Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1902-04-04

ents TO give to one another!
And as she spoke she passed her
fingers through her hair, and from
out the long silver threads she kept
drawing some lovely jewel or toy or
chased gold ornament, and handed
it to each child in turn.
At first they could only stare en-
raptured at tho magic gifts; then
suddenly they remembered what they
had them for. and they began giving
them away, each one to his or her
dearest friend. Only two wanted TO
keep their presents for themselves,
and Immediately the precious stones
were changed into jumping frogs that
hoped away and would not let them
selves be caught. Finally the last
two children to receive gifts were al
lowed TO choose for themselves. The
one was little girl whose parents
were very, very poor, and she wished
that her brothers and sisters might
never be cold or hungry again during
the coming winter. Good" said the
fairy; " YOU shall not only have your
wish, dear child, but what is more, if
ever again You feel afraid that
bad times are al hand, then
you only have TO rub this
thread | give you from my spin
die and all will 90 well.
Now il was the turn OF the other
child 10 wish. He was IA very small
boy. and he took some time to make
mp his mind. II want little live
horse 10 ride" he said at last. That
moment the sound Of galloping hoofs
echoed through the forest, and a
beautiful little dun-colored pony, with
long name and tail, dashed out and
came straight up TO the boy and
rubbed its nose on his shoulder, as
though asking TO bc caressed.
"Oh, YOU darling little creature"
cried the boy, beside himself with de-
light; but he cannot really be my
own"
Yes, hc is really your own; but
! am going to ask the guest in whose
honor the banquet has been given
what hc would like for himsclf?"
But / have had a present" said
Arnold; II may not have another
wish?"
Yes. YOU may"
well, them" said the boy. ~ want
10 ask You. kind fairy, to pardon these
TWO friends of mine, whose presents
the frogs have run away with, so
that they may not have TO return
home ashamed and empty handed aft
er such a day"
lie had hardly finished speaking
when the loycliest precious stones
were already i'm the boys hands, and
delighted, they embraced Arnold, and
rushing up To the good fairy, kissed
her hands and strokcd her shining
hair. And the others seeing this, all
crowded round, begging that they too
might be allowed just once 10 touch
her beautiful hair. And as they did so
"a feeling of gladness so intense came
over them il was as if the whole world
were theirs.
You little guess what ii is | have
bestowed upon you" said the fairy,
smiling. 81 have lent you the power
TO do good 10 others, to make happy
all those YOU love. Now you.must see
TO it that YOU love many, and try TO
help many, for without love the
charm will not work But since my
favorite. Arnold, has asked nothing
for himself, | shall give him my spin
die; he will make good use of it. As
often as You wish 10 help others,
she continued, turning TO the boy,
you have only 10 touch it and what
,.-t11 10 .
will never grant a selfish wish, nor
need you have any fear OF its being
stolen from you, for it can take good
care of itself Would anyone like to
try TO take it from me?" asked the
fairy.
One boy, holder than the rest,
laughingly put out his hand, but the
magic spindle at once began TO be-
labor him with such good will he cried
out for mercy, and instantly il was
back again in the firm, gracious hand
that held II out to Arnold. Take it;
and as for all of you who now laugh
SO loudly, remember that in Arnold's
hand il may still be benefactress
to you. Hold it in high honor for it
has been very dear to me, and has
worked for me for many year, ano
has helped me more than any of you
can understand"
But now when IL came TO the leave
taking. the children were so dis
tressed and begged so hard, with
tears in their eyes, that they might
see the fairy again some day, that
she said AT last: If for a whole year
YOU have all been good children and
not one of you has had 10 be punished
nor TO be kept in at school, and No
one has been unkind TO brothers and
sisters or playfellows. nor disobedient
10 his parents, then you may all meet
together in this meadow"
, The young people were not alto
getLer chccrcd by this, for they hao
their misgivings. knowing very wei
that tiey we're not always quite 81
perfect as they might be; however
they all vowed silently in their hearts
that they would work hard and thai