Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1907-02-07

~ 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
stools and straw bed l have, besides, a
hen, pot of pinks, and a silver ring, which
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,
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
give her the ring and the pot of pinks to
console her for her poverty, Take them
both them 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
house"
Felicia, who 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 delicious egg,
and he threw the shell to Felicia, saying
There, that is all can give you; if you
don't like it, go out and catch frogs there
are plenty of them in the marsh close by"
Felicia did not answer, but cried more Bit
little room. She found it filled with the
sweet scent of the pinks, and going up to
them, she said sadly:
Beautiful pinks, you so sweet and so
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 it she sat down upon the brink
to rest, but she had hardly done when
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 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 a few moments the Queen
said:
81 fancy l see 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. care you not
afraid of robbers?"
An, HauaHl, salu rellCld, poor Snep-
herdess who had nothing to lose does not
fear robbers"
You are not very rich then?" said the
Queen, smiling.
II am so poor" answered Felicia, that
q pot of pinks and silver ring are my
only possessions insthe world"
but you have heart" said the Queen.
What would you say if anybody wanted to
steal that?"
y do not know what it is like to lose
have always heard that without heart
cannot live, and IL it is broken, one must
die; and in spite of my poverty l should be
sorry not to live
you are quite right to take care of your