The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-08-05
THE Bell Fairies.

It was a dreamy, sultry day in mid
July. A day when all the flowers and
grasses dropped motionless in the still
air, and one could almost hear the rust
ling of birds wings, so intense was the
silence. The sound Of ringing church
bells swept over the wide prairie, and,
mellowed by distance, fell soft and clear
upon the ears Of Lulu Gray, as she sat
in the doorway of the old farm house,
and leaned her curly head against the
dingy, brown wall. A little brown dog
was curled on the step close beside her,
and downy, yellow chickens picked up
crumbs about her feet but Lulu gave
no heed to either dog Oh chickens, fer
she was listening to the bells instead.
"Dingg-dong, ding-dong,'' they were
saying, in their slow, solemn fashion.
But after time-would you believe it :?
they ceased to say "Ding-dong," and
began to talk in sober earnest and this
is what they said: "Your papa can't
come home--can't, won't, can't-come
home-come home.' "Why, yes he
can, you stupid BELLS" Lulu answered,
laughing, "for my mamma got letter
from him just few days ago, and he
said he was coming home soon. It is
soon now. and my papa never told a
ie.' "Never told liza liza lie"
answered the bells. They said this over
and over again, till Lulu grew SO tired
listening that she put her fingers in her
ears to stop out the sound. Just as the
bells were saying ;'never" for the last
time, little woman, dressed all in gold
colored satin, with mantilla Of cobweb
lace, came from behind the lilac bushes
and stood looking at Lulu. Lulu was
frightened for q moment, and then,
being very polite little girl, she made
nice bow, and said, "Good morning,
pretty lady" Good morning." an
swered the fairy, for it a0as fairy, and
then she waved the lotus-wing she
carried for fan so fast that it made
Lulu dizzy to watch it. ''Miss Lulu"
continued the elf, yesternoon the
fairies heard you Wishing you could
see one of them, and visit fairyland
Now the wishes Of good children, if
made at noon on q midsummer day,
are always granted by us, so the beauti-
full Blossom, Queen of the Bell fairies,
has sent me to bring you to our home
among the hills. We We're talking to
you this morning, through the bells, and
you understood what we said. We are
the only family among all the elves who
can talk to mortals like yourself, through
the bells. But you shall know all about
us, if you will come with us to fairy
land. Do you still wish to visit our
Queen in her palace ?"
Lulu hesitated o moment and then,
getting off from the steps, went slowly
toward the fairy. The tiny fan began tc
wave again, and presently there came
from behind the same lilac bush beau
tiful coach, made Of q white shell, and
drawn by six snow-white rabbits. "This
is our Queens COACH said the fairy
"please get in." Lulu wondered how
one so large as herself could ride in SO
small q conveyance, but the fairy opened
the little door and stepped in, and Lulu
followed, and they were on their way to
fairy land in much less time than it takes
me to tell of it. During the ride the
fairy was silent. and Lulu examined the
coach. Over the delicate pink of the
inside were hung curtains OF colore6
lace, and the cushions were made Q!
thistle-down. Even the rabbits had fly
nets of lace, and two white feathers a.
their ears served as plumes. .- .a
After what seemed like a very shor
drive to Lulu, they came to little
village where the houses were all made
Of moss, and tall, straight fern grewir
front of each door. Before tho larges
house, which stood in the center of the
town, and was surrounded by fence
made Of tiny shells, the rabbits stopped
of their own accord, and fairy footma1
opened the willow gate for them to pas:
through. Another fairy assisted then
to alight from the coach, and they en-
tered the palace. From q little hall thu
fairy guide went into room all furnished
in purple and gold, and Lulu followed
The walls were of purple and colder
autumn leaves, and carpet of dande
lions and yellow cowslips. There wer
no windows, but sleepy frehies chung t.
the ceiling, and flooded the room with
mellow, golden light, not unlikethe yellov
carpet. There were sofas and chairs
with cushions Of velvet, purple pansies
and dainty pictures of fairyland, which
Lulu did not understand After q TIM