Year: 1871

This girl had friend called Hilda, who
was also very good child, and they
loved each other dearly. In the winter
when the snow was lying deep upon the
hill, Hilda fell sick. and her parents were
in great trouble about her. She was
Iquite unable to eat, was burning with fe'
yer heat, and shivering with cold by
turns; she became. no better, though she
had several doctors and much nedi
cine. ........ ...-.
| When any of her young friends came
to see her, she would say: "Give me
strawberries which of you will go and
find me strawberries, that I may get well
again ?" If her parents said: "DeaI
Hilda, it is winter, and there are nc
strawberries to be found at this season,
Hilda would raise herself up in bed and
say: "Far away over the high hill, there
is green slope; there can see plenty
of strawberries; wAo will 60 and fetch
them for me? Only one of the nice red
berries-only one" The children left
the room, saying to each other: "What
nonsense poor Hilda talked about straw
berries; she must be dreaming. Who
would 90 up that wild hill, and through
those dark woods, to get strawberries
for any one?" But Delphine felt troub-
led, and said: "Who will 90 with me
over the mountain to seek for strawber-
ries ? 1t will be some comfort to poor
Hilda if she sees us start to seek them,
even if we do not find" But no
one would go with her, but all went
straight home.


So Delphine set out alone on her way
A small trodden footpath led up the great
steep hill and down again on the other
side, through great wood of beech and
oak. She came to aplace where three
paths met; she stood still minute, not
knowing which path to take, when she
saw little man approaching through the
trees. He had green hat upon his
head, with a feather as white as snow
His dress was of the softest swans down
he carried an iron bow at his shoulder,
aud small hunting horn hung at his
side. "What do you want here, little
damsel2" he said, in friendly voice.


"Ahw said Delphire, II have sick
friend who longs for strawberries, and
says they will make her we'll again.
know very well it is winter, but think
shall be able to find something here she
will like, and l hope l shall not return
empty-handed."


"Come with me-" said the little hun
ter !; 81 will show you place where you
will find what you have come in search
Of"


He went on before, leading her through
many winding paths, until the forest ap-
peared lighter, the air became warmer
! and more spring like, and at last they
came to grated iron door. The little
man unlocked it, saying eff you go
straight forward you will find what you
seek" s... gf.


Delphine would have thanked the
good natured little man, but he had van
ished, 50 she went on few steps further
and came to green slope. Here winter
had disappeared the sun shore warm
in blue, cloudless sky; the birds sang
merrily, and, few steps on, she came
to spot where the ground was covered
with the finest ripe strawberries. How
the good little maiden rejoiced! She
Quickly filed the little basket she
brought with her, and started back to
her dear sick Hilda.


But somehow it happened that she
could not find her way back; she came
to high iron fence that surrounded the
wood, but all her attempts TO find the
grated iron gate were useless. She ran
this way and that ;still no gate was TO be
seen. Then she heard the sound of a
whistle at a distance, and exclaimed in
Joy, 81 hear living sound; some one,
surely,is in this wood who will show me
the way" She fastened through a
thicket in the direction of the whistle,
and suddenly beheld scene which caus.
ed her great surprise. Before her lay a
large green meadow, and beyond this a
clear lake, on which number Of stately,
beautiful swans were swimming grace
fully. In the middle of the lake was a
small island and upon it a grand palace,
surrounded by flowers, gardens, and or
ange groves. AS she approached the
shore of the lake, she saw a little man
sitting there who did not look so friendly
as the little hunter in the forest He had
large head with rough hair, and gray
! beard that reached down to his knees
In one hand he held whistle, and in the
other switch


Delphine felt rather afraid to speak to
him, and stood at little distance. She
soon observed that his Office was to
take care of the swans, and prevent them
from going out of the water When any
did so he whistled to them, and if they
cid not obey him, then he employed his
long switch, which had the property of
stretching out or becoming short, just as
he pleased Delphine could see no one
but this old man nor any mode of reach
ing the palace, therefore she gained
courage to say: "Good friend, can you
show me the way out of this forest on
my way homer"


The graybeard looked at her in sur
prise, but did not speak; he merely made
her a sign that she should sit down,
which she did. Then he whistled, and
there came large swan from the lake,
and laid down before him. The little man
seated himself on its back, throwing one
arm around its neck,and away the trusty
bird swan with him across the lake.
There he alighted and went into the pal
ace.


Delphine waited some time, curious
to see what would happen; but she did
not feel afraid At length she saw four
black swans swim from a creek into the
lake, harnessed to beautiful green boat,
adorned with silver and precious jewels
The awning of the boat was formed like
pair of wings, and shaded two small
seats, and the bow of the boat ended in
the shape of long swans neck.


The graybeard sat there, looking much
more agreeable than before. He gave
Delphine sign to step in. She com,
piled. They then sailed gently across
oh, lol,o ond nc soon a, tba,, -ao.L - =