Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-05-26

LIZ
Olga, which will load it's possessor
wherever he would go. I will give you
the knife to defend you from enchant-
ments, and the little bell to let me know
if you are in danger I will keep the
staff, so that I may follow you If you
need me"
Nicolaki accepted the priceless gift,
wept bitterly at parting with her, and at
last set out toward the high mountain
that stood between him and the great
world beyond. He climbed the noun
tain and decended into the pretty valley
below, where nestled little WALLACE by
the side of river. AS the sun sank be-
hind the mountain, Nicolaki overheard
two men talking as they unloaded their
patient donkeys of the Mike of the Island.
Nicolaki inquired what that was, and
they told him that was what they called
a celebrated fairy who inhabited the
island, in the midst of a lake, which he
would find just over the next range OF
hills, and who was as rich as all the kings
of the earth together. Many person
had gone to her court in order to gain
for themselves some of her riches, but
they had never returned.
N1colak thought at once that he would
like to try the adventure The travellers
tried to dissuade him. They begged and
even pleaded with him to abandon the
idea, but Nicolaki told them that all he
wanted was enough to buy a little COW
and lean pig, and if they would make
collection and give him the means, he
would not CO. The people unanimously
declared that he was pig-headed fellow
who must go his own way to destruction.
They had warned him and SO done their
duty.
So NicolaH went on the next morning,
and after travelling till noon he came up
to the banks of the lake, and there he
sat down to think of means to reach
the island. He did not know how to
swim, and was wondering what boat
would look like. But while he was
wandering along and imagining by what
means he might reach the island he saw
green, messy log close to the bank,
and he sat down upon it. At once it COM
menced to glide through the water and
carried him smoothly along till he
touched the shore of the island. Here he
walked along mechanically, his eyes wide
open with amazement and his eyes be-
wldered by the strangeness of the beauty
around him. He followed an avenue of
the most beautiful trees, covered with
starry flowers that made the air sick with
perfume and fruit of many colors that
peeped through the thick leaves and
flowers. The road was paved with
mother-of-pearl, laid in curious and in
tricate designs, and invisible birds made
no 70
bithe songs. Still on led the avenue,
and each step disclosed some new beauty,
which Nicolaki saw with ever increasing
wonder. until at last as he lifted his eyes,
he saw in the distance the Mixes palace
cleaning white among the trees.
Nicolak still advanced till he came to
the polished steps and slowly mounted,
thinking the while: "Surely the owner
of all this would not begrudge me
enough to buy little COW and lean
pig" and as he thought this he stepped
upon the piazza, and there before him,
carelessly reclining, was the Mike, upon
golden hammock that was swinging
from the columns. Her golden hair
swept the floor with it's hundreds of curl
ing tendrils, and her soft, brown eyes
were like two deep pools in the heart of
the forest, her complexion like the inte-
rior of a sea-shell, so pink and pearly it
was. Her form was exquisitely nodded,
and her white arms were bare and dim
pied. She was dressed In a silvery,
white silken robe, that enveloped her
like filmy cloud. She held in her hand
beautiful fan, made of sea-shells and
feathers, and at her waist, held by a
dainty silver belt, was tiny steel net.
Dazzled by the sight of so fair vision,
Nicolaki stood spen-bound, but the fairy
arose to greet him.
"Welcome," said she. We are al
ways glad to see handsome young men
like you"
Nicolaki at once became sure that he
was handsome, though he had never
thought so before; but in very truth he
was, for the Albanians are nearly all
handsome men, with tall, straight forms,
bold and courageous mien, and their
dress also sets off to great advantage
their physical appearance.
So Nicolaki took heart and went nearer
the fairy, and then she asked:
60 Who are you? Where are you
from?"
My name is Nicolaki, and [ come
from Arnak, beyond the mountains, in
search of the means to buy little COW
and lean pig"
"Well, come in with me, and dismiss
your anxiety, for you shall have every
thing to make you happy"
She led him to an inner chamber. the
walls of which we're decorated with
superb paintings, set in frames of gold.
and statues that seemed to Nicolah to
be replete with life and motion. There
was table spread, on which stood num-
berless vessels of gold and silver and
crystal. The fairy set before Nicolaki
eight glasses containing as many differ
ent kinds of wine. He was modest and
did not drink until she urged him to do
SO with great hospitality, and by the
time he had drank them all he scarce
knew what he was doing.
81 do not wonder now, said Nicolaki,
"that the people speak so harshly of
you, for / now see that it is envy and
jealousy. For my part, if I had the
hundredth part of your fortune I should
L. L