The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1884-10-23

splashing of water reached her iror =
low, ''when she found ons the ground
wee, wee bird that had fallen fror, s, :
nest. She took it tenderly in her h.as
and looked up at the tree from whicb n
had fallen. 1t was not tall tree. anS
Sweet-as-Sugar saw that she corlS
climb it easily, and SO putting the hind
In her bosom she began to climb ths
tree. She began TO climb the tres :
she repeated, the smell of smoke (,
coming stronger and stronger az 81
spoke, and then, Sunshine seemino -
dose, she stepped softly to the door AMI
out upon the landing, and looked d.
into the hall two flights below. ~"
She could Just make out through thu
smoke the forms of her aunt and tbe
two servant-girls moving about win
pals in their hands. and as she looked
a bright tongue of flames darted up the
balusters of the parlor- stairs. Her.
heart gave great leap. What If tba
stairs should be burned awayg" sba
said with trembling lips. ''How wouId
Sunshine and be saved?" But in a
moment she answered her own ones
tion: 'Papa knows" And in mn.
ment more she went quietly back into
I the sick room.
I'm not asleep, Lu," said Sunshine,a
sweet voice. "You said last thak
Sweet-as-Sugar found wee, wee bird
But there's smoke in the room. isnih
there? Where does it come frompn
There must be some trouble with tha
fire downstairs this morning. sai,v
Lucy. and her voice was as steady ~
ever as she went on with the story once
more: "And Sweet-as-suear beSan III
climb the tree to find the birds nest,
when Sour-as-lemons came and stood
near It What are you going to do
now?' she asked with sheer. Take =
little bird back to its home, answered
Sweet-as-sugar. oh, you silly thino.a
said Sour as-lemons. Give it to me-.
/ IL have some fun with it. No. I'M
deed said Sweet-as-Sugar, and she
climbed on until she found the nest.
and, 10 and behold! there was a cum
ming little fairy sitting in 1t with three
other wee, wee birds.
Much obliged to you,' said tba
fairy, very much obliged to YOU for
bringing him back. | promised his
mother to take care of him and his
brothers and sisters while she went ta
get them some breakfast, but the wind
rocked the branch the nest is on 40
nicely that | fell asleep and he tumbled
out. Very much obliged to you, indeed
for if he had ben killed or stolen the
king of the bird fairies would have
punished me severely. And now Til
give you two wishes for being 50 good. 1
oh! | do wish grandmamma would
never have the rheumatism again.
said Sweet-as-sugar. At this the fairy.
laughed so that she nearly fell out Of
the nest herself. You're = queer girl.
said she. She's a little fool!' called
Souras-lemons from the foot of the
tree where she stood listening. why
didn't you wish for lots of moneyg
And what is your second wish? asked
the fairy. Sweet-as-sugar thought q
moment this time, and then she said:
81 wish Sour as-lemons wouldn't be
naughty any more, and that she would
love everybody and everybody would
would lo7e her. -
Another light tap came at the door.
Lucy opened it again, and in spite Of
herself she gave little start of sorrow
full surprise. There stood her father,
his face blackened with smoke, his hair
and eyebrows scorched, his clothes
and, worst of all, one of his hands bad.
ly burned.
my dear little woman" he said,
he bent to kiss her. my brave little
sister-mother! The fire is all out. It
wasn't of much consequence, though is
did make a great show. Some one.
must have dropped match in the roll
of mating that stood in the front hslL
Were you much frightened, dearP And
how is Sunshinep''
Eyes, papa, was" faltered Lucy.
"but Sunshine is all right. Please tell
her the grandmother never had rhenm-
atism again and that Sour-a lemons
name was changed to Honey-girl be-
cause she-because she" but here
she tainted away in her fathers arms,
and as he carried her downstairs her
aunt who had come up moment be-
fore passed into the room to tell Sun
shine the end. of the story. Margaret
Eytinge, in Vide AtcIke.