The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-04-27
THE DAILY STAR


livery worthy woman, who had TWO
daughters, both OF whom were very
amiable; the eldest was named Blanche,
the second Vermeille. They had been
given these names because the first had
the fairest complexion in the world, and
the second, cheeks and lips as red as ver-
million or the finest coral. One day the
good widow, sitting at her door spinning,
saw poor old woman, who could with
difficulty walk, even with the aid of a
stick.
"You seem very tired" said the good
widow to the old creature; "sit down a
moment and rest" and Immediately de-
sired her daughter to place a chair for
her. They both rose directly, but Yer
meille ran quicker than her sister and
brought the chair. "Will you take
something to drinkr said the good wo-
man to the old one.
"With all my heart" replied she; II
could even eat something if you could
kive me morsel to refresh me-"
81 will give you all in my power" said
the good widow; "but am poor, and it
will not be much"
At the same time she told her daugh-
ters to attend on the old woman, who
placed herself at the table; and the good
widow told her eldest daughter to 60 and
gather some plums from tree which
the young girl had planted herself, and
Of which she was very fond.
Blanche, instead of obeying her
mother cheerfully, murmured against
this order. and said to herself: "It was
not for this old greedy creature that I
have taken 81 much care of my plum
tree" She dared not refuse, however,
to gather some of the plums; but she
did 50 with an i'll grace and unwilhngly.
"And you, Vermeille," said the good
woman to her second daughter, "you
have no fruit to give this old lady, for
your grapes are not yet ripe"
"True," replied Vermeille; "but J
hear my hen cluck; she has just laid an
egg, and if madame will like to eat ii
warm will give it to her with all my
heart"
At the same time, without awaiting
The reply of the old woman, she ran to
fetch the egg; but at the same moment
that she presented it to the stranger she
disappeared, and they saw in her place a
beautiful lady, who said to the mother:
II am about to reward your two
daughters according to their deserts.
The eldest shall become a great queen,
the second a farmers wife" At the
same time striking the cottage with her
stick, it disappeared, and they saw in its
place a pretty farm. "There is your
lot" said she to Vermille. 81 know
that | have given to each that which she
will like best"
The fairy departed as she uttered
these words, and the mother, as we'll as
her two daughters, remained struck with
establishment. They entered the farm
house, and were charmed with the style
Of the furniture. The chairs were only
Of wood, but they were SO polished that
they could see themselves reflected il
them as in a mirror. The bed-liner
was white as snow. In the farmvarc
there we're twenty arms, and as many
sheep, four oxen, four cows, rams, in the
poultry-yard all kinds of fowls, hens
ducks, pigeons, &c. There was also 9
pretty garden, filed with fruits and
lowers.
Blanche saw without envy the presen
which had been made to her sister, ant
reveled in the delightful anticipation o
being Queen. Suddenly she hear'
hunters passing and going to the door t
see them, she appeared so beautiful il
The eyes Of the King, who was returnin
from the chase, and he resolved imme
diately to marry her.
Blanche having become Queen, said t
her sister Vermeille:
II will not have you remain on
farm; come with me, sister, and / vii
give you in marriage to great lord"
IT am much obliged, sister," replie
Vermeille; "but | am accustomed to tn
country, and wish to remain there"
For the first few months Quee
Blanche was so much occupied wit
balls, fine clothes and plays, that sh
thought of nothing else. But she 500
became accustomed to such things, an
they amused her no longer; on the COT
trary, she became very miserable. A
the ladies of the Court paid her great n
spect in her presence, but she knew ths
they did not like her and that they sal
among themselves, "Look at this littl
peasant, how she assumes the fine lady
the King had very low taste to choos
such wife,"
This kind of conversation made til
King reflect. He began to think he ha
done wrong in marrying Blanche, and {
his love for her declined he neglecte
her, and passed his time with the hant
soonest ladies of his court.
When it was perceived that the Kin
no longer loved his wife, the courtiel
ceased to pay her any respect. She ws
unhappy, for she had not single rel
friend to whom she could relate h,
grieis. She saw that it was the fashio
st court to betrsy friends for intcreste
motives, to appear to love those who
they hated, and to tell falsehoods ever
moment. She WAS obliged to look ser
Gus, because they said queen ought
have grave and majestic air.
She had several children, and durir