Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1888-06-02
A FAIRY GODMOTHER.

A FAIRY GODM0THER.
''Oh. Willie. do wish had an apple.
. real rosy checked apple. like tho ones
that used TO grow In grandpas orchard In
Michigan
Two fcvcrish little hands came together
supplicatingly. . wan. flushed faco looked
up from the pillow. with piteous appeal
In tho child's blue eyes.
Dear Nellie. I'd do most anything TO
get you ono. said Willie. coming over TO
tho side Of tho bed. and dropping his
curly head on the pillow beside the little
sick sister
Don't you suppose you could. some
howf" asked the thin. parched lips.
isn't there single penny left in the
drawcr7"
mot single penny. I've looked six
times say. Nellie. this Is an awfully
hard world TO 1.-Two In.
''Such hard world" echoed Nellie.
Hero am. tho head Of this family"
continued Willie. drawing his slender self
erect. In order TO do credit 70 his exalted
position. land other men don't seem to
think am Of much account I guess o
fellow can DO head Of family u no isn't
largo. and tho smaller no Ii tho moro no
needs lift from other heads Of fam.
lies fought to be earning rs much as
dollar week. and nobody wants mo.
even for errand boy. cause I'm so small.
and they think can't carry big bundles.
only wish that they'd just let me try"
There might DO q penny stuck In .
crack In the drawer" was tho only an.
swer Ncllic's plaintlve littlo voice made.
Mrs. Benson's got an uncommon big
washing today. and mamma won't DO
back till most night. and Il may DO
won't care for an apple then. but ! do
want one now so very. very much"
II might go down into the street and
see II | couldn't earn q nickel In some
way. only
Only what. willics" asked Nellic's
eager voice. rs he hesitated-
promised mother I'd stay with you
until she came back. She In worried
about you. and sho don't want you left
alone.
But ! won't mind IL. indeed won't.
Willie I'll be thinking about the apple
oil tho time. and I'm suro mamma won't
mind My mouth Is so hot and dry. and
the wafer isn't ono bit good. Please gof'
'All right. I'll go. and I'll just mako
somo one giyo me job to earn an apple
for you" Willie looked quito fierce as he
made this threat; then. taking his rimless
hat In .. 81 10. 81
Il wouldn't wondcr'n my old hat keeps
me from getting work." no soliloquizcd,
sobcrly. "but how's n fellow 70 get new
hats an things when nobody won't hire
himf lot his dear mother scrub en- out
on tho waslboard. maybe Hum. I'd be
ashamed of u hat got in that way"
Tho hot sun beat down upon him as no
passed along tho street. and he kept
thinking aud thinking Of tho little sick
sister waiting for the apple Yes. he must
get ono for her somehow But howf
That was tho question that puzzled him.
Ills face frightened AZ he remembered
that no had seen man unloading wood
at tho Widow Hopkins only tho day be-
foro
She'll want somo ono 20 cut II for
her. he thought joyously. for. Of course.
"A woman can't cut wood.
but when no reached tho door a larger
boy had Jus, rung. having como on tho
same crrand M himself. and. OF course.
the Widow Hopkins Engaged tho larger.
stronger boy TO do tho work
Hello. Willie Plunkett. como and have
game Of ball" called one OF willic's
mates. for this boy Willie was master
hand At ball or any other game. and the
boys enjoyed his society
It was u great temptation. assure you.
but Willie had no thought Of yielding to
Il Remembering that hc was ''the head
Of the family" he replied emphatlcally:
Il can't I'm looking for job"
An old woman was going by. and. hear
ing these words from the lips Of n very
child shc turned and scrutinized his face
closely
Just at that moment-was Il an acci.
denti or do you think she did Il pur.
posclyf-her foot slipped. and away rolled
several brown paper bundles she was car.
rying In her arms
Dear mel Dear mel What ever shall
| dor sho exclaimed In dismay
Quick AZ fash Willie sprang to her
assistance
did you sprain your ankle. marmS" he
asked. solicitously. as ha carefully
brushed the dust from ono Of the parcels
with his jacket sleeve.
II suppose you want TO DO paid for
picking up my packagesf" she queried. In
q sharp. squeaky voice. that exactly
matched her thin. sharp face with Its
long nose and keen gray eyes.
Willies sensitive face flushed vivid
scarlet.
"Pd DO ashamed to take pay for picking
up lady's bundles for her. no said. his
young voice swelling with indignation.
"You would. chr thought you wero
looking for q jobs"
"And 30 am. marin. I'm the head Of
. family and my littls sick sister wants an
apple real bad. but wouldn't think Of
Of taking advantage Of any one's accident.
much less ladys.-
Willie caught his breath after the effort
II had cost him TO mako such an elderly
sounding remark. and there was q sly
twinkle In the keen old eyes. but Willie
did not see II.
Heres a nickel. and good big pay II Il
for the little turn you did for me. :" she
said. almost savagely.
Willie drcw back. and threw up his
head proudly
III you1l lot me earn tho nickel. I'll be
glad 70 take Il. for Ncllio's sake" hc said
Rose F. Cleveland.