The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-08-03
THE GOLDEN VEIL.


dren, Edmund. Gertrude and Elsie, who
had been orphans for several years. The
aunt had always been very kind to the chill
dren and had taken excellent care of them.
But one day the poor woman fell very i'll
and for several weeks was unable to rise
from her bed During that time the little
garden became so overgrown with weeds
that the vegetables were almost crowded out
and only few grew to any size. True, Ed
mund might have cared for the garden, but
lie liked better to catch birds in the forest
or to fish In the brook near the cottage.
Gertrude, TOO, was old enough to be great
help to her aunt, but she SO enjoyed wan
dering through the woods and fields, gather
ing flowers and adjoining herself with the
wrcaths she made, that any kind of labor
was distasteful TO her. Thus the whole
care of the household fell upon ten-year-old
Elsie. The little girl was kept busy from
morning until night keeping the house neat,
preparing the meals for her brother and
sister and taking charge of her aunt, who.
besides enduring great pain. was much
grieyed over the Incidence of the two elder
children, and she feared lest in their neglect
in the garden they might come TO want.
One morning when Elsie had carried
glass of cold water into the sick-room her
aunt said:
81 have been asleep and listen, Elsie,
what | have dreamed. l thought was Ia
the forest, and there Oh the ground among
the roots of an old tree was nest in which
there were three eggs. / took one in my
hand, and Immediately l was we'll and
strong. ! have thought so much about this
egg that l wish Edmund would go into the
forest and try to find it for me-"
Edmund Willingly agreed to 30 In search
of tho nest, and thought he would soon find
it. However, he had been searching for
some time without success, when suddenly
be came 10 large field, where the sun
shone with such brightness that the boy
was almost blinded. Thousands of bright
cred countless butterflies of the most
brilliant co!orS. All thought of tho egg
was' forgotten, and with merry shout
Edmund began to catch butterflies.
Nor did he think. of being tired of
this, play, until it began 10 grow
dark, and he must hurry to reach home
before night. AS he walked through the
forest, carrying very carefully his hat filled
with the beautiful butterflies, black hen
few out from the bushes and cackled
butterflies flew away, far beyond the boys
reach. The poor aunt was greatly disap-
pointed when Edmund returned without
the egg. That night she dreamed the same
dream, and in the morning begged Ger
trude that she would seek the nest For an
hour or two the little girl searched dill
gently under many trees, but in vain. Then
as she was beginning to think there was no
Sucn nest 10 De lounu, 10 ner astonisnment
she stood near a broad. blue lake. whose
shores were strewn with pearls, and whose
waves washed up delicate shells.
Il shall seek no more for the nest" ex-
claimed Gertrude, but shall gather these
pearls, aud then | shall be so rich that |
can buy medicine. which will cure aunt
sooner than the egg of which she dreamed"
Having filled her apron with the largest
and choicest pearls Gertrude fastened home
to show her treasure. But the way seemed
Ion hon ,aI -
when the little girl reached the cottage.
When she had called her brother and sister
to come ana sea her riches, she found her
apron full not of pearls, but of common
white pebbles, such as she might find any
day on the shore of the brook. Gertrude
was greatly mortified, especially when her
aunts groans reminded her how she had
neglected the poor woman's request The
next morning Elsie said: 8.
Aunt, if you could only spare me TODAY
perhaps l might find the egg which is TO
make you we'll again"
go, child" replied the aunt "but can
scarcely hope that you will be successful"
But Elsie ran away, determined to make
it was in the forest. 1t had been such a
long time since the little girl had been
there, and every step brought her new
pleasure. She looked from the hill top
ground like blue and white carpet, were
many, many violets, which nodded as if to
say, "Stay with us to-dayw
How Elsie did love flowers but she
cried:
"Sweet violets, do not tempt me-; for l
must seek the egg which will heal my
aunt"
Then she saw among the flowers narrow
path, and, following this, Elsie came to a
thorn bush, standing directly in her way
Pushing aside the branches, she saw large
black hen, which flew out, leaving a nest in
which were three eggs; one blue, one Ted
and one gold. Elsie stood moment, won
dering which one would cure her aunt. She
had about decided to take all of them, when
a shrill voice cried:
so you wish TO steal my eggsW
The little girl looked up, ana saw stand
ing near her an ugly old woman, leaning on
cruteh When Elsie had told of her
auntS dream, the old woman said:
She was right. TIE blue egg gives
health, the red one beauty, and the gold one
wealth. You may take them all il you will
return here tomorrow evening and agree to
serve me for one year."
then fastened home. She first gave the
blue egg to her aunt, who Immediately was
well aud able 10 rise from her bed. She gave
the gold egg to Edmund, and he at once
tiled his pockets with money. Gertrude
received the red egg, and became the most
beautiful maiden in the land. The next
evening Elsie, according to her promise, re-
turned 10 tie thorn bush, and her aunt,
weeping bitterly, went part Of the way with
her. Elsie was met by the old woman, who
said:
MY home is very beautiful and your
labors will be very light"
She then led the little girl to an elegant
palace, surrounded by large gardens. For
several days Elsie had nothing to do but ad-
mire her new home and roam through the
gardens. The old woman ceased to be ugly,
her voice became sweet and pleasant and
she was very kind to the little girl One
morning she came TO Elsie and said:
The only service l require of you is to
weave veil which shall be as soft as linen,
as fine as a spiders web, shining as gold,
and large enough to cover your Whole fig
ure"
Elsie thought for a long time over these
words, and then began to weave. She used
the finest silk, and sprinkled here and there
many sparkling gems. When it was fin
ished she carried 1t to the old woman, who
examined it very carefully and then said:
This is beautiful. but it is entirely use
less, and you must try to do better another
time"
Elsie was bitterly disappointed, and all
day she thought how she might improve her
work. In the evening she ran out into the
garden. There in the moonlight danced
the rose fairies, who inquired the cause Of
Elsie's sadness, and when they knew it they
said:
You forgot the gold. That is why the
=" But 1 could find no gold" answered
Elsie.
And yet there was plenty about you,"
said the fairies 'Only look at your hair
What better gold can you desire?'
understand, and now l can make the
veil, cried Elsie delightedly, "for my hair
is soft and golden"
And we each shall give you some of
ours" said the fairies"
1t was not long until Elsie had great
quantity of golden hair. She at once began
to weave, and did not stop until the veil Was
finished. This time the old woman said:
Thanks, thanks, my dear child, now l
can bring home my lovely daughter, the
Forest Fairy, who without such a veil must
always remain in the home of the Woodland
Nympb, who stole her from me-"
That night the old woman's daughter re-
turned, and all the fairies from far and near
assembled at the palace to, join in the re-
jocings.
The gay scene, with its sounds of music