Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1860-03-10

II was that OF n man, aged but not decrepid
his height did not exceed one cubit his form
was Of the most perfect symmetry his coun-
tenance was calm and beautiful, and his long
white hair fell In soft ringlets over his shoul-
ders. lie was clad in tunc of bright green,
which descended in graceful folds to his feet
and was confined at the waist by zone oi
sparkling diamonds, from which proceeded the
light that streamed through the apartment. In
his right hand be held sm III wand, and the
other was raised, as il to command attention,
Robin and Alice remained in breathless ST.
lence waiting till their wonderful visitor should
speak Presently his lips moved, and in soft,
low kind of chant, he uttered these words;
"Mortal, thou hast sought me, thou hast
found me; what is thy will9"
aWho, and what art thou, beautiful stranger?
said Robin.
.Tamthy guardian fairy; Twas present at thy
birth my protection was invoked by thy dy-
ing parents, and | have watched over thee
ever since"
Sand why, kind fairy have I not beheld
thee before?"
"Because thou hast not before stood in need
of my aid /; know thy wants. know thy sor-
row has not been brought on by sin or impru-
dence; 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
"lt is in my power to grant thee three re-
quests one at the present time; the other
two, on the same day, and at the the same
hour, two successive years. But, beware !
There is one srish forbidden, aud shouldst thou
ask that, all which thou hast gained before will
be lost, and my power to grant any further
wish OF thine will be gone"
aAnd what" inquired Robin, sis this for
hidden request? Tell me that may avoid it,"
81 may not tell it," replied the fairy; "but
will give thee rule, by following which thou
wilt be in no danger. It Is this, be moderate IN
Ry desires, and do as thou scouidst be done BY.
Attend to this, and all will be well. Name thy
first wish"
Robin considered for moment, and then
said, "Give me wealth sufficient 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 girde beamed yet more
brightly, and smile of satisfaction illu-
mined his countenance, and he said, "ris
welll thy wish is granted. Farewell" And
the light gradually faded away, and the beau
tiful being seemed TO dissolve itself into dark
ness
awas IL only dream7" said Robin.
Alice struck light, and they looked, first
at one another, and then around the gloomy
apartment. No change was visible the large
stone had returned to its place, and bore no
trace of having been disturbed, and the in
scrption looked as unintelligible as ever
aWas it but dream? No, II could not be a
dream,n added Robin "and yet thought the
fairy would show us treasure, or tap our cot
tage with his wand, and change il into nice,
comfortable house, or something wonderful OF
that kind, as fairies usually do
$50 did !, dear Robin but let us trust him !;
he was SO beautiful, and looked so good, feel
sure he will not deceive us. Let US go to rest
as if nothing had happened, and we cannot tell
what tomorrow may bring forth"
Robin sighed, as he thought what the NOR
row would but too probably bring forth how
ever, like wise man, he followed his wifes
advice.
cHAPTRR ".
It was daylight, the clouds and storms Of the
preceding night had given place to bright
and beautiful morning. and, as the beams OF
the rising sun shone upon Robins closed eye
lids. he awoke. He gazed around him-he
closed his eyes-he opened them again-he
looked once more yes, he was indeed awake.
Yet, could it be real? There he lay on soft
bed of down, hung with rich curtains of many
colored tapestry, in spacious and luxurious
ly-furnished apartment; and there was his
dear Alice sleeping peacefully by his side. The
fairy had not deceived them. awake up, my
lover cried Robin joyfully, "wake up and see
what the fairy has done for us"
So, indeed, il was. They found themselves
transported into delightful mansion, with
everything around them that moderate wealth
could supply, or moderate wants require.
Robin drew aside the heavy folds ofthe cur
tain, and putting on dreasing-gown and slip
"a, which lay ready for his use, he walked
10 ole of the windows, and looked forth be
low him lay beautiful garden, with its close
ly shayen lawns, smooth gravel walks, ant
beds filed with the choicest flowers; for
though the autumn was far advanced, th'
house aud grounds lay in such warm, shell
tered nook, with hills on the east, and wood
ON the north that the summer seemed TO linge
there as as IL it loved the spot and the sui
still called FORTH with his gentle rays, the frag
rant breath of many sweet-scented flower
When Robin had admired the lovely garden
and gazed at the pleasant landscape beyond
he turned to examine more minutely the won
ders within. On his right hand he saw dool
ON oncninr which he found himself in dreS
sing-room, fitted up with everything needfr
for n pentleman's toilet. On one side was
wardrobe, filed with clothes of all descriptions
there were great coats and little coat
, dress coats and plain coats, piles OF ric
snowy linen, and whole regiments of boots an
shoes, which be examined With the eye OF
critic, aud pronounced most excellent
8 When Robin and Alice met, after they ia
8 both completed their mornings toilet, the
/. were al first SO astopished at the alteration
b each others appearance, that they could NJ
find words to express their admiration. ALI
|. had been lovely in her husbands eyes in Il