The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1872-10-31

think has happened? Such II mis-
fortunel All the beautiful roses
that smeied SO sweet are blighted
and spoilt What can DO the mat
ter with them ?
"Pooh! pooh my little girl" re-
pliei her father. "You can easily
exchange one of those golden roses
for hundred Of the ordinary kind.
Sit down and eat your bread ald
milk" Midas in meanwhilehad pour
ed out n cup Of coffee, and as he lift
ed spoonful to his lips and sipped
he was astonished to perceive that
the instant his lips touched the Ii
quid it become molten gold, and the
next minute hardened into a lump,
He then took up one Of the little
trout ON his plate. To bis horror it
was Immediately changed into a gold
fish that looked as if it had been
made by the best goldsmith in the
world, 1t was beautiful to look at
and very valuable, no doubt, only
King Midas Just at that moment
would much rather it had remained
II real trout.
81 don't quite see," he thought to
himself, chow | am to get any break
fast; this is a little too much of u
good thing" He took up one ofthe
smoking cakes; it became a heap Of
yellow gold. Almost despair he
helped himself to u boiled egg and it
was at once like one of those the
famous goose in story-book was in
the habit of laying. "Well, this is a
quandary, such costly breakfast
and nothingto eat, " thought he, lean
ing bacl: in his chair and looking
quite enviously at little Marygold,
who was eating her bread and milk
with great satisfaction. Already he
was hungry; what would he be din
ner time a.? and how rayenously hun.
cry by supper. How many days
gould he stand it.
Here, so great was his hunger that
he groaned aloud, and pretty little
Marygold started from her chair, and
running to Midas threw her arms
ailectionately about his knees. lie
bent down and kissed her; he fel!
that his little daughters love was
worth thousand times more than
the gold he had gained by the Gold.
en- Touch.
My precious, precious Marygold,"
said he. But Marygold made no
answer. Alas, what had he done ?
How fatal was the gift the stranger
had bestowed The minute the lips
Of Midas touched the forehead Of his
little daughter change had taken
place. Her sweet rosy face, SO full
of love IA it had been, assumed gilt
tering yellow color with yellow tear
drops congeNling on her cheeks, Her
beautiful brown curls became spirals
of gold flagrce Her soft and fleXi-
bic form became hard and rigid i'll
her fathers embrace. Oh frightfuI
The victim of his in
satiable desire for wealth, Little Ma
rygold was II human child no longer,
but II golden statue.
Yes, there she was, with tho qnes-
look of love andpity harden
ed into her face. 1t was the pretti-
est and most woeful sight that ever
mortal beheld, and poor Midas, in
his grief and horror, felt how infinite
ly IL warm and tender heart that low
ed him exceeded in value all the
wealth that could be piled up be-
tween the earth and sky.
Poor Midas, i'll the very ful!ness of
all his gratified wishes, began to
wiring his bands and bemoan him
self he could not bear to look at
Marygold, nor yet to look away from
her. All the features and token of
his child were there even tho little
dimple in her golden chin. But the
more perfect the resemblance the
greater the fathers agony at behold
ing IN this golden image all that was
left him of his little darling pet.
Alas too well has his wish been
granted. SO Midas had only to
wiring his hands and wish that he
was the poorest man in the world, if
the loss of all his wealth would only
bring back the life into his dear lit
tie child.
While he vas in this tumult of
despair he suddenly beheld strang-
er standing near the door. Midas
bent down his head without speak
ing, for he recognized the same fig
ure which had appeared to him the
day before, in the treasure room, and
bestowed on him the Golden Touch.
"Wcll, friend Midas said the
stranger, "pray how do you succeed
with the Golden Touch p
Midas wrupg his hands. "[ am
very miserable" said he. every
indeed" exclaimed the
stranger, "and how happens that
Have | not faithfully kept my prom
ise to you? Have yep not every
thing your heart desired"
"Gold is not everything replied
Midas; "and have lost everything
my heart really cared for"
"Ah So you have made that dis
cogery. Let us see, then. Which
of these things do you really think
worth the most-the gift Of the
Golden Touch, or one cup of clear,
cold water %