for the first time in many weeks, she went to sleep without a beating.
Things kept on going well for several days. Just as soon as her
husband came home cross and said unpleasant things she would fill her
mouth with water from the jar. Then he would get over being cross.
Now there were smiles instead of tears on the woman's face.
At last, however, the water jar grew empty.
Once more the woman went to the fountain, hoping that she would again
find the little old woman who had given her the magic water. She found
her waiting at the fountain.
"How did my prescription succeed, dear daughter?" she asked as soon as
she saw her.
"How can I ever thank you for all you have done for me!" cried the
woman. "Now I am happy once more. My husband no longer beats me. I
did not dream that my life could ever be so full of joy. Give me, I
pray you, some more of the magic water."
The little old woman smiled gently.
"Dear daughter," she said, "the water which I put in your jar is
nothing but the water from this fountain. It is the very same which
you always carry home. This is the secret: When your mouth is full of
water you cannot reply when your husband says cross words to you. If
you do not keep up the quarrel it soon ends. That is why your life is
happy now instead of sad. Go home, and whenever your husband says an
unkind word pretend that your mouth is full of water and do not reply.
Go in peace, my child."
The woman always remembered this good advice and never again quarreled
with her husband. When she had children of her own she passed on to
them the secret.
Now it is generally known in the Azores that if one does not want to
keep up a quarrel it is well to pretend that his mouth is full of
water. This is the reason why the people of the islands are so
peaceful and happy.
THE MESSENGERS
_The Story of a Youth Who Met Death_
There lived once upon a time in the island of Terceira a youth whose
name was Vladmiro. He had come from Flanders, a cavalier of the order
of St. John. He was betrothed to a fair maid of the island.
One morning he was hunting in the forest of cedars when he suddenly saw
Death standing before him. He fell upon his knees and sent up a
fervent prayer to the Holy Virgin.
Then he said to Death: "O Death, why is it that you have come in search
of me so soon? I am young, rich, happy. I am betrothed to a maid who
loves me. Life looks very bright and fair."
Death stepped back a pace.
"Your prayer to the Holy Mother has saved you," he said. "I had indeed
come in search of you. You were about to die from an accident with
your hunting arms. See, I have already retreated a pace. I have
decided not to take you with me this time."
Vladmiro returned a prayer of thanksgiving. Then he said:
"O Death, I am going to make a request of you. Please do not come up
to me so suddenly again. It gives me a fright. Next time you come for
me will you please be so kind as to send messengers in advance to give
me a little warning?"
"Yes, young cavalier," responded Death. "I will gladly do what you
ask. I give you my promise that next time I will send my messengers
ahead of me to warn you that I am approaching."
With these words Death withdrew and went on alone through the forest of
cedars.
The spring of that very year the young cavalier married the fair maid
who loved him. Life was full of joy. Many children were born to the
worthy couple. Riches and honors came, too. The years sped by as if
they flew on wings.
At last a half century had passed. Vladmiro held his grandchildren
upon his knees and told them the story of the day he met Death in the
forest of cedars.
"We are glad that Death passed on and left you," said the children.
"If he hadn't we could not have had you for our grandfather," said the
namesake grandson Vladmiro, snuggling closer in his arms.
"You do not have to fear Death now, grandfather, do you?" asked the
little Maria. "He will keep his promise and send his messengers, don't
you think so?"
"Yes, Death is a good Christian and will keep his word," replied the
aged cavalier.
The next morning he set sail for the island of Fayal where there were
other grandchildren to visit in the home of his married daughter,
Francisca.
On the voyage a fierce storm arose. The small boat was buffetted about
by the gales. Suddenly Vladmiro was startled to see Death standing
beside him just as in the forest years ago when he had been young.
[Illustration: A fierce storm arose]
"Why have you come to-day?" he cried in alarm. "Why is it that you
have not kept your word? You gave me your promise that you would send
your messengers, next time you came, to warn me of your approach."
"I have kept my word," said Death. "I have sent my messengers."
"Where are they?" asked the old man in amazement.
Death pointed to Vladmiro's snowy hair.
"I have sent my messengers in your white locks, your failing eyesight
and hearing, the wrinkles on your cheeks. Can it be that you have
failed to recognize them?"
Vladmiro bowed his head in silence and without a murmur went with Death.
In truth, Death had been a good Christian and had kept his word.
THE END
End of Project Gutenberg's The Islands of Magic, by Elsie Spicer Eells