River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-09-05

The little girls rushed through as if
thew had wings on their feet; the crystal
gates closed behind them: and Dlpsy.
springing forward, began TO fill her pock
cts with the beautiful toys and tempting
fruit.
.'Stcp, Dipsy," said Della. "Remem
Der -hal the fairy said"
oh sail Dipsy, "she won't know!
And then an old man with a gilt crown
on his head came hobbling towards
them.
"Oh, what funny old mani" cried
Dipsy, bursting out laughing.
"Ah! said the old man Breaking the
rules of Fairy Landl Come to the dun
geons quick"
And as he spoke, all the toys and fruit
in Dipsy's pocket changed to living crea-
lures and bounced out, turning summer
saults as they uid so, and crying. "She
filched us-she stole us Stop thief Stop
thiefi' while the old man with the gilt
crown, who was the Chief Waterman of
the Garden of the Fairy Queen, dragged
Dipsy long, kicking and strugg ling, to-
ward hugh building in the rear. Open
ing a door, he pointed to a heap of round
Dipsy, trembling all over.
Little girls heads" groweld the
Chief Waterman.
But this was said only to give Dipsy a
good fright They were eocoanuts to
make cocoanut buildings for the grand
oinner party that the Fairy Queen was
going to have the next day.
At this Dipsy fell down on her knees
and began to shrek and cry for mercy.
Tell me" said the Chief Watchman.
very sternly, "whether you would rather
be Il little girl without any head, or to be
turned into broom to sweep the pave
mcnts of the Fairy Cou-ts2"
.'Oh, please, sir. a BROOM" piped out
poor Dipsy.
And SO, in the twinkling of an eye,
she found herself transformed into
broom, standing up in the corner, with
red string passed through the place where
her eyes used 10 be, to hang herself up
by!
Then the Chief Watchmen turned TO
Della, with gracious smile.
Its for you, little girl, said he. 81
am to take you to the Fairy Queen, when
you will get leave to pluck all the fruits
and flowers, and play with all the toys
you like .
But, please, sir" faltered Della. who
was very tender hearted, "can't Dipsy
come too2"
"She will sweep the garden-waIks
sometimes" said the Cher Watchman
"Brooms have nothing to do with toys
and plnms and roses
The Fairy Queen was sitting on her
throne, all spangles and precious stones
and green gauze, with diadem of dew
drops on her head, and holding silver
sceptre tipped by a star. She received
Della very kindly, and adopted her
among the FAIRIES at once.
What favor have you to ask2" said
she smiling, as Della fell on her knees
on the glistening payment.
please, your majesty" sobbed Della,
my little mate Dlpsy has br ken the
laws, and has been turned into broom.
Could you be so very good as to turn her
back into a little girl2'
"Are you willing to take her place for
a month"; said the Fairy Queen, gragely.
Della hesitated moment, and then
said:
Yes, your majesty, l am"
She did not like the idea of being
broom very much; but then it would only
be for month, aud it would save Dipsy
from such terrible doom.
Let the broom he brought" said the |
queen, with a wave of her star-tipped !
wand, and one of the black slaves
brought it over his shoulder. She |
touched it with her hand, and immedi |
ately Dipsy stood trembling crying be-
fore her.
Della was already beginning to fancy
that she felt stiff and bristling, like "A
broom, but the Fairy Queen turned kind |
ly towards her, and said: !
Generous little girl, you deserve a re- |
ward instead Of punishment. Go your
way, and be happy with your little friend
in Fairy Land
So Dipsy and Della were happy ever
after. Dipsy had received such severe
lesson that she never again trangrtssed
the rules of Fairy Land; and Della be-
came in time, one of the chief maids of
honor to Her Majesty the Queen.
And sometimes on moonlight nights,
when they are floating, invisible, over the
world below, they could see Mr.. Blidge
grumoling and mutteIing as she picked
up sticks to boil her pot, and Dipsy's cross
old grandma tier scoldlng away, all to
herself, because she had no one else to
scold a..
But Dipsy and Della were fairies now.