Wichita eagle., 1888-05-25
bundles in your pocket.

SN&1AASo AAA ySs@& R
The 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 where he lived?
81 have an errand in this store" she
said. as they were about passing large
grocery store. Come IN with me-.
The proprietor, tall. fine looking man,
came forward and said:
where is your carriage. mother?"
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, land as penny saved is two earned
think I'll let him do it.
Without another word she walked out
of the door, and took seat in carriage
that bad 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 go away without one en-.
couraging word
The whole hour bad 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 herr
''Oh. Willie, Willie Plunkett," called
Nelhe's voice. the moment be stepped In
side the door. THE queerest little old
lady has been here, and she brought a
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 did?' exclaimed Willie, explo-
sively, his eyes round with amazement.
did she have 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 loveliest old face ever
was, and the sweetest voice and the kind.
est blue eyes. She only stopped about a
minute, but / shall never forget her,
neverl And she is going to take me to
ride in her carriage some day, and-oh.
Willie Plunkett, do really believe that
she is our fairy godmother.
ESQ do |, 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 a
position in the store. with a salary of So
week to commence with, and promise
Of higher wages as he learned the business.
II feel as though it is too much, sir, 1"
said Willie. modestly.
Not for the head of 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 way into thei,
humble home. A hundred better things
came to them. all as the result Of Wilhe's
thoughtfulness in gathering up those
scattered bundles.-R. 81. Thorpe in
Golden Era.