Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-06-24

ice, though she did not appear quite so SAN
guine as to the result as her husband
Robin began Immediately to remove the
earth from round the edges of the stone
with his knife; and then with the help OF
the iron bar, which he took from the win
dow-shutter for the purpose, he succeeded,
at length, in displacing the heavy stone.
An exclamation of delight escaped from
his lips as he did so, for he beheld under
meath small trap-door of iron with an iron
ring in the centre of it. CHOW for the
treasure, Alice !" he exclaimed as he seized
the ring, and pulled at it with all his might.
But almost before the words were uttered,
he fell to the ground almost blinded and al
most suffocated. The trap-door had yielded
at once to his touch-thus the violence OF
the effort had caused his fall his momentary
suffocation and blindness were occasioned
by tremendous gust of wind laden with
dust and sand, which rushed through the
aperture.
Robin soon recovered his presence OF
mind, and, clearing the binding dust from
his eyes as well as he was able, he gazed
around, with wonder not unmixed with awe.
The room, which moment before was
in utter darkness, for the wind had extn-
gulshed the blazing wood, was now filled
with soft yet brilliant light. 1t was not
moonlight, it was too bright it was not
daylight, it was too soft and sivery it was
a pure unearthly radiancy, which pervaded
the whole apartment, and in the centre there
stood figure.
1t was that of a man, aged, but not de-
crepid his height did not exceed one cubit
his form was of the most perfect symmetry
his countenance was calm and beautiful, and
his long white hair fell in soft ringlets over
his shoulders. He was clad in a tunc of
bright green, which descended in graceful
folds to his feet, and was confined at the
waist by zone of sparkling diamonds, from
which proceeded the light that streamed
through the apartment. In his right hand
he held a small wand, and the other was
raised, as if to command attention.
Robin and Alice remained in breathless
silence, waiting till their wonderful visitor
should speak. Presently his lips moved, and
i'll soft, low kind of chant he uttered these
words
" Mortal, thou has sought me, thou hast
found me; what is thy will %
Who, and what art thou, beautiful stran-
ger p said Robin.
" am thy guardian fairy was present
at thy birth; my protection was invoked by
thy dying parents, and / have watched over
thee ever since. l have not revealed myself
unto thee because thou hast not before stood
in need of my aid; know thy wants and
that thy sorrow has not been brought on by
sin or imprudence; therefore / am here to
assist thee"
Robin would have expressed his gratitude,
but the fairy again raised his hand in token
of silence, and proceeded
s. 1t is in my power to grant thee three
requests one at the present time the 9TH
er two, on the same day, and at the same
hour, two successive years. But, beware
There is one aoish forbidden, and shouldst
thou ask that, all which thou has gained be-
fore will be lost, and my power to grant any
further wish of thine will be gone"
"And what" inquired Robin, Z" is this
forbidden request? Tell me that l may a.
void it."
" l may not tell it," replied the fairy
/" but l will give thee rule, by following
which thou wilt be in no danger. 1t is this,
= be moderate in thy desires do as thou
oouldSt be done By Attend to this, and all
will be we'll Name thy first wish"
Robin considered for moment, and then
said, "Give me wealth enough to support
myself and family in ease and comfort, and
to enable me to relieve the wants of those
who suffer, as | have done, from poverty"
The fairy's brilliant grdle beamed YET
more brightly, and smile of satisfaction il.
lumined his countenance, and he said, COTS
) well thy wish is granted. Farewell" And
the light gradually faded away, and the beau
tiful being seemed to dissolve itself into
! darkness.
"Was it only dream? ?" said Robin.
: Alice struck light, and they looked frs
: at one another, and then around the gloomy
Y apartment. No change was visible, tn,
A large stone had returned to its place, ant
= bore no trace of having been disturbed, ant
e the inscription looked as unintelligible al
e ever.
e Was it but dream? No, it could no
, be dream" added Robin and yet
: thought the fairy would show me treasure
!, or tap our cottage with his wand, and chang
e it into nice, comfortable house, or some
. thing wonderful of that kind, as fairies usu
r ally do"
e So did |, dear Robin but let us trus
e him; he was so beautiful, and looked S
e good, | feel sure he will not deceive u.s. lie
C us 60 to rest as if nothing happened, an
we cannot tell what tomorrow may brin
d forth )" however, like wise man, he follow
g ed his wiles advice.
n 1t was daylight, the clouds and storms {
t. the preceding night had given place to
is bright and beautiful morning, and, as tn
1t beams of the rising sun shone upon Robin
st closed eyelids he awoke. He gazed aroun
him-he closed his eyes-he opened them
gain-he looked once more yes, he wa
n indeed awake. Yet, could it be real Their
At he lay on soft bed of down, hung wit
D. rich curtains of many-colored tapestry, in
l. spacious apartment; and there was his det
1t Alice sleeping peacefully by his side. Th
ID fairy had not deceived them. "Wake VI
III my love p cried Robin, joyfully, wake u
and sec what the fairy has done for u.s."
So, indeed, it was. They found then
selves transported into delightful mansion
CT with everything around them that modera
+ wealth could supply or moderate wants r.
!, quire.
IN Robin drew aside the heavy folds of II
- curtain, and, putting on dressing-gow
!. and slippers, which lay ready for his us
IN he walked TO one of the windows and look