The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-07-26
Young Folks.
The Fairy Of the Lake.

They had good mill, a good house, fat
kline and goldcn crops; and daily he
waxod richer and sleekcr. SO II went on
for many years, until all the country
side rang with the fame of the wealthy
miller Rudolph.
"But never call man happy until he
is dead" says the proverb. Ifjoy comes
in the daytime adversity often comes
in the night, and, as fast az the miller's
wealth had accumulated, it melted
away still faster-likessnowcastles 1 have
seen children rear, to be melted by the
heat os the MONDAY sun. His crops fail
ed, his kline took sick and died, debt
laid its heavy fetters on him, and ut last
nothing remained to him but his mill.
Nevertheless he toiled away with as
stout heart as he could maintain.
One morning he arose rs soon as the
lark's song was heard in the air. The
sunrise was just lighting up the woods
and fields, and the earth looked 80
beautiful that Rudolph went forth to
soothe his aching heart by gazing on it.
AS he mused by the flowery banks of
the lake he suddenly heard soft meio-
dy, and looking round he saw a lovely
woman, or what seemed lovely wo.
man, lowering over the water. He had
never seen aught so bright or beautiful
before, and he felt his heart beat with
new hopes for he knew at once that it
was the spirit of the lake-the fairy
| Aquarella--who occasionally revealed
herself to the eyes of trusting and SIM
pie minded mortals.
Gliding over the lake, Aquarolla adj
dressed the miller in her softest voice;
"Why art thou 80 sad why are thine
eyes heavy, and thy brow wrinkled
with care?"
"Ah! gentle spirit Of the lake I was
once lrich and happy, but misfortunes
have fallen upon me. 1 have lost my
gold and my oxen, my flocks and my
yellow corn. Formerly was honored
by my neighbors, for the successful
man ever has friends; now they pass
me by with cold eye and silent lip /;
l can no longer serve them, and not
one of them now says Good day, Herr
Rudolph"
"Hast thou lost all thy property ?"
"Nay, most Serene; I have yet my
old mill left to me-"
"Hast thou ever wanted food to sup
port, or raiment to clothe thee?"
"I cannot say have, fair spirit; my
coat is of stout Saxony wool, and there
is ale in the cellar and cold meat in the
larder."
"Hast thou ever lost any one whom
thou didst love?"
"No, indeed; cannot remember the
death of my parents; my wife is still
hale and hearty. and 1 have neither
kith nor kin to trouble me-"
"Then thou hastno cause for griei;thy
lot is brighter and happier than that of
thousands. "Be of good cheer, work and
hope" said the water spirit.
"But 1 have lost crops, and oxen, and
| sheep and one thousand crowns: oh l
am the most miserable of men. Most
| Serene can'st thou not help me?"
Aquarella mused. "Even so, Rudolph
she at length replied, 81 can make thee
richer and more prosperous than before;
but 1 warn thee that no good may come
of it,
"Richer and more prosperous, and no
good come of it All, most Serene, thou
art playing with my simplicity"
"Well, then, thou must promise 10
give me what has just been born in thy
| house,"
| Without moments hesitation, for
his soul was infamed by the desire of
riches. the miller answered: "That 1
promise to do" What can it be, he
thought to himself but a puppy or kit
ten.
"Get thee home then, and thy wish
shall be fulfilled" and Aquarella retir-
ed like a sunbeam to her cool bowers
beneath the waves.
The miller on his way home was met
by the servant, who cried: "Master, Mas.
ter, haste thee, speed thee! The mis-
tress hath made thee the father of fine
boy"
The maid could not understand the
sudden pallor that spread over his
countenance, nor the slowness will
which he dragged himself toward the
mill. On entering his wife's chamber he
showed no signs of rejoicing. Alarmed
at his gloomy brow the good woman
cried. "Why dost thou not make glad
over our bonny new born?"
Then, with q sigh, Rudolph opened
his heart to her, narrated his interview
with Aquarella, and the promise he hat
made to the fairy. "What will wealth
avail me now, if must lose my child
for ?" cried the unhappy.
"Alack a-day, indeed Rudolph, 'said
his wife, sit were better if thou hads
been contented with thy lot; but still
as the fairy said, let us work ant
hope.'"
1t soon became evident that the fairy
intended to fulfill her part of the com
pact to the uttermost. Prosperity re
turned to the miller. He succeeded il
everything he undertook. His crop
were the finest, his oxen the fattest il
all the country side. He enlarged hi,
lands by yearly purchases, and eacl
purchase seemed more profitable than
the last. His horn of plenty ran over
and he became ten times richer than be
ore. Yet wealth did not bring happi
ness. A burden was on his heart whicl
he vainly strove to throw off. One fata
remembrance poisoned all his enjoy
ment, and he never passed along tn,
shore of the lake without fear tina
, Aquarella might suddenly demand tn
fulfllment of his promise.
He guarded his child with the mos
anxious solicitude. Beware" he said
"if YOU but touch the wafer. the fair,