed her, calling herhis "dear Moneta, " his "heart's jewel. " But at last the diamonds, sapphires, and rubies were all gone; and she was also losing the powerof shedding gold-dust. Then her husband frowned on her, and no longercalled her his "heart's jewel, " or his "dear Moneta. "

At length she presented him with a little daughter as lovely as awater-sprite, with hair like threads of gold. Now the father watchedthe babe with a greedy eye; for its mother had wept precious tears ofmolten gold before she received the gift of human grief, and he hopedher child would do the same; but, when he found it was only a commonmortal, he shut his heart against the babe. Moneta was no longeryellow and ugly, but very beautiful; with deep eyes, out of whichlooked a sweet soul: yet she had lost her fairy gifts, and her husbandhad ceased to love her. The good woman mourned in secret; and wouldhave wished to die, only her precious child comforted her heart. 

One day, as she was sitting by the shore of the lake, a water-kelpiesaw her weeping, and came to her in the form of a white-haired oldman, saying, --

"Charming lady! why do you weep? Come with me to my kingdom under thewaters. My people are always happy. "

Then she looked where he bade her, and saw, afar down under thewaters, a beautiful city, whose streets were paved with red and whitecoral. 

The kelpie said, "Will you go down?"

"No, " sighed Moneta, thinking of the kind words her husband hadsometimes spoken to her: "I cannot go yet. "

But the kelpie came every day, repeating the question, "Will you gonow?" and she answered, "I cannot go yet. "

But at last her husband said, --

"How often the thought comes to me, If I had no wife and child, allthis gold would be mine!" and he knitted his brows with a frown. 

Then Moneta looked in his face, and said, --

"Dear Ivan, I have loved you truly; but you no longer care for Moneta. I will go away with the little child, and all our gold shall be yours. Farewell!"

Then she embraced him with falling tears. His heart was stirred withinhim; and he would have followed her, only he knew not which way shehad gone. 

Soon the water-kelpie came to him in the form of a horse; and ranbefore him, neighing fiercely, and breathing fire from his mouth. Thisis the way kelpies take to announce the fact that some one has goneunder the water. 

So the man followed the kelpie. His heart was swelling with grief;and all his love for his wife and child had come back to him. 

He looked into the lake, and saw the fair city. In a transparentpalace Moneta was sitting, crowned with pearls, the child sleeping onher bosom. He shouted, --

"Come back, O Moneta!" but she heard him not. 

He went every day to the same spot, never leaving it until the waterwas clear, and he had seen his wife and child. He cared no more forhis fine castle and his gold; for the castle was empty, and the goldcould not speak. 

"Alas, " cried he, "if I could listen to the music of Moneta's voice!if I could hold the child in my arms once more!"

Now he cared for nothing but to gaze into the waters at Moneta and herchild. 

One day, the water-kelpie appeared to him in the form of an old man. 

 [Illustration: THE WATER-KELPIE. Page 70. ]

"Why sit you here, sighing like the north wind?" said the kelpie. 

"I have loved gold better than my best friends, " replied Ivan; "andnow my best friends are taken away from me, and the gold is left; butI love it no longer. "

"Ah, ah!" growled the kelpie; "I have heard of such men as you:nothing is dear till it is missed. You should have thought of thatbefore. If your lost ones were to return, you would treat them asbadly as ever, no doubt. "

"No, no, " groaned Ivan; "I would love them better than all the wealthin the world! I would love them better than my own life! Ah, the stingit is to think of my own ingratitude!"

"Hold!" said the kelpie: "grumble to yourself if you like, but don'tvex my ears with your complaints. Suppose I were to bring back Monetaand the child, --would you give me your chests of gold?"

"That I will, " cried the man, "right joyfully. "

"Not so fast: will you give me your castle as well?"

"Ah, yes, castle and gold; take them, and welcome. "

"Not so fast: Moneta and her child are worth more than these. Will yougive me the castle and gold, and ten years of your life?"

"With all my heart. "

"Then, " said the kelpie "go home, and to-morrow you shall see Monetaand her child. "

When the morrow came, the husband and wife wept for joy at meetingonce more; and Ivan said, --

"Can you forgive me, dearest Moneta?"

Moneta had already forgiven him; and the three--father, mother, andchild--loved one another, and were content to the end of their lives;and Ivan said, --

"Once for all I have found that gold cannot make one happy; but, withthe blessing of a clear conscience, warm hearts and loving words arethe sweetest things in life. "

THE LOST SYLPHID. 

 "I tell the tale as 'twas told to me. "

I have heard that one night, on a distant shore, a band ofwater-nixies were dancing to gentle music, their golden sandalstwinkling like stars. 

A lord and lady were walking on the same shore. The lord's eyes werebent on the ground; but his wife paused, and said, --

"Listen, my lord, to that enchanting music!"

"I hear no music, " he replied, laughing. "You must wake up, dear wife. 

 "With half-shut eyes, ever you seem Falling asleep in a half-dream. "

"But, my lord, those exquisite beings in gossamer robes! surely yousee them!"

"I see the play of the moonbeams, my love, and nothing more. "

But the wife stood transfixed. One beautiful fairy, taller and fairerthan her companions, had wings, and floated through the dance, scarcely touching the earth. 

"Was ever such a vision of loveliness?" cried the enraptured lady:"she must be my own little daughter, --eat of my bread, and sleep uponmy bosom. "

Then, kneeling, she sang, --

 "Fair little nixies, that dwell near the water, Give me the winged one to be my own daughter. "

The dance ceased. The nixies, bewildered, looked north and south, andknew not which way to flee; but the winged fairy, attracted by thehuman love in the lady's eyes, glided slowly forward. Then the nixiesstormed in fierce wrath, their willowy figures swaying to and fro asif blown by the wind. 

"They shall not harm you, little one. Come with me, be my owndaughter, and I will carry you home. "

"Home!" echoed the lovely child; "my home is in the Summer-land. Oh, will you indeed carry me there?"

Then she folded her white wings, and nestled in the lady's bosom likea gentle dove, and was borne to a beautiful castle that overlooked thesea. The water-nixies soon forgot her, for they could not hold hermemory in their little humming-bird hearts. 

She was not of their race. Her wings were soft and transparent, likethose of a white butterfly; and she ever declared that she had oncealighted from a cloud, and been caught in a nixie's net spread uponthe grass. 

But, in time, her wings dwindled and disappeared; and then the lord, who was now her father, could not remember that she had ever beenother than an earthly child. 

"You fancy you were once a sylphid, " said he; "but there are nosylphids, my sweet one, and there is no Summer-land. "

The child became as dear to the lord and lady as their very heart'sblood; and they forgot her foreign birth, and almost believed, as allthe world did, that she was their own little daughter. But the childdid not forget. She longed for the true home she had left; but whithershould she go to seek it?

"Dear papa, " said she, one day, "I beg you will not say again thereare no sylphids; for I remember so well how I spread my wings andflew. It was glorious to see the clouds float under my feet!"

"Very well, " said the lord; "if you like, I will say there aresylphids in the air, and trolls inside the earth; and, once on a time, I was myself a great white butterfly: do you remember chasing me overa bed of roses?"

"O papa, now you laugh! I love the twinkle in your eye; and I am soglad it is you, and no one else, who is my papa; but just the same, and forevermore, I shall keep saying, _I was a sylphid_!"

Sometimes, when she set her white teeth into some delicious fruit, shesaid with dreamy eyes, --

"These grapes of Samarcand came across the seas; but they are not sosweet as the fruit in my own garden, mamma. "

"And where is your garden, my child?"

"Oh, in the Summer-land. I always forget that you have never seen it. When I go there again, mamma, I will certainly take you too; for Ilove you with all my heart. I can never go without you. "

When she heard the evening-bells from the minster, she said, "Oh, theyare like the joy-bells at home, only not so sweet. Nothing, here, isso sweet. Even my dear mamma is not so lovely as the lady who comeswhen I am asleep. "

Little One--they called her Little One for the want of a name--lovedto prattle about the wonders of that mysterious fairy-land, which noone but herself had ever seen. Her mother would not check her, but lether tell her pretty visions of remembered rainbows, and palaces, andprecious gems. She said, --

"The child has such a vivid fancy! It is not all of us who can seepictures when our eyes are shut. "

But the lord was not so well pleased; and once, when his daughterlooked at a frozen stream and murmured, "_We_ have the _happiest_rivers at home; they sing all day long, all the year, withoutfreezing! Can I find that Summer-land again! Oh, I would creep allover the world to seek it, " he replied, --

"Little One, it is some cloud-city you are thinking of, somedream-land, or isle of Long Ago, which you will never see again. I begyou to forget these wild fancies. "

But still the child dreamed on. Once she heard the glad song of theHyperboreans:--

 "I come from a land in the sun-bright deep, Where golden gardens glow; Where the winds of the North, becalmed in sleep, Their conch-shells never blow. "

She clapped her hands, murmuring to herself, --

"_There_ is my home! I think I remember now it _was_ 'a land in thesun-bright deep!'"

