Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-02-14
The Story ofa
and Il Bad
BY

~ nee upon a time there was a poor la.
~ borer who. feeling that he had not
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
stools and a straw bed l have, besides. a
hen, a pot of pinks. and a silver ring, which
were given me by a noble lady who once
lodged in my poor cottage. When she went
BE careful of my gifts, good man1 see
that you do not lose the ring or forget to
promise you that she shall be more beauti-
full than anyone you ever saw in your life
call her Felicia, and when she grows up
console her for her poverty Take them
both then, my dear child" he added, and
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. l like order in my
Felicia. who was very gentle. said moth
ing. but stood up crying quietly while
Bruno. for that was her brothers. name. sat
comfortably by the fire. Presently, when
supper time came. Bruno had a delicious egg.
and he threw the shell TO Felicia, saying:
There. that is all can give you: II 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 1t filled with the
sweet scent of the pinks, and going up to
them. she said sadly:
beautiful pinks. you are 30 sweet and 40
pretty, you are the only comfort l have
left. BE very sure that l will take care of
you, and water you well, and never allow
any cruel hand to tear you from your
stems"
As she bent over them she noticed that
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
to rest. but she had hardly done 20 when
she saw a 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 a can
opy was spread for her. under which was
ly. a dainty. supper was served, upea a
table covered with Siishes Of gold and crys-
tai. while the wind in the trees and the
softest music.
Felicia was hidden In the shade. too much
astopished by all she saw to venture to
move; but In "A few moments the Queen
said
Il fancy l see a shepherdess near that
tree bid her come hither."
So Felicia came forward and saluted the
Queen timidly, but with 80 much grace that
all were surprised.
What are you doing here: my pretty
afraid of robbers?"
All, madam" said Felicia, "a poor shep-
herdess who had nothing TO lose does not
fear robbers"
You are not very rich them" said the
Queen, smiling.
Il am so poor" answered Felicia, that
a pot OF pinks and a silver ring are my
only possessions In the world"
But you have a heart" said the Queen.
What would you say II anybody wanted to
steal that"
Il do not know what II Is like. to lose
ones heart. madam" she replied but l
have always heard that without q heart one
cannot live. and II 1t is broken, one must
die and In spite OF my poverty ! should be
sorry not TO live"
You are quite right to take care of your