HARBINGER
JLL JLL J I r
ORGANIZATION, EDUCATION. ELEVATION.
Vol. I. . Raleigh, N. C, Saturday, July 26, 1902. no 29
r : - 1 i
Written for The Harbinrer.
A BALL IN FAIRYLAND.
BY MISS SADIE BOOKER ; AGE, 12
YEARS, WILMINGTON, N. C.
One beautiful summer evening, when
the sun had set far below the
western horizon, the moon rose calm
and beautiful, with the majesty of
new-born queen, sending shafts of light
over land and sea. . But it lingered
lone and most lovingly in a dell beside
a fairy lake, which was the home of
the fair Fiorina.
There was quite an excitement in
Fairyland that night, as Queen Fio
rina was going to give a ball; and let
me tell you, a ball in Fairyland is en
chantment itself.
Fiorina lived in a grand and stately
magnolia tree, which, in Fairyland
was called Magnolia Castle. This cas
tle contained" many lovely rooms: that
my little readers may better understand
I will tell them that every flower that
bloomed on the tree was considered in
Fairyland a room. Near the top of
the tree, where the sunbeams lingered
there was a cluster of six beautiful
blossoms. This suite of rooms was
occupied by the fair Fiorina, and it was
here that the nightingale sang all night
and the bobolink sang all day. Al
most any day the chariot of Fiorina
was seen, drawn by seventeen butter
flies. Couriers were constantly arriv
ing from other portions of Fairyland
on dragon flies and bumble bees, and
the attendants pf Fiorina were kept
busy in receiving and giving orders to
be sent to foreign courts. Fiorina had
sent a special message to Prince Charm
ing by her faithful herald, Robin Red
Breast.
I must not forget to tell my little
readers this message was written on a
white rose leaf, with the quill of a
humming bird's wing.
The message read thus:
"To His Royal Highness, Prince Charming,
Clond Castle, Kingdom of Boreas.
"Most Noble Prince -.Your company and
the noble Lords and Ladies of your Court are
especially invited to attend our annual ball,
which takes place on May I.
"On this auspicious occasion, it is our royal
will to celebrate the nuptials of my two favor
itesthe beautiful Lady Rose, and the Earl of
Moss. This Knight has done much to contnb
ute to the beauty of the Floral Kingdom.
' 'There will be many other attractions ; in fact,
too numerous to mention. I will not tire your
MBjesty with a long letter, but will only add,
knowing your love for music, the orchestra will
be led by Captain Mocking Bird,
"With much love,
"Your cousin,
"Florina,
"Queen of Fairyland,
"Magnolia Castle,
"Kingdom of Flowers."
There was a tinkle of a thousand
bells summoning up the maids to
come and dress the fair queen for the
coming ball.
Now if my little readers will accom
pany me to the dainty dressing-room,
we will see how a fairy makes her
toilet. In the center of the magnolia
blossom reclined the young queen just
awakened from a refreshing sleep. She
reached out the daintiest lily-white
hand, too tiny to describe, and touched
a golden bell, and immediately Dew
drop appeared to give the queen her
bath. Early in the day her silken
tresses had been arranged by, the skil
ful hand of Sunbeam, so there was
nothing for Zephyr to do but to fan
them out till they fell out in a golden
mass over her i pearly shoulders down
to her dainty feet.. "Now hasten.,
Dewdrop and bring my dress. Has thei
weavers finished it yet Yes, your
Majesty, hours ago, and they await in
the court below.
Just at that moment her page Aeria
came, bringing her gossamer robe,
Prehaps you would like to know who
spun this gossamer robe. For manv
days and nights hundreds of brown
spinners known as spiders had been
spinning and weaving in the most
artistic designs of Mother Nature, the
robe that was to deck the fair Fiorina,
It would be impossible for the pen
of mortal to describe the wonder and
glowing Fiorina, as she fluttered her
gossamer wings, throwing out lights
of the rainbow. Of course you would
like to know where this grand court
reception took place. It was to be
held in the chosen banquet halls of
Mother Nature, under a wide spread
ing Oak-Tree, and the Brownies and
the Pixes had been busy decorating
this lovely spot for their fair queen
There were millions of fire flies with
their lamps that were artistically
arranged on bough and branch. On
the swaying green branches there were
hundreds of birds, blue-birds, larks,
thrushes,canaries, bobolinks and night
ingales, that made the air sound with
enchanting music under the direction
of Captain Mocking Bird
As Fiorina ascended the throne
(made of moonbeams), the fairy trum
pets from every quivering vine and
branch sounded with such a blast of
martial music that it woke up the flow,
ers that had been taking beauty naps
in Fairyland,
Soon they all came tripping and flut
tering in so fast that it was quite im
possible for Robin to announce them
in court style.