So, when she journeyed with her parents to distant countries, shealways hoped that some ship would bear her away to the Happy Isles;and when they once touched a bright shore, and some one cried, "Theisles of Greece! the isles of Greece!" she thought she was home atlast, and hardly dared look at the remembered shore. But, alas, shehad not yet reached the Summer-land: this was not her home. 

Then she heard her father say that the jewels she wore had beenbrought up from the deep places under the earth. 

"I wonder I had not thought of that, " she said to herself. "Sincethere are such beautiful gems in my lost home, it must lie under theearth. No doubt if I could only find the right cave, and walk in itfar enough, I should come to the Summer-land. "

So she set out, one day, in wild haste, but only lost herself in adeep cavern; and, when she found daylight again, she was all aloneupon the face of the earth. Her father and mother were nowhere to beseen. She shouted their names, and ran to and fro seeking them tillher strength was all spent. It was growing dark; and Little One couldonly creep under a shelter, and weep herself asleep. 

Next morning it was no better, but far worse. Her wretched parents hadgone home, believing her drowned in the sea. Poor Little One was nowall alone in the world, and her heart ached with the cold. Kindfriends gave her food and shelter, and her clothing was warm as warmcould be; still her heart ached with the cold. People praised herbeauty so much that she dared not look up to let them see how lovelyshe was; but she had lost both her father and mother, and her heartached and ached. She thought winter was coming on; and the world wasgrowing so chilly, that now she must certainly set out for theSummer-land. Then she said, --

"If I am a sylphid, perhaps my home is over the hills, and far away. Yes: I think it must be in the country where the music goes. "

For she thought, when she heard music, that it seemed to hover andfloat over the earth, and lose itself in the sky; so she began to sether face toward the country where the music goes. But, though shegazed till her eyes ached, she never saw her long-lost home, nor somuch as a glimpse of one of its spires. 

One night, after gazing and weeping till she could scarcely see, andhad no tears left, the bright being who visited her dreams came andwhispered, --

 "If there be a land so fair O'er the mountain shining, You will never enter there By looking up and pining. "

"Dear me! then what shall I do?" said Little One, clasping her hands. "I am tired of the dropping rain, and the bleak winds; I have lost myfather and mother; I long to go home to the Summer-land. "

"There are hills to climb, and streams to cross, " said the fairy. 

"But I have stout shoes, " laughed Little One. 

"There are thorns and briers all along the road. "

"But I can bear to be pricked. "

"Then I will guide you, " said the fairy. 

"How can that be?" cried the child. "You come to me in dreams; but bydaylight I cannot see so much as the tips of your wings. "

"Listen, and you will hear my voice, " replied the fairy. "Set outtoward the East, at dawn, to-morrow, and I will be with you. "

When Little One awoke, the sun was rising, and she said, --

"Oh that golden gate! The sun has left it open: do you see it, beautiful lady?"

"I see it, " whispered the fairy: "I am close beside you. "

"Then, " said Little One, fastening her dress, and putting on all thejewels she could possibly carry, "I think I will set out at once; for, if I make all speed, I may reach the Summer-land before that goldengate is closed. "

She pressed on, as the fairy directed, up a steep hill, her eyesfixed on the glowing eastern sky. But, as the sun strode up higher, the morning clouds melted away. 

"Where is my golden gate?" cried the child. 

"Weeping so soon?" whispered the fairy. 

"Do not scold me, dear Whisper, " moaned the child; "you know I havelost my kind father and mother; and the thorns prick me; and then thisis such a lonely road; there is nobody to be seen. "

The truth was, there were children gathering strawberries on the hill, and old women digging herbs; but Little One did not see them, for shewas all the while watching the sky. But she was soon obliged to pause, and take breath. 

"Look about you, " said the Whisper, "you may see some one as unhappyas yourself. "

The child looked, and saw a little girl driving a goat; while largetears trickled down her cheeks, and moistened her tattered dress. Fora moment, Little One's heart ceased aching with its own troubles. 

"What is your name, little girl?" said she: "and why do you weep?"

"My name is Poor Dorel, " replied the child; "my father and mother arelong since dead; and I have nothing to eat but goat's milk andstrawberries:" and, as she spoke, the large tears started afresh. 

"Poor Dorel! you are the first one I ever saw who had as much troubleas I. I, too, have lost a father and mother. "

"Were they a king and queen?" asked Dorel, wiping her eyes, and gazingat Little One's beautiful dress and glittering ornaments. 

"They loved me dearly, " replied Little One sadly; "yet I never heardthat they were king and queen. Come with me, darling Dorel! I neverbefore saw any one who was hungry. Come with me! I live in a countrywhere there is food enough for everybody. "

"Where is that?" said Dorel, eagerly. 

"I do not quite know, little girl; but it is not in the bosom of theearth, and it is not in the sun-bright deep: so I suppose it is overthe hills, and far away. "

"Now I know who you are, " said Dorel. "You are the _lost sylphid_; andpeople say you have travelled all over the world. But, if you do notknow the way home, pray how can you tell which road to take?"

"Oh! I have a guide, --a beautiful fairy, called Whisper: she shows meevery step of the way. I wish you would go too, little Dorel!"

"I think I will not, little Sylphid; for, if you have only a Whisperfor a guide, I do not believe you will ever get there; but, oh, youare very, very beautiful!"

"If you will not go, " said Little One, "let me, at least, give you afew of my jewels: you can sell them for bread. "

So saying, she took from her girdle some turquoise ornaments, andplaced them in Dorel's hand with a kiss which had her whole heart init. 

"Now I love you, " said Dorel; "but more for the kiss than any thingelse; and I am going before you to cut down the thorns that shoot outby the wayside. I am a little mountain-girl, and know how to use thepruning-knife. "

Little One danced for joy. She found she could now walk with wonderfulease; for not only were there no more sharp thorns to prick her, buther heart was also full of a new love, which made the whole world lookbeautiful. 

"You see the way is growing easier, " said the Whisper. 

 "Pour out thy love like the rush of a river, Wasting its waters forever and ever. "

"So I will, " said Little One. "Is there any one else to love?"

By and by she met an old woman, bent nearly double, and picking up drysticks with trembling hands. 

"Poor woman!" said Little One: "I am going to love you. "

"Dear me!" said the old crone, dropping her sticks, and looking upwith surprise in every wrinkle: "you don't mean _me_? Why, my heart isall dried up. "

"Then you need to be loved all the more, " cried Little One heartily. 

The poor woman laughed; but, at the same time, brushed a tear fromher eye with the corner of her apron. 

"I thought, " said Little One, "I was the only unhappy one in theworld: it seemed a pity my heart should ache so much; but, oh, I wouldrather have it ache than be dried up!"

"I suppose you never were beaten, " said the old woman; "you were neverpelted with whizzing stones?"

"Indeed I never, never was!" replied Little One, greatly shocked bythe question. 

"By your costly dress, I know you never were so poor as to be alwayslonging for food. Let me tell you, my good child, when one is beatenand scolded, and feels cold all winter, and hungry all summer, it isno wonder one's heart dries up!"

Little One threw her arms about the old woman's neck. "Let me helpyou pick sticks!" said she; "you are too old for hard work; your handstremble too much. "

Swiftly gathering up a load of fagots, she put them together in abundle. 

"Now, how many jewels shall I give her?" thought the child. "She mustnever want for food again. "

"How many?" echoed the Whisper. 

 "Give as the morning that flows out of heaven: Give as the free air and sunshine are given. "

"Then she shall have half, " said Little One in great glee. "Here, poorwoman, take these sapphires and rubies and diamonds, and never behungry again!"

"Heavenly child!" said the stranger, laying her wasted hand on thesylphid's bright head, and blessing her, "it is little except thanksthat an old creature like me can give; yet may be you will not scornthis pair of little shoes: they are strong, and, when you have to stepon the sharp mountain-rocks, they will serve you well. "

Little One's delicate slippers were already much worn, and she gladlyexchanged them for the goat-skin shoes; but, strange to relate, nosooner had she done so than she found herself flitting over rocks andrough places with perfect ease, and at such speed, that, when shelooked back, in a moment, she had already left the old woman farbehind, and out of sight. They were magical shoes; but, no matter howfast they skimmed over the ground, Dorel, out of pure love, continuedto go before, talking and laughing and smoothing the way. 

One by one Little One sold her jewels to buy bread, which she sharedwith all the needy she chanced to meet. After many days thereremained but one gem; and she wept because she had no more to give. But, through her tears, she now, for the first time, fancied she couldsee the spires and turrets of her beautiful home, though, as yet, veryfar off. 

"How fast I have come!" said she, laughing with delight. "But forthese magical shoes, and Dorel's pruning-knife, I should have beeneven now struggling at the foot of the hill. "

Then she looked down at her torn dress. 

"What a sad plight I am in! no one will know me when I get home!"

"Never fear!" said the fairy: "you are sure to be welcome. "

Little One now held up her last jewel in the sunlight, while astarving boy looked at it with eager eyes. 

"Take it!" said she, weeping with the tenderest pity. "I only wishit were a diamond instead of a ruby, --a diamond as large as my heart!"

