The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1898-05-18

hANlil ilt INAAlNlNAl alN u lilNIb HOGl anu
would not even deign to glance. at tho
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 lie felt pity for il.
though he could have annihilated il
with one Watt of his pungent perfume.
The Poppy and the Dandelion were,
fer him, personages of toe low born ex-
traction and for tritle he would have
adopted rude manner toward them.
But With Cavalier Gentian it was
quite ditleront affair. He had come
down from his heights and detled all
those who were onamored of tho Water
Lily. Nareissus had accepted his chal-
lenge and had overwhelmed him with
his pungent odur.
As his reputation for valor was now
firmly established he would have liked
in his vanity thousands Of voices to be
raised in his praise and grew angry
when the frogs eroalled a requiem i'll
compliment to the fallen cavalier.
However, such is the way of tho world.
As long rs one is alive it refuses to pay
ono homage. one must die before being
| appreciated and honorod.
What would Naroissus have said had
he known that the Edolweiss took the
veil ON account of her deep sorrow ON
the death Of the cavalier Gentianf
Toward evening, when he had rested
from the fatigue of the day. he cried i'll
aNnico SO loud ms to be heard all around !:
Como 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 bo burning
| him ON all sides, but he determined to
grasp and conquer his enemy.
lie succeeded i'll catching hold of the
Mlll-o' the wisp and grasped it 50 firm
| ~ that 1t was soon inert and grew cold
or and colder and heavier and heavier,
Eventually the burden became 50 great
| that he let it fall at his feet, and there
| lay monstrous jewel, white M tho
Water Lily, hut bearing in its depths II
marvellous blending of all the colors i'll
heaven and ON the earth, with fire AZ
vivid as that of the Will-o' tho wisp.
Suddenly the Reeds were pushed
aside, and long bearded gname issued
from the lake and gazed with google
eyes at the newborn opal.
Lost in admiration, he hastened to
pick il up. Its e1ulgonce was so bril-
liant that he thrust it into lantern
which he wore slunR round his neck
and set out 10 reiain his fellow gnomes
On reaching them he cried out:
'Gome and see what magnificent
gem l have found. .
His companions laughed Mt him. say
ing:
"Why, 1t is but II Willie the wisp. "
AZ tell you it is AN Opal. Ipicked it
up. and its fire seorchcd my hand. y
"Yot It's but Nill-o' the wispr'
The poor gnume was furious with
anger and exclaimed.
Il knew that it is an opal, and W
nre jealous because | am Weather thar
ye allr'
He preserved his treasure for som'
DAYS, but he perceived that it dwindlet
slowly away as its rays grew fainter anC
| lhlil'i--sp idihti iiidtdi tiidh IL hGaitt
~ seemud to shine
Take it back to tho lake, " cried hit
companion. Perhaps it may there re-
cover its eiiulgence and beauty -
So the gnome went sorrowfully back
to the lake, hoping against hope Hard
| " had no opened his lantern when the
flame spranR out, and, increasing per
ceptibly III size, glided noiselcssly over
the surface of the water to the center OF
tho lake, where it distendod and sepa-
rated itself into broad green leaves,
whence emerged the ohaste Water Lily,
which once more lifted its fair face &c
gaze on the resplendent Moon. Carmen
Realm