San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-06-14

apple real DAD. OUT Wouluut tnlnK OF
Of taking advantage Of any ones accident,
much less q lady's."
Willie caught his breath after the effort
1t had cost him to make such an elderly
sounding remark. and there was o sly
twinkle in the keen old eyes. but Willie
did not see 1t.
Here's nickel, and good big pay 1t Is
for the little turn you did for me, she
said. almost savagely.
Willie drew back, and threw up his
head proudly.
"If you'll let me earn the nickel, I'll be
glad to take it. for Nellie's sake" he said.
"I1l carry all these bundles home for you.
and then you may give me the nickel
II live a long piece from here. the
sharp voice made answer.
It'll give me q better chance to earn
the nickel" replied Willie. briskly.
every well Step up spry then. right
around the first corner. and mind you
don't lag behind. | don't mean to give
you chance to slip any of the smaller
bundles in your pocket"
The old eyes took note Of every change
u
Willie know that she was testing him. or
her object in asking where he Hved2
II have an errand in this store" she
said, as they were about passing a large
grocery store. Come in with me-"
The proprietor. tall, fine looking man,
came forward and said:
Where is your carriage, motherT
She drew him to one side and held a
whispered consultation with him, during
which they both glanced often at Willie.
guarding those brown bundles which the
eccentric woman had been carrying home,
because her carriage had not come for her
at the moment she expected.
Presently she came up to him.
This gentleman is going to send those
things to my house, free Of charge" she
said. and as penny saved is two earned
think III let him do it"
Without another word she walked out
of the door. and took seat in carriage
that had just driven up.
Willie choked. and two big round tears
slid over his cheeks. in spite of his brave
efforts to keep them back. He had been
so sure of an apple for Nellie. and the
disappointment was bitter indeed.
The fine gentleman saw it all, but he
had promised that queer little old mother
Of his something, and he let poor dis.
appointed Willie 60 away without one en-
couraging word.
The whole hour had been wasted, and
he must now go home without Nellie's
apple.
Slowly his reluctant feet approached
the door of his mothers room; slowly it
swung open in his hand. How could he
bear to see Nellie's eager, expectant face,
when there was no apple to give her?
ooh, Willie. Willie Plunkett," called
Nellie's voice. the moment he stepped In.
side the door. 1.-The queerest little old
lady has been here, and she brought
lots and lots Of apples and oranges, and
she said you was to take the basket back
to the store where she left you, and
there'd be job waiting for you"
She didH" exclaimed Willie, explo.
sively, his eyes round with amazement.
"Did she have cross looking face, and
scoldy voice, and eyes that look fellow
right through and"-
"Why, no, she didn't. interrupted Mel.
lie. "She had the loveliest old face ever
was, and the sweetest voice and the kind.
est blue eyes. She only stopped about
minute, but l shall never forget her,
neverl And she is going to take me to
ride in her carriage some day, and-oh,
Willie Plunkett. I do really believe that
she is our fairy godmother."
$50 do l." said Willie solemnly. eff
she can change herself like that she must
be something of that sort. believe I'll
take the basket right back before the
good fortune all vanishes again"
"Do. Willie" entreated Nellie. as she
set her white teeth into juicy apple.
When Willie delivered the basket at
the store he found that the good fort
une" had not vanished. He was given
position in the store. with salary of So
week to commence with. and promise
of higher wages as he learned the business.
Il feel as though it is too much, sir, I"
said Willie. modestly.
mot for the head of a family" re-
piled the proprietor, quizzically.
The time came when Willie saw only
the smile and kindly eyes of the fairy
godmother. as both children loved to call
her; and her voice was always gentle
when speaking to him. and he wondered
how it could ever have sounded harsh and
discordant.
Under her fairy touches the extreme
poverty of the Plunketts vanished and
comforts found their NOV into <bair