The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1857-06-10
from that day forth Snowtip laid an egg every

from that day forth Snowtip laid an egg every
| day for seven whole years--which was as long
as it lived-ard was perfect treasure to the
louise The hen was always faithful to Chris
tina; and wien she was grown great girl,
and had to drive the cows, OF work in the field,
Snowtip always ran or flew by her side. or else
Christina carried her upon her wrist, as we
sometimes see in pictures knights and gentle
men usedto lo their falcons. Everybody won
dered at these two; and the old women laid
their heads together, and said that if it had
not laid eggs, Fhey never would have believed
it was common hen.
Still. though Christina and Snowtip could
whenSthey we're young, vet Snowtip continued
to go and scratch under the old cherry tree, ,and
Christina always loved the spot, in memory of
the first summer when Snowtip came to her.
When Sndwtp was seven years old, and
Christina, who had grown tall and handsome,
was fifteen, ssnowtip had the pip, and its eyes
grew dim, its wings hung down, and it could
eat very little, but eucked sorrowfully. Chris
tina was truly, grieyed, and fed and fed and
stroked her darling in the tenderest way. But
it was all of no use, Snowtip died one fine day,
and Christina found her lying by the old stone,
onSthe very spot where she had nestled often.
There was great sorrow that morning through
the whole house, and everybody praised the
departed Snowip. Christina shed a great
many tears, and took the poor hen in her arms
to kiss her once more, saying, -.=
.Oh my old hen my poor darling hen
am sure you had more true and faithful heart
than many of mankind possess; and you shall
be buried ca4efully, where the sweetest and
freshest flowers will bloom over your grave -
And Christina and her mother agreed to bury
Snowtip where it had chosen its own pet place
in the garden, and always went to scratch and
nestle. Forit is but right for every one to be
buried near the spot which they loved best in
their lives.
The mother and daughter, therefore, went
to the old stone to dig grave for Snowtip un-
derneath it. When they had dug a while, the
spade struck something hard, and Christina
exclaimed, q What is it, motber?'' And hen
mother felt tItoo, and moved the dirt away to
see what it was. They then saw little box,
and dug it carefully out. 1t was made Of oak,
and had iron corners. Christina mother in
lifting it up, found it very heavy, and joyfully
exclaimed, ~.e.. s.
Suppose it is a treasure that your SnowtI
has left to you! Do you remember how it al
ways scratched in that place." They put the
box down while they arranged the grave, and
put lilies and roses and green herbs into it
Then they put snowtip upon them, and cover.
ed her over with flowers after which they
closed up the, earth, and planted roses and VIC
lets upon it, which Christina watered every day
and let fall MANY tears upon them.
| But what was in the box, think you'll It toob
the weaver a long time to open it at all, for the
nails were very firmly in. When at last he did
break it open, there was a smaller box inside
the other, all coverered with lead, and that
gave the old man great deal more trouble
But what came out at last? Ten thousand
Dutch dollars, which make great deal of oul
money. You may guess what JOY and wonder
there was in the house then, and how they all
thanked God for turning their poverty into
wealth. in Sc remarkable manner Christmas
mother said to her father, Well was no
right after all? You used to laugh at me, bu
| always told you there must be something pc
culiar about Christina and Snowtp--somethins
we did not understand. So you may all see
now it has come to light When they hae
done wondering, Christmas father said to her
"My dear child this treasure is all lawfully
yours. SnoWtip came to you, and dwelt witt
you seven years as rare and unknown guest
that she might show you your marriage por
ton; and it was you that found the treasure
and first proposed that Snowtip should be laid
in the place she was fondest of when alive
Now, therefore, Christina, you are a rich girl
and a count even would not be ashamed to mar
ry the possessor of ten thousand dollars But
Christina replied, ~....4 .......... .....
''Do not speak so, father, we will all share
it together. My mother-and you, my deal
brothers ard sisters.'' And SO they did, for
Christina insisted upon it, and there was quite
enough to make them all very comfortable.
Now this story happened many years ago
and the writer adds, that many good people
believed that Snowtip was guardian spirit, OF
little angel sent from God to watch over Chris
happy at last. But in those old times which
we laugh at now, many things used to happen
that were as wonderful as this, of which re-
member the old people used to talk when was
child; but now one hears nothing of them,
and, indeed, they do not believe people when
they say that such things happen.
Now, you, may think as you like about this
story; for do not say it istrue, but on ny tel
the tale as was told to me-" If you want te
know what my opinion is, however, l should
say that the, treasure Christina found was hen
good and cheerful heart, which indeed, is the
greatest Of all Gods blessings, and is mostly
to be found by those who take the greatest in
terest in birds, trees and flowers, and all such
childish and simple things, while they fail MOI
to impart to others all the good things they
may themsel Ives possess, even as Christina did
share of her treasure, and the widows mite
was greater In the sight Of God than the su-
perhuity OF the rich man. a--
We are exhorted to be like children, and We
turn our faces toward the portals of heaven
when we seek recreation in the study of nature,
and are content with a simple mode of life.
r ~ t->--o---~--->--~-~-<>--->-- *Esz .S =s
A few days since a young lady of respecta-
BILE family in New York, who was attending a
private school on Long Island, was seized with
a violent toothache and went out to purchase
some either for relief. Under its intoxicating
influence, as is supposed, she went on board OF
one of the Sound steamers and was taken to
Stoningtop, thence came by railroad to this city,
and on the return of her proper sense she was
amazed to find herself wandering about the
streets of Chelsea. She Immediately, in great
~ !, l.