diff options
Diffstat (limited to '41808-0.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 41808-0.txt | 292 |
1 files changed, 292 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/41808-0.txt b/41808-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..23baa0b --- /dev/null +++ b/41808-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,292 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 41808 *** + +THE SAN FRANCISCO FAIRY. + +A Tale of Early Times. + + + + Down came the Fish's lower jaw upon her light canoe, + And he asked her if that ladder would answer for her shoe-; + Then tripping up it lightly, she spied a splendid seat, + With wampum it was covered---her lover's it would beat. + + + +SAN FRANCISCO + + +PUBLISHED BY C. P. KIMBALL, AND FOR SALE BY ALL BOOKSELLERS. + + +D. E. Appleton & Co., 508 and 510 Montgomery Street, + + +GENERAL AGENTS. + + + + +THE SAN FRANCISCO FAIRY + + +A Tale of Early Times. + + + + + At such a sight she fainted, yet still she did not fall, + But straightway told her sorrows, she told him of them all. + The Fish he wagged his little fin, and shook his pointed nose, + And said, "My darling Maiden, into my mouth you goes!" + + + +San Francisco: + +PUBLISHED BY C. P. KIMBALL, AND FOR SALE BY ALL BOOKSELLERS. + + +D. E. Appleton & Co., 508 and 510 Montgomery Street, + + +GENERAL AGENTS. + + + +PREFACE + + + + +This little Tale is founded upon the well-known tradition, +prevalent among the old inhabitants, that where the Golden Gate now +is was once dammed up by a rock or rocks, and the whole Valley was +a great inland sea with its entrance to the Ocean down near +Monterey. The writer has seen, on Ohio Street, in this City, (which +in 1850 was quite an elevated spot of ground,) the black +sedimentary earth, at least two feet thick, which abounds in +greater or less degree throughout the Valley, and which readily +accounts for the wonderful fertility of the soil. + + +San Francisco, December, 1868. + + + +Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by Chas. P. +Kimball, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the +Northern District of California. + + + + +THE SAN FRANCISCO FAIRY + + + LONG years ago, ere Spaniards lived on California soil, + An Indian of the Digger tribe was resting from his toil; + He lived beside an inland sea, or lake, so wondrous large + No one could look from shore to shore--a day's sail for a barge. + + This Indian was a happy dog, of threescore years and eight, + Of children he had half a score, also an aged mate; + His youngest was Li-Lamboni, a petit laughing cit-- + Who kept the Wigwam happy by her fund of ready wit. + + A blooming maid of twenty, perhaps of two years more, + Her lovers might be counted at wholesale by the score; + But there was one--a comely lad--a Chieftain's only son, + This one alone of all the crowd her youthful love had won. + + So tall, so straight, so beautiful, an eye like diamonds bright, + Not one could beat him in the chase, by night or broad daylight; + And when upon the war-path with the braves he started out, + The death-song of his enemies would plainly mark his route. + + But, ah, alas! the wampum to make him all her own. + She did not have the needful, for she had poorly grown; + And often on the placid Lake, within her log canoe. + She pondered long and deeply on just what she should do. + + One day, when very sad indeed, a long way out from shore, + She sighed--she felt just then more sad than e'er she felt before; + Just then a Fish of monstrous size jumped from the water out. + And, balanc'd nicely on his tail, asked what she was about. + + At such a sight she fainted, yet still she did not fall, + But straightway told her sorrows, she told him of them all, + The Fish he wagged his little fin, and shook his pointed nose, + And said, "My darling Maiden, into my mouth you goes!" + + Now, who would think a maiden of two and twenty years, + Would step into a fish's mouth without the slightest fears! + But so great was her desire her object to attain, + That she treated anything like fear with feelings of disdain. + + Down came the Fish's lower jaw upon her light canoe, + He asked her if that ladder would answer for her shoe; + Then tripping up it lightly, she spied a splendid seat, + With wampum it was cover'd--her lover's it would beat. + + Back came that self same lower jaw, without the slightest jar, + No one could treat her better, not e'en her dear Papa; + The Fish he told her plainly to his Mistress she must go, + She was a lovely Fairy, and she lived right down below. + + He said that she was very kind, and beautiful, and great. + And dwelt within her watery home in rich and royal state. + That she wanted Li-Lamboni her dominions all to know. + So she sent her dear Fish Monster, to bring her down below. + + Scarcely was she seated in the regal wampum chair. + Thinking of the Fairy Queen, when she was almost there; + And soon her fine Fish Monster drew down his under jaw + A Sea-Lion from ocean deep held out his ugly paw. + + She tripped down quite gracefully and took the Lion's paw, + But I really cannot tell you all the riches that she saw: + On her right, there was a Grotto with gates of solid gold, + Guarded by a Devil Fish--to meet him would be bold. + + On her left, a Fairy Palace, its walls of silver bright, + Its windows set with diamonds, which shone both day and night; + Its doors were made of jasper, its steps of onyx fine-- + A worker up of cameo would think he'd found a mine. + + The Lion touched her lightly, and she took his shaggy arm. + She felt while she was with him he'd shield her from all harm; + They tripped nimbly up the steps--he touched a little slide, + And almost in an instant the door was open'd wide. + + A Water-Lily met them and passed her through the hall,-- + So rich I'd fain