Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-09-24
Too Much Goid.

o.
biuous story tonight
Minnie Percy had seated herself with
out help on her papas Zap. lie was sitting
ia large rocking char pretending 10 be
asleep hrs haud over his eyca ana his eioo"
resting upon the arm oil the Guar. Minnie
knew wen enough ne was p'uyIng pos1un'
so sue cllmuea up ana cuIioa doWn Tor @
goodnight story. licr lainer laughed ou'
as she spoke and SAID
3" An ambitious story pray tell what
kind Of a story is ihatf'
Why don't you member, rlfaf ITS
o story that isn't true
Aon mean fictitious. said Mr. Percy
much amused.
Yes that's % : something that didn
happen you know and the little girl
smoothed her ruiiied whiie apron ru, nor
tiny hands 10 the pocseis' SAT about nVe Sec
onds' then asked
Are you thinking papa
Yes, yes lcime see. her para replied,
rubbing lia Forehead. lho iaet was he had
So many ..or.s go ,eI. u .eIt him busy
though Minnie hkoi 90 ne'i some oi them
over and over
" Didn't hear ,ny i't.e daughter o
while ago al her Play saying / wish l
had gold house, and gold dress and gold
doll, and everything had was go,d2
Minnie smiled.
Does my little pet think she would
be any happier if everything she had was
gold ~
., no but 1t would be nice ialtered
Minnie.
Wen, think / VIII tell you pot only
an ambitions
Fictitious, papa. l remember now,
said Minnie.
Fictitious, yes that's it---but c.as-
sical story too, you are SO fond OF long
names
" What's classical asked Minnie
All | expected to hear that question
so | am ready with the answer IL means
the best writers, and the best literature.
1t used to apply only to theaucient Greeks
and Romans. Your brothers Sallust and
Virgil lying on TIE table there are classl-
cal books | am going to tell you very
old story, told by one OF those old writers
'"NiN "uo INV "'Ne ." - ~" - 80"
name of Midas. Phrygia is an island pro-
vince Of Asia Minor a part OF 1t Is high
table land, celebrated for its corn and vine,
and fine cattle and sheep. King Midas liv-
ing in such a country was of course very
rich but he was not satished-he was fond
/, of show and power. like most kings | fear;
aud to have these he must have a great deal
of rrnld he yvae N urn vg tyi .h1up for more
One time he was entertaining silenus' who
was pupil Of Bacchus. Classic lore tells
us Bacchus was God Of wine that he in
vented it, and presided over ieasts and rev.
elries, and liked nothing better than to see
his followers drunken and noisy. sienu'
must have believed in Bacchus fully, Tor 1t
is said he used to decorate his chariot with
festoous Of grapes in honor OF his teacher.
Silenus had perfected himself IN many OF
the magic arts employed in those days and
be amused the King by performing some OF
them in return, the King paid him great
honor and attention, which hattered him
very much. One day he told the King he
had not as yet revealed to him all bis
power that the King might ask for any
'hihE AN Ni'"NAf "HN nv "NN'' = ''"N 49,
Then, very much excited, Midas said
" wish everything | touch might turn
to gold"
Granted said ollenus Touch that
tablet turned to gold. " The mat
upon which you are sitting git turned to
gold. Then the King, wild with excitement,
walked about and rested not until he had
turned every object 10 tho room 10 gold,
By-and.hy such splend7r dazl.ed and be-
wildered him.
" Let us 60 out, he said.
He ordered a groom to bring round his
favorte horse As the beautiful white
creature was led up to his master, and he
praising his excellent qualities, put out his
hand to pat the noble anmal--he turned
to gold
How is this?n cried the King, con.
fused staring at the golden statue.
would not have taken his weight in gold