South-eastern Independent. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1871-1871, 1871-07-07
Youths Department.
BEEFSTEAK AND FAIRIES.

came home looking so, especially on Fri
day afternoons. guess Aunt Lucv's
head aches" Whispered George, who, at
once stopped his noisy play with Frisky.
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 ofmy 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 q 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 g10St of them; a
fen took moment to think"
What did they ask for?" cried George
eagerly.
II 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 mice furniture;' Levi, the
little miser, wanted money! Hatty, a
blue silk dress; four or five wanted
{ hoOl-- , rr-bfla q dolls
balls and other small toys were wanted
by the little boys and girls. Finally, I
asked poor, forlorn-looking boy what he
would have. With as pleased and esger a
look as if he was sure of getting it right
then, he shouted out, beefsteakP All the
boys and girls laughed, and, am sorry to
say, some looked at him with a 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 al the bright,
happy look was gone from his face, but 1
brought it 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 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, she has both;
but his father is very poor, and don't
doubt but that he has often been
hungry"
"fknow who the fairy is that is going
to send him beefsteak, said George with
a very knowing look.
"Who is it, and how do you know?"
cried his sister.
"Ohl knOw-I am sure of it now,"
he added, seeing the smile on Aunt Lucy's
face.
"Ohi yes 1 know too, now; it is Aunt
Lucy, isn't it?"
"Do you think 1 look like a fairy?"
said her Aunt
"No, don't think you do, " said Fanny,
looking a little puzzled; then her face
cleared up, and she went on; but you
act like one
swell, think 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, / shall not do that Asto-morrow
is Saturday, l think shall make visit to
his mothers.
"OhI may 1 go with you, Aunt Lucy9
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
Aunt Lucy made up quite bas-
ket. First she placed in the bOttoma pair
Of pants which Georges mother had given
her for Cyrus; they were quite good
then a jacket, two shirts and a pocket
over these she folded a clean
last Sunday school paper
and over all a nice clean towel. Then
heir mother put in fresh loaf of cake
and blackberry pie, and they were ready
to start. On the way they stopped st the
market, and Aunt Lucy bought large,
lender steak that would have looked
tempting to any hungry boy or girl. Then
hey started again for Cyrus home. After
4 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
10 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.
swell, 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 beelsteak would suit him
best, and SIS he has been pretty good boy
1t 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 1t, there
was nothing in it to hurt him. Thus en-
Cyrus took it and set 1t on the
table. Lifting out the first parcel, he saw
the steak. "Oh, mother, there Is beef
steakl" he cried, his eyes shining win de-
light "Sure an there is, an q beautiful
one tits. too" said his mother, looking not
much less pleased than Cyrus hmselI.
f But what is that" she added, lifting out
the OLQeT pdICCio d11u OkSAAASs e-SAAf -
ririu 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
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
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 new
clothes?"
al guess his mother thought the beef
steak was pretty good, too; don't you
think so, Aunt Lucy ~
ayes, / expect so; and hope they viii
enjoy it all" Then she added gayly:
-" Wen, how do you like fairy visitsg
"Oh, 1 think they are jolly" said
George.
"And think they're ever so nice, said
Fannie. 81 would rather go with you
again than to go and see Rosa, | believe"
and that WAS saving q great deal, Tor hOS2