Connecticut western news., 1873-05-02

It was long, long ago-longer thar you or can remember. Sweet spring with it's bright sunshine, it's young ten der green, had come again, Littl, Elsie had watched the transformation as 1t had crept gradually over the land from the window of her turret chamber in which she had been prisoner nearl, all the winter. For poor little Elsi. was not strong, and her parents had tt be very careful of her, lest she should be exposed to cold winds and drauehts But to-day all was SO bright and warn that Elsie begged to be allowed to % out into the air. | P ME
 Now her parents, the count and conn tess, lived in large old castle. The grounds around were full of trees shrubs, and sweet-scented flowers, 4 paved path led from the porch to the white gate at the end, and here it nd joined wood, part of which belonged to the count but another and larger part to the baron in the same country, Elsie was sometimes allowed to % with her nurse into the beginning of the wood. but never farther for it was very dense beyond, and considered danger ous.
 On this particular day Elsie's nurse was busy in the spinning-room, and could not go out with her. So the child was told she might play about by herself for little while. but she mnsi be careful and not get into mischief nor must she go into the wood farther than where she could always see the white gate.
 Elsie promised to comply, and set of gleefully. How gloriously the sun shone How sweet and fragrant the air smelled How fresh everything looked Elsie's heart bounded with pleasure 1: 1t seemed to her she had never enjoyed the open air so much as now after her long confinement. How changed everything was, too, from the tune when she had first to keep her room Then all looked dead or dying, and the leaves were dropping from the trees. Now they were covered with tender foliage. Purple violets peeped from among their sheltering leaves, ferns were beginning to uncoil frem out thelr shaggy brown scales, hyacinths scented the air, and tulips raised their showy heads. The cherry, plum, apple, and pear trees were covered with snowy white blossoms, an earnest of the fruit to come. The little girl skipped about, admir- ing and enjoying all these beauties. standing still while to listen to the songs of the birds. At last, when she had surveyed all the newly y awakened glories of the garden, she neared the white gate and peeped over. If the garden looked beautiful in it's spring dress, how much more so the wood It seemed to be carpeted with flowers that grew among the bright grasses . and over the whole the sunlight glitter. ed, dappling the ground with light
 - Oh, how beautiful p exclaimed Elsie. |" I must go in and pick some of those pretty flowers for mamma"
 NO sooner said than done, and Elsie had passed the gate, and stood upon the confines of the wood. White and purple violets, wild blue harebelIs- snowy wood-anemones, pale golden primroses, and modest daisies pied the ground. She walked on and on. think ing of nothing butthesesweet blossoms, and gathering them as she went. till her little apron was full. At one spot the violets peeped thickest, in another grew the finest clumps of primroses. and here, little further on, was mass of the elegant wood-sorrel, with it's pretty thin leaves and delicate white bells.
 Elsie plucked them eagerly, and still the thought of returning never occurred to her. For the farther she went on. the more beautiful the wood seemed to become, and all the trees, flowers, and birds appeared to lure her on, and to say, Come, Elsie, come. You have not seen half our loveliness yet"
 And whenever Elsie felt @ little tired, or the idea of turning back crossed her mind, she always saw some brightfowe some pretty insect, in the distance to attract her onward. Now she had pene- trated unconsciously into the domain of wicked fairy, who tried to attract chil- dren into the wood that they might serve her ; for she liked to be waited upon by pretty little boys and girls, and had long looked on Elsie with a jealous eye. But never till to-day had she seen any chance of turing her hither, for Elsie had never before been in the wood alone. The child wandered on and on, forgetting fatigue, duty, and obedience, till she found the paths prow indistinct and mazed. Just then as she began to feel tired and little frightened, white house came in sight.
 "Come," she thought, "I can't be so very. far from home, after all, for here is house. I'll go in and ask them to give me drink of water, and let me rest little, and then I'll soon run home with my pretty flowers
 So she rang the bell. It was such a beautiful place, all built of white mar ble, situated in the middle of lovely garden. She admired it as she waited.