Wichita eagle., 1888-05-25
A FAIRY G0DM0THER.

''Oh, Willie, do wish had an apple,
. real rosy checked apple, like the ones
that used to grow in grandpa's orchard in
Michigan"
Two feverish little hands came together
Eupplicatingly, wan. flushed face looked
UP 6rom the pillow. with piteous appeal
IN the child's blue eyes.
Dear Nellie. I'd do most anything to
get you one" said Willie, coming over to
the side of the 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 a single penny left in the
drawer?"
mot a single penny. I've looked six
times. | say. Nellie, this is an awfully
hard world to live in. 3"
''Such hard world" echoed Nellie.
Here am, the head of this family"
continued Willie, drawing his slender self
erect. in order to do credit to his exalted
position. land other men don't seem to
think am of much account. | guess
fellow can be head of family if he isn't
large, and the smaller he is the more he
needs lift from other heads of fam
lies | ought to be earning as much as
a dollar q week. and nobody wants me,
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 be a penny stuck in a
crack in the drawer" was the only ar
swer Nelhe's plaintive little voice made.
''Mrs. Benson's got an uncommon big
washing today. and mamma won't be
back till most night. and it may be l
won't care for an apple then. but l do
want one now so very. very much"
81 might go down into the street and
see if I couldn't earn a nickel in some
way. only
Only what, Wilre?" asked Nellie's
eager voice, as he hesitated-
Il promised mother I'd stay with you
until she came back. She is worried
about you. and she don't want you left
alone"
But l won't mind it, indeed won't,
Willie I'll be thinking about the apple
all the time, and I'm sure mamma won't
mind My mouth is 80 hot and dry, and
the water isn't one bit good. Please go?'
"Al right. I'll go. and I'll just make
some one give me q job to earn an apple
for you" Willie looked quite fierce as he
made this threat; then, taking his ri1nless
bat, he started down the stairs.
Il wouldn't wonder'n my old hat keeps
me from getting work." he soliloquized,
soberly, but how's fellow to get new
hats an things when nobody won't hire
him2 Let his dear mother scrub 'em out
on the washboard, maybe Hum, I'd be
ashamed of hat got in that way"
The hot sun beat down upon him as he
passed along the street, and he kept
thinking and thinking of the little sick
sister waiting for the apple. Yes, he must
get one for her somehow. But howl
That was the question that puzzled him
His face frightened as he remembered
that he had seen man unloading wood
at the Widow Hopkins only the day be-
fore
She'll want some one to cut 1t for
her. !" he thought joyously, ''for, of course.
a woman can't cut wood"
But when be reached the door larger
boy had just rung, having come on the
same errand as himself. and, Of course,
the Widow Hopkins engaged the larger,
stronger boy to do the work
Hello, Willie Pfunlett; come and have
q game of ball." called one of Willie's
mates, for this boy Willie was master
hand at ball or any other game, and the
boys enjoyed his society.
1t was great temptation, assure you,
1t. Remembering that he was 1.-The head
of the family" he replied emphaticany:
81 can't. I'm looking for a job"
r An old woman was going by. and. hear
ing these words from the lips of very
child, she turned and scrutinized his face
closely.
Just at that moment-was it an acct
dent? or do you think she did it pur-
posely7-her foot slipped, and away rolled
several brown paper bundles she was car
rying in her arms.
Dear mel Dear met What ever shall
I dor she exclaimed in dismay.
Quick as dash Willie sprang to her
assistance
did you sprain your ankle. marm7" he
asked, solicitously, as he carefully
brushed the dust trombone of the parcels /
with his jacket sleeve.
Il suppose you want to be paid for |
picking up my packagesf" she queried. in |
a sharp. squeaky voice. that exactly /
matched her thin. sharp face with its
long nose and keen gray eyes.
Willie's sensitive face flushed vivid .
scarlet.
I'D be ashamed to take pay for picking
mp ladys bundles for her. he said, his
young voice swelling with indignation.
You would. eh2 l thought you were
looking for job2'
"And so am. marin. Tn the head of
q family ard my little sick sister wants an
apple real bad. but wouldn't think Of
Of taking advantage of any ones accident,
much less lady's.
Willie caught his breath after the effort
It had cost him TO make such an elderly
sounding remark. and there was sly
twinkle in the keen old eyes. but Willie
did not see it.
Heres nickel, and good big pay it is
for the little turn you did for me, she
said. almost savagely.
Willie drew back AID threw up his
head proudly.
'.If you'll let NE earn the nickel. III be
ylad to t&ke ii FOR Nellie'S sake he said.
TN carry all these bundles home for rnn