Middletown transcript., 1910-05-07
THE SNOW FAIRY
By MrRrAM BERKMAN

The story we print below is contribute
by Miss Miriam Berkman, pupil OF tn
Middletown Public Schools.
Once there was a king who had on
child, beautiful daughter about tel
| years old. The queen mother was deal
and che child, having no playmates, wa
very lonely, so her father decided 4
marry again. The woman be married
might have been taken for fairy, 81
beautiful was she. Her hair was of tb
loveliest gold, which shone and glisteneC
when the light feel on il. Her eyes wer
of beautiful pansy shade, 80 beautifn
that they rivaled the papsies that nestled
in cool shady beds in the woods. Shl
was beautiful but wicked, so wicked tha
sometimes the wickedness shone through
her eyes and made her really ugly.
The new queen had two daughters, ont
was very pretty for she resembled be
mother; being the exact miniature of he
mother, wickedness included. The othel
was ugly. Her hair was red and stringy
her eyes had a washed out appearance
and we're of the paIest blue. She had {
freckled face and nose that was decid
edly pug, but che was very good and heI
good nature made her loVable for all hel
awkwardness.
When the new queen came she asked
to see her new child. Little Violet was
brought before her. The queens eyes
took in the graceful little figure, ,the
naughty toss of the little head crowned
with its mass of jet black curls, the clear
truthful, brown eyes, the curve of the
sweet, red lips, and there sprang up in
Der heart fear that the beautiful Violet
would be more beautiful than she and
more lovable than her own child, Christy.
From that moment there was q deadly
hatred for Violet in her heart.
Before the queens coming Violet ruled
ss only loved princess can rule. Her
every wish had been granted. Though
the queen said nothing che vowed that
she would hide Violet from the eyes of
the world, 30 that she and Christy might
be loved. She cared not for the ugly
child, speckIe.
Meanwhile, time went on and Violet's
life became allnost unbearabIe. She was
kicked, hit and treated like a slave by the
queen and Christy. Her father treated
her kindly for he loved her much more
dearly than be did his stepdaughters,
though he dared not show her any par
tiality for fear Of the queen.
One day the queen sent for Violet say.
ing she wanted her to do little favor for
her. Violet went willingly, for she feIt
no i'll will toward her stepmother. When
she entered the room the queen said
"Wifl You do something for me7" The
answer was Eyes" "Well, follow me
and will tell you what to do" The
queen went stealthilY through the back
way, Violet followed in wonder. They
left the castle and walked for long dis
tance. At last they reached a high iron
tower. The queen entered, followed by
Violet. When they bad climbed the
stairs for while the queen said, ''Go up
to the tower and close all the doors after
you. look about you, then return and tell
me what you saw"
When Violet had gone, the queen
laughed in fiendish glee. "Shs doesn't
know that the doors close on the outside"
she murmured. She began in haste to
leave the tower, taking care, however, to
see if the doors we're securely fastened.
Then she went home.
Meanwhile, Violet ascended to the
highest room, closing the doors alter her
as she was hidden. When she had closed
the last door, she looked about her 10
amazemens. The room was empty save
for q bed Of leaves in the corner. She
stood still little while then turned to go
back, but the door was locked and she
could not escape. She called for the
queen but in vain. At last she went to
the barred window and looking out, she
AaW her ssepmother going home in the
distance.
Then it dawned upon her that her step
mother had deserted her and had left her
here to die. She sat down and began to
cry. To her surprise every tear turned
into gold and dropped upon the floor. In
her amazement she forgot to weep. When
she had regained her breath a little, che
thought "What good will gold do me
here 2" Then she went to the window
and looked out, she watched till it grew
dark, then she lay on the bed TO sleep.
She slept till the clock struck twelve, then
the room was suddenly filed with light.
Violet sat up, frightened. From the floor
started a ruby light; it filled the room
with a bright radiance and sweet in.
cense. The color changed slowly, to
violet, indigo, pink, lavendar, blue, then
white, and from the misty white arose :
fairy beautiful as the day, but white as
snow. No touch Of color shone on her
face, or hands. The only color about her
was her eyes and they were a pale blue.
Violet was too frightened to speak, and
she nearly tainted when the vision spoke
10 silyery, bell.like tones u am the
Snow Fairy; I dwell among icebeEgs and
glaciers, ! live beyond the ice mountain.
! am enchanted and for seven years I win
be unable to do anything but drop food
to you thres times day. / know that
your stepmother has left you here to die,
but you shall not PERISH" she added, II
will fed you if you will undertake to
deliver me from my enchaDtment.'
This Violet promised to do if il would
not harm her4ih the future. Thereupoa
the fairy gave her food aud drink. When
Violet bad appeaaed her hunger the fairy
said, 4 will tell you how 10 set me free.
l am powerful fairy, but having lost my
wand am unable to do much. A wicked
sorceress found it and las made me
almost poweTiess and until rscovers it
] can do scarcely anything. II Il Is not
recovered in seven years will entirely
lose my power. You must get tand se.
4