 [Illustration: THE LOST SYLPHID. Page 95. ]

The boy blessed her with a tremulous voice. Little One pressed on, singing softly to herself, till she came to a frightful chasm, full ofwater. 

"How shall I ever cross it!" she cried in alarm. 

"May I help you, fair Sylphid?" said the grateful boy to whom she hadgiven her last jewel. "I can make a bridge in the twinkling of aneye. "

So saying, he threw across the roaring torrent a film which looked asfrail as any spider's web. 

"It will bear you, " said the Whisper: "do not be afraid!"

So Little One ventured upon the gossamer bridge, which was to the eyeas delicate as mist; but to the feet as strong as adamant. She hushedher fears, and walked over it with a stout heart. 

Now, she was on the borders of the Summer-land. Here were the turretsand spires, the soft white clouds, the green fields, and sunnystreams. Instantly her long-lost wings appeared again; and she spreadthem like a happy bird, and flew home. Oh, it was worth years oflonging and pain! She was held in tender embraces, and kissed lovinglyby well-remembered friends. To her great surprise and delight, herfather and mother were both there--they had arrived at the Summer-landwhile seeking their Little One. 

"Now I know, " said her father, "that my daughter was not dreaming whenshe longed for her remembered home. "

Little One looked at her soiled dress; but the stains had disappeared;and, most wonderful! all the jewels she had worn on her neck andarms, and in her girdle, were there yet, burning with increasedbrilliancy. Little One gazed again, and counted to see if any weremissing. Yes: two she had sold for bread were not there. It was thejewels she had _given away_ which had come back in some mysteriousmanner and were more resplendent than before. 

"Ah!" said she, with a beaming smile, "now I know what it means whenthey say, 'All you give, you will carry with you. ' It was delightfulto scatter my gems by the wayside; but I did not think they would allbe given back to me when I reached home!"

Then, intwining arms with a bright sylphid, she flew with her over thegardens in a trance of delight. 

"Here, " said Little One, "is my own dear garden. I remember the borderand the paths right well; but it never bore such golden fruit, itnever glowed with such beautiful flowers. "

"Your fairy, the one you call Whisper, has taken care of it for yoursake, " said the sister sylphid. "Do you know that those flowers, andthose trees with fruit like 'bonny beaten gold, ' have been watered byyour tears, Little One? It is in this way they have attained theirmatchless beauty and grace. "

"_My tears_, little sister?"

"Yes, your tears. Every one you shed upon earth, your fairy mostcarefully preserved; and see what wonders have been wrought!"

"If I had known that, " said Little One clapping her hands, "I wouldhave been _glad_ of all my troubles! I would have smiled through mytears!"

Now I know no more than I have told of this story of the LostSylphid. I tell the tale as 'twas told to me; and I wish, with all myheart, it were true. 

THE CASTLE OF GEMS. 

Once upon a time, though I cannot tell when, and in what country I donot now remember, there lived a maiden as fair as a lily, as gentle asa dewdrop, and as modest as a violet. A pure, sweet name she had, --itwas Blanche. 

She stood one evening, with her friend Victor, by the shore of a lake. Never had the youth or maiden seen the moonlight so enchanting; butthey did not know

 "It was midsummer day, When all the fairy people From elf-land come away. "

Presently, while they gazed at the lake, which shone like liquidemerald and sapphire and topaz, a boat, laden with strangelybeautiful beings, glided towards them across the waters. The fairvoyagers were clad in robes of misty blue with white mantles abouttheir waists, and on their heads wreaths of valley-lilies. 

They were all as fair as need be; but fairest of all was thehelms-woman, the queen of the fairies. Her face was soft and clearlike moonlight; and she wore a crown of nine large diamonds, whichrefracted the evening rays, and formed nine lunar rainbows. 

The fairies were singing a roundelay; and, as the melody floated overthe waters, Victor and Blanche listened with throbbing hearts. Fairymusic has almost passed away from the earth; but those who hear it arestrangely moved, and have dreams of beautiful things which have been, and may be again. 

"It makes me think of the days of long ago when there was no sin, "whispered Blanche. 

"It makes me long to be a hero, " answered Victor with a sparkling eye. 

All the while the pearly boat was drifting toward the youth andmaiden; and, when it had touched the shore, the queen stepped out uponthe land as lightly as if she had been made entirely of dewdrops. 

"I am Fontana, " said she; "and is this Blanche?"

She laid her soft hand upon the maiden's shoulder; and Blanche thoughtshe would like to die then and there, so full was she of joy. 

"I have heard of thy good heart, my maiden: now what would please theemost?" said the queen. 

Blanche bowed her head, and dared not speak. 

Queen Fontana smiled: when she smiled it was as if a soft cloud hadslid away from the moon, revealing a beautiful light. 

"Say pearls and diamonds, " said Victor in her ear. 

"I don't know, " whispered Blanche: "they are not the best things. "

"No, " said the queen kindly: "pearls and diamonds are _not_ the bestthings. "

Then Blanche knew that her whisper had been overheard, and she hid herface in her hands for shame. But the queen only smiled down on her, and, without speaking, dropped into the ground a little seed. Right atthe feet of Blanche, it fell; and, in a moment, two green leaves shotupward, and between them a spotless lily, which hung its head withmodest grace. 

Victor gazed at the perfect flower in wonder, and, before he knew it, said aloud, "Ah, how like Blanche!"

The queen herself broke it from the stem, and gave it to the maiden, saying, --

"Take it! it is my choicest gift. Till it fades (which will never be), love will be thine; and, in time to come, it will have power to openthe strongest locks, and swing back the heaviest doors. 

 "'Gates of brass cannot withstand One touch of this magic wand. '"

Blanche looked up to thank the queen; but no words came, --only tears. 

"I see a wish in thine eyes, " said Fontana. 

"It is for Victor, " faltered Blanche, at last: "he wishes to be richand great. "

The queen looked grave. 

"Shall I make him one of the great men of the earth, little Blanche?Then he may one day go to the ends of the world, and forget thee. "

Blanche only smiled, and Victor's cheek flushed. 

"I shall be a great man, " said he, --"perhaps a prince; but, where Igo, Blanche shall go: she will be my wife. "

"That is well, " said the queen: "never forget Blanche, for her lovewill be your dearest blessing. "

Then, removing from her girdle a pair of spectacles, she placed themin the youth's hand. He drew back in surprise. "Does she take me foran old man?" thought he. He had expected a casket of gems at least;perhaps a crown. 

"Wait, " said Fontana: "they are the eyes of Wisdom. When you havelearned their use, you will not despise my gift. Keep a pure heart, and always remember Blanche. And now farewell!"

So saying, she moved on to the boat, floating over the ground assoftly as a creeping mist. 

When Blanche awoke next morning, her first thought was, "Happy are themaidens who have sweet dreams!" for she thought she had only beenwandering in a midsummer's night's dream; so, when she saw her lily inthe broken pitcher where she had placed it, great was her delight. Buta change had come over it during the night. It was no longer a commonlily, --its petals were large pearls, and the green leaves were nowgreen emeralds. This strange thing had happened to the flower, that itmight never fade. 

After this, people looked at Blanche, and said, "How is it? she growsfairer every day!" and every one loved her; for the human heart has nochoice but to love what is good and gentle. 

As for Victor, he at first put on his spectacles with a scornfulsmile: but, when he had worn them a moment, he found them verywonderful things. When he looked through them, he could see people'sthoughts written out on their faces; he could easily decipher the finewriting which you see traced on green leaves; and found there werelong stories written on pebbles in little black and gray dots. 

When he wore the spectacles, he looked so wise, that Blanche hardlydared speak to him. She saw that one day he was to become a great man. 

At last Victor said he must leave his home, and sail across the seas. Tears filled the eyes of Blanche; but the youth whispered, --

"I am going away to find a home for you and me: so adieu, dearestBlanche!"

Now Victor thought the ship in which he sailed moved very slowly; forhe longed to reach the land which he could see through his magicspectacles: it was a beautiful kingdom, rich with mines of gold andsilver. 

When the ship touched shore, the streets were lined with people whowalked to and fro with sad faces. The king's daughter, a beautifulyoung maiden, was very ill; and it was feared she must die. 

Victor asked one of the people if there was no hope. 

It so happened that this man was the greatest physician in the kingdomand he answered, --

"Alas, there is no hope!"

Then Victor went to a distant forest where he knew a healing springwas to be found. Very few remembered it was there; and those who hadseen it did not know of its power to heal disease. 

Victor filled a crystal goblet with the precious water, and carriedit to the palace. The old king shook his head sadly, but consented tolet the attendants moisten the parched lips of the princess with thewater, as it could do no harm. Far from doing harm, it wrought a greatgood; and, in time, the royal maiden was restored to health. 

Then, for gratitude, the king would have given his daughter to Victorfor a wife; but Victor remembered Blanche, and knew that no othermaiden must be bride of his. 

