Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-24

to Eric: ''The wonder flower is very easily
found by those who wish it. / shall leave
this small box for you. Within is a slender
stick, which will guide you to the home OF
the flower"
Then the stranger, having placed the box
on the tabl., disappeared, and Eric fell
asleep. When the bov awoke the next
morning. the first object that met his gaze
was the small box. He shouted with de-
light: ''Then was not dreaming; and can
really find the one remedy for my dear
mother"
Fastening to the breakfast room he cried:
''MOther, mother, now you shall see, for /
have guide to the wonder flower"
he then related his adventures of the
night before and handed the box to his
mother, who felt it carefully and then said:
''You have been dreaming, Eric. This is
only pocket compass, whose needle always
points to the north"
"But, mother" said Eric, ''the boy told
me it would guide me to the wonder flower.
Please let me go"
At first the mother refused, but finally,
unable to resist his earnest pleadings, she
promised that if be would wait till spring
she would then allow him to begin his
search. The remainder of the winter passed
very slowly to the impatient boy. But
finally spring did really come, and when the
fields and trees were again in bloom Eric
began to talk of his journey to the North
Pole.
One night his former visitor appeared to
him. and said: "You must start at once in
quest OF the wonder flower. I shall give
you companion who shall advise and guide
you, and also a staff which will help you
through many difficulties.
The stranger knocked three times on the
floor, and suddenly a score or more of little
creatures not more than a loot high entered,
carrying light reed cane, which they
placed on Erie's bed. Then all vanished,
with the exception Of one. who said his name
was Muckabold, and he was the companion
which was to be sent. Eric arose and has
tily made his preparations to deplrt. TAX
ing his compass and staff ne hurried to his
mothers room, and be ore she had time to
utter word in remoustrance, he had bid
den her goodby, and was gone.
All that night aud the next day Eric and
his friend followed the guidings of the COM
pass, and in the evening found themselves
in large field in the midst OF which stood
an old wide-spreading elm tree.
"Whst do you say to stopping here for
the night?" said Muckabold.
"It is a very good place." said Eric. "but
where shall we find food2"
Muekabold only laughed and told him to
strike three times on the ground with his
cane. When Eric had done this, many of
Mueksbold's brothers appeared, saying
that they were ready to obey orders
Learning that food and shelter were re-
qulred, the little men led the way to
rock, into which was an entrance so mar
row that With great difficulty Eric passed
through. But once within, the narrow hall
extended into the wide room where stood
tables covered with the choicest Iood. At
first Eric was at a loss to know how be
should eat from such small dishes: but his
little friends were very attentive. and saw
that their guest was well supplied; and after
he had satisfied his hunger he was led to a
downy couch, where be slept soundIy till
reused in the morning by Muckabold. who
said 1t was time to continue their iouruey.
Again they followed the guidings of the
compass, which led them to the shore of a
wide sea.
Nov, what shall we do?" asked Eric.
Hooking about in vain for boat; I'VE Ger.
tainly cannot swim this great ocean,
"Swim?" laughed Muckabold; "tbrov
your cane in the water and see what ham
pens"
Eric did so, and found that the cane. in
stead of floating away, seemed to grow and
widen out until handsome sailboat rocked
before them on the waves. Scarcely had
they taken their places when hundreds of
mermaids appeared above the surface o. the
water, and stretching prth their long white
arms, they seized the boat and pulled it
along in the direction which the compass in