The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1905-08-03
By MYRA HAMILTON.



garden. she remembered what the ma
gician's servant told her. so she decided
to ask tie aid of the rain drops in re-
gaining her children. Raising her eyes
TO the gray-lookins sky. she said to the
water as it SplaShed upon her face:
Little rain drops, tell me what must
DO to win my children again.
Suddenly she heard shrill voice
call out: Sprinkle them with a silver
tear drop from the moon but when
Martha looked in the direction Of the
sound she could see nothing.
Where are you:" she called softly.
where are you:"
One large drop had fallen upon her
cotton glove, and when shr asked this
question she saw it move little, But
the reply came so family that shS Mad
to raise her hand to hear it atNl.
II am here on your glove" said tNe
little voice. I'm 4 minute | shall have
completely soaked in, and then l shall
not be able to speak again. But attend
to my last words. Fetch the moons
tear drop"
All that evening the Burgomaster's
wife wondered how she could send to
the moon. At first she thought of a
balloon, but she knew it could never
travel so far, and she was sure also
that her husband could not afford to
buy her one. even if she begged him to
do so. She crept into the garden, for
her husband was doing in his chair
and his snores disturbed her. so she
sat down under large tree to listen
to nightingale singing in its branches.
and tried to make plans for this tre-
mendous journey.
Suddenly the nightingale stopped its
song and flew on to her lap. What
is the use Of me singing to YOU" it o.
jected fretfully, IF you don't listen"
Il am very sorry said the Burgo-
masters wife penitently, "but 1 am
so worried that came here to think of
a way out Of my difficulties. Will you
sing again, and then 1 really will
liSten:'
But the nightingale shook his little
gray head. Certainly not" it said,
81 never waste my music
on people who want to think. You had
better tell me your trouble" it went
on, patronizingly: II am exceedingly
clever, and no doubt / shall be able
to help you"
So the Burgomaster's wife told the
how much she wished to
obtain the silver tear from the moon.
and she also explained her reason for
desiring it.
Il understand perfectly" said the
little bird, nodding its head
for a few seconds. 1T
IS good thing you asked my advice,
for 1 see directly what you must do"
How clever you are" said Martha,
enviously. what must do?"
You must send for it," declared the
solemnly.
The Burgomaster's wife was so an
yry that she wanted to shake the bird.
of course. 1 know that" she said,
GROSSLY. II knew that ever so long
lgo. But how am 1 to send for it,
silly:"
You need not call me names" re-
.orted the bird. because you are too
stout to fly to the moon yourself.
Well, will tell you what 1 will do
You are always so good to us in the
winter that, as great favor, will 90
10 the moon for you. I will start to-
night and be back before the dawn.
Get me a yellow king cup from the
brook and tie it around my neck, and
then will set off,"
In great delight Martha hurried to
fetch the king cup, and in a.few min
utes the nightingale was equipped for
its journey.
Little bird, how can I thank you?"
cried the Burgomaster's wife, sobbing
from pure Joy as she watched the
little thing preparing to leave.
go to bed" it replied; II will tap
1t your window when return and give
you the silver drop. FAREWELL
Away flew the little bird, and, after
it soar out of sight, Martha
retired to bed. though she did not sleep.
She lay awake for the birds little
beak to come tap-tap on the window
pane. Suddenly she thought she heard
it. She sat up in bed and listened in
tently. Something was certainly rap
ping on the glass, but it was much too
soon for the nightingale to be back.
The Burgomaster's wife slipped out of
bed and opened the easement, and
then, to her horror, she realized that
her little gray messenger had arrived
home, but it had not brought the drop.
II am very sorry" explained the bird,
when he saw her pale face in tine moon
light. Il started off to the moon, but
when 1 discovered what long dis
tance it was, 1 felt l could not 20,
as want to sing tonight TO
a pair of young lovers in the grove.
They always admire my voice so much,
and really can't be bothered to fly
so far. You must not expect it,
You are selfish little bird" cried
the poor, disappointed woman, as she
took the king cup away from him. II
have great mind to wiring your
neck"
But the nightingale flew off without
waiting for her to put her threat into
action. and it never looked back. al
thnu"h il knew Martha laid her head