Not long after this, the king was lost overboard at sea during astorm. Now the people must have a new ruler. They determined to choosea wise and brave man; and, young as he was, no man could be foundbraver and wiser than Victor: so the people elected him for theirking. Thus Fontana's gift of the eyes of Wisdom had made him truly"one of the great men of earth. "

In her humble home, Blanche dreamed every night of Victor, and hopedhe would grow good, if he did not become great; and Victor rememberedBlanche, and knew that her love was his dearest blessing. 

"This old palace, " thought he, "will never do for my beautiful bride. "

So he called together his people, and told them he must have a castleof gems. Some of the walls were to be of rubies, some of emeralds, some of pearls. There was to be any amount of beaten gold for doorsand pillars; and the ceilings were to be of milk-white opals, with arosy light which comes and goes. 

All was done as he desired; and, when the castle of gems was finished, it would need a pen of jasponyx dipped in rainbows to describe it. 

Victor thought he would not have a guard of soldiers for his castle, but would lock the four golden gates with a magic key, so that no onecould enter unless the gates should swing back of their own accord. 

When the castle of gems was just completed, and not a soul was in it, Victor locked the gates with a magic key, and then dropped the keyinto the ocean. 

"Now, " thought he, "I have done a wise thing. None but the good andtrue can enter my castle of gems. The gates will not swing open formen with base thoughts or proud hearts!"

Then he hid himself under the shadow of a tree, and watched the peopletrying to enter. But they were proud men, and so the gates would notopen. 

King Victor laughed, and said to himself, --

"I have done a wise thing with my magic key. How safe I shall be inmy castle of gems!"

So he stepped out of his hiding-place, and said to the people, --

"None but the good and true can get in. "

Then he tried to go in himself; but the gates would not move. 

The king bowed his head in shame, and walked back to his old palace. 

"Alas!" said he to himself, "wise and great as I am, I thought _I_could go in. I see it must be because I am filled with pride. Let mehide my face; for what would Blanche say if she knew, that, because myheart is proud, I am shut out of my own castle? I am not worthy thatshe should love me; but I hope I shall learn of her to be humble andgood. "

The next day he sailed for the home of his childhood. When Blanche sawhim, she blushed, and cast down her eyes; but Victor knew they werefull of tears of joy. He held her hand, and whispered, --

"Will you go with me and be my bride, beautiful Blanche?"

"I will go with you, " she answered softly; and Victor's heartrejoiced. 

All the while Blanche never dreamed that he was a great prince, andthat the men who came with him were his courtiers. 

When they reached Victor's kingdom, and the people shouted "Long livethe queen!" Blanche veiled her face, and trembled; for Victorwhispered in her ear that the shouts were for her. And, as the peoplesaw her beautiful face through her gossamer veil, they cried all themore loudly, --

"Long live Queen Blanche! Thrice welcome, fair lady!"

The sun was sinking in the west, and his rays fell with dazzlingsplendor upon the castle of gems. When Blanche saw the silent, closedcastle and its golden gates, she remembered the words of QueenFontana, who had said that her lily should have power to "open thestrongest locks, and swing back the heaviest doors. "

Like one walking in a dream, she led Victor toward the resplendentcastle. She touched, with her lily, the lock which fastened one of thegates. 

 "Gates of gold could not withstand One touch of that magic wand. "

In an instant, the hinges trembled; and the massive door swung open sofar, that forty people could walk in side by side. Then it slowlyclosed, and locked itself without noise. 

One of the people who passed in was the king, whose heart was nolonger proud. The others, who had entered unwittingly, could not speakfor wonder. Some of them were poor, and some were lame or blind; butall were good and true. 

At the rising of the moon a wonderful thing came to pass. The peopleentered the castle of gems, and became beautiful. This was through thepower of the magic lily. 

Now there were no more crooked backs and lame feet and sightless eyes;and the king looked at these people, who were beautiful as well asgood, and declared he would have them live in the castle; and thegentlemen should be knights; and the ladies, maids of honor. 

To this day Victor and Blanche rule the kingdom; and such is the charmof the lily, --so like the pure heart of the queen, --that the peopleare becoming gentle and good. 

Until Queen Fontana shall call for the magic spectacles and the lilyof pearl, it is believed that Victor and Blanche will live in thecastle of gems, though the time should be a hundred years. 

THE ELF OF LIGHT. 

A NORSE TALE. 

In the strange island of Iceland, thrown up, by fire, from the depthsof the sea, there once lived a lad who worshipped the god Odin, andwas taught from two absurd books called the Eddas. He wished to fightand die on a battle-field, so that his soul might cross arainbow-bridge, and dwell in the beautiful halls of Valhalla. There--so the Eddas say--are the chosen heroes, who are foreverfighting all day, and feasting all night. 

Thus, instead of a Bible, young Thule studied wild fairy-tales; yet, for all his heathenish training, he had some noble traits, which aChristian lad might imitate. 

He lived with his widowed mother at the edge of a forest. The snowpiled itself in drifts, and the wind howled through the trees, andcrept in at the windows; for the cottage was old, and a blindhurricane might almost have mistaken it for a heap of brushwood. ButThule was quite as happy as if the hut had been a palace. He loved thewinter-beauty of his mother's face, and the silvery hair half hiddenunder her black cap. All the fire they burned was made of the drysticks he gathered in the forest, and more than half the money theyused was earned by his small hands. 

In one of the ice-months of the year, when the weather was sharperthan a serpent's tooth, Thule came home from a hard day's work; and, the chillier he grew, the more he whistled to keep up a brave heart. Looking at the horizon before him, he saw the cold glare which we callNorthern Lights, but which he knew to be the flickering of helmets andshields and spears. 

"The warlike maidens are out to-night, " thought the boy: "they aregoing to the battle-fields to decide who is worthy to be slain. How Ilove to see the sky lighted up with the flash of their armor! Odin, grant I may one day be a hero, and walk over the bridge of a rainbow!"

Then Thule went to his whistling again; but, just as he struck intothe forest where the deep shadows lay, he heard a faint moan, whichsounded like a human voice, or might have been a sudden gust of windin a hollow tree. 

"Perchance it is some poor creature even colder than I, " thought theboy: "I hope not a _troll_!"

Hurrying to the spot whence the sound came, he found an ugly, long-nosed dwarf lying on the ground, nearly perishing with cold. Itwas growing late, and the boy himself was benumbed; but he wentbriskly to work, chafing the hands and face of the stranger, eventaking off his own blue jacket to wrap it about the dwarf's neck. 

"Poor old soul, you shall not die of cold!" said he; then, helping himto rise, he added cheerily, "We will go to my mother's cottage, andhave a warm supper of oat-cakes and herrings; and our fire of dryboughs will do you good. "

The noble boy knew there was barely supper enough for two, but did notmind going hungry to bed for charity's sake. In the ear of his heart, he heard the words of his mother:--

"Never fear starving, my son, but freely share your last loaf with theneedy. "

They walked through the forest, the old man leaning heavily on theyouth's shoulder. 

"Why should you befriend a poor wretch who cannot repay you?" whinedthe dwarf in a hollow voice which startled Thule, it was so like theecho sent back by a mountain or a rock. 

"I do not ask or wish to be repaid, " was the reply. "Don't you knowwhat the proverb says? 'Do good, and throw it into the sea; if thefishes don't know it, _Odin_ will!'"

"Yes: Odin shall know it, never fear, " answered the dwarf; "but, as Ihappen to be informed that your tea-table is not quite large enoughfor three, I think I will decline your invitation to supper. Really, my lad, " he continued, "it would delight me to do you a little favor;for, though I am only a poor dwarf, I know how to be grateful. By theway, have you seen such a thing hereabouts as a green alder-tree?"

"A green alder-tree in winter-time!" cried Thule. 

"A curious thing, indeed, " said the dwarf; "but I chanced to see onethe other night in my rambles. Ah! look, here it is right before youreyes. "

All the other forest-trees were dry and hard, their hearts frozenwithin them; but this tree was alive, hidden behind a clump of firs. When Thule began to dig about its roots, it seemed to come out of theground of its own free will, and to lie over his shoulders as if itwould caress him. 

"Take home the little tree, and plant it before your door, my lad. "

The youth turned to thank the stranger; but he had vanished. ThenThule ran home with all speed to tell his mother of the little old manwho had faded from his sight like a wreath of smoke. 

"Now I wonder what it is you have seen, " said the good woman, raisingher hands in surprise. "Was he brown, my son, with a long nose?"

"As brown as a nut, mother, with no end of nose. "

"Just as I supposed, my child! That dwarf is a wonderfulcreature, --one of the night-elves, a race gifted with greatunderstanding. Know, my son, that he carves runes upon stones; and heno doubt assisted in making Thor's hammer, that terrible instrumentwhich can crush the skull of a giant. "

"One thing I observed, " said the boy: "he blinked at that flashing inthe sky, which people call Northern Lights; he had to shade his eyeswith his funny little hand. "

"Did he, indeed? Poor Elf! Light is painful to his race; and I haveeven heard that a stroke of sunshine is able to turn them intostones. I am almost afraid of this little tree, " added the good mothermusingly. "You know what we read in the holy Eddas: Both the alder andthe ash trees should be held sacred; for Odin formed man from the ash, and woman from the alder. Nevertheless, the night-elf could not havemeant to do you a mischief. Let us plant the tree as he directed. "

"What, in the frozen ground, under the snow?"

