The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-04-29

"AiasI replica DelphlDe, Il have nothing
a. all; If | had known, would have
brought something from home" "Thou
'. hast Strawberries" rejoned the King, land
I Ike strawberries above all things. Give
me thy strawberries, and then Que of my
servants will show thee thy way home"
"Alas l cannot give you ALL" said Dell
phine; "the Strawberries are for my sick
friend, who must die if she has no straw
berries. but | will readily give you some of
them" With these words che took sever
al tine Strawberries with stems and leaves,
and tied them into bunch with the rib
bon that bound her hair, and handed them |
to the King. "Thanks, my little daugh- |
ter, said the King. snow go; this man |
will attend thee-do exactly what he de-
sires." The old man with the gray beard |
waited for her, and, when Delphiue had
taken leave of the King, he led her into
the garden, tied fine handkerchief over
her eyes, whistled, and at the same instant
OF wings; she felt the wind blow colder and
colder in her face, but was not conscious
ofmoving, 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 it care
fully; it will be required of thee at its
proper time" She counted twenty, and,
when she bad taken off the bandaee, 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 a great bird, and the /,
old grayheaded man sitting upon it, with 9
his arm around its neck. Then she has, q
iened to her friend Hilda, who was still 10
bed, repeating the words, "Who will bring .,
ne strawberries to make me well 2" NJ
"Ihere they are" said Delphiue, hand d
ng the bunch to Hlda. Every one was 81
'stonished and wanted to know whence
)elphine had brought them. Before she
lad told her wonderful adventures, Hilda
lad eaten all the strawberries. Then the
dior returned to her face, aud strength to T.
er limbs; and she said, THANK God, and 40
ear Delphine, now am quite WELL" rose
P, and was really cured OF her illness. -
Who can say how the parents thanked Az Az
)elphine? She was a truly good and ba,
rave girl, beloved by all, because she was
OF selfish, and was kind aud thoughtful a.
n others. One day, long after, as Del Ho
hine was walking in the meadows with i s,,'
er mother, talking Of her marriage that
as to be, she looked up and saw black on
'eck in the sky, which became larger as I
descended, and at last they saw it was a Of
'odigious black swan, and that it was az ao.
1ing down toward them. There was a ASST
ut with golden guaze curtains upon the a,
rams back, and when the swan had gent =
alIghted on the ground, there came
It of the tent little man with fiendly !.
es--it was the King of the Swans. A
81 have heard, be said, "that in short Az
ne thou wilt celebrate thy wedding with r.
honest, good man, and as thou gavest
apresent when child, and hast grown In
SO good, brave and pure maiden, | Of I'ss
II make thee present in return So rupt
1lng, he put costly bouquet in her T
I'D it was formed of gold leaves in the at 10
m OF strawberry leaves, and the berries lIou,
re large rubies and amethyst, and the 81 sro y
wers were diamonds, pearls and opals. Al
Take this as reward for thy unselfish- day
IS, aud thy tender love for thy mother TIE
friends" Delphine aud her mother of s
I'd hardly thank the King, in their as f aUss
ishment. But be did not give them signe
e, for, pressing the hand of Delphine an
dly, he babe her farewell, and, wishing "
happiress in her new life, entered the
!, and the black swan rose majestically
he air and flew toward his home. and A
last disappeared as little spot in the IA
Ids. Ho
lazy little boys and girls have gone
{ the bill since, in search of straw In
les and the land of swans but have Distri
found them Perhans tbou r,aro go Of Ap
sh and not SO good as Delphine. mr.,