The morning call., 1891-01-19
THE STRING OF PEARLS.
BY JULIUS STINDE.
rrrom the German by Mary ! Stafford


all be exhausted and only the insignificant
ones, that must also be used, would remain.
1t would be perfectly easy to say L want
to be king or queen," and the desire
must find fulfillment.
Ii everybody were king what would han
pen to the world? Itwould certainly be far
too splendid.
Besides, many person, with irresolute
delay, would neglect tile right hour until
the time had passed or some thoughtless
wish had crushed at blow the hopes over
which he had goated as miser watches his
treasures.
So it is fortunate that the children of men
do not know this secret, and therefore do not
| grieve when they choose foolisbly.
Sometimes il happens that the FIRST desire
is for something grand and beautiful Then
| the person Is said to be lucky.
Most, however, content themselves with
| trifes which, at the moment of wishing,
seem priceless. A sweet fruit satisfies them,
or they long for bit of cake, and ere they
are aware of it, the wish is granted.
Once there was child who had never
formed desire. Its parents affection loaded
it with all kinds of gifts Little Eva knew
no wants; her heart cherished no wishes.
All her days were joyous, and at night she
! had the happiest dreams
But one morning when Eva woke and saw
the sunbeams peeping into Ler chamber to
| ask whether they were to have a game of
| play together, as they had the day before.
ana the merry little birds. perched amid the
| green tendrllS of the vine III front of the
window, called, "Where are YOU, dear
Eva?' she did not jump out of bed as usual,
| but merely turned her fair curly head toward
| them and made no reply.
| Come Eva, come" twittered the birds.
| But she answered: 81 have you every
day; know your games by. heart. l have
| something else in my mind"
Il gave you your rosy cheeks" said the
| sunshine. Are you not satisfied with
them?'
you received your happy temper and
! merry sonIs from U.s." cried the birds; I'VE
| have no better gifts TO offer"
| Eva closed her eyes and pOndered.
| For the first time her heart stirred with a
desire for something, but no matter how
| long she reflected sue could think of moth
ing to wish Tor. After time she sad:
Il should like to. have a treasure-the
most precious treasure that can be pos
| Sessed."
When she opened her eyes she saw a
| string OF pearls lying on the cOyerlet There
were numerous tiny ones, carefully strung
ono after another, aud almost countless.
| THAT'S pretty toy" she said, trying to
| slip the pearls from the string, but, spite of
all her efforts, she could only succeed in
separating a single one from the others.
| This yeXed her How tresome these
pearls are!' she cried ''All | can do is to
| wear them for a necklace; they are tit for
nothing else
She flung the loosened pearl carelesslY
| away There were So many OF them on the
STING tn t one would never be mis- ed.
Little Eva arose, dressed herself, put on
| the pearl necklace and went to her parents.
Strange TO say, they did not notice il, even
| when Eva asked:
| Don't look pretty today? 2"
Her mother and father answered, smiling:
| The days OF childhood adoru our dear
| little daughter"
When Eva heard these words the pearls
suddenly became worthless, aud she went
| out into the garden TO chase butterflies ans
| gather flowers, as she had GlwaysTt.une r.
fore. In the evening she went to he'd tlied,
wt.ogt tHt4gsht Of t1e neekaGe. h f
! the string she found another loosened pearl,
! which She flung to the tItmUuse fitting ON 1t
| spray OF the rose hedge.
80 day after day passed. Each morning a
| pearl Tell from the string, but Eva needed it
| no more than she had greved for its prede-
| cessors. She carelessly trampled them under
| foot, flung them into tae stream that flowed
| through the garden, or let them roll into the
| sand, indifferent where they went or what
| became Of them. She had plenty.
AT the end of year the string seemed as
| well filled as at the time little Eva had re-
| ceiyed it, but any one who had examined it
carefully would probably have noticed that
| many were missing.
The twelve months slowly passed rs the
days had done; little Eva grew taller Tue
| games were over, life became dull and
| earnest, and made demands upon her;
| knowledge of all kinds, skill in hume Gus
| accomplishments and useful branches IT
sounded stern and gloomy.
| Nv hat Is lifc?" asked Eva.
| "A precious treasure was the reply
w hen Will 1t Gomez, she asked again.
You have it already" she was told, but
| you do not perceive its value. Wnen you
| have recognized it you will prize it,"
| Il don't understand" Eva answered. "if
| | have lie already how can | expect it? If
| it is precious why does it exact labor and
| hardships? Let me be happy with the sun~
| beams, flowers, birds and butterflies"
Eva sorrowfully sought her old plavfel-
| lows, but she fancied that the sun did not
shine SO warmly as usual the birds old not
| want her, and the flowers were less fragrant
| than i'll former da5 5.
Are you angry with me?" she cried.
You know that love you far better than
| life. Be kind to me again, I'll give you all
my pearls in return"
! While speaking she took off the necklace,
and, with little difficulty, succeeded in
detaching the separate pearls.
These are for you, Sunshine" she called,
tossing the cleaning gems into the air.
The sunlight CAME and kissed her golden
curls.
scattering the pearls before the birds, winch
flew down, picked them up, and circled
around Eva with joyous songs. How beauli-
full it was
- You flowers shall not go empty-handed
either, she cried saucily, sowing the pearls
broadcast on the soft green meadow.
Wherever oGe fell marvellous flower
sprang up, whose cdlyX glittered with the
most brilliant hues and whose blossoms ex-
hailed an intoxicating fragrance. Eva broke
them of to make an exquisite bouquet: but
they withered under her hands, and she
crushed them beneath her feet without nav
ing any farther heed. The sunlight CLEANED
before her, the birds lured her onward. the
butterflies lowered in advance, and Eva fol-
lowed in bissful self-forgetfulness. Soon
the meadow that bordered the garden law
behind her, but she hurried fearlessIv on
and on, chasing the sunbeams and ths hirJs
across helds and pasture-ands Never had
she been so Joyous as while Tins hittina
along with her merry playfcllows. and she
.ossed the pearls hlther and thither. shont
ing: '"O"'-
Here, come and take them"
But the jubilant shouts suddenIv di.d
from the string 'iippeu
Eva paused and gazed around her Tho
house had vanished, the garden that snrD
rounded it had disappeared, she stood alone
and uncertain where to 90. wy
Take me home,' she said
Il have no time" replied tho sr,,;u...
evening has come and must rest, in order
to be able to wake men early fo.m M Uruei
The sea is my bed. Do you see it donhin0S,;;
Eva heard a hollow roar. N"'nins
" That is the surf; the waves arc olr.o5,
calling me" said the sunlight. "FoI 1o,eauS
to yonder height; then you can behold the
sea-" 'olu 'ho
The sun sank lower and already toucbed
the crest Of the hill. '0"'heu
''Give us the last pearls" said tba bira,
land we will guide YOU Eva flung J thus,
before the song'terS, and they showed her
the way. "oi
On reaching the summit of the height she
oeheld the sea. its maasureless expanse
ing as if with the fires of a conflagration
The clouds, also dyed with the crimson hue
1oated in the sky like giant roses. N'e'
How beautiful?' cried Eva. eve will
stay here" VIII