96 The Catskill Fawrves.

in his hand. He entered a city in the East, where there were
mosques with glittering domes, palaces, and bazaars. In the
harbor queerly shaped boats darted about, and the stately ships
had the flags of all nations floating from their masts.

“ The first son crossed the court of a magnificent building,
led by black slaves in gorgeous turbans and robes, and entered
a marble-paved hall adorned with pillars and sparkling fount
ains, where a prince sat on his throne, and he bowed low be-
fore him. The prince admired the little scarlet bird, as a
prince has a right to admire a new toy, and he gave to the
owner ten chests of gold coins, a house to live in, and three
trained Arabian horses from the royal stables in exchange
for it.

“*My eldest brother will pass his days in idleness and ease,’
said Peter. ‘He will doze on velvet cushions, be refreshed
with delicate perfumes, and smoke a pipe mounted with gems
and amber. His raiment will be the finest linen, the softest
satin and damask. He will forget entirely that he was ever a
poor boy living in the woods.’

“¢So much for him. Now for the next one.” The squirrel
fairy was very polite in listening to the history, although it
knew already everything that would happen, Peter must
learn to like his gift the best, and so he was to see his broth-
ers first.

“The second son was walking along the road where the
hedges were in bloom and the fields ready for the harvest.
He was ruddy and strong-limbed, as well he might be, for the
porridge -pot never failed. At the farm-house door stood a
pretty maid, as the crimson sunset turned every object to