Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-01
THE HARP THAT GREW.
BY BELLE MOSES.


1t was great day throughout the country
when Jack the Giant Killer took possession
Of the castle. The Giant had been the ter
ror Of the neighborhood for so long that
the poor people could scarcely call their
lives their own. 1t seemed strange to have
that gloomy stronghold opened wide to, the
air and sunshine. and stranger still to see
Jack restored to his own. The castle had
belonged to his father, a valiant knight.
who was slain in his sleep by the Giant.
Jack and his mother took possession of
the castle soon all traces of the Giant
and his evil deeds had disappeared Here
they lived for many years in great content.
The Beanstalk withered away after it was
cut down and the steep hill which had
stretched between Jacks old home and the
castle gradually dwindled. 1t became once
more the gentle slope it had been before
the Giants heavy tread had made such
deep burrows along its sides.
Now Jack. you remember. had run away
with three precious things from the Giants
castle-the Hen that laid the golden eggs,
the Money Bags full Of precious gold coin
and the Magic Harp of gold that played
and sang at the Giants bidding.
All these treasures the Giant had stolen
from Jacks father. and Jack was only
claiming his own when he took them away.
The Harp so small that Jack had no
difficulty in tucking it under his arm as he
ran with the Giant at his heels
After the Giant was slain the Harp was
silent for many years. From the first 1t
resisted all of Jacks efforts to make it
sing. so he saw it carefully stored in a large
disused chamber, and there were so many
other pleasures in his life that he soon
forgot all about 1t.
He grew up very noble, handsome
youth. the pride of the countryside and the
Joy of his mother. He was fond Of the
hunt. and one evening. returning from the
h. ohnv ,1na,
where he had hidden the Harp. To his sur
prise he heard voice chanting In low,
tender melody:
..Our Jack hath now a man become
IT'S time to bring his true love home
Jack pulled key from the pocket of his
doublet In a moment the door flew open
and he was peerlng about in the dim light
for the Magic Harp. There 1t stood against
the wall. he had placed 1t. a beautiful
little toy. He carefully brushed away the
dust. showing beneath the bright untarnish-
ed gold.
This Harp was curious in shape The
figure Of a woman held the top of the in
strument on her head and the hands were
touching the strings, as though in the act
of playing.
Ibid you speak to me?" asked Jack. but
remembered what the Giant had DONE
Play" he commanded, and, obediently.
the Harpist began to sweep the strings
| with her golden fingers. singing:
can choose the maid for you
Jack had never thought much about his
future Wife, but as the Harp sang he be-
came anxious to find a beautiful maiden
to make him happy SO the next day he
| set out upon hts travels with the Harp
under his arm.
He went from castle to castle and found
many maidens as handsome as they were
good, but the Harp was silent, and SO
| Jack passed them by One day they came
| to a stream, on the bank of which girl
was kneelng, her long, bright hair touch
! ing the water. AS she raised her fair face
| to look at the approaching youth the Harp
| suddenly broke into such a rhapsody that
! the air resounded with 1t. The birds
| caught up the lingering notes. and even
| the girl herself Joined her voice in fol-
i lowing where the golden fingers led upon
/ the Harp
| Jack did not doubt that this was the
maiden Of his choice and as she seemed
| alone in the world he took her home and
| placed her In his mothers arms.
The wedding was 1o grand "a, aHa sii and d
! alone in their happiness He brought
forth the Harp which had guided his
| choice and placed it on the floor.
| PLAY" he commanded, and passing an
| ward to listen.
| Then a strange thing happened: with
| every chord the Harp grew larger and the
| face of the woman became a living, breath
| ing face. Her figure grew taller and the
| golden gown fluttered in the. sunlight.
"A kiss. my daughter come and give me-
kiss from your sweet lips and am free"
The girl-wife stopped and laid her ups
| upon the gittering strings. AS she did go
the top of the Harp lifted, releasing the
head Of the woman imprisoned beneath It,
She stepped forth, a stately. beautiui
creature. who clasped Jacks wife in her
| arms and held her close.
my child" she said. II have ws''~d all