The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1875-12-10

about the brim with a fringe Of tiny
iciclcs; and her jaunty little jacket was
edged with longer oner, that tinkIed
when she moved like sprays Of silver
lclls; and her tiny feet were cncaed in
the cunningcst little slippers that looked
like glass, but were nothing but clear
crystal ice, in reality; and they made
a queer little clack "A she danced about
over the hard wooden floor.
Jack was inclined 10 beafrsid, at first
but the expression Of the little lsdy's
face was 80 sweet, that he soon forgot his
fear in admiration and delight, as she
waved her beautiful glittering wand, and
laughed gayly, making the faintest,
sweetest music, ~ she did 80, that ever
was made. His eyes were very wide
and bright as he watched her graceful
motions from his low stool by the fire
and suddenly she was before him and
slter courtesying, she stood on the tips Of
her dainty icy slippers to look into his
face, and said:
:" am little snow.sprite, and II you
viii wish a wish, ! will grant 1t TO you !
ihink what you wish the most, kind lit
Tie JACK
But where is the little beggar girlT
asked Jack, wonderingly.
On, never you mind her,, answered
the sPrite' Laughing merniy' IN take
care OF her. iou were very good, and
did all you could ior her. Ill wait Just
outside the door whiie you are thinking
-h"-o warm IN mere; and when you
are leady, Just zap upon tne nearth, shd'
e u ever |" i'ghuy' l shaii near you,
ana come
IL d'd not take JACK a moment 10 think
what he wished most; and 1t was what
he knew that his mother wished most,
and that was that his father might come
home again alive and we'll, and that the
story Of the wreck Of the Orient might
prove to be all untrue. SO he tapped
ever 50 lightly on the hearth, and in
breath the little snow-sprite was before
him again.
- wish, spoke ne, eagerly, that my
father may come back 70 us again, alive
and we'll"
"And where is your fatherP ques-
toned the small body.
Alas I" answered the little boy, sadly,
" suppose that he is at the bottom OF
the sea-
u can not BRING back the dead, said
she, ana l wouldn Al eouid out'
nevertheless, you shall see your iather,
alive and well, before tomorrow morn
ing. And now you may wish another
wish, for this although 1t shall be
granted, Will not be eSactiy OF my CIV
ing, you know and while you are wish
ing, Will wait Just outside the door
again, and when YOU are ready Just tap
as before
And JACK was trying to think what he
should wish, when tne voice OF MS mo
ther aroused him' ana ne iouhd tnat ne
had been asleep' win MS head sui In
her lap
come, JACK said sne' "wen nave
our supper now. ,
but wait t'i the niue spri'e comes
oack' murmured me- ruopi"g open ms
sleepy eyes, MS dream SUI unoroken'
Ihe little spri'e 7 saia ms mother'
lifhng him 70 his ieeI why jack
you re dreaming.
On mother, sa'd me- now larry
awake, and I've had such a beautl'ul
dream and know by the way l ieei
that II VIII prove a reailty.
Ana he told MS mother all about H.
describing the little snow,spri'e WIN
great enthusiasm Ana his mother
smiled sadly, never speaking, Tor she ana
not wish 70 crush her little boys lov,a'
hope on tins CHRISTMAS Eve, though she