Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1870-10-05
Our gouns folks.
The Three Fairies.

ways cool In Summer and warm in Winter
Now, the eldest of these fairies was
named Talkwell. She was rather the pref
test of the three that is, at first sight.
But, some way or other, when sensible
person sat opposite her, he .eaald often
look right through her, and, inSead of see
ing the buttons ON the front Of her dress,
he would find the sash behind present to
his eyes. as if the fairy were rsxSarE air.
| think that Talkwell knew this, for
she kept in her pocket some very fine wool,
so delicate that one could scarcely see it,
unless it were held up against the light.
When Talkwell was about to enter into
conversation with any one whom she wished
to please, she would artfully slip her hand
into her pocket, and then laughingly draw
it across the persons eyes. Then body
was so charmed that he thought Talkwell
very charming-and so she truly was at
times.
Talkwel was lazy little damsel, and
only played the piano, or read stories from
morning till night. She said that she
wished she were able to keep the cave in
order, but she was far too much of an in
valid. and the exertion quiet exhausted
her. Dr. Mole had advised her to eat a
carpet tack daily, to give her back little
stiffness, and she always intended to begin
her medicine tomorrow. But for differ
ent reasons. it was not convenient when
tomorrow came so, by constantly put
ting off the remedy she never grew any
more robust.
The second sisters name was Meanwell.
She was not as idle as the eldest. Every
morning she helped to sweep the cave with
the broom called Diligence and to pol
ish up the precious stones on the walls.
But somehow it always happened that she
raised an extra amount of dust, and she
also had a way of breaking off the corners
of jewels. She felt extremely grieved,
and sometimes angry at her mishaps, but
they continued to occur
The third and youngest sister was
Dowell, and bright, cherry little body
she was, to be sure She was the one
who helped the others out of their Difficult
ties; who brought order where Meanwel
had raised a chaos who fastened on the
points of the dimonds which number two
broke; and who ran to the meadows and
found books in the running brooks, which
Talkwell was so fond of reading.
Dowell was pretty, too. Talkwells
beauty faded in a few minutes, and Mean
well had u dissatisfied look, arising from
her disappointing failures, but Dowell was
invariably sweet, sunny, and smiling.
One fine morning DR.. Mole came to the
cave TO ask Talkwell if she woald 60 with
him to visit Mrs. Caterpillar, who was
lying i'll at Honeysuckle lodge. Now, DR..
Mole was quite in love with Talkwell, for,
being near-sighted gentleman, ne did not
see the fairy's peculiarities.
Talkwell at first hesitGted, saying that
she should like to go, but could not walk
as far as the Lodge. However, when DR..
Mole assured her that his chariot was at
the door. Talkwell was ready in twink
ling. They drove along through the sweet
smelling pines till they came to Mrs. Cat
erpillar's house Talkwell went in and
sat down by the bedside.
I'm sorry to see you ILL.,, SAID she /
hope you will soon be better
Help me draw this blanket over me,
that's all l want of you,' said Mrs Cater
pillar, pointing to a coarse eoverlet at the
foot of the bed.
| would gladly do so, madam answer
ed Talkwell, blandly, but l amnot strong
enough to lift any thing so heavy. l hope
l can do you good by sitting near you and
sympathizing with you. l wish L could
help you-indeed l do. am great in
valid myself, Mrs. Caterpillar | ought
to take a tonic every day. dare say
your back aches. | would rub it but mine
is weak too. l feel deeply 70, you. |
understand it ALL and Talkwell wiped
tear from her eye.
L don't care fig for your sympathy,
said the patient, very much disturbed in
her mind if you can't do any thing for
me but talk, you'd better 90 where you
came from and Mrs. Caterpillar fiounced
over with her face to the wall.
'Good-by, them said Talkwdl; I'm
sorry not to be of more assistance. | trust
you will find yourself better tomorrow
Umph = grunted Mrs. Caterpillar, as
her visitor tripped daintily out of the
door, and into Dr. Mole's chario;.
l could MT cheer her at ~. said the
fairy to the doctor. L long constantly to
do good, but my own poor heath forbids
me-
She needs rest and she has taken
notion that she can't sleep until that old
blanket is drawn over her, answered the
physician, with an admiring glance at his
companion.
When they came to the cave Dowell
had gone for walk, but Meanwell was at
home. I'll 90 to Honeysuckle Lodge
said she. l'm stronger than Talkwell,
and I'll get your patient well in less than
no time
So Meanwell started off When she
reached her destination she found Mrs.
Caterpillar still complaining.
" l will pull your covering up for you,
said Meanwell briskIy. So she tugged
at the blanket, aud made rent in it, by
dragging it over nail.
60 away screamed madam : had
rather you had left me alone entirely.
You've hurt my back with your rOughness.
Meanwell departed in disgust, without so
much as saying L beg your pardon.
When Dowell heard her sisters report,
she determined to 90 herself and see If
she could not better matters. So, after
the moon rose, she put on her sandals and
crept out of the door of the cave. She
soon came to the Lodge.
l think can help you, Mrs Caterpll-
lar said she, in her SOFT soothing voice.
This blanket ought to be mended.
Thank you said the patient, quite
won by DoWell's manner. for if there Is
anything which sick people like, 1t is to
have nurse 60 to work without asking