Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1892-09-14
FAIRY DUST.

A long time ago-a very long time
Il was young and often heard people
complain of troublesome little crea-
ture who made her way in by the win
dow, after she had been driven out at
the door. She was so light and so tiny
that she might have been said to float
rather than to walk, and my parents
compared her to a little fairy. The
servants detested her, and sent her fly
ing with their dusting brushes; but
they had no sooner dislodged her from
one resting-place than she re-appeared
at another.
She was always dressed in a slattern-
ly trailing grey gown, and a sort of
veil which the least breath of wind
sent whirling about her head with its
yellowish dishevelled locks.
Seeing her so prosecuted made me
take pity on her, and 1 willingly al
lowed her to rest herself in my little
garden, though she oppressed my
flowers u great deal. 1 talked with
her, but without ever being able to
draw from her a single word of com.
mon sense. She wished to touch
everything, saying she was doing no
harm. l got scolded for tolerating
her, and when l had allowed her to
come too near me, [ was sent to wash
myself and change my clothes, and was
even threatened with being called by
her name.
1t was such bad name that dread
ed 1t greatly. She was so dirty that
some said she slept on the sweepings
of the houses and streets; and that
that was why she was called FAIRY
Dust.
"Why are you so dirty?" 1 asked
her, one day, when she wanted to kiss
me.
''You are a stupid to be afraid OF
me-" she answered, laughingly; ,, u
belong to me, and resemble me moe
than You think. But you are a child, the
slave of ignorance, and L should waste
my time by trying to make you under
stand"
"Come," / said, 'you seem inclined
to talk sense at last Explain TO me
what you have Just said"
81 can't talk to you he g." she re-
piled. II have too much to .Ly to
you, and, as soon as 1 settle down in
any part of your house l am brushed
away with contempt; but, if you wish
to know who an, call me three times
tonight as soon as you fall asleep"
That said, she hurried away, utter
ing hearty laugh, and | seemed to
see her dissolve into a mist of gold,
Redeemed by the setting sun.
When 1 was in led that night
thought of her Just as l was going tc
sleep.
give dreamed all that" said tc
myself, cor else that little old creatur
is q mad thing. How can 1 possibly
call her when am asleep?"
I fell off to sleep, and presently
dreamed that L called her; [ am no
sure that I did not even call to hel
aloud, three times, Fairy Dust
Fairy Dustl Fairy DustI'
At the same moment L was trans
ported into an immense garden, IN the
midst of Which stood an enchanted pal
ace, and on the thresE old of this mar
velcus dwelling stood awaiting me
lady resplendent with youth ant
beauty, dressed in magnificent fiesta
clothes.
1 few to her, and she kissed me, say
ing
"Wen, do you.recogniz. Fairy Dustl
"No, not in the least, madame,
answered, 'and 1 think you must bt
making fun of me"
az am not making fun OF you at all,
she replied, "but as you are not abl'
to understand what l say to you, an
going to show you sight whlch VII
appear strange, and which L Will max
ss brief as possible. Follo;o mel'
She led me into the most beautlfu
mart of her residence. 1t was LITTLE
iimpid lake, resembling .rcen di
emond set in a ring of flowers, II
which were sporting fish of all hues o
orange and cornelian, Chinese amber
coIored carp, black and white swans
exotic ducks decked in jewels, and, a
the bottom, pearl and purple shells
Fright colored ac1uatic sallmanders
in short, world of living wonder.
Qlidi. and plunging above bed
sllyery sard, on which were g. '3wlni
al sor,s of water plants, one NOR
charming than another. Around TIL
vat basin was range d in several CIRCLE
coIonnade of porphyry, with alabaste
capitals. The entablature was made o
the lost precious minerals, and almos
Lisappeared under q growth OF Gle
matfs. ieseamine, briony and honey
suckle. amid which thousa= d bird
mti, their nests. Roses OF all u IL
and all scents were reflected In tn
water as we'll as the porphyry column
aSS the beautiful statues OF farla
rarple placed under the arcades. II
the midst of the Dasin fountain
tnrew a thousand Jets of diamonds an
pearls.
lie bottom OF the architectural am
phitbeatre opened upon flower pe!
shaded by gian: trees, loaded to thei i
SUBMITS Nth tIossoms aid fruit, thel
b.sn.hes interiaced with trailing vines
fcrs Ing abo the yorphyry colonnade
n coIapnaS. OF verdure and flowers.
Tier the Fairy rIade me seat M
self . ish her ut the entrance to grottc
WI ence there issued a melodious cas-
cade, flowing over fresh -loss spa
linz with diamond drops of water.
"AIl thst you see there is my work,
she said to mo; call that is made {
Gust. 1t is by the shaking of m
gown in the clouds that l have fuT
nished AL the materials of this pal adist
NJ fliend Fire, who threw them tut
the air, has taken them back to +,
cook them to crystalline or compa'
thom, after which ny servant Win
tool them about with him a.; d tn
moisture and electricity OF he cic.d'