Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-01-04
Max and the Wonder-FIower.

Long before the great king Charlemagne
ruled over Germany and France, the noun
tain forests that border the Rhine were peo-
pied by gnomes and dwarfs, witches and
fairies, some Of whom were very mischievous
and could never be trusted, while others did
kind deeds for the people.
They all were under the control Of fairy
king, who lived in the deepest recesses OF
the mountains, and whose palace was 80
vast that it reached even under the river.
There were good fairies among the noun
tains, and these gave presents to persons
whom they thought deserving Of rich gifts,
| for the mountains were filled with treasures
| OF gold, silver, and precious jewels; and my
story is about little boy who was rewarded
| by these good fairies.
He was only poor little shepherd-boy,
and tended the flocks OF rich baron, whose
castle stood high upon rock that looked
down over the valley where the little boy
lived. His father was dead, and he was the
only help OF his mother and two little SIS
tiers, Roschen and Elsie. They owned
little cottage, goat, and small bit OF
ground, which Max, for that was the boys
name, titled in the evening, after the sheep
were all safely penned for the night.
He was always cheerful, and Kind to all:
lie loved the beautiful river that flowed
along 80 peacefully, and the vine-terraces
where grew the purple grapes.
Max longed to know now 10 read, so as
to learn more about 1t all, and yet he worked
on, early and late, and enjoyed even the air,
and the flowers.
But there came day OF sadness Tor poor
little Max, in the winter time, Tor his
mother was taken very Ill, and the Old nurse
of the village, who took care OF her, said she
must die unless an herb could be procured
that grew in the mountains, and these were
now covered with snow, beneath which the
herb lay buried. But Max did not despair
he started forth, with his snow-shoes and a
stout stick, to climb the mountain and find
the herb that should cure his sick mother.
1t was cold, aud the wind blew drearily
through the trees still he tramped on boldly
until at last he stood on the summit of thu
mountain. The snow lay around like sol
white blanket, covering all the herbs, ferns
and flowers, keeping them warm and tucked
out of sight until the spring time. 1t wa
not very deep, and Max, with little spad'
he had brought along, pushed it aside, ant
that spot there was no herb, but before hi
eyes there grew beautiful, strange flower
whittier than snow, its heart like gold, ant
its perfume so sweet that it seemed like
breath from the gardens of heaven. Ma!
gazed with longing upon its beauty, an,
his first thought was to pluck it and take i
home, that they all might see its lovelines:
but his second thought was, "Oh, no;
must find first the herb for to cure mother
and then | can come here again for thi
flower with which to gladden. her eyes.
So, with parting look, he went farther Of
= his search, found the precious herb, an
with it safely in his pocket, came back
the spot where he had left the lovely flower
Alas, it had disappeared But while tn
tears filed his eyes, the mountain wher
he stood opened wide, like door, dai
cling fairy figure appeared, and silver
voice said:
"Enter, little Max, for thou didst fri
thy duty. Take what thou wilt of th
treasures before thee. The wonder-dowe
that thou hast seen, thou canst not TAX
z with thee. 1t blooms but once in tho
4 sand years, and can only be seen by the pul
!. in heart. Take OF the gold and diamond
y love thy mother ever as now, aim to be
!. good man, and keep thy heart pure, that tho
g. mayest again see the flower in the garden
of heaven, where thousand years are br
as day."
And the fairy vanished; but around in
rubies, and bright bars of gold, before th
, eyes OF the bewildered Max. A little brow
dwarf, who seemed to be guard over IL
treasures, gave him sack and motione
that Max should fill it, and even helpt
him, never saying word. When it wi
filed, it was so heavy that Max wondere
how he could ever carry it home; but viii
he hesitated, the dwarf threw it over h
own shoulder, and reckoning Max to follo'
crept out of the door; and as Max followe
the mountain closed behind them, and Il
snow lay over it as before.
1t all would have seemed a dream, on
that there stood the dwarf, with his point'
little hat, and strange face with eyes lii
a squirrels. Not word did he spea
but he trotted on down the mountain, al
| IL aeemed tn MAY scarcelv an hour I