Once upon a time, long, long years ago, there lived somewhere the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, a maiden who was as beautiful as an angel, and better than being beautiful, she was also good and gentle.

Elsie and her father lived alone, for her mother had died many years before, and this beautiful maid kept her father’s house, and managed all things like some wise and noble queen. The poor people of the village loved her, for it was her gentle hands that brought broths and strengthening food to the sick mothers, her beautiful eyes that read comforting words to the old women, and in her untiring arms many a poor little baby had been rocked to the land of dreams.

There was somebody in the village who loved her better than all the people put together, but he dared not tell her, for he was poor, very poor, and she was rich as a young princess. Now it happened that the maiden loved the youth as much as he loved her, but she was too proud to show her love because she thought that the young man did not care for her.

One day great changes came to the home of Elsie. Her father had gone on a journey and when he returned he did not come alone but brought with him a wife and she brought with her two proud and unlovely daughters.

It was a great trial for the maiden, she and her father had always been so happy together, and she wept when she thought of how little of his time and love could now be spared for her. Well might she weep—for the new mother set right to work to put her daughters in the place of Elsie, and with cruel words and taunts compelled her to wait upon these step-sisters, until her life became one dreadful burden. Tales, unkind and untrue were carried to the father, and when his wrath was turned upon her she could stand it no longer, and made up her mind to leave her home forever.

One night when they all had gone to a ball, to which Elsie also had been invited but from which she had been compelled to stay away because her beauty so far out-shone the gaudy make up of the sisters—she packed a few treasures and with many tears and farewell glances, for the spot she loved so well, she went alone into the great wide world.

It chanced that Earnest, the youth who loved the maiden with all his heart, had grown restless and unhappy thinking of his sweetheart, and yet not daring to tell her his love, and he had come to her home thinking that perhaps he might find comfort in being thus near her. He wandered up and down, when all at once he stopped, looked around him, and then rubbed his eyes—for he surely must have been dreaming, this could not be Elsie who stood before him. But it was she and no other—poor Elsie leaving her home, sad and broken hearted.

Pride no longer held the youth speechless, and sorrow made Elsie see the tenderness and sympathy in her lovers eyes. Oh, how happy she was as she poured out to him all her troubles and found comfort and rest in his loving arms.

While the lovers stood together planning a life for the future—things had been entirely taken out of their hands by the good little Brownies.

They had known Elsie and worshipped her for her goodness, and now the time had come when they might show their appreciation, and while the lovers talked they had gathered silently around them. Then the Queen of the Brownies spoke, “Good and lovely maiden, and noble youth,” said she, “we know of your troubles and we want to help you. Listen to what I tell you, and you shall have riches in abundance. Go, when I have finished talking, enter the Briarly woods. There in the hollow tree you will find a casket filled with bright and shining gold, take it, spend it wisely and take with it the blessings and good will of the Brownies.” It was a wonderful wedding present, and filled the lovers hearts with gratitude.