The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1905-07-07

ana she desired 10 place her little
rosebuds out in the rain. as she
thought il might freshen them up.
As she carried the plant into the
garden, she remembered what the ma
gicians servant told her, so she decided
to ask the aid OF the rain drops in re-
gaining her children. Raising her eyes
TO the gray-lOoking sky, she said 10 the
water as IL splashed upon her face:
Little rain drops, tell me what must
do 10 win my children AGAIN.
Suddenly she heard shril 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.
"Wberc are youT she called softly.
"Where are you"
One large drop had fallen upon her
cotton glove, and when she asked this
question she saw il move little But
the reply came so family that she had
10 raise her hand 10 hear IL at all.
II am here on your glove" said the
little voice. "In minute ! shall have
completely soaked in, and then ] 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 Al first she thought OF n
balloon, but she knew il 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 II large tree TO listen
10 n nightingale singing in it's branches
and tried 10 make plans for this tre-
mendOus journey.
Suddenly the nightingale stopped its
song and flew on 10 her lap. "What
Is the use Of me singing to you" IL OBJ
jected frctfully, "if you don't listeni"
81 am very sorry" said the Burgo-
masters wife penitently, "but I am
so worried that | came here to think of
way out of my difficulties. VIII you
sing again, and then | really will
listenT"
But the nightingale shook his little
gray head. Certainly not" il said
haughtily; IL never waste my music
on people who want 10 think. You had
better tell me your trouble" IL went
on, patronizingly; 81 am exceedingly
clever, and no doubt | shall be able
TO help you"
So the Burgomastcr's wife told the
nightingale how much she wished to
obtain the silver tear from the moon,
and she also explained her reason for
desiring il.
81 understand perfectly" said the
conceited little bird, nOdding its head
thoughtfully for a few seconds. ''It
Is good thing you asked my advice,
for see directly what you must do"
How clever you are" said Martha.
cnviously. What must do?"
"You must send for it," declared the
nightingale, soemnly.
The Burgomnster's wife was so an
CRY that she wanted TO shake the bird
"Of course. know that" she said
GROSSLY. ~ knew that ever so long
ago. But how am | to send for il.
sllly?"
"You need not call me Names" re
tortcd the bird, because YOU are too
stout TO fly to the moon yourself
Well, | will tell you what | will do
You are always so good 70 us in the
winter that, rs great favor, l will go
TO the moon for you. | will start to-
night and be back before the dawn.
Get me n yellow king cup from the
brook and tie IL around my neck, and
then | will set Off"
In great delight Martha hurried 10
fetch the king cup. and in few min
utes the nightingale was equipped for
its journey.
Little bird, how can thank you?"
cried the Burgomaster's wife. sobbing
from pure Joy rs she watched the
little thing preparing TO leave.
Go TO bed" II replied; IL will tap
at your window when l return and give
you the silver drop. FAREWELL
Away flew the little bird. and. after
watching il soar out of sight. Martha
retired TO bed. though she did not sleep.
She lay awake for the birds little
bcak TO come tap-tap on the window
pane. Suddenly she thought she heard
IL. She sat up in bed and listened iu-
tently. Something was certainly rap
ping on the glass. hut IL was much too
soon for the nightingale 10 bc back.
The Burgomaster's wife slipped out of
bed and opened the easement, and
then, 10 her horror. she realized that
her little gray messenger had arrived
home, but il had not brought the drop.
IL ~ very sorry" explained the bird.
when he saw her pale face in the moon
light. IL started OF TO the moon, but
when | discovered what long dis
tance IL was, | felt could not 20.
especially as want To sing tonight 10
n pair of young lovers i'm tho grove.
They always admire my voice so much.
and really can't be bothered 10 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 few of without
waiting for her TO put her threat into
action. and IL never looked back. al
though il knew Martha laid her head
ON the window sill and was weeping
| lfttorit