The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-03-27

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"Goody gracious! where am nowl" said
little Ruth.
"Yes, my dear. that's my name" said the
little old woman, dropping low courtesy,
and then spinning round two or three times,
and squatting down suddenly, 50 as to make
what you call cheese.
"Why, you don't mean to say that's your
name" whispered little Ruth.
10 be sure il is. just as much as---and
pray my little creature, what's your name"
wine. on, my name is Ruth Page, only
nun rage" and up she jumped, and spun
round among the strawberries and flowers, and
tried 10 make courtesy like the little old
woman, ana then they both burst out a-laugh-
ing together.
Welly said Goody Gracious, ayou're q
nice, good-natured, funny little thing, I'll say
that for you, as everl happened to meet with
but haven't you another and pretiier name,
hey"
"Why sometimes they call me Little Teen
ty-Tawnty," said Ruth
"Fiddle-de -dee, don't like that name any
better than the other; we must give youa new
name," sold the little old woman .but first
tell me-and she grew very serious, and her
little sharp eyes changed eolor--frst. tell me
how you happen 10 be here, in the very heart
OF Fairy-land, with nobody to take care Of you,
and not 81 much as a wasp, or bumble-bee,
to watch over you, when you sleepl"
" Indeed, and indeed, ma'am, don't know"
sale. little Ruth; all know is, that hare
been very naughty, and that am drowned,
and that shall never see my poor dear mann
ma any more - And then she up and told
the whole story to the little old woman, cry
ing bitterly all the while.
Don't take on so. my little dear, don't,
DON'T" said Goody Gracious. and out she
whipped, what appeared TO Ruth, nothing but
a rumpled leaf Of the tises-lily, and wiped
her eyes with it. BE good child, and after
trial Of three days in FAIRY Land, If you want
to 60 back to your mother, you shall 60, and
you may carry with you token to her, that
you have told the truth"
"Oh! bless your dear little oldfashioned
face !" cried Ruth" oh, bless you! bless
you! only give me token, that will make me
always remember what have promised my
poor dear mother, and shall be so happy!
and won't ask for anything else.''
What, neither for humming bird, nor gold
fish, nor butterflies, nor diamonds, nor pearls,
nor anything you have been wishing for so
long, ever since you were able to read about
Fairy-land."
No, ma'am-just give me ring of wheat
straw, or brooch from the ruby beetle, if you
like, and shall be satisfied"
BE it so-but before | change you to
fairy, you must make choice Of what you want
to see in Fairy-land for three days running
for at the end Of that time, l shall change you
back again, so that il you are Of the same
mind then, you may 60 back 10 your mother,
and If not you will stay with IS for ever and
ever"
" For ever and ever!'' said Rutland she
trembled-" please ma'am, should like to go
now, if it's all the same TO YOU"
No!-but take this fiower''-and as she
spoke, she stopped down, and pulled up for
get-me-not by the roots, and breathed upon it,
and It blossomed all over stake this root"
said she, "and plant it somewhere, and tend
it well, and at any time after three days, if you
get tired of being here, all you have to do,
will be just TO pull it up out Of the earth, and
wish yourself at home, and you will find your
self there in a moment, in your own little
bed!'
"Goody Gracious! you don't say SO !''
!" But do say So"
81 declare, I've good mind to try"
"What, pull it up before you planted it! No,
no, my dear. 1t must be left out three-score
and twelve hours, and be watered with the
dews and the starlight Of the South Sea,
where you are now, thousands and thousands
Of miles from your own dear country; but
there is one thing would have know, before
you plant the flower"
'lf you please, man," said little Ruth.
1T is given,to you, my dear, to help you
correct your faults-you mean to do right, and
you try pretty hard, but you are SO forge'ful'
you say"
Eyes, man,
Well, now, but so long as you tend this
plant with care, and water it every day at the
same hour-.-every day, mind you, and at the
same hour--ye will be growing better"
Ruth was overjoyed.
"But" continued the fairy, "f you neglect
it for single day, it will begin to drop and
wither, the leaves will change, and some OF
the blossoms will drop of, and your mother
will begin to feel unhappy and low-sprited."
ooh, yes, but never shall, ma'm!-never,
neUerr'
Don't be too sure! and if you neglect it
for two whole days running, all the flowers
will drop off but one, and your mother will
take to her bed, and nobody but you will
know what ais her"
Poor Ruth began to tremble, and the tears
came in her eyes.
"But," continued the fairy, "but, if you
should neglect it for three days running, my
poor child, but for three days running, the last
flower will drop off, and your mother will die
of broken heart"
"Oh, mercy! mercy" cried poor little Ruth.
"Oh, take il! take it, wouldn't have it for the
world!' and she flung it down upon the loose
earth, and shook her little fingers, just as if
something had stmg her.
at is TOO late now. See, my dear! it has