But it now, for the first time, appeared that there was a spot ofearth near the south window, which must have been waiting for thetree, since it was as soft and warm as if the sun had been shining onit all the year. Here they planted the alder; and Thule brought water, and moistened the roots. 

Next morning the tree seemed to have grown a foot higher; and bydaylight its leaves showed a silver lining. 

"May Odin favor my pretty alder!" said Thule; "nor let the frost pinchit, nor the winds blacken its green buds!"

Thule went into the woods again; and, as he was whistling at his work, he happened to look down, and there, on the ground, at his feet, lay apurse, well lined with gold. He counted the pieces: fifty, all brightand new. 

"I will go to the town, " thought the boy, shaking his head and sighing(for the gold was very tempting), "I will go to the town, and ask whohas lost a purse with fifty pieces of precious gold. Ah, me! I wish Icould keep it! then we should swim in herrings and oil; and who knowsbut, for once in my life, I might even get a taste of venison?"

But next moment he loosened his greedy clutch at the purse. "No matterhow bravely it shines! it is not _my_ gold; and it is too heavy forme to carry. Stolen money is worse than a mill-stone about one's neck, so my mother says. "

"Keep the purse, little boy, " said a sweet voice close by his elbow. He turned, and saw a beautiful child, as radiant as a sunbeam, andclad in garments of delicate and transparent texture. 

"I will be your friend, little boy. That purse was dropped by a ladywho wears a fur cloak and long veil. If she asks for her treasure, Ican say it fell into a hole in the ground. Everybody believes me:never fear!"

"Poor misguided angel!" said the boy, amazed by her wondrous beauty noless than by her apparent want of truth. "You are, indeed, a lovelylittle tempter; but I have a dear mother at home, and I love herbetter than a million pieces of gold. I must go to the town, and seekout this lady you mention, who wears a fur cloak and long veil. "

"Nay, if you will be so stupid, " said the shining child, "why, I willeven go with you, and show you the way. "

So, gliding gracefully before the bewildered youth, she led him out ofthe forest, into the most crowded part of the city, up to the door ofa splendid mansion; but, when Thule turned his head only an instant, she was gone, and no trace of her was to be seen: she seemed to havemelted into sunshine. 

The lady of the house received the purse with thanks, and would gladlyhave given Thule a piece of the gold; but, much as the boy longed forit, he put it aside, saying, "No, madam: my mother assures me I mustbe honest without the hope of reward. She would not like me to takewages for not being a thief!"

The next morning the alder-tree had grown another foot; and Thule andhis mother watched the growing leaves, and touched them with reverentfingers. They were certainly of a tender green, lined with shiningsilver. 

"May Odin favor my pretty alder!" said Thule; "nor let the frost pinchit, nor the winds blacken its green buds!"

Then Thule kissed his mother, and trudged off to the forest as usual. But he seemed doomed to adventures; for this time he was met by threearmed men, who were roaming the country as if seeking something. 

"Prithee, little urchin, " said one of the men, "can you tell us whathas become of a young alder-tree, whose green leaves are lined withsilver?"

"I dug up an alder-bush, kind sirs, " replied the boy, trembling, andremembering that his mother had said she was almost afraid of thatlittle tree. 

"There are many alder-bushes, " said another of the men gruffly; "butonly one is green at this time of year, and has silver-lined leaves. It was placed here by command of the giant Loki, and no one was totouch it under pain of death; for, when his mountain-garden should belaid out in the spring, the tree was to be uprooted, and plantedtherein. "

Thule grew almost as stiff and white as if a frost-giant had suddenlybreathed on him. He knew that Loki was a pitiless god, feared by all, and beloved by none, --a god who had an especial grudge against thewhole human race. 

"I will hold my peace, " thought Thule. "I will never confess that thetree I carried away has silver-lined leaves. I will hasten home, pluckup the bush, and burn it: then who will be the wiser?"

But Thule, in spite of his trembling, could not forget his goodmother's counsel:--

"Your words, my boy, let them be truth, and nothing but truth, thougha sword should be swinging over your head. "

Then, as soon as his voice returned to him, he confessed that the treehe had removed was really just such an one as the men described, andbegged for mercy, because, as he said, he had committed the sinignorantly, not knowing the mandate of the terrible giant. 

But the men bade Thule lead them to his mother's house, and point outhis stolen treasure; declaring that they could show no mercy; for, when Loki had made a decree, no man should alter it by one jot or onetittle. 

"Oh!" thought the unfortunate boy, wringing his hands, and tremblingtill the woollen tassel on his cap danced a gallopade, "oh, if thecruel night-elf, who led me into this mischief, would only comeforward now, and help me out of it! But, alas, it is of no avail toinvoke him; for it is now broad daylight, and the sun would strike himinto a stone image in a twinkling. "

When Thule, followed by the messengers of Loki, had reached the doorof his cottage, he found his gray-haired mother sprinkling the rootsof the beautiful alder, and fondling its leaves with innocentpleasure. At sight of the armed men, she started back in affright. 

"It is indeed the giant's tree, " said the men to Thule. "Pluck it up, and follow us with it to Loki's castle on the mountain. "

"To Loki's castle!" shrieked the wretched mother. "Then he must passa frightful wilderness, be assailed by the frost-giants; and, if therebe any breath left in him, Loki will dash it out at a glance! Havemercy on a poor old mother, O good soldiers!"

The unhappy boy touched the tree, and it came out of the ground of itsown free will; and, in a trice, stood on its feet, shook out itsbranches into arms, and in another moment was no longer a tree, but achild, with a beauty as dazzling as sunshine. 

"Unfortunate men!" said she, in a voice whose angriest tones weresweeter than the music of an Ĉolian harp, "unfortunate are you inbeing the servants of Loki! Go, tell your cruel master that theschemes he has plotted against me and mine have all failed: myenchantment is over forever. Yonder boy, " said she, pointing to littleThule, "has saved me. I was, and still remain, an elf of light, asplayful and harmless as sunshine. The merciless Loki, enraged at thelove I bear the children of men, changed me to a little alder-tree, which is the emblem of girlhood. But he had no power to keep me inthat form forever. He was obliged to make a condition, and he made thehardest one that his artful mind could invent: 'Since you love mortalsso dearly, ' said he, 'no one but a mortal shall free you from yourimprisonment. You shall remain a tree till a good child shall touchyou, --a child who is generous enough to SHARE HIS LAST LOAF WITH ASTRANGER, honest enough to GIVE BACK A REWARD FOR HIS HONESTY, braveenough to SPEAK THE TRUTH WHEN A LIE WOULD HAVE SAVED HIS LIFE. Longshall you wait for such a deliverer!'

"Now how amazed will Loki be when he learns that this little boy hasbeen tempted in all these particulars, yet proves true. My poorsoldiers, you may return whence you came, for the alder-tree willnever rustle its silver leaves in the mountain-garden of Loki. "

Then the men disappeared, not sorry that the good boy had escaped histhreatened doom. 

Thule, looking at the beautiful elf so lately a tree, could hardlytrust his own eyes; and I fancy that many a boy, even at the presentday, would have felt rather bewildered under the circumstances. 

"Shining child!" said he: "you look vastly like the wonderful littlebeing who led me out of the forest yesterday. "

"That may well be, " replied the elf of light; "for she is my sister. The brown dwarf who pointed out to you the alder-tree is also anexcellent friend of mine, though, strange to say, I have never seenhim. We love to aid each other in all possible ways; yet we can nevermeet, for there is a fatality in my eyes which would strike him dead. He had heard of Thule, the little woodcutter who was called so braveand generous and true. He tried you, you see; and so did my frolicsomesister, who was fairly ablaze with delight when she found you couldnot be tempted to steal!"

Thule's mother had stood all the while on the threshold, overawed anddumb. Now she came forward, and said, --

"I am prouder to-day than I should be if my son had slain ten men onthe battle-field!"

The beautiful elf of light, penetrated with gratitude and admiration, remained Thule's fast friend as long as he lived. She gave the ladand his mother an excellent home, and made them happy all the days oftheir lives. 

THE PRINCESS HILDA. 

Princess Hildegarde sat at an open window, looking out upon her gardenof flowers. She was very beautiful, with a face as fair and sweet as arose. Not far off sat, watching her, her young cousin Zora, with afrown on her brow. 

There was bitter hatred in Zora's heart because Hildegarde was richand she was poor; because Hildegarde would, in time, be a queen, andshe one of her subjects. Moreover, Hildegarde was so beautiful andgood that the fame of her loveliness had spread far and wide; and itwas for her beauty that Zora hated her more than for any thing else. 

In childhood Zora had been very fair; and the courtiers had pettedher, and pronounced her even fairer than the princess; but her beautyhad never meant any thing but bright eyes and cherry cheeks: so itcould not last. If she had only cherished pure thoughts and kindwishes, she might still have been as lovely as Hilda; but who does notknow that evil feelings write themselves on the face?

