The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-05-08
Cinderella.

She stares amid the embers on the hearth
Low scared IN the darkness all alone;
ot cheerful traits there is plenteous dearth
FOR Is she not sad despised one;
| Why flow her copious tears incessantly
Or wane the minutes drear 80 slowly by?
Her lot a household drudge; to burnish, clean
inc pans and vessels or potatoes peel,
riy tae oircn broom, to stoop to service mean,
Tne steps to scrub on blistered knees to kneel
Inc youngest OF the home Of sisters three,
An orphan and debarred their company.
Lone to protect her from their tongue or hand
IN sooth abe dwelt child Of misery,
~, Fine clad REGARDLESS how the time sped by:
This New Year eve they sought the merry dance
10 shine In Palace rare with elegance.
None Cinderella wept. when shrilly voice
HAILED from the chimney: maiden, mourn
Cling to these robes beset with jewels choice,
speed 10 the court, return from hence before
Inc chimes ring twelve; two slippers of carved
Are offered to revive thy soul, wee lass"
Unbroken silence held the house awhile
AS the maid marvelled with dilated eyes.
An elfn gift she cried, ere q bright smile
stole down her cheeks and hushed her glad
Il to the ball win wend with footsteps light
And dream stray through fairyland tonight"
When 10. q carriage with six ponies gay,
Two footmen proud, page to lift her train,
Now like princess IL she borne away
Such in her heart she craveth to remain,
VI gifts she clasps very bridal shower,
Beauty and grace her own by Natures dover.
volagtuous music vibrates through the air,
Endazzling CLEANS display steep frescoed walls
Where fresh and cool foaming fountain falls,
The ball is at its height, 'twere surely sin
Were not some Princess grand to enter in.
The Prince partaker in the festive scene,
~ STANDS an smort: perchsnce fer lack OF love,
Betwixt each dance apart does languid move
As worldly interest or bliss mad died
Or his good name or fame had been belied.
What means this clamor or these hurrying feet
This buzz and whisper group who aghast gaze,
MILO echoing OF how perfect or so sweet
Ere the dull glance is quickened to amaze
something unearthly comes, a prodigy
Or visitant descended from yon sky!
Alfred like the moon in silver sheen
N1gr her attendant stars, paced gracefully
The wonder of the eve as young queen,
IN ra1ment royal rich with blaZonry;
VI diamond mid pearl and turquoise set
In mode who witnessed hardly could forget.
All! never yet the Prince face so fair
Had cen in fancy framed, her cheek and brow
Inc happy flowers broidered in her hair
Flushed forth as sunset rays on virgin snow,
scarce dared he an approach to pay or speak
dlgn compliment his spirit felt SO weak.
Pleasing is praise to minds who merit it,
More precious for repression she not 10th
To accept such from q comely Prince, well fit
TO heal the wounds caused by sisters wrath
% DeILS worthy from true worth Sne nearQ
What most she yearned for. many a kindly
word.
Oh love. not cruel hate should hide for aye,
Desert its boon should reap, be stations high
Or low, sorrow not bliss be wooed away,
Dreams she unknowing of the midnight nigh !;
Her breast enfOldlng red rose near bloom
Conservatory fedged she styled "her own"
Sudden and heavy peal the golden bells
She shudders, starts, and nimbly springs aside
With oppressed soul she waveth feet farewells,
And fitteth like O moth through doorways
wide;
AS clouds Opaque exclude the argent light,
So the dense gloom obscures her features
bright.
Sad months elapse for Cinderella far
Too YEARLY, mid hope She fingers still,
To hale her ever from harsh taunt and i'll.
Life Is burden when fond hopes forsake"
Soft moaneth she with heart belize to break.
The morrow dawns, who calls? herald bold
Our prince the wcarer of this shoe will wed, ="
Thrills her weak pulse with tremors warm and
cold,
The selfsame slipper left she when she fed
The twining throng, but bark, her sisters scsrn
And beat her back as cursed thing forlorn.
They strive, alas, the instep shelves too deep
A heel too broad, they tug and toll in vain;
"Where hides the lady aroused from sleep
Kings messenger brooks not 80 chile disd ain
Haste tender maiden must soon be gone
Thy foot fain would see this shOelet on"
With the pleased confidence of ownership
Her shapely foot she sinketh in the shoe;
Unconscious of her sisters curling lip.
Sharp twinge of agony and mental throe.
For she her Prince will wed who in disguise
Of herald bows before her joyous eyes.
HARRY Cox.