Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1898-07-16

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 ncighhoring flowers. He looked
with disdnin ON the evergreen Ivy,
whom he regarded as a mere poet and
would not even deign to glance at the
worthless Reed, but stopped up his ears
with weary, scornful air when the
Reed thought good to rustic.
Prince Narcissus did not care to harm
the Laburnum. He felt pity for it,
though he could have anninilated it
with one watt Of his pungent perfume.
The Poppy and the DandelioI We're,
for him, persOnages of too low bern ex-
traction, and for IA trife he would have
adopted a rude manner toward them.
But with Cavalier Gentian it was
quite different affair. He had come
down from his heights and defied all
those who We're enamored of the Water
Lily. Narcissus had accepted his chal-
lenge and had overwhelmed him with
his pungent odor.
AS his reputation for valor was now
firmly established he would have liked
i'll his vanity thousands of voices to be
raised III his praise and grew angry
when the frogs croaked a requiem in
compliment to the fallen cavalier.
However, such is the way of the world.
AS long as one is alive it refuses to pay
one homage. One must die before being
appreciated and honored
What would Narcissus have said had
he known that the Edelweiss took the
veil on account of her deep sorrow Oh
the death of the cavalier Gentian!
Toward evening, when he had rested
from the fatigue of the day, he cried in
avoice so loud as to be heard all around {:
Come to me, thou beauteous her
nit, so white and pure. Thou art meet
and fit to be my own princess.
Hardly had he pronounced these
words when he was attacked by prick
ing pains, which seemed to be burning
him on all sides, but he determined to
grasp and conquer his enemy
He succeeded in catching hold of the
Will-o' the wisp and grasped it so firm
ly that it was soon inert and grew cold
er and colder and heavier and heavier.
Eventually the burden became so great
that he let it fall at his feet, and there
lay monstrous jewel, white as the
Water Lilly, but bearing in its depths
marvellous blending of all the colors in
heaven and on the earth, with fire as
vivid as that of the Will-o -the-wisp.
Suddenly the Reeds were pushed
aside, and long bearded gnome issued
from the lake and gazed with google
eyes at the newborn Opal.
Lost in admiration, he hastened to
pick it up. Its etfulgence was so bril-
liant that he thrust it into lantern
which he wore slung round his neck
and set out to rejoin his fellow gnomes.
On reaching them he cried out:
Come and see what magnificent
gem L have found"
His companions laughed at him. say
ing:
"Why, it is but a Will o. -the-wis -"
81 tell you it is an Opal. l picked it
up, and its fire scorChed my hand"
"Yet it's but Will-o'- the wispr'
1HS puol SIOiue Was luIlOuS Wlln
anger and exclaimed:
81 know that it is an Opal, and We
are jealous because l am wealthier than
ye ALL"
He preserved his treasure for some
days, but he perceived that it dwindled
slowly away as its rays grew fainter and
famter-so faint, indeed, that it scarce
ly seemed to shine.
'Take it back to the lake" cried his
companion. "Perhaps it may there re-
cover its etfulgence and beauty"
So the gnome went sorrowfully back
to the lake, hoping against hope. Hard
ly had he opened his lantern when the
flame sprang out and, increasing per-
ceptibly in size, glided noiselessly over
the surface of the water to the center of
the lake, where it distended and sepa-
rated itself into broad green leaves,
whence emerged the chaste Water Lily,
which once more lifted its fair face to
gaze on the resplendent Moon. Carmen
Sylvia Queen of Roumania) in Lady's
Realm.