u come at last? I will show thee my house and garden, which
will, I am sure, please thee."

Tony followed the little brown man, and after going on a long way, they
came to a passage lined with smooth stone. As they proceeded the light
became stronger, and they next entered another, the walls of which were
formed of large iron plates. Passing through this they reached another
lined with bright sheets of copper, which led to a large hall with a
roof and pillars of burnished silver. From this hall a pair of
folding-doors gave access to a splendid room, with walls, roof, and
floor of solid gold, and windows of transparent crystal. The next room
was covered with red rubies, having windows formed of large diamonds.

Tony was led from one chamber to another, all glittering with precious
stones, sapphires, topazes, emeralds, and amethysts. Last of all they
came to a vestibule, with a dome, and pillars of the brightest polished
steel.

[Illustration]

"My brothers will rejoice to see you," said the little man. "Come into
the garden."

It was enclosed with a fence of silver wire, curiously wrought, and the
flowers were beautiful beyond description. The trees too were loaded
with fruit equally new to him.

In one part of the garden a number of children were playing. They piled
up heaps of pebbles, jumped over them, and laughed heartily if one did
not spring clear over, or tumbled down. When Tony came near they cried
out, "Welcome, Tony!" and shook his hand, and looked kindly in his face,
gathered some fruit, and led him to the other side of the garden, where
there was a grove of trees which bore gold and silver fruit. These trees
looked just like those the angels bring to children on Christmas-eve.
The children shook the trees, and the fruit fell off till the ground
was all covered; then they gathered it up and offered Tony an equal
share with themselves, and gave him a diamond needle, and instructed him
to string them into a necklace, and threw it over his shoulders. Then
they presented him with a sweet orange for his mother, and a pomegranate
for his father, which they said must be opened very carefully. "He will
know what use to make of its contents," continued they. "Tell him we
send it as a recompense for the meal which thou gavest us out of his
store."

Tony modestly inquired if he might keep the necklace. They replied, that
it was given him to do as he pleased with; but Tony thought it would
make his father and mot