The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1864-11-19
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STARRY CROWN.

"Listen, my brothers and sisters
said Starry Crown one of the little
pet dandelions. 81 am going to try
my wings ] have been thinking of
it ever since Yellew-Jack left US
Perhaps the wind will bear me to nv
brother, and we will come again TO-
gether."
Then up into the sunshine she floa-
ted. and they watched her out Of
sight. All day long she sailed, hap
Py as bird, over hill and dale,
but she saw no sign of the missing
one. At night, when the stars
came out. she nestled to sleep in a
soft tuft of grass, and dreamed of
home till the sun came again. Then
she went on her way; sometimes
she crossed great fields, sometimes
followed dusty highways, and after
a while found herself in great city.
Up and down she journied, in and
out, but she did not like the city, and
no Yellow-Jack could she find.
81 will 60 back to the country"
said she. Just then slender hand
reached eagerly out from an open
window, with the exclamation;
10, mother,mother! here is dan
delion feather, just such as Lizzie
and l used 10 set sailing in the air.
do catch it for me!''
The child's voice had a strange
pleading, as Starry Crown listened,
and the mother caught the little wind
waited traveller, and laid her on the
boys thin hand. But Starry Crown
was not afraid of him; she knew
from one look at his face that he cd
not harm her; SO she waited quietly.
and the boy gave her little puff
with his breath, and she rose lightly
and sailed around the room, while he
watched her with a pleased look.
"Our old orchard used TO be full
of dandelions," be said. 81 can see
how yellow they looked out in the
grass, and how Lizzie and ! would
blow the seeds away; and don't you
know how we used to curl the stems
and hang them in your hair! wish
| could lie out under the old apple
trees, these hot, dusty days; how
cool the grass would seem to my
face! When shall be we'll ,mother!'
and Robin looked earnestly into her
face; but she turned away her head
and made no reply. Starry Crown
saw that she was hiding her tears,
and Robin perceived that his mother
was weeping, and there came look
Of trouble upon his face; but he said
no more and took his work.
He sat in a large chair by the win
dow, and part Of his work was in q
box on the window-sill. He had a
pocket knife, and a small gimlet, a
bit Of lead pencil, and an old whet-
stone for tools, all Of which were
placed on broken chair by bis side.
In another box was strange look
ing collection of bones. Most OF
them were very white and smooihe,
almost like. polished ivory. They
were Of all shapes and sizes, but ev-
identity had been selected with great
care. will, the newsboy, had gath
cred them for Robin, as he went a.
round the streets, and when he had
nothing better, TO do, would polish
them That was why they shone Sc,
living there in the box.
For many months Robin had been
growing thin and pale; lately he sell
dom left the house; the stairs were
hard 10 climb, and he had hardly
strength TO breathe when he return
ed from a walk, so he contented him
self with looking from his window
and working over the shining bones.
Many beautiful and curious toys he
had fashioned from them: and occa-
sionalIy Will had sold them as he
went his rounds,and the money they
brought sometimes went to buy Rob
ms food, for they were very poor.
Sometimes, in the sultray days, the
10y would long for cooling drinks
and fresh iruit 10 quench his burning
thirst, but he never said so to his
mother, lest she might go without
bread to satisfy his longings. Al long
intervals Will brought oranges, but
there were hungry mouths at home
10 feed, SO if he brought any thing
to Robin, most likely he would 60
supperless himself.
Every day Robin worked more
slowly and often he would lay down
his knife and lean back TO rest; some
times he would close his eyes and
seem to be dreaming for few min
utes, then he would start suddenly
and resume his work. He was ma
king silk-winders. Some Of the de-
signs were very delicaiely wrought.
andsreaily beautiful.
Ne had set bis heart on making
his mother a present when these
were done; he hardly knew what il,