76 THE GOLDEN TOUCH.

snatching up a great earthen pitcher (but, alas me! it
was no longer earthen after he touched it), and hasten-
ing to the river-side. As he scampered along, and forced
his way through the shrubbery, it was positively marvel-
lous to see how the foliage turned yellow behind him, as
if the autumn had been there, and nowhere else. On
reaching the river’s brink, he plunged headlong in, with-
out waiting so much as to pull off his shoes.

“Poof! poof! poof!” snorted King Midas, as his
head emerged out of the water. ‘‘ Well; this is really a
refreshing bath, and I think it must have quite washed
away the Golden Touch. And now for filling my pitch-
er!” :

As he dipped the pitcher into the water, it gladdened
his very heart to see it change from gold into the same
good, honest earthen vessel which it had been before he
touched it. He was conscious, also, of a change within
himself. A cold, hard, and heavy weight seemed to have
gone out of his bosom. No doubt, his heart had been
gradually losing its human substance, and transmuting —
itself into insensible metal; but had now softened back
again into flesh. Perceiving a violet, that grew on the
bank of the river, Midas touched it with his finger, and
was overjoyed to find that the delicate flower retained its
purple hue, instead of undergoing a yellow blight. The
curse of the Golden Touch had, therefore, really been re-
moved from him.

king Midas hastened back to the palace; and, I sup-
pose, the servants knew not what to make of it when
they saw their royal master so carefully bringing