Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1904-12-17
THE STORY OF THE
LOST DIAMOND,

LOST DIAMOND.
Many years ago there lived in Amster
dam, great city of Holland, diamond
Gutter. who, one unfortunate day, lost Il
valuable stone which had been intrusted
to him. In some maccountable way il
had disappeared from his work bench and
could not be found lie gave what little
money he possessed. but it was not
enough to pay the full value Of the dia-
mond From week to week he gave one
bali of what he earned toward paying
the balance; but his earnings We're small.
as losing the diamond had caused Gus
toners to leave him. He became very
poor and he and his daughter, whose
name was Fanchon, were compelled to
live in his work shop.
The shop was located in n basement
Fronting upon a public square and there
MAS large swinging lantern, such as
wcrc used in those days. hanging IN front
of it. Often at night after Farchon bad
been put 10 bed she would amuse herself
By looking IL the lantern and watching
SIC shadows cast upon the window panes
by the people who passed.
On Christmas eve the windows were
thick with frost When FanchoH looked
at the lower panes she saw they were
covered with giants castles, mountains
Of crystal and great forests; but when
she looked at The upper panes she was
filled with delight There were temples
and fountains and groves. and in their
midst the most beautiful fairy palace
that was ever seen.
While gazing in wonder Fanchon
thought she saw tiny figures moving
through The gardens and walks, and She
arose and approached the window. Sure
enough. there were hundreds Of fairies
dancing and singing she could plainly
hear their voices
"Oh!" exclaimed Fanchon. How !
wish were there"
Come. them chorus Of little voices
responded, Come, Fanchou, and dance
with rs
Fanchon had started to climb upon her
fathers bench when she noticed there
were steps leading up to the window.
As she assembled these steps she became
smaller and smaller, until, when she had
reached the top Fanchon was no larger
than the fairies She looked back at the
shop and it appeared to be great dark
cavern. milo wide and ever 50 deep.
The fairies crowded around Fanchon and
Kissed her and asked her to 90 with them
TO see THEN queen.
Fanchom's eyes were dazzled by what
she beheld. The paths were ice. the ioun.
taius were ice and the waters ,pouting
from the fountains was frozen into ice.
Even tine trees and flowers were of ice.
and all glistened 80 that it was almost
binding.
The fairies led Fanchon through hall
after hall in a palace Of ice until they
entered A large room. The walls and
ceiling Of this room We're spun with frost
finer than the finest lace and Thousand
times more beautiful In the center of
this room the fairy queen sat upon her
| throne.
"WcIeomc. little girl, The fairy queen
said Vow chat you have seen my gar
dens and palace of ice ] am going 20 show
you our real fairy land.
The queen took Fanehon's hand, and,
followed bY ali her court. led the way
TO the end Of the garden Of ice. Here.
awaiting them. were hundreds Of chariots.
to which butterflies were bauesscd. and
they enter the chariot and Re# away 10
Fairy Land.
Nothing was ever 20 beautiful The
I paiace Wa 81 onyx aud the walks were
paved with pearls. The foVr'ajH-
/ prayed prIfumed waters and every
/ flower that ever grew WIS there.
! With ono Of the fairies a guide Fan
chon wandered through the garden, feast.
/ ing her eyes upon the wonderful sight,
/ on every hand She sat upon bank coy
cred with bluebcls - rcst, and the
drovsy hum of insects caused her to doe
/ but gentle tiuklng aroused her she
! hooked about 10 soc where che sounds
came from and saw that ell the bInebel|-
were ringing.
! When she returned tn the palace the
queen sent for her. "Fanchon." the queen
said "as tlis~is Christmas ! will make
you a present Of any one gift you May
| cnooee."
Fanchon reT'ed that the only one gift
-he would choose would be the diamond
her father had lost
The queen ordcrcd the fairic, to search
/ and in few moments one Of them re-.
turned and handed Fanchon the diamond
Fanciton gard al the bright jeNei ard
felt very happy. and then she held it tight
in her hand for fear IN" might lose it.