Two Damsels.

Otago Witness, Issue 2690, 4 October 1905, Page 88

Two Damsels.

Mr G. F. Abbott, who made a journey into Macedonia, writes an idyl with a. moral in relating his experience in getting a.' drink of water. He reined in beside a; wayside fountain, at which a young girl was filling her pitcher. The damsel was very fair to look upon-, sa-ys Mr Abbott, and I was very thirsty. So I said; " Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink." And "she replied, " Drink thou, and I will also withdraw my pitcher, that thy mule may drink likewise." And I, carried away hy the charm of the< scene, asked, not for information, but for the sake of hearing the music of her voice:! "Whose daughter art thou?" And she answered, " Mind thine own business, O stranger!" And I went away crestfallen, pondering over the difference between Mesopotamia in the days of Abraham and Macedonia in my owti. As I entered the village of Provista at second damsel came forth, with her pitcher on her shoulder. She was not fair to look upon. I made bold to ask her o direct me to, the house of the man to whom I was recommended. And she- jade haste, and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and showed me the way. And I bowedi my head, and offered her a silver coin, which she declined. Thereupon I offered! her a water-lily from my belt, which sh© accepted with a modest blush; and forthwith she ceased to look rclain. Verily it is not always the fairest vessel that contains the sweetest wine.