The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-07-27
The POlly-Dancers.

"hcH u Ncc III vi Il cIlilu--tlHlOSL
baby-I remember that one day my
father called me to the low table, which
was just about on level with my eyes,
and said:
"Look ut the Polly-dancers!"
lie had brought in Il green pine-twig
from the wood-pilc, had cut of half a
dozen brush-like little tufts, had
trimmed their tips and then, blowing
upon them gently, had set them dane
ing about the table as if they were alive
They iloated this way and that, each
taking its own direction; and when one
moved too near the edge of the table, a
light puff from his lips would send it
back again. They seemed to me like
tiny green-skirted sprites having frOlic
together, and | wholly forgot my rag
babies and my London dolls in my rap
ture over the POlly-dancers.
When | asked, ..Whcre did the Polly
dancers come from?" and was answer
ell, "From the woods" whole new,
uneXplored world rose before me.
There was Il dark-blue outline against
the sunset. across the river, and an
other line OF purple-green in the north.
toward the sea, which l had heard
called 'the woods" The name had
been full of mystery to me, before; but
from that moment it stood out for q
wonderland the home of the Polly
dancers! How ! lOnged for the time
when | should be old enough to go to
the woods! And when one summer day,
a year or two after, my brother asked
and gained leave to take me with him
a-berrying, was not ! happy girl?
The walk was through Il long street.
past great many houses, and then over
an open, unshaded road. But at last
we We're there. When the cool, lofty
greatness closed us in, and fresh earth
smells came up from the moss and
ferns beneath our feet, seemed to
know it all as if | had been there be-
lore. These were really 1.-The woods"
Of my dream!
My brother seated me on great rock
covered with lichcns, and told me not
to move from the spot until he came for
me. Then he went out of sight with
his basket, whistling. | felt like crying
for loneliness when saw him disappear,
but the stiffness around me inspired d
ttSiih2 VI awe tilatt iIlc ilTdlt W
utter sound. And presently began
to feel at home in the wonderful place.
There were soft whisperings all about
me, that seemed like kind voices of un-
seen friendly people. rustlings as of Cos
samer garments.
Nothing would have tempted me from
my perch, for l had read of elves and
gnomeS and fairies, and / firmly be-
lieved in them. They always lived in
The woods; and though | would gladly
have stepped inside fairy-ring, just
once, | would not for worlds have done
50 without first feeling my hand fast in
my brothers, else | was sure | should
never see home again. But he did not
believe in fairies. and | soon forgot that
| did rs | listened to the song of the Pol
ly-dancers.
For there they were, thousands and
tens of thousands of them, up in those
great trees, dancing with their feet out
TO the sky, and making such music to-
gether, low, sweet and solemn! | have
never forgotten how it sounded to me
that first time heard it. 1t seemed to
tell me that the world was larger and
lovelier place than had dreamed, and
that it would always have awaiting me
something grander than l could guess.
Of course, had no words for my feel
,ngs then; / did not even know that l
was having feelings at all. A child
aever does. until long afterward. But
The feelings come back, and we remem-
Der the moments when we began to be
acquainted with the world and with our
selves.
My brother and l walked home, two
merry, tired. matter-Of-fact children. He
lad left me only half-hour or SO alone;
and he did not cOniidc to me until we
we're almost home that his basket,
which seemed brimful of huckleberries,
was really crammed with fresh leaves,
and that there was only thin layer on
he top! l remember thinking what re-
markable boy he was to have conceived
such clever artilice. But he had not
liked either to take me into the bushes
10 leave me long alone; and he did
OF leave me long alone; and he did not
'ish toappcas unsuccessful in his search
or berries, il he should chance To pass
Their boys. He little dreamed how
luch more than berries had found in
he woods that day.-Lacy LarcOm IN
81. Nicholas.