Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-07-13
Youths Department.
BEEFSTEAK AND FAIRIES.

/
Pretty soon Auut Lucy forgot the head
ache enough to laugh, and 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 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 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 twinkling, the most OF them q
fe,o took a 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 q
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 miser wanted money! Hatty, a
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 aud girls. Finally, l
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, 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
brought it partly back by saying that his
was very sensible WISH for he hadasked
for something that would do him good,
and | was not sure but that somd kind
fairy might send him nice one. Stme OF
the older boys and girls looked as il they
knew what that meant, but closed thool
without saying anything more aboutit."
| Has he any father or mother u buy
| him ANYTHING to eatg" asked Flnnie,
who had been quite interested inpoor
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"
"Iknow who the fairy is that is koing
to send him beefsteak, said George with
a very knowing look.
"Who is it, and how do you klpwg"
cried his sister.
! "Oh! / KNOW am sure Of 1t now,
he added, seeing the smile on Aunt Lucy's
| face.
"Ohl yes, know too, now it is Aunt
Lucy, isn't ity"
"Do you think 1 look IKE fairy?
said her Aunt
mo, don't think you dor said Fanny,
looking little puzzled tien her face
cleared up, and She went %; "but you
act like one.
"Well, / think shall try ,, for once. "
"But how will you do it, Auntie; will
you take one to school with you, and tell
him fairy sent it?"
"No, shall not do that. is tomorrow
! is Saturday. | think shall NIKE visit to
his mothers.
con may go with you, Aunt Lucy'
| Do say yes, please, cried Fany, in eager
| haste, while George, who seetly thought
he would like to go to and Sd the fun, was
pleased to hear Aunt Lucy 81:
Yes you may go, and Gorge may go
with us and carry the basket
So it was settled, and FAME ran on to
tell her mother of the fair! surprise in
store for Cyrus on the mort Nv. In the
morning Aunt Lucy made unquite bas-
ket. First she placed in thePttom pair
of pants which Georges motbr had given
her for Cyrus; they were hite good
then jacket two shirts pocket
handkerchief over these she llded a clean
paper-Fannies last SundaYchool paper
and over all a nice clean iwel. Then
their mother put in fresh PAT OF cake
and blackberry pie, and thf were ready
to start On the way they spped at the |
market, and Aunt Lucy botht large,
tender steak that would ave looked |
tempting TO any hungry boy girl. Then
they started again for Cyrus'Ome. After |
short walk they reached tlhouse. The |
door was opened by his motsr, who was
very much pleased to see tf teacher"
and busted the large rockingham for her
| to sit in George and Fam were in such |
haste to see Cyrus, and givdlm the fairy
basket" that Aunt Lucy at pee asked for
him.
ooh yes" said Mrs. Crebn, she Is in
the yard, and will be right "a to see the
teacher" She went to the DIR and called,
and in a moment he came in
"Well, Cyrus, do you stiI think beef.
| steak would be nicey" askedAunt Lucy
after moments talk ; theme said to his
mother, "You see, Mrs. Cr4on, we were
talking yesterday about fairI and Iasked
the children what they wand most, and
Cyrus thought beefsteak Tld suit him
| best, and as he has been pity good boy
at school this year, somebody's sent him
this basket" Saying thisbe took the
basket from George, and hJed 1t to Cy.
rus, telling him not TO be aid Of 1t, there
was nothing in it to hurt hi Thus en-.
couraged, Cyrus took it andet it on the
table. Lifting out the first reel, he. saw
the steak. ooh, mother, tle is a beef.
steak" he cried, his eyes sling with de-
light. "Sure an there is, Ia beautiful
one it is, too" said his moth looking not
much less pleased than Chs himself.
"But what Is thatg' she ADJ, lifting out
the other parcels and openl them; "a
fine pie and beautiful q. May the
saints bless the fairy thatnt you the
| basket While his moth4Was setting