Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-18

and finally toward Carl, who gazed with de-
light on the beautiful bird, which he had
never before seen, and whose name even he
clo not know. On came the swan, nearer
and nearer the shore; then suddenly il
turned, and gliding rapidly in the opposite
direction was soon lost to view.
The next day it came again, and Carl al
lured 1t with cake and bread crumbs. A
great desire TO have this beautiful bird for
his own seized him, and he wished more
earnestly than ever for boat that he might
pursue this white swan and hold it in his
arms. Finally he threw the old plank in
the water, and to his surprise it did not
SINK. w hen he sprang upon 1t and it still
hoated, his joy knew no bounds. With a
loud hurrah ne began using his hands as
oars, and was soon speeding through the
water. But the swan always kept in ad-
vance, and would never be overtaken.
Alter time great WEAKNESS overcame Carl,
and his arms dropped helplessly at his side,
When ne saw himself in the midst of great
lake, he trembled with fear, and tried to
direct his boat toward the land. But the
treacherous plank turned over, and the boy
sank beneath the blue waves.
When he again recovered he was living on
small snow-white couch around which
hung silken curtains. Bending over him
and gazing tenderiy on his pale face, was
little creature not so large as himself, whose
dress and features at once proclaimed that
she belonged to the race of fairies
How came you here?" she asked in a
silvery voice.
At first Carl was too astonished to speak.
Then he replied: 81 do not know. I was
on the lake chasing a beautiful bird; and
the old plank on which sailed upset and
fell into the water. When 1 awoke. /
found myself here on this soft, beautiful
bed. But tell me, where am /, and who
are you?'
The fairy answered: ''This is one of the
fairy palaces. 1t is my duty to stav here
during the day, and take charge OF the
house and the servants. But when night
comes many OF my brothers and sisters meet
here, and We have grand bail. 1t is yeryI
lovely then; but the days seem long and
Lonesome. How 1 wish that you would
stay with me. l should show you all the
wonders OF falryland; and when the stupid
people IN the village are sleepipg Won
could dance in the moonlight with the fair
les or glide over the crystal lakes in our
BaiIboats.
In his eager, childish way, Carl cried: sI
shall stay with you always, beautiful fairy
and you shall never be lonesome auy more
You must remember" said the fairy.
'that if you stay with me three davs then
must live here always And unless YOU are
content to do this, you must at once leave
the palace, and L shall conduct you to your
home"
But Carl did not want TO be led away. and
was sure that he would be happy always to
live here on the shore ofthe lake. The fairy
then led him through the palace, where
each room was richer than the other, and
showed him splendors of which Carl, whose
nome had been a humble one, had never
dreamed. There were heaps of pearls and dia-
monds, and in the garden, which to the boy
was the most beautiful place of all, were
luscious fruits and rare flowers. Gay-col-
ored birds sang among the trees or fitted
through the branches; innumerable white
swans gllded over the smooth surface OF the
water, and did not seem the least disturbed
when Carl approached and stroked their
glossy plumage. What royal welcome the
Ialrles gave their new friend when they held
their festival that night; and the banquet
and sweet music brought new pleasures to
the little stranger
Inc weeks and months passed by, every
CAV bringing new joys, and the fairies
spared no pains entertaining their guest
One evening at sunset when the fields and
woods we're glowing with its rosy light. and
the birds were singing their good night
songs, while Carl WAS gathering flowers in
the garden, he began TO think of his home
and the Little village in which he had lived.
be wished to wander once again through
the familiar streets and to look on his
mothers face. But he remembered the |
tairy's words, and tried TO Danish the |