February, 2007
The Princess Rosette - A Fairy Story
I.-- The home on the farm
Rosette took it and opened it, and read the following lines:-
"Rosette: Your sisters have reached a marriageable age. They are now eighteen years old, and are about to make choice of husbands. I have therefore invited all the princes and princesses throughout the world to my palace. You are now fifteen, and are old enough to be present on this great festive occasion, and you may come and remain at the palace three days. I will send for you in a week. I do not send you any money, because I have spent a great deal on your sisters. Come dressed just as you choose.
The King, your father"
Rosette hastened to her foster-mother with the letter and read it, and was at once met with the question, "Do you want to go?"
"O, yes," she answered, "I should be delighted to go. I know I should enjoy it, and I should become acquainted with my father and mother and sisters; but I would come back here, of course."
"But what will you wear?" asked the woman, shaking her head.
"Why, my beautiful white calico, that I wear on all great occasions," replied Rosette.
"Your beautiful white calico dress! Ah, that is well enough for the country, but it would be a miserable thing indeed to wear to a great gathering of kings and princes."
"And it is of any consequence how I am dressed? My father wrote me that no one would notice me; and I'm sure I'm glad of it, for now I can see everybody while nobody can see me."
The farmer's wife made no reply, but only sighed and sat down to mend the dress that she might have it all ready to wash and iron.
The day before Rosette was to be sent for, the good woman called her to come and look at her dress.
"Here, my child," she said, "is all you have in which to appear in the presence of the king and queen. Take good care of it, for you have no other, and I shall not be there to wash and iron it for you."
"Thank you," replied Rosette, "Don't be troubled; I'll be careful of it."
Then a few things-a white skirt, come cotton stockings, a pair of shoes, and a small bouquet of flowers-were collected and put into a little trunk; and just as the farmer's wife was about to close the trunk, the window was opened violently, and the fairy Powerful came in.
( To be continued next month)
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