Jealousy had pulled her mouth down at the corners; deceit had given ita foolish smirk; spite had plowed an ugly frown in her brow; while shehad tried so many arts to make her rich brown skin as delicately whiteas Hilda's, that it was changed to the tint of chrome yellow. 

It was said in those days, that Zora was in the power of wickedfairies, who twisted her features into the shape that pleased thembest. 

At any rate, how the amiable Princess Hilda was to blame for allthese deformities it would be hard to say; and she little dreamed ofthe malice in her cousin's heart. 

But, while Hilda was looking out of the window, a noble knight passedthat way; and so delighted was he with the rare sweetness of her face, that he forgot himself, and paused a moment to gaze at her. Theprincess blushed, and let fall the silken curtain; but Zora had seenthe knight, and knew he was the royal Prince Reginald. She ground herteeth in rage; for she had determined that the prince should never seeher beautiful cousin. 

"They shall not meet, " said she to herself: "no, not if there are badfairies enough to prevent it. "

But, when the princess looked up, Zora was smiling very sweetly. Whocould have dreamed that she was thinking of nothing but how to ruinthe peace of her gentle cousin?

Zora could hardly wait for nightfall, so eager was she to do herwicked work. When it was dark, and all was quiet, she stole out of thecastle, wearing a black mantle which hid her face. 

"Now, " thought she, "no one can recognize me, and I will seek thefairy Gerula. "

You must know that Gerula was one of the most wicked and hideoussprites that ever existed. She dwelt in a cave far from the abodes ofmen. It was hidden by huge trees through which the wind never ceasedhowling. At evening owls hooted overhead, and many creeping thingswound their length along the ground. The more toads and snakes shecould see about her, the better was she pleased; for fairies, as wellas mortals, are attracted by what is akin to themselves. 

She was descended from a race called kobolds or goblins; and she lovedall the metals which lie under the earth as well as the living thingswhich crawl up out of its bosom. 

So acute were her ears, that she heard Zora's steps from a greatdistance. She brushed back her elf-locks, and gave a low grunt likesome wild beast. It pleased her that the Lady Zora should find need ofher counsel; but, when Zora had reached the cave, the cunning fairypretended to be sleeping, and started up in seeming surprise. 

"What brings a body here at this time of night?" said she. 

"I am Lady Zora. I have come, sweet fairy, to beg a favor. ThePrincess Hilda is hateful to me: work one of your charms on her, andlet me see her face no more. "

The old fairy pricked up her ears and said to herself, "Ha! ha! Iwill have nice sport out o' this!" then said aloud, "Say, what harmhas the princess done to my rosebud, my lily, my pride?"

Zora's eyes flashed. "Prince Reginald has seen her; and to see her isto love her. My heart is set on wedding Prince Reginald. Take her outof his way!"

Just then a broad gleam of moonlight fell on the treacherous maiden. It was strange how much she looked like the cruel fairy; and Gerulagazed on her with delight. 

"My beautiful viper!" said she, using the sweetest pet-name she couldthink of, "I will do your bidding. But first say what you will give meif I put Hildegarde out of your way. "

Then she chuckled, and rubbed her hands in great glee. Zora startedback in alarm. 

"I did not know you sold your charms for gold; but I would give youhalf my fortune if need be, any thing, to be rid of Hilda. "

The fairy chuckled again. "Just the damsel for me, " thought she. 

"I will give you a diamond necklace, " said Zora: "it is worth a smallkingdom, and was given me by my cousin Hilda. You can surely ask nomore?"

"Diamonds!" said the goblin, snapping her fingers. "What think you Icare for them? Do I not tire of stooping to pick them up? for they aregiven me by my cousins, the gnomes, any day. No diamonds for me! Keepthem and your gold. I ask but one thing, my dear. "

Here she spoke in low hissing tones, more terrible than her loudestcroakings. 

"Promise me, if you do not marry Prince Reginald, you will let mechange you into a charming green snake. "

"Alas!" cried Zora, turning pale, "who ever heard of such a cruelrequest?"

"Cruel, am I?" said the goblin in delight. "Oh, I must seem cruel toone who is so gentle and lovely as Hilda!"

"Alas, " cried Zora, "I may fail to win Prince Reginald. "

"All the better, " chuckled the fairy. "When you become a snake, youand I shall enjoy each other's society, I assure you. "

Zora shuddered. 

"But it's all one to me, " added the goblin, beginning to yawn. "On thewhole, I think you may as well go home. "

Zora wrung her hands, and groaned. 

"Yes, " said the gnome: "go back to the castle. Ugh! I would soonertrust one of my winking owls to do a daring deed than you! Fie uponyou! Creep back to your bed, and let Hilda marry the prince: a lovelypair they will make. Off with you, for I have to make up my sleep Ihave lost. "

But Zora was thinking. 

"I am silly indeed!" she said to herself. "Why do I fear that I shallnot win the love of Prince Reginald? Only Hilda stands in my way. "Then she said aloud, --

"Lovely being! sweetest of all the race! Great as is my horror, I willconsent to your will. "

Just then was heard a crackling in the dry leaves. 

"Only a snake, " said the goblin. Zora trembled. 

"Will you promise me that Hilda will never trouble me again?"

"I promise, " said the goblin, with one of her merriest laughs, asloud and hoarse as the song of a frog. 

Just then a sigh was heard not far from the place where Zora stood. "There is some one here: we are watched, " she whispered. But Gerulathought it the howling of the wind; for she was busily musing over thecharm she was about to obtain of her cousins, the gnomes, and her eyesand ears were not as sharp as usual. 

She took from the ground her crooked staff. 

"Hush, " said she; "if the sky were to fall on your head, you are notto speak; for now begins the charm. "

Then she drew a circle three times on the ground, with her staff, andsaid in low tones, --

 "Hither, ye cousins, that come at my call: The princess is young and fair; Mix me a charm that shall bring her to woe Spin me your vilest snare. "

A mist arose, in which Zora could see dim figures, one after another. Zora held her breath. Gerula muttered again in low tones, --

 "Hilda is gentle, and dreams of no guile; The little gnomes sit and weep; 'Make her, --if _must_ be, --a snowy wee lamb, In the fold with her father's sheep. '"

Zora clapped her hands in delight. But just then, a faint sound washeard, as of some one talking between the teeth. Then Zora spoke, andthe charm was broken. She did not intend to speak; but asked, "Whatnoise was that?" before she thought. 

"You have broken the charm, " said the fairy. "The soft-hearted gnomesare unwilling to punish Hilda; but I hoped, by my craft, I could forcethem to keep her a lamb forever; or, at most, to let her grow to asheep, and die by the knife. 

"I will now weave a new charm; but I fear me they will repent; andHilda will not be got out of the way, after all. Not a word more, Iwarn you. "

So saying, the goblin made another circle three times, on the ground, and again muttered, --

 "How long is fair Hilda a snowy wee lamb? The little gnomes cry, 'We fear Till comes a brave lion so tender and true, She lives by his side a year. '"

Zora clapped her hands again. "That is well, " said she, "for never wasa lion seen who could let a little helpless lamb pass his way withouttearing it in pieces. "

"True, " said the gnome, well pleased, "it has worked well. Hilda willnever trouble you again: so creep home softly, and go to your rest:dream of bats and creeping snakes; and to-morrow, at sunrise, askyour cousin to walk with you in the park. Now adieu!"

"Adieu, sweetest and best of fairies!" said Zora, drawing her silkenmantle closely about her face. As she left the hideous cave, snakeshissed after her, and a bat flew in her face; but she had sold herselfto evil, and walked on without fear of the creatures she so stronglyresembled. 

Next morning, at the first peep of the sun, she cried, "Awake, dearestHilda, joy of my life, and walk with me in the park. I have lost mydiamond necklace; and last night I dreamed it was lying in the grass. "

So Princess Hildegarde opened her eyes, and hastened to follow hercousin; for her heart was quickly moved to any act of kindness. 

"What a fine flock of sheep!" cried Hilda, as they were walking inthe park. "Such innocent"----

She would have said more, but the words on her tongue were suddenlychanged to tender bleatings; and even as Zora stood looking at her, she crouched down on all fours, dwindled in size, was enveloped inwhite fleece, and became a dumb lamb. 

Overwhelmed with horror and surprise, she raised her pleading, tearfuleyes to the face of her cousin. But Zora gave a mocking laugh, andsaid, pointing her finger at her, --

"Who now is the heir of the throne? Will they set the royal crown on asheep's head, think you? Bravo, sweet creature! You may stand nowbetween me and Prince Reginald as much as you please. It's all mywork. I tell you once for all, I hate you, Hildegarde. "

Was this Zora's return for her cousin's love? The princess would fainhave expressed her grief and amazement. 

"Pray don't try to talk, my bonny wee thing! It is not one of yourgifts, at present. Your voice has ceased to be musical. I can sing nowas well as you. Go to nibbling grass, deary, and a long life to you!"

Then the treacherous Zora turned on her heel, and left her poor cousinto her mute despair. 

A search was made far and wide for the missing princess. Forests werehunted, rivers were dragged; but without avail. Deep gloom fell on thepeople, and the queen nearly died of sorrow. They all believed Hildadead, all but Zora, who knew too well her cruel fate. 