I must not forget to tell you that the
Brownies came from all parts of Fairy
land, on grasshoppers, katydids, drag
on flies, bumble bees and honey bees,
Of course, Prince Charming stood
by the side of Fiorina, ready to give
the blushing bride away, when, just at
that moment, Robin announced that
the Earl of Moss had arrived, bringing
with him Jack-in-the-Pulpit and his
beautiful cousin, Lady Maiden Hair
Fern. It had been long whispered that
the Earl of Moss would soma day wed
his fair cousin. But, contrary to ex
pectation, his choice had fallen on
Lady Rose, and old Madame Spear
Grass whispered to Mrs. Cuckle Burr,
"It was not at all likely that Lady
MaidenHair would ever marry, as her
fickle cousin had given her such a dis
appointment, that she would not be
surprised if she did not go into a de
cline." And, really, there did seem
some cause for such a report, she look
ed so lovely and fragile in her shim
mering dress of green.
The pages, Aerial and Zephyr, were
kept busy distributing fans amongs the
gay company. There was the usual
small talk, mingled with flirtations,
hat may generally be seen or heard
among such gay assemblies, for such
affairs are conducted in Fairyland very
much like those among mortals.
All was now ready for the wedding.
Jack looked both quaint and pretty in
his surplice of green and violet stole.
The bride was preceded by twelve
bridesmaids. ' At that moment there
came a most triumphant crash of music
rom the orchestra, as the Lily sisters,
Calla and Easter, accompanied by Sir
Woodbine and Sir Ivy. Then ' came
ady Tulip and the Hon.. Miss .Holly
hock, escorted by Lord Sfaghorn Fern
and gallant Prince Feather. Then
four little flower fairies, Pansy, Violet
Daisy and Snowdrop. After these fol
lowed the stately Japonica, sister of the
bride, as the maid of honor.
I shall not attempt to describe their
dresses, as it would be impossible. I will.
however, say that, in the land of mor
tal no bride ever wore such beautiful
jewels, or such gossamer lace. They
gracefully grouped around the lUtle
priest, as he, with his little prayer
book made from the fern seed, read the
service.
I have no doubt that the service was
both beautiful and impressive, as all
the flowers kept quite still, and even
the nervous Miss Thistle forgot to
move about, and stood quite still to
listen. Then the Rose bowed her head,
and Jack pronounced a blessing, and
she became a Moss rose, when I knew
the ceremony was over. And oh!
what music, as they all joined hands
and gracefully danced around the old
oak-tree
While the flowers were all dancing,
Prince Charming and Queen Fiorina
made use of the opportunity then
offered to settle some, business of state,
and to decide where the annual ball
should take place next spring. For
you know fairies never grow old, but
have been living for thousand of years'
and will continue to do so, and always
be young and beautiful.
The merriment grew madder and
merrier, as the dancers hurled and
swirled on the green sward. The Har
lequin and LaBelle Thistle entertained
the company by performing some won
derful fetes of the Fairy Ballot. No
one seemed tired except the bobolink,
for I heard him say to Robin Red
Breast, "Arn't you tired ?" "By no
means." chirped Robin, as he piped a
bouquet on his scarlet breast.
"I would do twice as much for our
lovely queen, Fiorina ; and, you must
remember, I am her herald, and I
think it would be very ungrateful if
we, her subjects, could not sit up one
night celebrating the return of the
beautiful season, that means so much
to us." Just then attention was called
by hearing Prince Charming giving an
order to Will-o'-the-Wisp, his coach
man, and soon the message was con
veyed to Shooting Star, and, magical
ly, t3:ere appeared in the west a beau
tiful chariot of rose and amethyst and
sapphire. Then Fiorina gave orders
that the dancing cease and draw near,
so they might hear her royal com
mand. In groups of grace and beauty
they stood around her, as she arose
and stood: "My faithful subjects, I
trust you have spent a merry and pleas
ant evening, and I feel it is my duty
as well as pleasure to remind you that
you have a mission that I expect you
to faithfully fill, as the flowers of my
kingdom. Some of you I will give
power to heal the sick, some to com
fort the sorrowing in the realms of
mortals. Others shall make the home
of the peasant as well as the prince
glow with beauty. My little golden-
hearted daisy, it is your special duty
to make the little children happy ; and
you, my fair Rose, the queen continued,
smiling, shall be love's messenger. Go,
fair child, and make others as happy
and beautiful as yourself. Come hither,
my little Violet ; you, with your mod
esty, shall teach mortals meekness and
humility, andI( shall be loved by all.
And you, my little Heart's-ease, the
maiden that wears you on her breast
shall have her heart's desire. And
thou, my graceful Columbine, Robin
tells me that in the land of mortals a
great honor will soon be bestowed on
you. It is said that thou will soon be
chosen as the queen flower of the great
continent America for 'tis known
that the dress of the Colambine, which
is red, white and blue, reminds them
of their much loved country. Go, fair
child North, South, East and West
thou shall blossom in grace and beauty,
and I think it is a glorious destiny that
awaits thee." And the queen paused
and her face grew sad, as she glanced
at Golden Rod, who stooped to caress
little Zephyr, as he twined his tiny
fingers in her golden hair, and whis
pered, "Don't grieve, sweet Golden
Rod, for I am quite sure every one
loves you more than the little rustic
with her gay dress of many colors ; and
Robin Red Breast don't quite know
everything, and it may be that the cor
onet shall rest on your fair brow after
all ; I am sure I hope so. Then the
queen beckoned to the Lily ; and, in
her snowy robes, knelt at the queen's
feet. "My spotless child, emblem of
purity, your mission is a sad but holy
one. The mother will place thee in
the waxen hands of her baby, as she
robes it for its last sleep, and thou shall
whisper to her of a fairer land than
our own beautiful Fairyland."
