“Christmas-day came.  All were rejoicing, all were happy; but none could appreciate my joy when the noble Franz put this plant in my possession, his Christmas gift to me.  I recovered immediately, and happiness so inspired me that I learned their language, and was enabled to tell them my story.  All agreed that I must return to you, but must wait till I was strong for the journey.  While with my friends I watched them carve their beautiful toys, some of which I have brought you, and learned to do their exquisite work myself.  I also went often to the convent, and learned much from the celebrated Father Glueckner about herbs and flowers.  See; I have brought these packets of seeds, and a good collection of remarkable specimens.  And all the time my little fox has been my pet, my companion, my solace.  Accept, then, dear lady, these proofs of my obedience.”

So saying, Florio finished speaking.  As he stopped, his cheeks flushed with pleasant emotion, a nightingale poured forth a warbling stream of melody.  The fairy drew her band around her and thus spoke: 

“Happy mortal, thus to have achieved success.  Your faithfulness and courage shall be well rewarded.  Look! this is your home, this we have prepared for you.  Our emissary, the young fox, had warned us of your approach, and we have all in readiness.”

Saying this, she led the astonished Florio to a cottage of twisted vines and roots, built by herself and her attendant elves.  The walls were brilliant with innumerable glow-worms and fireflies, which sparkled like living gems; the floor was soft with scented rushes.  Garlands of roses festooned the rooms, in one of which was a table filled with fruit.  Smiling with glee, Florella watched her young friend’s admiration, which ended in complete astonishment when from an adjoining apartment came Franz and Rosa, the goatherd and his sister.  His joy was now complete, but when he turned to thank Florella she was nowhere to be seen.

Thus it came to pass that we know of the famous gardener and seedsman Florio, whose plants are of boundless celebrity, and whose cultivated blossoms outrival the famous exotics of the world.  In this forest he lived, and raised from season to season every flower that grows.  No frost seemed to touch them, no drought withered them, for Florella was true to her promise of reward, and in addition to giving Florio a home, gave him also health and wealth and fame.

The elves were always on guard against moles and injurious worms, the fairies sprinkled the seeds and protected the young buds, and basking in the sunshine outside the cottage door was always to be found Florio’s pet, the red fox, whom Florella for a time had chosen to be his guardian.  Franz and Rosa also induced their family to leave the Alpine snows for the beautiful land of flowers.

BOREAS BLUSTER’S CHRISTMAS PRESENT

“’Tis an ill wind that blows no good.”