Mower County transcript., 1871-07-13
Youths Department.
BEEFSTEAK AND FAIRIES.

Lucy as if to herself, in tone of pity, but
With the smile yet in her eye.
"Who is Cyrus, Auntie, and why do
you feel sorry for him ?" asked Fanny:
I" He is one of my boys at school: Listen
and will tell you about him." The
children were always glad to hear about
Aunt Lucy's boys and girls at school, so
they were ready to listen at once.
"This afternoon read fairy story TO
them, and aftcrward talked about it, and
among other things asked them this ques-
ton: Suppose you were told you could
have anything you wanted, what would
you ask fory Now think moment, and
when you are sure you have made up your
minds raise up your hands, Up came the
hands in twinkling, the most of them; a
teu took moment to think"
"What did they ask for?" cried, George
eagerly.
IL guess the girls most all wanted
dolls," said his sister, whose dream was
lovely wax doll with flowing curls, blue
eyes and dressed in pink silk and slippers.
"You may be sure" said Aunt Lucy,
there were many things asked for Ida
wanted gold watch and chain Oscar
wanted some nice furniture; Levi, the
little miscr, wanted money! Hatty, q
blue silk Dress four or five wanted
books while a great many dolls: tops,
balls and other small toys were wanted
by the little boys and girls. Finally,
asked poor, forlorn- looking boy what he
would have. With as pleased and eager
look as if he was sure of getting it right
then, he shouted out, 'beefsteak! All the
boys and girls laughed, and, am sorry to
say, some looked at him with proud,
scornful air, as if they thought he had dis
graced himself by asking for something to
eat. Poor Cyrus! he hung'his head and
looked ashamed, and nearly all the bright,
happy look was gone from his face, but l
brought it partly back by saying that his
was very sensible wish, for he had asked
for something that would do him good,
and l was not sure but that some kind
fairy might send him nice one. Some OF
the older boys and girls looked as if they
knew what that meant, but closed school
without saying anything more about It,"
"Has he any father or mother to buy
him ANYTHING to eat?" asked Fannie,
who had been quite interested in poor
Cyrus.
"Yes," said Aunt Lucy, "he has both;
but his father is very poor, and don't
doubt but that he has often been
hungry"
II know who the fairy is that is going
to send him beefsteak, said George with
very knowing look.
"Who is it, and how do you knows"
cried his sister.
"Oh! know-I am sure of it now,"
he added, seeing the smile on Aunt Lucys
face.
"Oh! yes. I know too, now; it is Aunt
Lucy, isn't it?"
"Do you think l look like fairy?"
said her Aunt.
"No, don't think you do, said Fanny,
looking little puzzled then her face
cleared up, and she went on; but you
act like one
"Well, think shall try to, for once"
"But how will you do it, Auntie; will
you take one to school with you, and tell
him a fairy sent it?"
"No, l shall not do that. Asto-morrow
is Saturday, think l shall make visit to
his mothers.
"Oh! may go with you, Aunt Lucys
Do say yes, please, cried Fanny, in eager
haste, while George, who secretly thought
he would like to 90 to and see the fun, was
pleased to hear Aunt Lucy say:
Yes, you may 60, and George may 60
with US and carry the basket.
So it was settled, and Fannie ran on to
tell her mother of the fairy surprise in
store for Cyrus on the morrow. In the
Aunt Lucy made up quite a bas-
ket. First she placed in the bottom pair
of pants which Georges mother had given
her for Cyrus; they were quite good
then a Jacket, two shirts and pocket
handkerchief; over these she folded clean
last Sunday school paper
and over all a nice clean towel. Then
their mother put in a fresh loaf of cake
and black berry pie, and they were ready
to start. On the way they stopped at the
maj ket, and Aunt Lucy bought large,
tender steak that would have looked
tempting to any hungry boy or girl. Then
they started again for Cyrus home. After
a short walk they reached the house. The
door was opened by his mother, who was
very much pleased to see the teacher"
and busted the large rocking chair for her
to sit in. George and Fannie were in such
haste to see Cyrus, and give him the fairy
basket" that Aunt Lucy at once asked for
him.
"Oh yes" said Mrs. Crewton, "he is in
the yard, and will be right glad to see the
teacher" She went to the door and called,
and in moment he came in.
"Well, Cyrus, do you still think beef.
steak would be nice?" asked Aunt Lucy,
after moments talk; then she said to his
mother, You see, Mrs. Crewton, we*were
talking yesterday about fairies, and Iasked
the children what they wanted most, and
Cyrus thought beefstcak would suit him
best, and as he has been pretty good boy
at school this year, somebody has sent him
this basket" Saying this, she took the
basket from George, and handed it to Cy-
rus, telling him not to be afraid of it, there
was nothing in it to hurt him. Thus en-.
couraged Cyrus took it and set it on the
table. Lifting out the first parcel, he saw
the steak. "Oh, mother, there is beef
steak!" he cried, his eyes shining with de-
light "Sure an there is, an beautiful
one it is, too," said his mother, looking not
much less pleased than Cyrus himself
{" But what is that?" she added, lifting out
the other parcels and opening them; @
fine pie and beautiful cake. May the
saints bless the fairy that sent you the
basket" While his mother was setting
the pie and cake to one side Cyrus had
taken out his new suit Of clothes. Then
his delight knew no bounds. Aunt Lucy,
with George and Fannie, had been happy
|ookerson all this time, and, taking the
basket, she rose and said: "Well, Cyrus,
| hope you will enjny the beefstcak, and I
shall expect to see you on Monday morn
ing in Your new suit
Mrs Crcwton was full of thanks and
praises for tue basket, and in tho midst Of
it they took their leave. Fannie could
scarcely wait to get away from the door
before she began.
"Oh, George, wasn't he glad, and how
do you think he will look in his Anew
clotheS?'
~ guess his mother thought the beef
steak was pretty good, too; don't You
think SO, Aunt Lucy''
"lcs, l expect so; and hope they Will
,nioy it all" Then she added sayly:
= We'll, how do you like fairy visits:'
"Oh, | think they arc jolly" said
George
And think they're ever SO nice" said
'aulic. II would rather so with you
again than to go and see Rosa, believe
md that was saying great deal, for Rosa
vas her dearest friend, and they had had
such pleasant times when they visited
Zach other.
They walked ON in silence moment,
hen Fannie said, :" / wonder why we feel
50 happy this morning?'
"Is ii not because i, is more blessed to
live than to rcccivc?' said Aunt Lucy,
,ulliy.-- Christian lnj0m.
Benefits Of Laug liter.
Probably there is not the remotest cor
Ter or little inlet Of the minute blood-ves-
vel of the body that does not feel some
o. y =