But what a strange assembly it was ! Each monarch travelled in the way he thought most impressive ; and some came borne in litters , others had carriages of every shape and kind , while the rest were mounted on elephants , tigers , and even upon eagles . So splendid a wedding had never been seen before ; and when it was over the king announced that it was to be followed by a coronation , for he and the queen were tired of reigning , and the young couple must take their place . The rejoicings lasted for three whole months , then the new sovereigns settled down to govern their kingdom , and made themselves so much beloved by their subjects , that when they died , a hundred years later , each man mourned them as his own father and mother . -LSB- From Le Cabinet des Fées . -RSB- THE GOBLIN PONY ` Do n't stir from the fireplace to-night , ' said old Peggy , ` for the wind is blowing so violently that the house shakes ; besides , this is Hallow-e ` en , when the witches are abroad , and the goblins , who are their servants , are wandering about in all sorts of disguises , doing harm to the children of men . ' ` Why should I stay here ? ' said the eldest of the young people . ` No , I must go and see what the daughter of old Jacob , the rope-maker , is doing . She would n't close her blue eyes all night if I did n't visit her father before the moon had gone down . ' ' I must go and catch lobsters and crabs , ' said the second , ` and not all the witches and goblins in the world shall hinder me . ' So they all determined to go on their business or pleasure , and scorned the wise advice of old Peggy . Only the youngest child hesitated a minute , when she said to him , ` You stay here , my little Richard , and I will tell you beautiful stories . ' But he wanted to pick a bunch of wild thyme and some blackberries by moonlight , and ran out after the others . When they got outside the house they said : ` The old woman talks of wind and storm , but never was the weather finer or the sky more clear ; see how majestically the moon stalks through the transparent clouds ! ' Then all of a sudden they noticed a little black pony close beside them . ` Oh , ho ! ' they said , ` that is old Valentine 's pony ; it must have escaped from its stable , and is going down to drink at the horse-pond . ' ` My pretty little pony , ' said the eldest , patting the creature with his hand , ` you must n't run too far ; I 'll take you to the pond myself . ' With these words he jumped on the pony 's back and was quickly followed by his second brother , then by the third , and so on , till at last they were all astride the little beast , down to the small Richard , who did n't like to be left behind .
-LSB- Illustration : The Goblin Pony -RSB- On the way to the pond they met several of their companions , and they invited them all to mount the pony , which they did , and the little creature did not seem XXXXX mind the extra weight , but trotted merrily along .
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