TEARS AND SMILES.
Now it happened that on this very day Myrtle and Rosebud had planned a
visit to the town. Myrtle said they would first try their luck there,
as little pedlers, before venturing farther. He would rise before
daybreak and go out with the boat, and if he made a good catch, they
would take, besides the shell-work, fresh fish, to sell by the way.
Long before the girls were stirring, therefore, he was far out upon the
waters.
Bess and Judy were full of wonder at the courage of Rosebud, in daring
to venture upon so long a journey. Never in their lives had they
seen the town. They were, however, quite ready to help; prepared the
breakfast, tidied the hut, drove the geese to water, and assisted in
packing the shell-baskets.
When all was in readiness, the three went out to sit upon the rocks and
there await the coming of Myrtle. The children of the shore, with their
baskets, gathered around them; for all had heard of the coming journey
to the town.
Presently the boat appeared in sight. On it came, bounding over the
waves, and rapidly approached the shore. All the children stood still,
watching the little boat, and admiring the skill with which Myrtle
directed its course.
All but Rosebud. She, as was her custom, ran down to meet him at the
water’s edge, her fair curls streaming, her green robes fluttering in
the wind. She laughed aloud and clapped her hands, while waiting for
Myrtle to call to her from the boat.
“Rosebud! Rosebud!” he cried, at last, as the boat touched the shore,
“such a catch of fish! we will take some to the town, and spread some
to dry on the rocks, and some we will--”
But here he was interrupted by loud cries from the children, who came
running to them, calling out, that there were, O so many horses, and
soldiers, and coaches larger than their hut, all covered with gold and
silver, and great lords in purple and scarlet with gay feathers and
jewels, all sparkling and shining! Rosebud and Myrtle must run quick!
Quick!
* * * * *
But there was no need to run far, for all these wonders were speedily
drawing near. A few moments, and soldiers, chariots, and horses covered
the sands.
The great state coach of King Brondé was in advance of all the rest.
Its door flew open, and Rosebud, with a cry of joy, sprang forward.
Rosebud, the lonely wanderer, Rosebud, the long-lost child, was in the
arms of her mother!
Then from the great company assembled there arose a shout both long and
loud, which made the heavens ring. And in the midst of all could be
heard and seen Bertha, clapping her hands and dancing for joy.
It was a long time before the happy family within the coach could do
more than to embrace one another, and to weep tears of happiness. But
at length King Brondé desired to be conducted to the hut, which had for
so long been the home of his child.
A portion of the doorway was hewn down, and into that humble dwelling
King Brondé entered, and there sat down with the Lily Queen and with
Rosebud, while all the children of the shore stood outside lost in
wonder, answering, as best they might, the various questions put to
them by the lords and nobles.
King Brondé, having learned the character of the old woman, ordered the
hut to be searched, and in the cellar were found concealed many costly
jewels. These he commanded should be carefully packed and taken to his
palace, and there kept until the old woman could be brought and made to
tell who were their rightful owners.
This being settled, King Brondé and his queen were eager to set out
for their own kingdom. But Rosebud would first bid farewell to the
children of the shore; and also to Bess and Judy, who were weeping
bitterly. What could they do without Rosebud? She had been so gentle
with them, and so kind. Must they lose that sunny smile? The hut would
be dark and lonely now!
The other children were standing sorrowfully by; and when Rosebud would
have bidden them farewell, they with one accord burst into tears.
Poor Rosebud, she must needs weep too! For they had loved her, and she
had loved them, every one.
But where was Myrtle? Had any one seen Myrtle? All began to look about
and to inquire. But no one had seen him, since he first leaped ashore
with his basket of fish.
At length one little girl whispered to Rosebud, pointing at the same
time to a clump of bushes at a little distance.
And there she found him, lying upon the ground, crying as if his very
heart would break.
Rosebud begged him not to cry, but to arise, come to the hut, and see
her father and mother,--her father and mother, of whom they had so
often talked. They need not be little pedlers, now.
But he would not be persuaded, and Rosebud returned sorrowfully to the
hut.
“But who is this Myrtle?” asked King Brondé.
Then Rosebud told how good Myrtle was, and how they had played
together, and sailed together, and of their plans, and of all his
kindness to her ever since she came to the shore.
“And why not take Myrtle?” asked the Lily Queen; “surely our coach is
big enough to hold him, and surely our palace is big enough to receive
him, and surely our hearts are big enough to love one who has been so
good to our Rosebud!”
“Very true!” cried King Brondé.
Rosebud flew once more to the clump of bushes. “Myrtle! Myrtle!” she
cried, “you are to go with us! to go! to go! to go! In my father’s
coach! And live in my father’s palace! Myrtle! do you hear?”
No wonder she asked, “Do you hear?” For the poor boy was so
overwhelmed, first by his grief, and then by his joy, that he seemed to
have lost all power of speech and motion.
But Rosebud urged him to rise, and then led him to the same spot where
she had once advised him to wash his face in the spring. And here she
bade him bathe his swollen eyes, and smooth his hair, that the king and
queen might see what a handsome Myrtle he was.
But alas! so red was his face and so inflamed by weeping, that she was
obliged to tell them this herself. And they were quite ready to believe
it.
King Brondé now gave Rosebud money to distribute among her late
companions, and there was not one who did not get a bright gold piece,
or who did not preserve it carefully as a remembrance of one they had
loved so well. Bess and Judy, at Rosebud’s request, were given in
charge to some of the attendants, that they might also be taken home,
and provided for in a comfortable manner.
* * * * *
All now being ready, the joyful party entered the coach. Drums beat,
bugles played, the twenty white horses arched their proud necks and
stepped gayly off to the sound of the music. And side by side with
the great state coach came another royal chariot, wherein sat Bertha,
smiling-faced Bertha, with her father the king. Behind followed all
their lords, nobles, attendants, and bands of soldiers,--a numerous
train.
The children of the shore stood watching till the last plume of the
last soldier disappeared, then turned sorrowfully toward their homes.
* * * * *
Who can speak of the happiness of that homeward journey? When the Lily
Queen could spare Rosebud from her own embrace, King Brondé would sit
for hours with her clasped in his arms, looking down into her face,
and stroking her hair softly and tenderly, as if each touch conveyed a
blessing. And as for Myrtle, so great was his joy, that he scarcely
knew whether he were waking or dreaming. So he rolled himself up in
one corner of the coach, gazing at the pale Lily Queen, and the big
handsome King Brondé in his royal robes and his golden crown, and
wondered how long they would let the poor little fisher-boy stay in
their palace.
Thus this great company journeyed home. As soon as the towers of the
city came in sight, King Brondé ordered a bright flag to be raised,
for this was the signal agreed upon in case the search should prove
successful. As they drew nearer, troops of mounted soldiers came out
to meet them; also bands of music and a great multitude of lords and
ladies of the court, in their fine gilded coaches, all in grand array.
Also one hundred young nobles, in shining steel armor, and all mounted
upon jet black horses, whose trappings were of pure gold.
* * * * *
Like a triumphal procession they entered the city, bugles playing,
trumpets sounding, drums beating, banners streaming, horses prancing,
plumes waving, and were met by the people with wild huzzas. And years
and years after, mothers related to their children the story of the
wonderful day when good King Brondé brought home his lost child.