The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-04-29
THE KING OF THE SWANS.
"A story for Ch,ldrsn.

she was favorite with everybody. Th
girl had friend, called Hilda, who W,
also very good child, and they loved eac
other dearly. 10 the winter, when IL
snow was lying deep upon the bill an
field, Hilda fell sick, and her parents wer
in great trouble about her. She was quit
unable to eat, was burning with fever hea,
and shivering with cold by turns she be
came no better, though she had severa
doctors and much medicine.
When any of her young friends came te
see her, she would say: "Give me straw.
berries; which of you will 60 and End me
Strawberries, that l may get well again p
1t her parents said: "Dear Hilda. It is
winter, and there are no strawberries to be
found at this season." Hilda would raise
herself up in bed, and say: "Far away.
over the high hill, there is a green slope :
there can see plenty of strawberries !.
who will go and fetch them for me. oplv
one OF the nice red berries only one ?"
Inc children left the room saying to each
other "What nonsense poor Hilda talked
ABOUT Strawberries she must be dream
ing. Who would go up that wild hill. aud
through those dark woods to get straw
berries for any one?" But Delphine felt
troubled, and said "Who will 90 with
me over the mountain to seek strawber-
ries? 1t will be some comfort to poor
Hllda IT she sees US start to seek them.
even If we do not fnd." But no one
would go with her, but all went straight
home. ff
30 Delphine set out alone on her wav.
A small trodden footpath led up the great
steep hill and down again on the other side
through great dark wood of beech aud
oak. She came to place where three
paths met; she stood still a minute. not
knowing which path to take, when she saw |
q little man approaching through the trees.
he had green hat upon his head, with a
feather as white as snow. His dress was
ct the so!test swans-down; he carried an
ivory bow at bis shoulder, and small
sI,, hunting horn hung at his side.
What do you want here, my little dam
sci z. ne said, in a friendly voice.
abr said Delphine, Il have sick
ir'eno who longs for Strawberries, and SAYS
they will mako her we'll again. know
very well it is winter; but think l shall
be able to find something here she will like.
and | hope. | shall not return empty
handed"
Come with me-" said the little hunter
i Will show you a place where you will
Ind what you have come in search Of"
lie went on before, leading her through
many winding paths, until the forest an.
'eared lighter, the air became warmer and
more spring-like, and at last they came to
grated iron door. The little man unlock.
q IL, saying, ~ you go straight forward
'ou will find what you SEEK
Delphine would have thanked the good I
atured little man, but he had vanished. a
she went on few steps further and c
anne to green slope. Here winter had {
the sun shone warm in t
Tue, cloudless sky; the birds sang merri. Z
I, and, few steps on, she came to a SPOT b
mere the ground was covered with the t
nest ripe Strawberries. How the good II
tile maiden rejoiced She quickly filled a.
le little basket she had brought with her. cl
I'D started back to her dear sick Hilda
But somehow it happened that she could o.
u Ind her way back she came to high b'
On fence that surrounded the wood. but NJ
her attempts to find the grated iron gate Sc
ere useless. She ran this way and that.
III, no gate was to be seen. Then she Il
'ard the sound OF whistle at distance,
ID exclaimed, in joy, 81 hear living SUI
una some one, surely, is in this wood ev
no will show me the way" She hasten 81 81
through thicket in the direction of daa
Q whistle, and suddenly beheld scene an
nich caused her great surprise. Before 70
r lay large green meadow, and beyond all
Is a clear lake, on which a number OF t"s
'tely, beautiful swans were swimming Of
acefully. In the middle of the lake was TO-,
small island, and upon it a grand palace ito
rounded by fower-gardens and orange pa,
oves. AS she approached the shore of NO,
lake she saw little man sitting there Law
10 did not look so friendly as the little ~
inter- in the forest. He had large head the the
tn rough hair, and grey beard that IS
lched down to his knees. In one hand s sbo
held a whistle, and in the other switch and
Delphine felt rather afraid to speak TO in 9
n and stood at a little distance. She deb
IN observed that his office was to take sss
Q OF the swans, and prevent them from pn put
ng out OF the water. When any did one
ne whstled to them, aud if they did adm
obey him, then he employed his long cor
itch, which had the property of stretch. am and
out or becoming short, Just as he 8.
ased. Delphine could see no one but dea
old man, nor any mode of reaching t 70
place; therefore she gained courage to can
:: "Good friend, can you show me the n n,sl
out Of this forest on my way home ? ofac
Phe graybeard looked at her in surprise. y, the ;,
did not speak he merely,made her a and
, that she should sit down. which she ing
Then he whistled, and presently corr corr
re came large swan from the lake, and ever
down before him. The little man S oraL
ed himself on its back, throwing one rupt
around its neck, and away the trusty high
swan with him across the lake sena
re he alighted and went into the pal 9.
r. rope
he 10
'elphne waited some time, curious to the !
what would happen but she did not n rn3il
afraid. At length she saw four black liens
rs swim from creek running into the cisi u;
/, harnessed to beautiful little green lied hH l.
!, adorned with silver and precious any
lis. The awning of the boat was y I'M, u.s.
led like pair of wings, and shaded half.
small seats, and the bow of the boat TO-
yr.4 L "