Page 608 - Child's own book

The maiden cuttsled, and the little old man led her into tbe
garden, where he tied a fine kerchief over her eyes. Then she
heard him whistle, and presently she felt that she was sit­
ting beside him on something soft and warm. Tho air grew
colder and colder, She fancied she was high up in the air.
She could not see, hut she knew she was going on and on. At
last they stoppedt find she felt her feet upon the earth. Then
the old man said, u Farewell, little maiden ! When thou bast
counted twenty, thou m&yost take the bandage from thine eyes.
Preserve it in remembrance of the King of the Swans." Del-
phine did as she was told, and looking up she saw a large bird
filing far far away, and fahe thought she could perceive that
the little old man was riding on its back. Opposite was the
house where Hilda lived ; frost and snow covered the ground
as when she set out, and Delphine looked into her basket to see
if the strawberries wen: really there, or whether she had only
been dreaming. Jiut there were the strawberries, all fresh
and beautiful. She hastened down the hill, and soon reached
the cottage^ where she could hear her poor friend still crying,
“ Who will bring me some strawberries?"— “ I will, dear
Hilda—I wilt,” replied Delphine, as she ran to the bedside,
and gave the poor child the finest bunch t here are some,
fresh and beautiful.** Hilda ate the strawberries, and imme­
diately the colour came into her cheeks, and she felt strength
restored to her limbs, “ Thanks to God and my dear Del-
phinc, now I am quite well again," she said, and she rose up
in the bed.
What could they all say to the kind messenger ? Hilda's
parents wept for joy, and blessed her ; and ever afterwards
people told iheir children to be like the generous, and bra^e,
and good Delphine.
Boys and girls often go over the mountain to seek for straw­