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

'T'l carry all these bundles homo for Jon.
and then you may give me the nickel
"a i've q long piece from herd" the
sharp voice made answer.
"Itn give mo Q better chance 20 earn
tho 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 "a give
you . chance TO slip any Of the smaller
bundles In your pocket"
Tho old eyes took note Of every change
In the boys frank face. and how could
Willie know that she was testing him. or
her object In asking whore he livcdi
~ have an errand In this store. she
said. a. they were about passing q large
grocery store Come In with mo
Tho proprietor. q tall. Ono looking man.
came forward and said
where In your carriage. MOTHER
She drew him TO ono side and held Q
whispered consultation with him. during
which they both glanced often At Willie.
guarding those brown bundles which tho
eccentric woman had been carrying homo,
at tho moment she expected
Presently she camo up 70 him.
This gentleman Is going 70 send those
things 70 my house. free Of charge. she
said. and as penny saved Is two earned
! think I'll let him do Il.
Without another word sho walked out
Of the door. and took seat In q carriage
that had just driven up.
Willie choked. and two big. round tears
slid over his checks. In spite Of his bravo
efforts 70 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 no let poor dis.
appointed Willie 60 away without one en-.
couraging word
The whole hour had been wasted, and
no must now 60 homo without Nellic'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 Ncllic's eager. expectant face.
when there was no apple to give heri
"Oh. Willie. Willie Plunkett." called
Nellie's voice. tho moment he stepped In.
sidc the door Tho queerest little old
lady has been hero. and she brought q
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
thercd DO job waiting for you"
''Sho did?" exclaimed Willie, explo.
sively. his eyes round with amazement.
ibid she have q cross looking face. and q
scoldy voice. and eyes that look fellow
right through and
why. no. she didn't. interrupted Mel.
lie. "She had the lovellest old face ever
was. and tho sweetest voice and tho kind.
est blue eyes Sho only stopped about q
minute. but l shall never forgot her.
neverl And she Is going to take me to
rtde In her carriage somc day. and--oh.
Willie Plunkctt. l do really believe that
she is our fairy godmother.
80 do |" said Willie so!emrly. IF
she can change herself like that shc must
DO something Of that sort. Ibelicve I'll
take the basket right back before the
good fortune all vanishcs again"
do. Willie. cntreatcd Nellie. as shc
set her white teeth into Juicy apple.
When Willie delivered tho basket at
the store he found that the good fort.
une" had not vanished. Hc was given a
position In tho store. with salary OF e.
week to commence with. and promise
Of higher wages Us he learned the business.
Il feel as though It Is too much, sir. "
said Willie. modestly
Not for tho head Of n family" 70.
Piled the proprietor. quizzically
Tho time came when Willie saw only
tho smile and kindly eyes Of tho fairy
godmother. AZ both children loved to cali
her. and her voice was always gentle
when speaking to him. and he wondered
how |, could ever have sounded harsh and
discOrdant
Under her fairy touches tho extreme
poverty Of tho Plunketts vanished and
comforts found their way into their
humble home a hundred better things
came TO them. all rs tho result of willie's
thoughtfulness In gathering up those
scattered bundles. --R. H. Thorpe In
Golden Fra.