The National tribune., 1882-11-02
OUR YOUNG FOLKS.
BeSSie's Fairy GOdmOther, Or the
Three Wishes.
by Julia X. HHdreth.l


At the time my story begins Bessy sat on the
window sill with great book open on her
knee, straining her eyes to catch the last words
of the most delightful story she had ever read.
1t was all about fairy godmothers, shoes filled
with gold, and other wonderful things to be
found in such books
AS the light died out of the sky, and a soft
purple mist settled down upon the hill-tOps,
she sighed and closed her book, for the story
was finished.
BesSy's father and mother were away from
home, and she was alone that evening The
sound of voices and the rafting of dishes came
from the kitchen. The criclets had begun
their evening song; the lanes were growing
dim and mysterious. Bessy could imagine a
fairy head peeping from every tall flower by
the garden gate, and the queen of them all
seemed to bow to her from the tall white lily
in the pansy bed.
Bessy thought if ever fairy appeared to
mortal child it would be on such a night as
this And now, to crown all, Just at the end
of the lane appeared light moving backward
and forward. First it would bob down, and
then up quite high, among the bushes.
At last Bessy could bear it no longer, and
made up her mind to solve the mystery. So
she stepped out of the window on the porch,
and then softly over the grass, for she was
afraid Ann would hear her and call her back
She said to herself, of it should be fairy
glOw-worm lighting the fairies to their dane
ing ground, Ann would brighten them away,
she is so big and heavy"
So down the path she went on tiptoe. Hardly
daring to breathe, she pushed open the gate,
and looked down the lane
Bessy thought the light had disappeared.
But by and by it came again. moving in the
same strange manner. Although she trembled
a great DEAL she went bravely on. 1t was
only a short lane leading to the main road, and
shut in on one side by large clump of trees.
1t was at the foot of one of these trees that the
light seemed to be standing now.
At first Bessy crept softly on keeping it in
sight. How dark it had grown The light
shOne from the bushes like a fallen star
When Bessy was within q few feet of the light
she was aStonished to see a face peering out of
the darkness its eyes fixed on her with any
thing but pleasant expression. The light
went out, and Bessy, wishing she was safe at
home, turned to scamper back, when a heavy
hand was laid on her shoulder, and the light
flashed in her face.
She now saw it was q lantern carried by
very small and disagreeable old woman dressed
in black, and her head covered with red
handkerchief. In one hand she held the Ian
tern, and under her arm was a crooked stick.
Now, when BesSy saw the stick she was sure
it was fairy godmother, for the old woman
was exactly like the description of the fairy in
her new book. The ugly black stick was her
wand. So she whispered, timidly:
Are you a fairy godmother?"
ga what?" growled the old woman.
"a fairy godmother," repeated Bessy.
ooh, yes, yes; to be sure Pm q fairy. Ifyou
tell any one you saw me I'll bring bad luck on
your house"
please, please don't" sobbed Bessy. "Tu
never, never tell any one"
"Well, shut up, then" said the fairy, "and
don't make such a noise''
Bessy was not frightened now, for she re-
membered that fairy godmothers were always
cross and said hateful things just before they
granted three wishes. SO she said, softly:
"Will you please give me three wishes,
MADAME"
"Tll give you three slaps if you don't get
out right off," grumbled the old fairy.
Please, please" prayed Bessy. "I4l do
anything you tell me if you will give me three
wishes"
Il don't believe you. You amt got spunk
enough
ooh yes, have" said Bessy. "Try me-"
"Where do you live?" asked the fairy.
Gust down the lane, close by"
"You do, do you? 1 didn't see no house."
said the fairy, in a startled voice.
That's because mother and father are out.
and there's no light in the front room" replied
Bessy.
"Are you all alone?" asked the fairy.
"No," replied Bessy; "Ann and Lucy are at
home"
who's them?"
Mammals two servants"
"Any men at the house,"
"Not now" answered BcsSy. "Mother took
Peter to drive. They'll be back soon, 1 think"
The old fairy tarned out the light and sat
down on the ground then she pulled Bossy
down by her, and put her hand on the little
girls shoulder. "Now remember" she began,
g you promise never to tell nobody"
al promise true and sure 1 never will, if
you'll give me three wishes tonight"
But Bessy wondered if all fairies smelled so
of tobacco
Will you do just what 1 tell you?" asked |
the fairy.
eyes," said Bessy, nodding her head very
hard, a. will"
Let's hear your three wishes, them" growl-
ed the fairy.
First, 1 want my shoes and papa's and /
filled with gold Then L want an in /
visible cap for myself and then"
"Now stop" interrupted the old fairy"
you've had four already"
NO" answered Bessy, chats only two.
Papa's and mammals and my shoes filed with
gold is one wish, you know"
"Well, go on"
Let me see," pOndered Bessy. 81 guess
you my give me happiness for the rest of my
ife, and that's all"
''All right" returned the fairy godmother,
you'll find them waiting for you at three in
he morning, if you do what L tell you tor
"Tm ready" said Bessy.
"You just run home, and bring me the big
zey of the front door"
Z" But papa said | must not touch that Be-
ides, he would miss it, for he always locks the
oor himself, and hangs the key up by the hat
tand."
L" 1 shan't keep it," said the fairy. "pll give
right back. You see, if | didn't know the
iye of the Epy-hoIa I mj0htn't send a fairy