The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1875-12-03
Young Folks.
THE DOVE MAIDEN.
A CATSKlLL FAIRY TALB
tCoHcluded.)


lovely mermaid and kissed her, entreating
that She might be released.
81 must find the dove chain for my moth
er, who is watching for me all this long
time y she pleaded; and the mermaid made
not another objection, but carried her to the
shore. The mermaid was only froicsome.
How astonished the dove mother would
have been to see her child carried in mer
maids arms, with her star.robe crisp and
dry
For the first time Snowdrop remembered
to use her ring by wishing herself at the
palm-tree, and she found herself there soon
er than any steamboat could have taken her.
She saw nobody, and looked down into the
well. A rose-colpred bubble came UP to the
surface from the cool depths.
Don't pause 20 e., in tie grove said n
voice, and the bubble sank.
Next blue bubble appeared
Throw water over D,uoo's head" and
the second bubble sank.
Then up came green bubble.
Garry the enchanted waters OF thi- we'll"
"What shall carry it in ?"
''In me-" replied the green bubble, ard
popped out of the well upon the grass d.
beautiful flask.
Snowdrop walked through the grove, think
ing she would soon finish the matter. State
ly trees arched over head to form Il COO,
green vanlt; the turf was velvet smooth and
along the paths were spread tempting fruits
Snowdrop recalled the words of the rosy
bubble and walked on, turning neither to
the right nor left.
Giant Drubb was seated in an immense
armchair, hewn out Of granite, which COM
manded fine view of the surrounding coun-
try, so that he should know what was going
on. Just as Snowdrop crept near, an ostrich
ran IN front of the giant aud paused. Drubb
stared at the ostrich win all the eyes in his
heads. He'9Isc it WIS unusual to see an os-
,siar here.
lJn- - step nearer and | will catch you
in nay hand You would make me n dainty
breakfast" cried Drub5.
Snowdrop climbed behind him, and sprin-
kled his first two eyes on the right with the
enchanted water This blinded his eyes;
and always hiding behind the heads already
sprinkled, she contrived to annoint the whole
ten.
"Oear me-is it night ?" growled Drubb.
81 thought the sun was still hours high, but
how short the days are growipgw
Snowdrop slipped the dagger from its
sheath at his side and wished herself away
from the terrible monster. The mermaid
had waited for her on the shore amusing her
self by singing sweet songs to bewitch the
fishermen.
Down they went through the rushing wat
ers, and this time Snowdrop was not afraid.
1t was an easy matter to use Drubb's dagger
on the cruel chain which bound the lady
bui Snowdrop was surprised when the whole
city rose to its place on the blooming plain,
the houses marble and stone, instead of clam
shells and cowries
You see, Giant Drubb had made sort of
Off-hand earthquake to immerse the city; no
one ever heard Of Il town coming back that
had been swallowed by real, terrible earth
quake. The Queen was very grateful. She
lost no time in leading Snowdrop up the
steep path to the wise woman on the noun
tain. They found her in n hut perched on
crag, where goat might climb-and in
deed she was as nimble and sure-footed as
any goat. She liked to live near the stars,
where the thunder crashed and the lightning
seemed to leap from rock to rock.
The visitors entered her hut, where an owl
was perched on one side of the hearth, and
an eagle on the other
"Who have we here?' she muttered peer
ing at Snowdrop.
II will give you my ring if you tell me
where the dove chain is" said Snowdrop. .ea-
gerly.
The wise woman smiled and smoothed the
little girls hair.
81 live nearer the clear heavens than
those below. The stars are my jewels" she
said.
"This dear child has rescued me from pris-
on, and in return she desires to find her
mothers dove chain" said Queen Kornor.
"Yes, yes; | know Madam Skimp did all
that mischief because she could not marry
the fairy king; and il was his gift hear
all the new. from my two friends here"
81 saw Skimp fly away with the chain in
tae foru afa hawk" said the eagle.
The ri-e woman sprinkled scme dried
hsr.a on Il orazier, and white cloud rose in
the hur so that the two visitors could not see
her At al. When the smoke cleared, she
shook her head
$50 to the fairy king. Perhaps Skimp
will tell you, after all
The eagle offered to carry the guests down
the mountain on his back, and they found
the ride very pleasant. Snowdrop could on
ly think of her lonely mother now, who
must anxiously watch for her return, aud so
decided to seek the fairy realm at once
Everything was in confusion; the fairy
queen had been stung by gnat, which caus-
ed her death, and the king was again Wild
over.
THAT comes from marrying beneath his
rank. She was only Skimps maid of hon
or" cried the gossips.
Snowdrop heard them, for she stood be-
hindthe bluebell in which they were swing
ing.
"Bless mew exclaimed one, raising her
e'e-glass, which was made of the eye-hole of
cambric needle set in steel, "who comes
here? 1t is Madam Skimp, and no other"
Sure enough, it was skimp, who hear
of the queens death, and decided to return
to the court, in hopes of winning the seat on
the throne beside the king.
Skimp was lovely She had bathed her
face in flower down; her robe was sewed out
of gold-leaf, with bodice formed of single
ruby, and trimmed with diamond dust. Her
hair was combed into high waterfall her