The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1899-11-22

You little children oil today, who
are 80 wise in school-room lore, may
object to the title of my story, why
is "a ielly-fsh?" / hear you say in
scoiiing tones, why, because it is,
of course, just like clam or an
oyster; it just is jelly tish?"
But / am going to give you the
answer that the japanese fairy-tales
give to the brown-eyed little ones of
old japan. You know how very old
Japan $50 it is quite likely that in
her past history she would have seen
the very beginning of many things;
aud she says that the jelly-ish was
not always the helpless, quivering
mass that you see lying helpless
among the bright hued shells and
shining pebbles on the seashore.
Years and years ago, when the
world was very young, the Japenese
fairy tales tell us that the jelly fish
was far more active aud spry than any
of his finny brothers; for he, besides
his fins and tail, had tiny feet, which
enabled him to walk upon the land
with the utmost ease and grace.
do not myself believe that his Drain
was very active; for think that any
fish-yes, even o clam-would today
be wise enough to escape the horrible
fate by which one silly jelly-fish
ruined whole race of active, agile
creatures. For just see what
happened.
The old king OF the dragons, who
had for many years been n cross,
cranky old bachelor, fell in love with
and married beautiful young
dragoness. So lovely was she, with
sea green eyes, coral lips, and yellow
hair, that it was no wonder the old
king adored her. Great was the re-
joicing throughout all the kindgom at
the marriage festivities. Every fish
that could swim, from the least to the
geatest, came bearing beautiful gifts.
But the CLANS and the oysters were
considered in those days the wise
men Of the kingdom; and royalty even
deferred to them, waiting for hours at
a time for them to open the er mouths
on grave questions Of state. So, they
never left home, but received in great
ceremony in their own domains. To
courtiers, composed of the finest
scholars in all the schools OF fish,
went the dragon king and his win
some bride;and so everyone in Dragon
Land welcome the sovereigns, and all
was JOY. But, alas! this happiness
was too great to last! At the zenith of
the honeymoon the sweet young
dragon queen became mysteriously
ill; and in spite OF constant care from
the best doctors in the realm, she
pined away, and seemed about to die.
One day, in voice as soft as fish's
breath, she said to her husbands: "ln
dream l learned OF what will cure
me. Fetch me the livor of live
monkey, and your little periwinkle"
for so the king had often called her
in tender moment-''will get strong
again." "The liver of a live monkey,
periwinkle OF my heart" cried the
astounaed king. ''Why, monkeys
live far away, among the great forests
on the land! They, poor things, can
not swim nor live in the water
kingdom of the dragonsl Hearts
periwinkle you must be mad"
Then the young queen moaued and
sobbed ''Ah! it is true what mamma
IA d. You never loved me! One
little thing / ask, to save my life; and
you will not give it to me. Go away!
Disport among fairer and younger
dragonessesW In great distress the
dragon king sought counsel among the
scholars of the jelly-tish school, and,
after listening to the strange fancy OF
their idolized queen, the bravest
among them said:
'Listen, o dragon kingl / will
swim across the waters, and climb thc
forest hills; and so sweetly will | sing
of the beauties and delights of Dragon
Land that will entice the monkeys
from the tree tops, and they will al
clamor to return with me. But L viii
choose the plumpest and the younges
and bring him on my back to you
august dragonship."
''Dos this" said the dragon king
and the choicest coral house, inlait
with pearl, and the most radian
dragoness in the kingdom shall b,
yours" So the gallant lelly-fish starte,
on his "Liver Quest" He swift,
SWAN across the water; and--fortun
always fayors the brave Just wher,
he happened to land stood n grove o
trees, and up in the top Of one he saw
beautiful young monkey. He knew
by the monkey cheerful face, and til
enjoyment with which he was eatinl
4 nuts. that his liver was in good shape
So he commenced his begailinl
talk:
20 Dir. Monkey, jump down from your tre'
Come, cross the beautiful water with me,
1hsre shall you ses bsau.eoua land,