Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1898-05-10
BALTA (THE LAKE.

Everywhere around reigned calm and
silenceI
They foated white and shimmering
on the smooth surface of the lake,
whose waters were unrippled by sim
gle breeze.
Even the solitary dragon fly, which
had flown across little while ago, had
disappeared, and the frog would not be-
gin its croaking till eventide. Thusnoth-
ing but rest, still and dreamy, lay on
the surface of the tranquil water.
Many secret lay hidden in the deep
est depths of the beautiful lake and all
sorts of fanciful stories were recounted
of its fathomless mysteries.
There grew the beautiful Water Lily,
with her delicate lineaments, and her
fragile, spreading roots seemed to be al
ways searching in vain for a irmer
hold, and whose winsome society was
eagerly sought for by all her neighbors.
The tall flags hovered around her and
were continually whispering and maxi
ing salutations to her.
Often had she petu1antly closed her
beautiful leaves, whereupon they would
promise to leave her in tranquility, but
when she again unfolded her petals or
made even the smallest movement it
was pretext for renewed whispers.
All these foolish adorers had never
yet asked of the Water Lily why she
passed all her time gazing upward to-
ward the sky, although they might we'll
have observed that the Lady Moon
shone there in all her splendor. When
the foolish ones slept, the Moons rays
grew brighter and brighter, glinted full
across the lake and embraced the flower,
which was transformed by love into a
Will-o' the-wisp, which danced and
flirted constantly with its beloved.
The Tulip was the first to be aroused
by this Willie the-wisp, for as he had
lived at court he was used to Watching
and slumbered lightly. He drew him
self up with great austerity, for he saw
that the Water Lily was a person of
doubtful reputation, who allowed her.
self to be embraced in a most unbecom-
ing manner by the Moon, danced about
like a siren, threw aside all modesty
and provoked and teased her neighbors,
who nevertheless revered her and look
ed upon her as quite saint.
So the Tulip lost no time in relating
his discovery to his nearest neighbors
in the flower world.
The Forgetmenot opened its blue
eyes so wide, SO wide in their inno-
cence, that they actually remained lar
ger than when they first saw the light.
The Lily of the Valley, who tenderly
loved the Water Lily, wept bitter tears,
whereupon tho Tulip grew bright red
with anger and continued to repeat his
story to the surrounding plants, who
drew together in groups and chartered
and recounted it to the South Wind,
who was just then passing over them.
The Wind repeated it to the Flags, to
in anger and Immediately covered the
Moon with veil.
The tall blue Gentian, perohed like a
cavalier on the slope Of the mountain,
had heard tell Of the beautiful Water
Lily. He imagined that there lay at the
bottom of his heart spirit of fire equal
to that of the Will-o' the-wisp.
He had for some time been enamored
Of the Edelweiss and would gladly have
fondled her velvety leaves. He was all
the more in love because the two cas-
ties, under the walls of which they
dwelt, were separated by deep chasm.
For all time cavaliers have given proof
of their easy consciences and have de-
manded moral perfection from their
own wives only. The cavalier brandish-
ed his lance in the sight of the Edel-
weiss, to make believe he was going
a-fighting, and the Alpine Roses ad-
mired him as ne passed and blushed
and regretted that the cavalier Gentian
had set out in search of adventure in
stead of contenting himself with their
charms.
But the Edelweiss was of too proud
and ancient lineage to show the least
regret at his departure and remained
frigid and cool in her velvet robe near
the terrace of her castle and barely bow
ed her head as the cavalier couched his
lance on passing before her.
Some time afterward falcon, wheel
ing overhead, perceived that this indif-
ference was but assumed, and spoke to
the Edelweiss of the water in the valley
below and of the beautiful white Lily
which reigned over it. He told her how
the cavalier Gentian had fought with
and been yanquished by Prince Mar
cissus, whose perfumed darts had caused
him to fall senseless to the earth. The
Edelweiss did not allow her emotion to
appear, but she felt cold shiyer run
throughout her frail body and would
willingly have listened to further de-
tails, but the falcon had already flown
away, and her dignity did not permit
her to recall him.
Prince Narcissus thus became hero,
and was nightly astonished to find
himself SUCH Hitherto his chief occu-
patton had been to contemplate his own
reflection in the waters of the lake, to
perfume himself, and to languish in the
wake of the Water Lily, and SO render
himself more interesting in the sight of
the neighboring flowers. He looked
with disdain on the evergreen Ivy,