Then Zora was treated like the king's daughter. Wherever she went, there were servants to follow her; yet none loved her, and behind herback they made wry faces, and said she looked like one who wastormented by evil fairies. 

But, alas for Zora, nothing more was seen of Prince Reginald. Shewatched the windows day after day, hoping to see him ride by on hiscoal-black steed; but he never came. Then she grew crosser than ever, and the frown on her brow ploughed deeper still. She dreamed everynight of horrible goblins and slender green snakes. 

All the while, poor Hildegarde roamed about the park. The other lambswere content to nip the sweet grass, and frisk in the sun; but theprincess remembered something better, for her soul did not sleep. 

The king himself, in his walks, was struck with the beauty of thelamb; its fleece was far softer, finer, and whiter than was common. He said to his chief shepherd, "Watch well yonder snow-white lamb, andgive it particular care. "

For there was something in its soft dark eyes, as they were raised tohis face, which stirred the king's heart, though he knew not why. 

One day the city was thrown into a great tumult. A lion had been seenin the thicket which bordered the park. The huntsmen, hearing of it, stole out privately to waylay him in a snare. He was caught alive bythe king's favorite huntsman. It was agreed that such a fine lion hadnever been seen before; and the king ordered a strong iron cage forthe beast, and made his favorite huntsman his keeper. 

Now the cage was in the midst of the park; and such was the terror ofthe sheep and deer, that none of them went near it. 

"I will go, " thought poor Hildegarde; "let the lion tear me inpieces. Sooner would I perish, than live on, a poor wee lamb all mydays. "

So she went up to the cage, though with a faint heart; but the lionput his paw out of the bars, and stroked her face, as if he would bidher welcome. The keeper reported the fact with great surprise. 

It may be that the beautiful brown eyes of the lamb tamed the fiercespirit of the lion; for they were human eyes, full of Hildegarde's ownsoul. Be that as it may, the lamb went every day to the cage, till thelion learned to watch for her, and gave a low growl of joy when he sawher coming. At last the keeper ventured to drop her carefully into thecage. The lion was beside himself with joy; and, after that, the lambwas placed in the cage every morning, and only taken out at night. 

Then the king invited all the noblemen into his park, to see thestrange sight of a lion and a lamb living together in peace. And allthe while Hildegarde loved her shaggy companion, and asked herselfevery day how it could be that a lion should have such speaking eyesand such a tender heart. But she almost believed that he was a humanbeing, shut up, like herself, in a cruel disguise. 

At last, when a whole year had gone by, the time came for Hilda to bedisenchanted; for the good little gnomes had declared that if shecould live for a twelvemonth in peace with a lion, the charm wouldthen be at an end. 

Hilda did not know this; but awoke at sunrise, and, going to drink, saw the image of her old self in the fountain; and faint voicesrepeated in chorus these lines:--

 "Thrice welcome, sweet Hilda! the little gnomes say At sunrise their charms shall end; So go to the lion, and open the cage; The prince is your own true friend. "

This was so sudden and unexpected that the happy Hilda could hardlybelieve her senses. She gazed at her jewelled fingers; she touched hervelvet robe. "It is Hildegarde, " said she dreamily; "where has shestayed so long?"

She went to the cage; and, finding the key hanging on the outside, would fain have freed the poor lion, but thought of the terror itwould cause the sheep and deer, and dared not do it. 

She put her soft white arms within the bars, saying, --

"You have been a true friend to the little white lamb. She has foundher tongue again, and can say so. Kind old lion, gentle prisoner, Hildegarde will not forget you. "

The noble beast looked at the disenchanted princess, and the nextinstant was changed to his true form; and, in place of a tawny lion, it was the brave Prince Reginald. Hilda blushed with joyful surprise, and would have taken down the key to unlock the cage, but the princesaid, --

"Loveliest Hildegarde, will you be my bride? Speak before you unlockthe cage; for, if you say nay, Reginald must again become a dumbbeast, and, as he has been for a year, so will he be for the rest ofhis days. "

Hildegarde cast down her eyes, and answered, "If so be the lion andthe lamb could live side by side for a year, may not Reginald andHilda dwell together in peace?"

"Then, " said the joyful Prince Reginald, "I pray thee unlock thecage. "

Now, as they walked together in the park, the prince told Hildegardethat he had loved her for a twelvemonth and a day. 

He described Zora's visit to the cruel goblin. He said that he himselfhad overheard the two talking together, had ground his teeth, andsighed. Then the gnomes, seeing his grief, had come asking him if hewould be changed for a year, and maybe for life, into a lion; and forHildegarde's sake he had gladly consented. 

Hearing all these things, the grateful princess wept, and said, --

"Now I know that Prince Reginald is my own true friend. "

The prince led Hilda to the palace, and presented her to the king andqueen. Great was the wonder, and loud the rejoicing throughout theland. 

The treacherous Zora was seen no more, but was changed into a slendergreen snake; and the king said she deserved her fate; "for, markyou, " cried he, "there is no crime worse than to play false to thosewhom we pretend to love. "

But Prince Reginald and Hildegarde were married, and lived in peaceall the rest of their lives. 

GOLDILOCKS. 

 "A king lived long ago, In the morning of the world, "

who had two children, Despard and Goldilocks. They were twin brotherand sister, but no more alike than a queen-lily and a nightshade, araven and a dove. 

Goldilocks was a bright young damsel, with hair like fine threads ofgold, and a face so radiant that people questioned if the blood in herveins might not be liquid sunshine. Her eyes were as soft as violets;and her laugh was like the music of a spring robin. 

Despard, on the other hand, was as melancholy as an owl. His ravenhair cast gloomy shadows, and his mournful eyes pierced you with asudden sorrow. He was too low-spirited to chase butterflies, weavedaisy-chains, and dance with Goldilocks among the flowers. He likedbetter to play at a mimic funeral, and deck himself as chief mourner, in a friar's robe with sable plumes. He could never understand whylaughing Goldilocks should object to making believe die, and be buriedin the large jewel-coffer, which stood for a tomb. 

He always said that, if he lived to be a man, he should grow all themore wretched, and creep over the earth like a great black cloud. WhenDespard spoke so hopelessly, Goldilocks paused in her song or herplay, and stealthily brushed a rare tear from her eye. She was afraidher brother's words might prove true. 

These children lived in what is called the Golden Age, when therivers flowed with milk and wine, and yellow honey dripped fromoak-trees. Their childhood would probably have lasted forever; but theSilver Age came on, and every thing was changed. Then, it wassometimes too warm, and sometimes too cold. People began to live incaves, and weave houses of twigs. The king, their father, died, andwent, so it was said, to the "Isles of the Blessed. "

The children were shipwrecked upon a foreign shore, all because of asudden swell of the ocean. Here they were desolate and homesick. Thestrange people among whom they had fallen did not know they were thechildren of a king. No one was left to care for them but their oldnurse, named Sibyl. 

This aged woman was growing lame, and her hair was gray; yet she lovedthe twins, and would spin all the day long, to buy black bread forthem, and now and then a little choice fruit. 

"Alas, " she sighed, "alas, for the Golden Age, when the forests hadnever been robbed, when oxen were not called to draw the plough, andthe beautiful earth laughed, and tossed up fruit and flowers withoutwaiting to be asked!"

The frocks that Sibyl made for Goldilocks were coarse; but on fairspring days she took from the chest a delicate, rosy robe, embroideredwith gold, and smiled to see how it adorned the child. 

But as for Despard, she had no hope that he would ever look well inany thing. She would part Goldilocks' wonderful hair, and say, --

"Old Sibyl knows who is her love; she knows who would be glad to giveher pomegranates and grapes, when she is too old to spin, and too weakto sit up. "

Little Goldilocks would laughingly reply, --

"And I know, too: when I am a woman I shall weave a net of my hair, and fish up all the gold that has sunk to the beds of the rivers. ThenI know who will have a set of hard gold teeth, and a silverrocking-chair. "

"Thou art lovely enough to be a goddess, little Goldilocks. And whatwilt thou do with the rest of the gold?"

"Oh, Despard shall have all he can carry; for Despard is good, letpeople say what they may. And I will have a crown made for him, withdiamonds set in it as plenty as plums in a pudding. "

"Listen, my children, " said the old Sibyl, sadly: "there will be noone to give me grapes and pomegranates when I am faint and weak. I canread by the stars that you are soon to go on a pilgrimage, and leaveyour old nurse behind. You may well weep, my good little boy: there isto be no rest for your feet till you have travelled over the wholeworld, from north to south. "

Despard groaned aloud; but Goldilocks clapped her hands and laughed. "Oh, let us start to-night, " she cried. 

"When the sun-god has made twelve journeys in his winged boat, " sighedSibyl, "and when the young moon has arisen out of the ocean, then youmay go. "

And, at the appointed time, the faithful nurse, with many tears, prepared her foster-children for their long journey. She took from aworm-eaten coffer some family heirlooms, which had been lying sincethe days of the Golden Age, enveloped in rose-leaves and gold paper. 

