Connecticut western news., 1873-05-02
SALISBURY, CONN.,, FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1873.

by the side of which they were sitting
 A beautiful fire it was, piled high witt
 logs and coals to the top of the grate
 and it sparkled and crackled, danced
 and fickered, quite regardless of tn,
 two sad mortals who sat gazing into it.
 depths. As the flames leaped in playful
 fury they split large mass of coa
 which had hitherto escaped their de
 vouring tongues. Opening thus in half
 1t revealed a tiny gray speck, which
 vaulted briskly out of the black clumr
 on to the fender. The count stopped
 down to examine it, and found, to his intense astonishment, that it was little
 being who was complaining sorely ot
 the enforced Imprisonment he had sus
 tained in the coal. The countess lifted
 him gently in her hand, and asked what ailed him.
 My name is Fye," he said. "I am a gnome, and my home is under ground very near to where the coals are found. We had been playing hide-and- one day, and my brothers, and I hid in crack. had hardly hidden there when l heard great hammering. Before l could recover my courage, or find out what was happening, the block that in- closed me was loosened from it's parent coal. We were carried up to earth. l lost all consciousness after that, and only just now the great heat restored me. Oh, if you would aid me in re- turning to my home, I should be so grateful ]" The little mite looked up to the countess with pleading face.
 If we can, most certainly" she answered. "Ah! would that any one could restore to us our child p
 "Why do you sigh ?" asked the gnome.
 The countess related her trouble. The tiny gray figure sprang upon her shoulder the better to hear what she was saying. When she had ceased he was silent some time.
 " Your child" he said at length, "has got into the power of wicked fairy called Winnabelle. She lives in the wood. You cannot penetrate there, for by her enchantment she makes it i'm passable. Restore me to my home, and in return will teach you to break the spell that now parts you from your Elsie."
 The unhappy parents consented most gladly.
 Next morning the count started upon his journey, the little man safely en- sconced in his hat. They had not far to go, for the counts castle lay on the confines of the mine down which the gnome, whom he frequently consulted as to the route, said he must descend. When they had been lowered the count asked if this was the spot.
 "It is, indeed!" cried the little be- ing, gleefully. Nov wait for me while I go for the promised charm"
 The count leaned against a wall of coal. It was all so black and dismal, so strangely warm and close down there, he could not tell how the time went on, but it seemed as if Eye had been absent long, He almost began to fear lest he was about to play him false, and at last his fear was beginning to gain the mas- tery. Just then he heard the gnome painting toward him.
 "Tm coming," he said. Sorry-to have kept-you so-long but-it's a great-load for-me, and I had-some little trouble-to find one. They're rather rare stones-and in great request. Lift me up l can't jump with it in my hands,"
 "See here," he went on, when his re, quest had been compiled with, and he had regained breath "here is a pre- cious stone, called @ sapphire. It has been wrought with great exertion and care by our slaves. This stone frees from all enchantment. Used with sin gleness of heart and faith, you can not fail to succeed in your quest. Adieu The gnome Fye's good wishes and grat- itude follow you"
 The count returned home, holding his treasure-the precious blue stone-care- fully in his hand. Accompanied by his wife, he set out at once into the wood, their hearts beating high with expecta- tion. The sapphire guided them in the direction they should take by flashes of increased light. When they neared the dense forest, usually so 1mpenetrable, it all changed into fair woodland paths at sight of the stone, and the anxious pa rents passed in safety to the marble house. They entered, turning neither to right nor left. They did not stay to admire its beauties, but walked straight to the throne-room, where Winnabelle sat in state, surrounded by the child ren.
 When she saw the count and countess come in she stared in amazed anger. Hardly had the count opened his hand and revealed his lovely gem than her face became first of an ashy hue, then ugly and shriveled then she shrunk and shrunk, trembling violently, and at last vanished in smoke, leaving bad odor behind her.
 Instantly the lovely house, the beau tiful gardens, disappeared also, and all the boys and girls were standing round the count and countess on piece of greensward under the shade of the for est trees.
 Elsie gleefully sprang into her par ents' arms. The other children wept- no parents had come to claim them. The count at once promised that they should all be taken safely to their homes, and that till he could send them they must stay with Elsie. When they heard this they were glad too ; and for the first time their tongues were loosened about the cruelties of the wicked fairy. How much they had to tell! how much to hear!
 They all wanted to see the kind sap- phire that had freed them from the. en- chantment, and could not cease praising it's beauty, and wishing they could thank the gnome for his kindness.
 Although" said Elsie, sententious- y, Eff papa had not been kind to Eye, Eye would not have been kind to papa.
 'Still a0e had not done anything for Fye," added the others. "Long live Eye, and every good gnome and may Ill naughty fairies dissolve in smoke!'
 The count and countess caused the sapphire that had wrought all this joy to be set in golden ring, that glistened ever after on Elsie's finger, preserving her from all dangers and entertainments, md reminding her of the great adven- 5ure of her youth.
 How rNIIrv nn I'm In Nor.r V..1=