Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1871-07-06
Youths Department.
BEEFSTEAK AND FAIRIES.

onCS slopptu MS noisy play VIII Ilsky.
Pretty soon Auut Lucy forgot the head
ache enough to laugh, and a merry laugh
it was, and the children caught it and
wanted to know the secret of it.
Poor Cyrus, poor child" said Aunt
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
He is one ofmy boys at school. Listen
and I 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 afterward 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 for? Now think moment, and
when you are sure you have made up your
minds raise up your hands, Up came the
hands in a twinkling, the most of them; a
felo took moment to think"
What did they ask for?" cried George
eagerly.
al 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
"a
wanted some nice furniture; Levi, the
little miser, wanted money! Hatty, a
blue silk dress four or five wanted
books while 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 a
look as if he was sure of getting it right
then, he shouted out, beefsteakP All the
| hnVg and orr nd II
say, some looked at him with q 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
brought II partly back by saying that his
was very sensible wish, for he had asked
for something that would do him good,
and was not sure but that some kind
fairy might send him a nice one. Some of
the older boys and girls looked as if they
knew whas that meant, but l closed school
without saying anything more about it."
Has he any father or mother to buy
him anything to eats" asked Fannie,
who had been quite interested in poor
Cyrus.
doubt but that he has often been
hungry"
az 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 know?"
cried his sister,
"Ohi know-I am sure of it now, 4"
he added, seeing the smile on Aunt Lucy's
face
"ohl yes, I know too, nowi it is Aunt
"Do you think I look like a fairy,"
said her Aunt.
"No, I don't think you do, I" said Fanny,
looking a little puzzled; then her face
cleared up, and she went on; "but you
act like one.
well, think 1 shall try to, for once"
"But how will you do it, Auntie; will
you take one to school with you, and tell
him fairy sent it?"
No, l shall not do that. As tomorrow
is Saturday, think l shall make visit to
his mothers.
Obi may go with you, Aunt Lucy?
Do say yes, please, cried Fanny, in eager
haste, while George, who secretly thought
he would like to go to and see the fun, was
pleased to hear Aunt Lucy say:
Yes, you may go, and George may go
| 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
morning Aunt Lucy made up quite 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 a pocket
handkerchief; over these she folded clean
paper-Fannie's last Sunday school paper
and over all a nice clear towel Then
their mother put in a fresh loaf of cake
and blackberry pie, and they were ready
to start. On the way they stopped at the
market, and Aunt Lucy bought a large,
tender steak that would have looked
tempting to any hungry boy or girl. Then
they started again for Cyrus home. After
q 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, che is in
the yard, and will be right glad to see the
teacher" She went to the door and called,
and in a 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 beefsteak 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
, steakl" 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; a
fine pie and a 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
lookers-on all this time, and, taking the
basket, she rose and said: "Well, Cyrus,
/ hope you will enjoy the beefsteak, and I
shall expect to see you on Monday morn
ing in your new suit"
Mrs. Crewton was full of thanks and
praises for the basket, and in the midst of
! il 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 ne will look in his new
clothes?"
al guess his mother thought the beef
/ steak was pretty good, too; don't you
think so, Aunt Lucys"
"Yes, expect so; and hope they will
r enjoy it all" Then she added gayly:
+ "Well, how do you like fairy visits ?"
"Oh, I think they are jolly" said
. George.
J "And think they're ever so NICE" said
! Fannie. 81 would rather go with you
! again than to 90 and see Rosa, 1 believe"
, and that was saying great deal, for Rosa
{ was her dearest friend. and they had had