Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-09

Your life is sad and lonely. Come with me
to nv home, and there you shall want for
nothing"
Meta gladly accepted this kind offer, and
was soon on her way with her new friend.
Over the rough, stony mountain path they
went as easily as if they were walking on
the softest turf In short, time, Meta saw
the beautiful mansion, which she thought
was TO be her future home. When they had
crossed the wide park, and entered the broad
hall. they were met bv IL tiny little girls,
with long golden haig and laughing blue
eyes. Meta at once recognized these little
creatures as the fairies, who, she had heard,
lived on the other side of the mountain.
These are NV children" explained the
lady, and as she presented each with one of
the blue caps, she said: Here is Meta,
who made the new caps for you. She has
BOW come to make her home with u.s."
Then each OF the fairies had kind greet
ing for Meta, and when they had warmly
welcomed her among them, they led the way
to the dining hall Here stood a table,
adorned with flowers, and the finest silver
and glassware; but on the dishes was no
food, vet Meta was surprised to see that the
little Bluecaps, as she called the fairies.
seemed to be eating rom empty plates.
Are you not hungry, nv friend?" asked
one of the fairies, ~ see that you do not
eat"
II am hungry enough" answered Meta"
but l do not see any food"
AT these words, all the Bluecaps laughed
merrily, and one said: 81 shall explain.
We live on sunshine and air, and find it
healthy diet You, too, will like it when
YOU have become accustomed TO it.
Meta then tried to partake of such food as
her friends had provided; but she lett the
table more hungry than she had been for
many davs.
at I were only at home" she thought,
there 1 could have at least dry bread and
water from the spring"
But she tried TO forget her hunger by en-
joying the beauties about her, and was
grateful to her friends for their kind atten-
tons. Soon, however, Meta became tired
aud sleepy and asked that she mightso to
rest. She was then lee to a small room,
where instead of finding soft bed with
silken covers, she saw only hard, bare
floor, and neither bed nor chairs.
1--WE sleep in such rooms" said the fairy,
who had led Meta here. because we think
they are more healthy than anv other kind. 1"
When Meta was lett alone, she said to
herself:
In my little cottage, could have had
pillow on which to rest my head"
But in spite of the hard floor on which slfe-
had thrown herself, the little girl slept
soundlv all night, and when she awoke in
the morning she found the fairies and their
mother taking their morning meal of sun
beams and fresh air. Room was made at
the table !or Meta, and fine golden plate
was given her. When breakfast was over.
and the pleasures OF the day were about to
begin, Meta said: 81 thank you, my dear
friends Tor your kindness 10 me; but shall
be happier in my little home in the village
than in your beautiful home"
The fairies were very sorry to part with
Meta, but when thev saw she really wished
TO 60, they did not try to detain her, but
bade her a loving farewell. Meta then left
the mansion and the park with its trees and
flowers, ard took her way over the mount
ain toward home. Becoming weary and
weak from lack OF food, she sat down on the
roadside to rest.
II only had something to eat 0" she
sighed, "Ior l am half famished."
And as she looked auxiouslv about in
hope OF finding some berries with which to
satisfy her hunger, to her great surprise.
she saw in the bushes small basket, con-
tanning white bread. cheese and fruit. The
little girl lost no time in wondering whence
the basket came; but she eagerly deyoured
the food. When she had finished, she saw.
gushing from the rocks, a crystal stream of
cold water, from which she drank heartily.
"Sunbeams and fresh air may do for the
fairies" cried Meta, ''but give me white
bread and cold water
At that moment slight noise was heard
in the bushes, and the fair lady and the
- fairies appeared. Meta was alarmed. for
she feared that they had heard her speech.
and that they might wish to take her again
10 their home. But the lady said: 1--WE
have sought you, not to entreat you to re-
turn with U.S. but to bring You gift as a
token a our regard for you. We have had
many guests who greatly admired our
beautiful home: but who, when invited to
dinner, were rude enough to make sport of
our dainty fare. You alone have been kind
and courteous. We sent vou the food which
you have just eaten, and now we wish to