THE MIRACULOUS PITCHER. 179

request whatever favor you have most at heart, and it is
granted.”

Philemon and Baucis looked at one another, and then,
—I know not which of the two it was who spoke, but
that one uttered the desire of both their hearts.

‘Let us live together, while we live, and leave the
world at the same instant, when we die! For we have
always loved one another ! ”

‘ Be it so!” replied the stranger, with majestic kind-
ness. ‘“ Now, look towards your cottage ! ”

They did so. But what was their surprise, on behold-
ing a tall edifice of white marble, with a wide-open por-
tal, occupying the spot where their humble residence had
so lately stood! - |

‘There is your home,” said the stranger, beneficently
smiling on them both. “ Exercise your hospitality in
yonder palace, as freely asin the poor hovel to which you
welcomed us last evening.”

The old folks fell on their knees to thank him; but,
behold! neither he nor Quicksilver was there.

So Philemon and Baucis took up their residence in the
marble palace, and spent their time, with vast satisfaction
to themselves, in making everybody jolly and comfortable
who happened to pass that way. The milk-pitcher, I
must not forget to say, retained its marvellous quality of
being never empty, when it was desirable to have it full.
Whenever an honest, good-humored, and free-hearted
guest took a draught from this pitcher, he invariably
found it the sweetest and most invigorating fluid that
ever ran down his throat. But, if a cross and disagree-