THE MERCHANT'S DREAM. 145

 

“ Algeron, I have heard your complaints.
Come with me, and look around with a
broader intelligence.”

As she spoke, she laid her finger upon
the eyes of the young man. Arising, he
found himself in the open air, walking by
the side of his strange conductor, along a
path that led to a small cottage. Into this
they entered. It was a very humble abode
—but peace and contentment were dwellers
in the breasts of its simple-minded occupants
—an aged female and a little girl. Both
were engaged with reels of a curious and
somewhat complicated construction; and
both sang cheerily at their work. A basin
of cocoons on the floor by each of the
reels, told Algeron the true nature of their
employment. A small basket of fine and
smoothly reeled spools were upon a table.
While the merchant still looked on, a man
entered, and after bargaining for the reeled
silk, paid down the price, and carried it
away. <A few minutes after, the owner of
the cottage came in. He asked for his rent,