describe it, but can't do so at all;-- + Then to the audience chamber, with all things bright and airy, + There, right upon a golden throne, sat San Francisco Fairy. + + A lovely figure, tall and straight, in elegant attire, + Looking for all the world like gold refined by fire; + She greeted Li-Lamboni in an off-hand, easy style. + Was tickled that she came, and would have her stay awhile. + + With a motion of her hand for Li-Lamboni to draw near, + She spoke unto the Lily to bring for her a chair. + When seated near the throne, what should the Fairy do + But wave again her hand, and up through the floor they flew! + + Here was a room of wampum, the ceiling, walls, the floor + And furniture were lined with it, as also was the door. + Says the Fairy to Li-Lamboni, "This wampum's all your own; + You see it's only lining, and you can easy take it down. + + You can pack it in a compass small, and show it to your Pa, + Who never saw the like before, nor neither did your Ma; + And also when your chosen Fish shall take you to the air, + When stepping down the ladder you can take the wampum chair. + + You wonder why I do this? I'll make it all quite plain: + Once, while running as a rabbit, you saved me from all harm; + The coyotes and the wolves had nearly run me dead. + When you threw them off the scent and took me to your bed. + + And since that time I've look'd for you that action to repay, + But no good chance e'er offered till I heard you cry to-day. + We shortly move away from here--this Lake is to be drained-- + For out quite near the Farallones another home we've gained. + + The water will be drained away--a City here will rise, + Here will be marts of commerce, and wealth which men do prize; + Here'll be temples of the living God, and of Heathen idols, too, + Showing how Christians worship, and what Barbarians do. + + This City great for me they'll name, the world will know it well, + And when it will stop growing, no one, I'm sure, can tell; + No London can to it compare, or Canton, I am sure, + For while the World does stand this City will endure. + + And when at home you're settled and your Chieftain calls on you, + Just lay these out quite nicely and give him a good view; + If that don't melt his stony heart and bring him to his knees, + Cast him quickly from your heart, and marry whom you please." + + Then at a word the wampum came quickly from the wall, + And from the door and ceiling, and soon she had it all; + No Indian maiden e'er so rich as Li-Lamboni that day, + And she thought that with the Fairy she could no longer stay. + + Then the Fairy waved her little wand and they passed down below, + When the Maiden, having kissed her, said that she must go; + And through the hall the Lily was again her pleasant guide, + And without the slightest effort the door swung open wide. + + And right beyond the portal stood her Lion, as before, + Waiting very patiently her exit through the door; + Then he bent his ugly paw with the manners of a beau, + She put her hand within it, and down the steps did go. + + She found her old Fish Monster with everything all right, + Down came his handy under jaw,--she mounted to the height; + And scarcely was she seated in that splendid wampum chair. + When they were on the water and she breathed the nice fresh air. + + Again came down that lower jaw upon her light canoe, + With the chair upon her arm she bade the Fish adieu; + And seizing quick the paddle, she drove the boat along, + And she really felt so happy she burst into a song. + + Right to her father's Wigwam she quickly brought her prize. + Who fitted up for her own use one of much larger size; + The wampum used for lining--the chair in center stood, + Her Chieftain soon did see it, and said 'twas very good. + + 'Twas amazing how his love increas'd while gazing on her wealth. + For soon he quite forgot himself, and seized a kiss by stealth; + And no one now more anxious the marriage to fulfil. + Indeed so much excitement he really was quite ill. + + Her heart was warm--she pitied him, and soon became his wife, + And they travel'd on together through this world of strife; + The wealth she brought along with her unto her lord and master, + Was greater in comparison than that of J. J. Astor. + + Their married life ran smoothly, and to them a babe was born. + But Li-Lamboni oft wonder'd if her Fairy friend was gone. + One day while at her Wigwam door, the baby in her arms, + The earth began to tremble and it filled her with alarms. + + Anon it trembled more and more, and then a sudden shock, + As she looked out towards the Ocean she saw the Elfin Rock, + 'Twas lifted from its base, and was swinging towards the sea, + And this immense lake of water from its bondage now was free. + + Then she saw her old Fish Monster swimming gracefully along, + Although the water flowed with a tide both full and strong; + He raised himself upon his tail, as he had done before, + And dropping down his under jaw as one would drop a door. + + There sat the graceful Fairy, brought fully into view, + And she waved her tiny finger to bid her friend adieu: + "We're going to Farrallone Isles there to build a home, + And if you need our help again you have out there to come." + + Then up again that lower jaw went snugly into place, + And having cut a caper with the Sea-Lion ran a race, + Who had the Lily on his back to take a pleasant ride, + They moved along quite rapidly, both swimming with the tide. + + Li-Lamboni felt sad to bid her friend good-bye. + She sank right down upon the floor and ended with a cry; + But with them passed the waters, leaving only our fine Bay, + On which rises San Francisco as we see it here to-day. + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The San Francisco Fairy, by Anonymous + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 41808 *** |