Then the queen arose, and dismissed
her court in the midst of a crash of
music, where every bird seemed to
split his tiny throat. Queen Fiorina
rode away, in her chariot drawn by
golden and crimson butterflies. Away
went the brownies on mosquito-hawks,
dragon-flies, and bees, and the last I
saw of the fairy vision, was the flutter
ing banners of pink and azure as prince
Charming, soared away to cloudland.
I will say in conclusion, that if my
little readers are interested in Fairy
land, I will promise to tell them of my
next trip when I shall again visit this
most wonderful land, and when it is
finally decided who is to be chosen as
queen flower of America, it is my wish
to be at the Coronation, and it will be
my pleasure to tell all I see and hear
on this wonderful occasion.
fWriitcn for The Harbinkkr.
LONDON'S POVERTY.
BY A. F. L.
England is yielding first place in
dustrially to the United States, and
one of the principal reasons therefor is
the drinkidg habits of its artisans and
laborers. This not only keeps its vic
tims down, but is undermining the
prosperity of the nation. Eoth per
sonal and patriotic reasons appeal to
the British workingmen to cut off at
least a part of the drink supply, if they
are to be true to themselves and their
country, and London being- the great
est offender, should lead the way. If
the metropolis shall do this the next
monarch crowned at Westminster Ab
bey would not have half so many to
feed as King Edward did a few days
ago. It is said that he fed 500,000
human beings who make up poverty's
army in the greatest city in the world.
One in every twelve, it is said, of
London's pppulation, is not sure of
his food for a day, and has a wretched
place in which to sleep, which is
wholly unfit for habitation. The con
templation of such a vast destitute
population in one city awakens pain
ful conclusions. Here are as many
people struggling for morsels of food
from day to day 365 days in the
year as would make a city as large
as Baltimore. Thegreat American cities
have their share of misery, but they
do not begin to compare with it in
anything like the degree notable Brit
ish cities do. The extravagance, in
temperance and wastefulness of Lon
don is responsible for this state of
affairs. A festive day in London fills
its chief thoroughfares with more men,
women and children, betraying: des
perate poverty than can be found in
all the larger cities of the United States
combined.
In conspicuous contrast to its pov
erty is the wealth of London. That is
enormous, too greater than ever cen
tered in any other city. There is
enough riches there to place every per
son and family in the city above want
without seriously depleting the purses
of the rich and well-to-do. But the
poor are always present everywhere.
London is, without doubt, the one
place on place on earth where
there are more treasures laid up, and
also has more poor and hungry. In
other words, and to the point, where
you find the greatest wealth you will
also find poverty in its last stages. The
two go together. They seem to be in
separable. It goes to show that when
great fortunes are amassed oome are
robbed or what they of right ought
to have passes into the hands of the
capitalists. Thousands upon thousands
are the victims, unconsciously, per
haps, until it is too late, and they en
ter the great army of paupers.
PUBLIC DEMAND.
It is no easy matter for public ser
vice to give popular satisfaction.
Abuses that were formerly submitted
to without protest are now vigoronsly
condemned and pronounced unbeara
ble. While public opinion is in this crit
ical and exacting condition, it behooves
all corporations to exert themselves
to avoid all cause for dissatisfaction.
They should not limit their efforts to
the requirements of their franchise.
The service should be made as perfect
as it can be made, and the manage
ment should rely upon the character
of its service for public favor by no
other standard will it be measured.
These remarks are intended for our
street car service.
The present transfer system is, to
put it mildly, unsatisfactory.
In company with a party, the writer
boarded a car for church in East
Durham last Sunday night. At Cor
coran street we were detained on the
siding ten minutes, waiting for the
west-bound car to pass. Returning,
we remained standing on the street at
Five Points 25 minutes waiting for a
Chapel Hill car. Thus 35 minutes
were, what looks to us, unreasonably '
consumed in waiting. If there is to
be no improvement in this transfer ar rangement,
we shall advocate the build
ing of a waiting room at Five Points,
provided with all the luxurious com
forts furnished by the Southern Rail
way Company for its much-abused
patrons.
The day has passed when corporations
under municipal franchises can with
impunity risregard their duties or
otherwise violate their franchise obli
gations. And it were well for them
to remember that a franchise comes
from the people and the same people
have the power to crush it.
To remedy the evil complained of,
it may necessitate an increase of run
ning expenses, but it is the only satis
factory plan and it will prove the
cheaper one in the long run. Durham
ham Thrift.