She placed in the hand of Despard a dagger with a jewelled hilt, aquiver of poisoned arrows, and a glittering sword, with a bladesharper than a serpent's tooth. 

But to Goldilocks she gave a flask of smooth, fragrant oil, a vase ofcrystal-bright water, and a fan made of the feathers of the beautifulbird of Paradise. 

Kissing the little pilgrims, she said, --

"These gifts have been saved for you these many years: use them as aninward voice shall whisper you: I give you my blessing. The godsattend you! Farewell. "

The children at first walked on sorrowfully; but soon the gay spiritsof Goldilocks rebounded, and she waltzed hither and thither, like amorsel of thistle-down. 

"See, brother, " said she, "we almost fly! What a glorious thing it isto go on a pilgrimage! I am glad the beautiful Silver Age has come, and Jupiter has given us leave to take a peep at the world!"

"All very well for you to say, " moaned Despard; "you flit about as ifyou had wings on your feet; while, as for me, it is true I move withequal speed, but so painfully that I wonder my footprints are notstained with blood. "

Soon the children observed, not far off, a party of youths rowing onthe bosom of a lake. They sat in a rocking, unsteady little bark, butwere in gay spirits, blowing bubbles, watching idle clouds, andthrowing up empty shouts to be caught up and echoed by the hills. 

"I wish we had not seen these happy people, " sighed Despard; "for, ifyou can believe me, sister, I really feel as if I must pelt them withmy arrows. "

So saying, little Despard began to fire his poisonous darts at random. 

"Why, brother, " cried Goldilocks, in alarm, "are you possessed by thefuries? Take care how you aim, or you will surely do mischief. "

Even as she spoke, several of the gay youths dropped to the bottom ofthe boat, apparently wounded. Their companions pushed for the shore;and Goldilocks almost flew, to pour into the red wounds her brotherhad made the smooth healing oil from her flask. 

"Poor dears, " said she, pitying their pain, "I have done my best; and, see! these ugly gashes are almost healed. I cannot promise you, though, that they will not leave scars. "

The youths thanked the sweet girl, and assured her it was almost apleasure to be wounded, if one might be nursed by such gentle hands ashers. But as for Despard, it was hardly strange that they should lookupon the poor boy as a wicked little highwayman; or, at best, a saucy, careless fellow. 

Some of the older youths, however, patted him on the shoulder, andsaid, "For your sweet sister's sake we can even endure your pranks. "

"Do not despise me, " said the boy, sadly; "for as I am moved, so mustI do. Not for the whole world would I fire a poisonous arrow, if themighty Jove did not compel me. "

As they walked on, Despard, against his will, flung into the air aquantity of winged torments, which he found stowed away in his wallet, such as gnats, wasps, and flies. 

"There, now, " said sweet Goldilocks, ready to weep, "why could you notlook before you, and see those pretty children playing yonder in thatfragrant meadow?"

"I saw them, " said Despard; "but what good did that do?"

"O brother, I wish the Golden Age would come again, and then youwould cease scattering mischief and trouble. "

The little ones, suddenly stopped in their play by the army ofinsects, ran hither and thither over the meadow, screaming with pain. But Goldilocks appeared in the midst of them, with her shining hair, violet eyes, and laugh like the music of a spring robin. 

"Come to me, " said she; "let me kiss away the stings. "

In a very short space the children were soothed, and had forgottentheir trouble. Then they threw their little arms about Goldilocks'neck, and begged her to stay and play with them. 

"Sweet children, it is my mission, --so the stars say, --to travel allover this world, from north to south. But, for all that, I will frolicwith you till the sun sets. "

"Will the sad boy come too?" asked the children. 

Goldilocks shook her bright curls. "He is planting a garden, " saidshe; "no need to ask him; he hears nothing while he is at play, andhis games are as solemn as midnight. "

The children made believe that the beautiful Goldilocks, in herrose-colored dress, with her beaming hair and flying feet, was a greatbutterfly, which they were trying to catch. Now here, now there, theglowing butterfly flitted from flower to flower, leading her followersa merry chase. Every child thought to seize and hold her, for a kiss. She laughed; and the breezes danced with her hair, like--

 "Zephyr with Aurora playing, As he met her once a-Maying. "

But before any one had kissed or even touched her, she haddisappeared, leaving the children gazing into the air, and seekingtheir late companion with tearful eyes. 

Goldilocks had only gone back to Despard, who was still plantingflower-seeds. 

"What a miserable game, " said Goldilocks; "it is worse than playingfuneral! Who thought you could make flowers grow? Our old nurse saidit was only Demeter, the goddess, who could do that. Here, now, youhave called up a bristling crop of thistles and brambles? On my word, Despard, it is a pity!"

"Well, well, Goldilocks, see what you can make of them. I am doomed towork, though I don't wish it; and my work is always disagreeable, though I can't tell why!"

Goldilocks knelt, and blew on the prickly plants with her sweetbreath. By the nodding of the next breeze, they were changed to roses, violets, and hare-bells. 

"It is pleasant to see any thing smile, even a flower, " saidGoldilocks, laughing as she spoke. 

"I think, " replied Despard, "that this is a strange pilgrimage. Ibelieve our very thoughts are alive. I wish I could stop thinking. "

By and by they came to a rude house, --as fine a one, though, as peoplein the Silver Age had yet learned how to build. Despard paused, andknocked gently. "Why linger here?" whispered his sister. 

"I know not, " sighed the boy, "but so must I do. "

"How now, little ones? you startled me so!" cried a woman, opening thedoor by the width of a crack. 

"Let us come in, " said Despard, sorrowfully; "we are two littlewanderers; and our hairs are wet with night-dews. "

"Come in, then, little ones, and welcome; but never, at any one'sdoor, knock so loud again, " added the woman, pressing her hand againsther heart. 

"I only tapped with the ends of my fingers, " said the boy. 

"Ah, " said the woman, "it was louder to me than thunder. " Then, aftershe had set before them a supper of bread and milk, she rocked herbaby, and sang to it a sweet cradle-song about mother Juno and highOlympus. 

The children lay down on beds of rushes; and Goldilocks, soothed bythe lullaby, fell asleep; but soon awoke, and saw her brother leaning, on tiptoe, over the osier basket. The baby's face looked, in themoonlight, white and pinched; and its sick hands were pressed togetherlike two withered rose-leaves. 

"Let me kiss him, " whispered Goldilocks smiling. But bitter tearsrolled down Despard's cheeks. Drawing his little sword from itssheath, he pricked the baby's heart till one red drop, the life-drop, stained the steel. The sick baby ceased to breathe. 

"O Despard, what have you done?" cried Goldilocks, seizing his arm. 

"I know not, " said the boy; "but as my heart moves me, so must I do. "

Hearing voices, the mother awoke, and, as her habit was, turned atonce to the cradle. The baby lay there beautiful and still; thepinched look gone, and its furrowed brow smoothed into a baby's smile. The mother wept bitterly. 

"Ah, little stranger, " said she, turning to Despard, "I knew you whenI let you in. Why did I open the door for you?"

"Poor mother, " said the boy sorrowfully, "if you had not opened thedoor, I must have come in by the window. "

But Goldilocks threw her soft arms about the woman's neck, andcomforted her till it was morning, and the "gilded car of day" hadrisen from the ocean. The tears on her cheeks she dried with her fan, made of magical feathers. 

When the children set out again on their journey, the woman gaveGoldilocks a loving kiss, and then embraced Despard, saying, --

"For the sake of your sweet sister, I love even you. "

"Poor little brother, " said Goldilocks when they had gone farther ontheir journey, "you are as good as I; but how is it? you make peopleweep, while I must go with you to dry the tears you call forth. "

"I am a black cloud, " groaned Despard, "you a sunbeam. "

"But I like to have a cloud to shine on, " said loving littleGoldilocks. 

Footsore and weary, the little pilgrims travelled on; and, when theyhad gone from north to south, and back again, the Sibyl met them withtender kisses; and, when they were refreshed, bade them go forthagain. 

"For, " said she, "this world is always new, my dears. The people whoare born to-day were not here yesterday; and every mortal must see thefaces of my foster-children. "

It was now the Brazen Age, and Despard and Goldilocks had grown to bea youth and maiden; but still they travelled on. The Iron Age came;and Despard's raven hair was frosted; but Goldilocks' curls neverfaded. Let her live as long as live she may, she can never grow old. 

Their pilgrimage is not over yet; nor will it be while the earthrevolves about the sun. The brother and sister come to every house;they knock at every door. 

To all the children who open their eyes upon the light, come Despardand Goldilocks, the bitter and the sweet of life, the twin angels ofHappiness and Sorrow. 

THE END. 

Transcriber's Note

Archaic and variable spelling is preserved as printed. Punctuationerrors have been repaired. Hyphenation has been made consistent. Typographic errors (omitted letters) have been repaired. 

On page 61, seen has been amended to then--"One sees, now and then, stupid human beings, ... "

On page 158, a reference to Hilda has been amended to Zora--"Hedescribed Zora's visit to the cruel goblin. "