Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1872-03-09

and he almost feared to see chignon
on some wee lady's head. But no such
sad trial awaited him. The fairies were
not destitute of a correct appreciation
of what was due to the memory oi
their ancestors, and their silvery, glis
ening locks fell unbound and free as in
the time of Cinderella and the beloved
fairy godmother.
He thought it very droll to see them
airily shaking out their robes, laughing
lightly, and chatting like real people,
except their voices were so high and
thin that at first he shivered to hear
them speak.
When the musicians seated them
selves, Hal grew impatient to hear what
sort Of music they would make on in
struments no bigger than the end of his
little finger. But not note sounded,
and though the fairies were walking
about the pond-their dancing-hall--
they all seemed waiting for some one
and an usher, holding an iccle for Il
wand, stood looking strenuously expec
tant.
Once more Hal heard the sweet jing
ling of fairy bells, and dashing over the
cleaning with the ever changing hues
Of the opal. In q moment out
sprang IA fairy, head and shoulders above
the others, and he looked so grandly
royal, Hal thought he must be a king
as indeed he was-the King of the North
Pole!
His cloak glittered as the trees do in
the winter sunshine. when theil
branches are coated with ice. His hail
was of the brightest yellow, and crown
of rare jewels encircled his brow, or
which shone silvery star
The company advanced and made
obeisance, as the usher announced:
His Majesty, Arcticus, King of the
North Star and Polar Star, and of al
snow fairies far and nearr'
While King Arcticus graciously &C
knowledged the salutations of thi
branch of his subjects whom he hao
never before visited, the leader of thC
orchestra ordered the overture to the
opera of the Aurora Borealis," an,
lovely music as it was 1t sounded like
that which the wind brings autumn
nights, although not sad, like wine
music, but brilliant and joyous; am
then it would have odd, strange, fitfu
tones coming suddenly, like CLEANS o
light.
The musicians played faster and faster
and changed into dance music 80 merr,
and mad that the sound of it almos
whirled Hal off his bough. No on
danced, however.
Hal imagined lovely young princes
must be coming; for, although all wer'
beautiful, he saw no one fair enough Il
dance with King Arcticus.
Presently he held his breath, enchant
ed to see the fairest. daintiest, TIMES
creature, reclining in a crystal Car draw
by snow birds. She smiled faint, col,
smile as the throng surrounded her.
The gallant Arcticus, bowling till hi
plumes of frozen fountain sprays swep
the ice, said.
"Will her Highness the Princess Fragi
la permit me to assist her from her car
Hal was surprised that she did no
appear more gratified at Arcticus's cou'
tesy; she seemed really indiflirent t.
it, and cast IL rapid, searching glanc
upon those who were watching her s
proudly. For Fragila was dearly love-
by her subjects, and now they wer
prouder than ever before of her beaut
since Arcticus had left his glorious pa
ace at the tip top of the North Pole
and his magnificent villa in the Mort
Star, and his vast glacier estates, to com
to her small tributary realms, and as
her to be his queen.
| u :, , ,,no,,lia,;ty Of IxypaCfy in h
North Pole that its members always d
their own wooing, instead Of sending a
embassy for that purpose, as is tn
fashion of some other potentates.
Hal was in ectacies of wonder and d
light, as the king and Fragila opene
the ball and foated over the ice in til
Crystal Quadrille.
Hal had heared of color calle
"moon- on the-lake;" he fancied FIR
gila's robes must be moon on the-snow-
he could think of nothing else so 81
very and so soft.
Now, all the fairies were dancing, an
they flew so fast that it made him diz'
to watch them. He then and the
discovered the cause of the sharp bitl
wind, which frequently before hi
blown straight across the meadow.
was the snow fairies waltzing-nothil
but that.
During the intervals between Il
dances, he had time to notice the ma
ners OF those small people. He sa
wonderingly, that Fragila was still sa
while Arcticus grew more and more
voted to her; and that many OF t
fairies seemed trying to gain the fay
of the royal guest. The old ush
bowed, when he drew near, till all
! Joints cracked, and sounded like I
swapping OF glass when water freezes
it. Hal could have laughed out at tn
had his attention not been drawn to
new comer-a prince who would ha
-, been as handsome as Arcticus, if he b
:, looked as smiling and happy. His dr'
: was the loveliest pale rose color, with
slight golden tint-the shade snow oft
assumes at sunset-and his cloak float
y about him like rosy cloud.
He drew near, and looked sternly
- Arcticus and sadly at Fragila. A ia
rose tinge appeared on her cheek. I
thought that it was blush, but it n
have been the reflection of the prime
n cloak.
e The herald speedily shouted, 81
# Highness Prince Rosius u and the fair
4 saluted him but they did not bow
>. low by as much as half an inch, as IL
n had bowed before Arcticus, and b
Is inch on mans nose or tairy's bow
lr considerable.
is Hal soon learned that the colder