New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-12-01
NEW YORK TRIBUNE
From the Union Msgszln s Tor December.
ITOUCH AND TOUCHU.

l-.onted the tree md shook it, should like b
Len dozen such trees" said he, and have al
liz nuts 10 myself
y Oh see how beautifully the setting sun shines
,..sing through the boughs on the trunk and
Ranches CLOVIS like gold !" exclaimed Ernest
| d II the sun were like old Midas. that we read
lhDut at school there would be some fun IN It, re-
lied Alfred '' for if it turned all 1t touched into
lral gold / could peel off the bark and buy horse
18th it,
the West and then at the warm CLEANS it cast
i the Old walnut tree. lie stood thus but a mo-
ssn. for his companion aimed a nut at his head,
al shouted. Make haste to ill the basket, you
/ Nv fellow
1 The nuts were soon gathered, aud the boys
4 eetched themselves on the grass, talking over
rhool affairs. A flock of birds flew over their
sads toward the South They are flying away
! ON Winter" said Ernest. How should like
i seo with them where the palms aud cOcoas grow
zee how beautifully they skim along the air
\ .. wish had qua rejoined Alfred &c would
ave some Of them for supper"
4 II was mild Autumn twilight. The cows had
nne from the pastures, and all was still, save the
ironotonOus bass Of the crickets The fitful whis-
jHng Of the boys gradually subsidized into dreamy
irlence As they lay thus, winking drowsly
IErnest saw queer little dwarf peep from under
lsn arcbing root Of the walnut tree. His little dots
losb eyes looked cold snd Opaque as If they
IWerp made u turQuOlS. IT'S nhNus were IKE Tue
4clars OF a bird. But he was surely gentleman
ol property and standing, for his brown velvet vest
was embroidered with gold, and diamond fasten
"a his hat band. While Ernest wondered who he
could be, his attention was attracted by bright
sile vision lowering in the air before him. AT first
he thought it was a large insect, or small bird
hut as il foated ever nearer aud nearer, he per
ceiyed a lovely little face with tender luminous
ewes Her robe seemed like soap bubbles glancng
M the sun, aud under her bonnet, made Of an iu-
,ertsd white petuDia blossom, the little riuglets
shone like finest threads Of gold. The stamen OF a
white lily served her for wand, and she held 1t
.os ard him, saying Ia tones OF soft beseechment
Let me touch your eyes
You had better touch my wand. You will lind
Il much more TO the purpose croaked the dwarf
uncer the walnut root. Look here would ut
vo,. Ike TO have this :" and he shook a purse fall
cf coins, as he spoke.
Il don't like your cold eyes and your skinny fin.
gers replied Ernest. Pray who you :"
" Nv name is Utouch.' answered the gnome
and bring great luck wherever GO
And what is yours dear little spirit Of the airl -
ssked Ernest.
She looked lovingly into his eyes. and answered,
Nv name is Touchu. Shall be your friend for
hfel"
he smiled, and eagerly replied ooh yes oh
ye, You face is so full Of love-"
She descended gracefully and touched bis eyes
with her hly.stamen. The air became redoent
With delicate perfume, like fragrant vlolets kissed
BY the soft South wind. A rainbow arched the
heavens and reflected its beautiful image on a
mirror of mist The old tree reached forth friendly
arms and Graded the sunbeams on its bosom
Flowers seemed to nod and smile, as If they knew
him very well and the little birds sang into his in
most soul Presently, he felt that he was rising
slowly and undustng on the air, like winged
seed when it is breathed upon and away he sailed
On heecy clouds under the arch of the rainbow. A
L.. a,I nd ma
hard Utouch the gnome, excla'm leerlngly'
There he goes in one OF his nir-castes, on
voyage 10 the moonl" Then he felt hims ef falling
though the air, and all at once he was on the
ground. Birds, flowers rainbows, all were gone.
twilight, bad deepened into dreary evening !;
winds sighed through the trees, and the crckets
kept up their mournfu creaking tones. Ernest
was afraid 70 be alone. He felt round Tor his com
panion and shook him by the arm, exclaiming,
alfred Alfred, wake up / have had won
deriu fine dream here on the grass.
So have l." replied Alfred, rubbing his eyes
Why need you wake me just as the old fellow
was dropping purse full Of money into nay hand!
What old fellow " inquired Ernest.
He called himself Utouch," answered Alfred
and he promised to be my constant companion
! hope he will keep his word; for like an old
chap that drops purse OF gold INTO your maud
when you ask for it.
WHY dreamed Of that same old fellow said
Ernest. al but didn't like his looks
Perhaps he didn't show you the full purse
said Alfred.
yes, he did" replied Ernest but felt such
love for the little fairy with tender eyes and heart
melting voice, that | chose her Tor my lie inend'
And on she made the earth SO beautiful!
His companion laughed and said, " dreamed OF
her, TOO. SO you preferred that floating soap bub
BILE did youl | should have guessed rs much
But come, help me carry the nuts home tor am
hungry for my supper
Years passed, and the boys were men. Ernes,
sat writing in a small chamber that looked toward
the sitting sun. His little child had hung prs
matte chaudaierdrop on the widow, andhe wrote
amid the rainbows that IL cast over his paper. In
n simple vase on his desk stood a stalk of blossoms
from the brilliant Wild flower. called the Cardinal
unseen by him, the fairy Touchu circled round his
head ana waved her hiy-stamen, from which the
fine cold colored dust fell bis hair in fragrant
showcr In the greensward below, two oeaurlu
yellow birds sat among the catnlp blossoms puck
ing the seed while they rocked gracefully OF the
wind stirred plant Ernest smiled as ne saia !.
himself Gone are the dandehon blossoms "hio'
strewcd my grass carpet with golden stars an'
now come these winged flowers to refresh the ey Q
When they are gone to warmer cl'mes tneh VII
the yellow butterflies come IN pairs and "hen
eve they are gone, here in my oboe sleep tne soO
yellow tones ever ready 20 wake aud cneer in'
with their cbildlike gladneSs
He took up the instrument as ne spoke snv
PLAYED slight flourish. 4 little bird that nestled
among the leaves OF cherry tree near by causn'
the tones of the oboe aud Knocked it with Joyous
till. a little sunny shower OF sound. Then spFang
the poet 10 his feet. and his countenance lighted ul
ike a TRANSPORTED one But slight cloud 5000
dated over that radiant expression. All, II thou
only vert not afraid OF met he said " If thou
wouldst come, dear little warbler, aud perch on my
oboe, All sing a duet with me- bow happy should
b. Wbyare Man ana Nature thus sondered
Another httle bird in the slthea bush answered
hun in low sweet notes, ending ever with the plaza
tive cadence of minor third. The deep tenoe
eyes Of toe man child filed with tears 9 a.
not sundered" though he surely my heart IS u
harmony with Nature tor she responds 20 my ~
most thought, as one instrument yorstes tne ''ne'
OF another to which it is perfectly attuned Blessed
blessed IS Nature in her soothing power AS az
spoke. Touchu came floating on zephyr an1
poured over him the fragrance OF mgocneHe sne
had gathered from the garden below
At the same hour Alfred walked in his conse'
vstory among groves OF fragrant geranians sHc
richly towering cactus. He smoked cigar sno
glanced hstlessly from his embroidered slippers q
the marble pavement, without taking notice OF me