Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1871-05-18

any mode q reacnlnS lue paidcei Ll.s4
fore she gained courage to say: Td6bd
friend, can you show me the way out of
this forest on my way home"
The graybearded looked at her i'll sur
prise, but he did not speak; he merely
made her a. sign that she should SIT
down, which she did Then he wlnstled,
and presently there came large swan
ont of theslake and laid down before
him. The little man seated himself on
its back, throwing one arm around it's
neck, and away the. trusty bird swan
with him across the lake. There he
aHghted and went to the palace.
Delphine waited some time, curious
20 see what would happen but she did
not feel afraid. At length she saw four
black swans swim from creek running
into the lake, harnessed to beautiful
little green boat, adorned with silver
and precious jewels. The awning Of
the boat was formed like pair of wings,
and shaded two small seats, and the
bow OF The boat ended the shape Of ii
long swans neck.
The graybeard sat there, looking
much more agreeable than before. He
gave Delphine sign to step III. She
complied. They then sailed gently
across the lake, and as soon as they
reached the shore, he handed her out. of
the boat, and led her to the palace.
In hall of blue and white marble,
on throne of opal, sat the King of the
Swans he wore a robe of pure white
silk, bordered with swansdOwn, frosted
with pearls, golden crown GA his
head, and surrounded by numerous
richly dressed attendants. " What dost
thou seek in my kingdom ~ he asked.
II have found what / sought, answer
ed Delphine, "but [ pray You to let
some one direct me in the way home,
for / find that | have wandered in the
wrong direction" every WE'LL" re-
Piled the King, sit shall be done; but
tits the custom for all who enter this
kingdom to give present to the King
of the Swans. What hast thou to of
fer ~ "Alas y replied Delphine, 81
have nothing at all Ii | had known,
4 would have brought something from
home" "Thou hast strawberries, re-
joined the King, "and like strawber
ries above all things. Give me thy
strawberries, and then one of my ser
wants will show ,hee thy way home"
G. Alas / cannot give you all, said
Delphine the strawberries are for my
sick friend, who must due if she has
no Strawberries, but will readily give
you some of them. With these words
she took several fine strawberries with
stems and leaves, and tied them into
bunch with the ribbon that bound her
hair, and handed them to the King
Thanks, nay little daughter, said the
King Snow go; this man will attend
thee--do exactly what he desires. The
old man with the grey beard waited for
her, and, when Delphine had taken
leave of the King, he led her into the
garden, tied "A fine handkerchief over
her eyes, whistled, and at the same in
slant took her by the arm. She heard
the rustling of wings; she felt the
winds blow colder and colder in her
face, but was not conscious of moving,
nor conld she see any
thing At last the sound of
wings ceased, and the old man set her
upon the ground: Now, my child,
count twenty, and then take off the
bandage, but not before. Preserve it
carefully; it will be required of thee
ut its proper time She counted
twenty, and when she had taken off the
bandage, she found herself standing on
the hill, opposite the house of her
friend Hilda, with frost and snow
around She looked up to the sky, and
there saw great bird, and the old
gray bearded man sitting upon it, with
his arms around its neck. Then she
fastened to her friend Hilda, who was
still In bed, repeating the words, "Who
will bring me strawberries to make me
well? ?"
"lhere they are,H said Delphine,
handing the bunch to Hilda. Every
one was astonished, and wanted to
know whence Delphine had brought
them. Before she had told her Won
derful adventures, Hilda had eaten all
the Strawberries. Then the color re-
turned to her face, and strength to her
limbs and she said, "Thank God, and
dear Delphine, now / am quite well, .
rose up, and was really cured of her
illness. .... III. ...
Who can say how theparents thanked
Delphinel She was truly good and
brave girl, beloved by all, because she
was not selfish, and was kind and
thoughtful for others. One day, long
after, as Delphine was walking in the
meadows with her mother, talking of
her marriage that was to be, she looked
up and saw a black speck in the sky,
which became larger as it descended,
and at last they saw it was prodigious
black swan, and that 1T was flying down
toward them. There was a tent with
golden gauze curtains upon the swans
back, and when the swan had gently
alighted on the ground, there came out