The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-05-23
silk, bordered with swan s-down, frosted

Will pealio, Soiuoh Sio"h VII lilo ne""
and surrounded by numerous richly
dressed attendants. "What dost thot
seek in my kingdom p he asked. 81
have found what 1 sought" answered
Delphine, "but pray you to let some
one direct me in the way home, for fine
that l have wandered in the wrong di
rection." "Very WE'LL" replied the king
''it shall be done; but it is the custom
for all who enter this kingdom to give S
present to the King of the Swans. Wha
hast thou to offer ?" ''Alas ~ replied
Delphine, 81 have nothing at all if
had known, l would have brought some
thing from home" "Thou hast straw.
terries," rejoined the king, "and like
strawberries above sll things. Give mt
my Strawberries, and then one of my
servants will show thee thy way home
"Alas! I cannot give you ALL" said
Delphine; ''the strawberries are for my
sick friend, who must die. if she has nc
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,my
little daughter" said the king. "Now
go; this man will attend thee-do exact
ly what he desires" The old man with
the gray beard waited for her, and when
Delphine had taken leave of the king, he
led her into the garden, tied fine hand
kerchief over her eyes, whistled, and al
the same instant took her by the arm.-
She heard the rustling Of wings; she felt
the wind blow colder and colder in hel
face, but was not conscious of moving,
nor could she see anything. At last the
sound of wings ceased: and the old man
set her upon the ground. "Now, my
child. count twenty, then take off the
bandage, but not before. Preserve il
carefully it will be required of thee al
the proper time She counted twenty
and, when she had taken off the band.
age, 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 6
great bird, and the old gray-bearded
man sitting upon it, with his arm around
its neck. Then she FASTENED to hel
friend Hilda, who was still in bed, re-
peating the words, "Who will bring me
strawberries to make me well ?"
"There they are" said Delphine, han
ding the bunch to Hilda. Every one
was astouished. and wanted to know
from whence Delphine had brought
them. Before she ha6 told her wonder.
full adventures, Hilda had eaten all the
strawberries Then the color returned
to her face and strength to her limbs
and she sid: "Thank God, and dear
Delphipe, now I'm quite well" rose up,
and was really cured of her illness.
Who can say how the parents thanked
Delphine? She was truly good and
brave girl, beloved by all, because she
was not selfish ,and was kind and thought
full for others. One day. long after, Del
phine 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
a prodigious black swan, and that it was
flying down towards them. There was
a tent with golden gauze curtains upor
the swans back, and when the swan had
gently alighted on the ground. there
came out of the tent little man with
friendly ,eyes-it was the King of the
Swans.
81 have heard" he said, "that in 6
short time thou wilt celebrate thy wed
ding with an honest, good man, and az
thou gavest me present when child
and hast grown up so good, brave anG
pure a maiden, will make thee pres
ent in return" SO saying,he put a costly
boquet in her hand; it was formed Of
gold leaves in the form of strawberry
leaves, the berries were large rubies and
amethysts, and the flowers were dia
monds, pearls and opals.
"Take this as reward for thy unset,
nishness, an0 thy tender love for thy
mother and friends" Delphine and hel
mother could hardly thank the king, il
their astonishment. But be did not give
them time, for, pressing the hand of Del
phine kindly. he bade her farewell, and
wishing her happiness in her new life, len
tered the tent and the. black swan rose
majeslically in the air and flew towart
his home, and at last disappeared as O
little spot in the clouds.
Many little boys and girls have gone
over the hills since. in search of straw
berries and the land of swans, but have
not found them. Perhaps they were
more selfish and not SO good as Del
phine.