The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-11-20
The Three Fairies.

One day little child sat by a widow sew
ing. Her little face was clouded, and as she
dropped her scissors, and her thread became
knotted, and her spool of cotton rolled away
she gave expression to her feelings in peev.
ish fretfulness which took away all the sum
light from her little face, as dark cloud
hides all the brightness of sunny day.
81 don't see why mother gives me this
sewing to do,' said little May-that was her
name-"I wish l could go out and play
Presently she Saw little figure in a gauzy
dress, all spangled with dewdrops, approach
ing her. And sweet voice like music ad.
dressed her in these words-"I am come
my little girl to bestow upon you three gifts
carry them with you, my child, through life
and they will help you to bear all your troub.
les, to fulfil all its duties, and to enjoy all
its pleasures"
Then May looked and behold three little
fairies stood before her, so tiny she could al
most hide them III the bell of lily; and one
of them, in pure white robe, with sweet
blue eyes. came stealing up to Mays little
chair This" said the fairy, is Patience
Now, when May look down upon Patience,
Patience. smiled and her smile was so full
of quiet peace and beauty, that May stretch
Ell out her arms, and the little thing nestled
close to her heart, and whispered, " Oh keep
ME always here" and May answered, Yes,
Patience will"
Then May looked at the second little stran
ger, and his robe was blue, and he had dark
laughing ewes. ard face fnll of resolution.
" I1ls,' sld the fairy t" is Courage" And
Courage scarcely waited for an invitation,
but he sprang to Mays arms, and he looked
up to May with his dark eyes full Of hope
and fire, and he shook back his curls and
whispered, - | snail STAY. too, May; though
am little + How, can do great things; my
little sister Patience W Il need NE. and | can
help You very much" Then May said
" You're resoiute little fellow, and | could
not say no; yol shall stay also" Then
Courag7 laughed for he always had his own
wav.
And May looked qgain-oh how beaut-
fu was the third one She could not see his
dress save it was of dazzling brightness.
Smiles played upon his face, love in his eyes.
Sunshine rested upon his golden curls; he
had the bright look of Courage, and the
hopefa look OF Patience. but something more
han this. May was almost afraid to look
too steadily upon him, lest he should vanish
away; and We; she long-d to take him to
her hoaIt forever.
''WiIl he comeo said she. Il want him
ALSO"
well" said the fairy" his name is JOY"
And Joy whispered. as he wound his arm
about Mays neck, Il never live apart from
my sister Patience and my brother Courage
if you cherish and love them, you will always
find me here
Thea, when May looked again upon Joy,
his face had changed: it wore the peaceful,
quiet look of Patience full of un>peakable
happiness: and again it was like the ripping
water dancing in the nlight-all smiles and
gladness-and May thought there never was
anything half SO beautiful as JOY; and her
eyes filled with tears, and she kissed him
fondly and said, Oh, JOY! stay always with
me-"
And the fairy had gone when May raised
her eyes agein; but Patience, and Courage and
JOY. were still there in all their beauty. Then
May thought, "Oh." she said, "it is that
hard seam, cannot do it." YES" said
Courage. TRY, will help you; l am sure
We can" And when May saw the flash of
Lis earnest eyes, she ielt that with him to
help her, she should not fail. She began
her work with hopeful spirit, and the hard
searn grew quite easy, with Courage to help
her; and May was glad when she remember
ed the fairy had said he might always stay.
But presently Nays thread knolted and her
scissors fell, while she was in great haste to
finish her work. May was just about to ex-
claim, " Oh, DEAR in her old fretful manner,
when little Patience sprang down afte- the
scissors, and kissed May, and unfastened the
knot then May felt little ashamed of her
iil-,emper, and she thought How glad | am
that Patience stayed"
Then very soon the work was finished, and
May folded it up, and Joy laid his cur v little
head against her cheek, and she looked in
his face, and his dancing eyes were full OF
light; and May kissed him again with tear
ful eyes, why, she cou.I not tell, only she was
SO very ilapPy, sad away she flew to show
hIr work to her mother.
Then May awoke, for she had been asleep
all this tine, dear children, and it was all a
dream. Her mother stood beside her. and
May told her mother Of her sdream. "Oh.
mother, am so sorry that they are gone. 1t
was such pleasant dream! But, mother"
said May, 81 will not forget them" No."
said her mother" you may always keep them,
my little daughter. Patience and courage in
your daily efforts will always bring to you
great peace and Joy"
Now, my little friends, if you nave hard
lesson to get, or hard sum to do, Or piece
of work you do no: like, remember the three
little fairies. Call little bright-eyed Courage
to help YOU begin your task. He will always