Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-02-06

~ nee upon time there was a poor la
borer who, feeling that he had not
much longer to live. wished to divide
his possessions between his son and daugh-
ter, whom he loved dearly.
So he called them to him and said !:
Your mother brought me as her dowry two
hen. pot of pinks. and silver ring, which
were given me by a noble lady who once
lodged in my poor cottage. When she went
away she said to me:
"'Be careful of my gifts, good man; see
that you do not lose the ring or forget to
water the pinks. AS for your daughter, 1
full than anyone you ever saw in your life ;
call her Felicia, and when she grows up
give her the ring and the pot of pinks to
console her for her poverty. Take them
both then, my dear child" he added, land
your brother shall have everything else"
The two children seemed quite contented.
and when their father died they wept for
him, and divided their possessions as he had
told them. Felicia believed that her brother
loved her, but when she sat down upon one
of the stools. he said angrily:
Keep your pot of pinks and your ring,
but let my things alone. / like order in my
Felicia, who was very gentle. said moth
ing. but stood up crying quietly; while
comfortably by the fire. Presently, when
supper time came, Bruno had delicious egg.
and he threw the shell to Felicia, saying:
There, that is all can give you; IL you
are plenty of them in the marsh close by"
Felicia did not answer, but cried more Bit
terly than ever, and went away to her own
little room. She found it filled with the
sweet scent of the pinks, and going up to
them, she said sadly:
Beautiful pinks. you are so sweet and so
pretty, you are the only comfort / have
left. Be very sure that I will take care of
you, and water you well. and never allow
any cruel hand to tear you from your
stems"
they were very dry. So taking her pitcher, she
ran off in the clear moonlight to the
fountain. which was at some distance. When
she reached II she sat down upon the brink
she saw stately lady coming towards her.
surrounded by numbers of attendants. Six
maids of honor carried her train, and she
leaned upon the arm of another.
When they came near the fountain can
opy was spread for her, under which was
placed a sofa of cloth-of-gold. and present
ly a dainty supper was served, upon
table covered with dishes of gold and crys-
tai, while the wind in the trees and the
falling water of the fountain murmured the
softest music
Felicia was hidden in the shade. too much
astonished by all she saw to venture to
move; but in few moments the Queen
said:
II fancy / see a shepherdess near that
tree ; bid her come hither."
So Felicia came forward and saluted the
Queen timidly, but with so much grace that
all were surprised.
what are you doing here, my pretty
child?" asked the Queen. Are you not
afraid of robbers?"
"Ah. madam" said Felicia, "a poor shep-
herdess who had nothing to lose does not
fear robbefs."
You are not very rich Them" said the
Queen, smiling.
81 am so poor" answered Felicia. that
pot of pinks and a silver ring are my
only possessions in the world"
but you have heart said the Queen.
what would you say IL anybody wanted to
steal that?"
II do not know what 1t is like to lose
ones heart madam" she replied "but /
have always heard that without heart one
cannot live. and IL 1t is broken, one must
die; and in spite of my poverty I should be
sorry not to live"
You are quite right to take care of your