The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-02-09
Young Folks.
Margaret and the silver Bell.
BY MATTE DYER BRtTrs.

moIhlhS anu ulu up ner Work rs Speeu- |
lily and tidily as possible, so that she
might be ready in time for the fair.
When it was done she put on her
white skirt and little scarlet boddce,
made her brown curls smooth and glos.
sy and tied them with scarlet ribbon.
She smiled back at the lovely image
which smiled at her from her little
cracked looking glass, but it was not a
smile of vanity, for Margaret knew her
beauty was only gift from the good
Father, and was thankful for it, not
proud of 1t.
She took the little silver bell the Fairy |
Queen had given her, and, lest she |
should lose 1t in her pocket, put it into |
her bosom for safe keeping, and set off |
with aunt Gretchen for the fair.
They followed the path through the
grand old woods, crossed the silver
stream on the rustic bridge and entered
the great highway among the groups of
people in holiday dresses, who were al.
so going to the fair. After while they
came to the great town, where every
thing was scene Of gayety and confu-
sion. Simple Margaret was bewildered
by the strangeness of all she saw, and
kept tight hold of aunt Gretchen's hand
until aunt Gretchen left her, to join
group of her friends, and Margaret
found herself standing all alone in the
midst of that great crowd of strange
people. She was much frightened at
first, but soon gained courage and be-
gan to look about her again.
She saw great many young girls of
her own age, but they were beautifully
robed in gay dresses, and wore gold
chains and rings, and some of them sat
in fine carriages with prancing horses
in front.
"Ah, what pleasant life as theirs"
said Margaret, with sigh, "while l
have to toll so hard and dress so plain
ly! Why should they have all the good
things, and none?"
Tinkle, tinkle, tinkle! went little
silver chime, so soft and sweet and close
to Margaret that no one else heard it
but she did, and knew it, too. She
quickly put her hand up to her bosom,
where she had hidden the little silver
bell.
"Ah, my good little fairy-friend,"
said she, 'yOu remind me that L am
wicked and uugrateful to envy these
gay girls, and if think evil thoughts /
shall lose you. Come, now, / have as
many limbs, and as fair form, and can
run about as freely as any of these here;
and can enjoy all these gay sights and
sounds as well as the best of them, and
when l am tired have home to go to
and food to refresh me. What more do
1 want?" So she smiled again as pleas.
antly as usual, and went contentedly
about, looking at the beautiful things in
the fair.
And though Margaret did not know
1T, the sight of her sweet, contented face
with its happy smile, gave pleasure to
more than one sad heart who CHANGED
to glance at her. So you see, even
cheerful smile may do good sometimes,
while a fretful, discontented counten-
ance never did good or gave pleasure to
anybody.
After a while lovely lady, whom
every one stopped to gaze upon, came
through the crowd, and as she passed
Margaret, beautiful golden bracelet
dropped from her arm and fell at Mar
garets very feet.
No one else saw it, but Margaret
stopped and picked it up, looking at it
with admiring eyes.
''Ah, this splendid bracelet! / never
had anything half so beautiful in my
life! How pretty it would look on my
arm!" said she. 81 believe it would
Just fit, tool"
She slipped the golden links over her
round wrist, and sure enough the brace.
let just fitted!
"Why should 1 not keep it?" whis-
pered Margaret. ~ found it, and no
one could say it is not mine"
Tinkle, tinkle, tinkle! went the little
silver bell again, but more softly this
time, and with something sad in its
tone.
Margaret quickly unclasped the brace
let.
"Oh, what am I doing?" she cried
"Such a wicked thing would make me
lose my fairy friend forever! I must
hasten to find that lovely lady,"
She ran through the crowd, found the
lady few steps away and gave her the
bracelet.
"Thanll you, my good girl,' said the
lady, with a sweet smile; 81 see you
are good as we'll as fair, or you would
have kept my bracelet. I have left my
purse at home, but see, will give you
this" she added, drawing a gold ring
from her finger, and offering it to Mar
garet.
But the young girl drew back, and
said she did not want any reward.
"Nay, then, you must wear it, for my
sake, and to remember me by" said che
lady, with another sweet smile, still ex-
tending the ring.
So then Margaret took it, thanked the
lady very prettily, and slipped it on her
finger, very proud and glad indeed to
have anything so beautiful.
And as she turned away to let the la
dy pass on, the little bell in her bosom
tinkled soft, merry little peal, as if il
were quite satisfied and contented with
what she had done.
After while the sun began to droE
behind the western hills, and the people
to go home. Margaret searched every
where for aunt Gretchen, but could moi
find her. So, at last, fearing to wait un
til night came on, the young girl set of
home alone.
But 1t was later than she thought and
she did not know the path through the
forest, so she lost her way just as the
darkness set in.
Poor Margaret was much alarmed
and at first did not know what to do
She wandered hither and thither il