Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1883-06-09
The POlly.Dancers.

When wee bit of child-almost a
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 at the Polly-dancersr'
He had brought in green pine-twig
from the wood-p pile, had cut off half a
dozen brush-like little tufts, had
trimmed their tips, and then, blowing
upon them gently, had set them dancing
about the table as if they were alive.
They flOated 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: ''Where did the Polly
dancers come fromP" and was an
swered: "From the woods" whole
new, unexplored world rose before me.
There was dark-blue outline against
the sunset, across the river, and another
heavier line of purple green in the north,
toward the sea, which had called 1.-THE
woods" The name had been full of
mystery to me before, but from that
moment it stood for wonder-land-the
home of the Polly-dancers! How l
longed for the time when should be
old enough to 90 to the woods! And
when one summer day, year or two
after, my brother asked and obtained
20 tol NTH hin, IN harrxri,,rr
was not happy grip
The walk was through long street,
past great many houses, and then
through an open, unshaded road. But
at last we were there. When the cool,
lofty greenness closed us in, and fresh
earth-smells came up from the moss
and ferns beneath our feet, seemed to
know it all as if l had been there before.
These were really 1.-THE woods of my
dream. iE3N
My brother seated me on great rock
covered with lichens, 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
feeling of awe that made me afraid to
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 gos-
samer garments.
Nothing would have tempted me from
my perch, for / had read of elves and
gnomes and fairies, and L 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
SO without first feeling my hand fast in
my brothers, else was sure l should
never see home again. But he did not
believe in fairies, and / soon forgot that
/ did as l listened to the song of the
Polly-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
together, low, sweet and solemn! l have
never forgotten how it sounded to me
that first time L heard it. 1t seemed to
tell me that the world was a 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
ings then; did not even know that /
was having feelings" at all. A child
never 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 | walked home, two
merry, tired, matter-of-fact children.
He had left me only half-hour or so
alone; and he did not cOnfde in me
until we were almost home that his
basket, which seemed brimful of buckle
berries, was really crammed with fresh
leaves, and that there was only thin
layer of berries on the top! l remem-
Der thinking what a remarkable boy he
was to have conceived such clever arti-
flee. But he had not liked either to take
me into the bushes or to leave me long
alone; and he did not wish to appear
unsuccessful in his search for berries, if
he should chance to pass other boys.
He little dreamed how much more than
berries | had found in the woods that
day.-Lucy Larcona. IN st. Nicholas.
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