Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-12-29
The Three Wishes.
An Up to Date Fairy Tale.
COPYRIGHT, 1899, bv Errtn UdrdmGn

granted the fulfillment of three wishes?"
"You mean the story in which the
rich merchant first wished his horse dead
because it was balky, then he wished
that the horses saddle was In the ditch,
with his scolding wife seated on it, and
so finally he was compelled to expend the
third wish in getting her released from
her predicament."
"There is another story
"Oh, l know that, too" she inter
rupted. 1.-THE wife wished a sausage to
be added to the cabbage that she had
cooked for dinner, and her husband, an
cry because only two wishes were left,
wished the sausage were attached to his
wife's nose. Then the third wish, of
course, had to be wasted in freeing the
woman from her adornment."
"You see" | remarked in tone Of
calm superiority, what comes Of wish
ing without forethought. That is the
reason why desired to warn you. Pru-
dent forethought is one thing and mig
gardly. hairsplitting calculation is quite
another"
"Oh, you old pedant! You may as
we'll stop talking, for you can't choke
me off from saying what | started to
say when you interrupted me with your
considerations.
II saw today, at Mayer & Co.'s, oh,
such love OF a dress-black foulard,
with spangles Of gold, the skirt fiounced
with lace and one of those long, long
sashes, you know, that have such an
effect. Oh, 1t was heavenly
Him, Inn, hm!'
"And ! wish you could have seen the
brown velvet that l tried on. The sales
woman-it wasn't an ordinary shopgirl,
either, but the manager, woman of
great taste-said over and over again:
"'Ah. gnaedige frau. | was sure that
gown would set off your exquisite figure
to advantage
Him.
"Oh, l see! You think the woman
was trying to fatter me. Not a bit Of
II. The councillors wife happened to be
there, too, and you know that she hates
me like poison, the old gossip! Well, she
said the same thing, in her own nasty
way, of course. She had never imagined
that l could look so stylish is the way
she put il.
And | must tell you of the lovely
pink faille negligee that was shown to
me-style Louis XIV, with the most
beautiful embroidery and a lace collar
Him, hm!'
"But, my dear boy, please don't frown
so dreadfully! l hardly dare go on, and
/ wanted to tell you that / also went 20
| Weber & Co.'S
"And wanted to tell you just this, my
dear child" l exclaimed. springing TO
my feet with such violence that my lit
| tie wife's little mouth contracted into an
ominous little pout.
'You spoke OF three wishes. don't
know exactly yet what they are, but |
1 grant them in advance In return for
this good fairy business you must prom
Use me solmcnly not to put on your wish
ing cap again for the space of four whole
months. Is ii bargainf'
BY this time the little fatterer was
hanging on my neck, and now she looked
up at me affectionately and murmured;
"Oh, you dear, good boy!
us it bargaini" ! repeated in tone
of decision. 1t was bargain, and she
sealed it with a kiss.
$50 that is settledn' | exclaimed, with
a sigh Of relief "And now / must eau
ton you TO be careful about these three
wishes. Consider and decide thorough
ly what you want, so that you wont
have to regret wasting any OF your
wishes, for there is TO be no going back
no changing your mind, you know, ant
the moment that the third wish is utter
ed you mustn't wish anything more unit
the four months are up. And now
goodby, my DEAR l am going down to the
club for an hour or So"
"Oh, Edgar! | wish you would sta.
home this evening""
"Number onew | said solemnly, ant
sat down on the sofa again.
But. Edgar. you don't really mean ii
do your cried my little wife, with an
other little pout.
There is to be no going back, NJ
changing your mind, after the wish il
once expressed" / reminded her. "Dit
/ say so or did not say so?"
"But-but, Edgar that is simply child
ish."
Her lips were twitching, so | said:
You surely are not going to cry, dar
ling. That would be childish. too
wouldn't it? Be comforted; you still
have two wishes left. Be more careful
next time. BY the way, do you know
that you have been very rude TO me
You wished that i would stay home
Your wish is a command, and l shal
stay. And still you are dissatisfied"
you don't love me any more, Edgar!
'My darling, how can you say such
thingT l replied, attempting to draw
her to me.
"Oh, | wish you would leave m
aloneT' cried the wrathful little woman
Number twop' | said, as solemnly a
before, and l turned my back to he
with a determination to maintain thi
uncompromising attitude until she shout
sing a different song.
"0h, what an unhappy woman l ami"
My little wife was crying as II he
heart would break, but l stood as sti
as a post, although | didn't like it BIZ
For ten long, weary, miserable minute
heard nothing but inarticulate sounds.
Then gradually she controlled her tear
and FIVE minutes later a soft little arr
stole around my neck, a flushed littl
face was pressed against mine and
sweet little voice said:
Edgar, | wish you wouldn't be S
, crossr'
Number threev' l CRIED clasping til
: little spendthrift in my arms. Then-n'
not then, but minute or so later
added:
Tomorrow we win go to Mayer
, Co.'s"
"Oh, you dear, dear boyv-Translate
From the German For New York Pres