CARLOS AND THE QUEEN SEA-SHELL.
It was sunset. The last rays of the sun were cast over the placid waters of the Mediterranean Sea, and lit up its surface with its rosy light. In one of the many vessels which traversed its waters was, among the other passengers, a child, a little Italian boy, Carlos Arditi. He was in the care of his uncle, who was taking him to his mother in Italy. Little Carlos then lay peacefully sleeping in his little berth.
How different was the scene from that which took place two hours later! The wind was blowing a terrific hurricane, and all was confusion on board the ship. The Captain tried in vain to make the sailors hear his commands, and even through the speaking-trumpet it was impossible to hear him above the noise of the tempest. All efforts to save the good ship were useless, and it soon fell on its side, while the wind was blowing with terrific force. Some people were clinging to the ship, while others were struggling in the water, among whom was little Carlos. He had just taken hold on a broken spar, when he saw a beautiful lily-white hand come up out of the water by his side. It took him by the waist, and drew him below the waves. When he was under-water he saw that a lovely mermaid had taken him down to the bottom of the sea.
"I am the mermaid Queen Sea-shell," said she, in a voice which murmured like a little brook which flows over the pebbles at its bottom. "And," she added, "you are to stay with me, and you shall never return to earth again. You will not find me unkind, and you shall play in my beautiful garden, eat of the delicious fruits, and pick all the flowers which grow there."
Until this time Carlos had remained silent. Now he said:
"Oh, dear Queen, I would stay with you, and oh, how happy would I be! but remember the madre watching for her Carlos to come. If I have anything good enough for you to take, take it in return, but I must see the dear madre again."
"As you say, child," replied the mermaid. "Give me thy voice, and thou shalt go. But first sing."
Carlos raised his large brown eyes to Sea-shell's face, and began. The childish voice rose sweet and clear, but when the song was finished Sea-shell shook her head.
"The waves sing as well as that," she said. "But list, child, give me thyself as thou art on earth, and thou shalt go home."
Carlos did not answer; he only looked up at the sweet face before him. He did not understand her. Suddenly an overpowering drowsiness came over him, and he shut his eyes. When he awoke he was still by Sea-shell, but no longer a mortal child, but a beautiful spirit.
"Come, Carlos," then said Sea-shell; "you are going home."
Then she wrapped him in her loving embrace, and carried him far away above the mighty waters, and still farther up among the clouds.
"Where am I going, dear Queen?" asked Carlos.
"To your home, child," answered Sea-shell; "and your home to you now, little one, is heaven."
"But the madre?" he asked, eagerly.
"The madre will be with you," replied the Queen.
And the mermaid's promise came true.
Bessie Alexander, Philadelphia.