The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1895-12-27
PAST AND PRESENT.

She already knew the way and without
hesitation climbed up the peak, where
the IL months sat round the fire, old
January, as before, on the highest seat
"Men of Cod" she said, "let me
warm myself by your fire I am trem-
bling with cold. +"
Old January lifted his head and ask
ed:
"Why have you come here and what
do you seek?"
"Ihave come to gather strawberries. ."
said Mary.
"It Is now midwinter and strawber-
ries do not grow under the snow" an
swered January
81 know it," said Mary sadly. "But
my stepmother and sister have ordered
me to bring them ripe strawberries. Tell
me where can gather Them
Old January rose slowly from his seat,
approached the month that sat opposite
him, and giving him his wand said,
"Brother June, seat yourself on the
highest stone'
The month Of June went and seated
himself ON the stone that marked the
highest place. He waved his wand over
the flre and the flames rose To the SKY.
In a moment the snow was melted, the
ground covered with grass, while the
birds sang and the earth bloomed with
flowers in the forest.
Under the brushwood one saw innu-
merable little white flowers, thick as
though one had sowed them, and as one
looked the flowers changed to ripe fruit,
and all this in few moments Of time,
so lib; Mary could hardly cross herself
before the ground was red with straw
berries, like a sea Of blood.
"Quick, quick, Mary, pick them"
said the month Of June.
Filled with joy, she began to gather
them, and soon had a nice amount in
her apron, when, thanking the months,
she started joyfully homeward.
Helen and her mother were surprised
to see her como home with the straw
berries.
"But where did you find them?" ask
ed Helen sourly.
up on the peak Of the mountain.
They are not hard to find under the
brushwood."
Helen took possession of all the ber-
ries. A part she gave to her mother, and
devoured the rest.
The third day Helen, satiated with
the strawberries, longed for fresh picked
red apples.
"Mary," she called, "be quick and
nimble. Go to the mountain and seek
for red apples. I"
envy God, sister, you know that dur
ing the winter the trees are without
leaves or fruitl''
"Ugly lazy bones Go, climb quickly
up the mountain and bring me back ap-
pies, or remember we will kill you r.
AS usual her stepmother caught her
rudely, thrust her out Of the house and
barred the door behind her.
The poor orphan, weeping bitterly,
passed through the forest that led to the
mountain. She climbed up to the peak,
where the IL months sat by the flaming
fire. They all sat motionless ON their
stone seats, and old January as usual on
the highest.
"Men Of God, let me warm myself
by your firel The winter wind freezes
me-" she said.
Old January lifted his head and be-
gan to question her, why have you
come here and what do you seeki'
81 seek red apples" said Mary.
"It is midwinter now," said old JAM
uary, "and not the time for red apples. -
"Iknow it" said the poor girl "But
my sister Helen and my mother have
ordered me to bring them red apples
from the mountain or they will kill
me-"
Hearing this, old January rose from
his seat and went to one of the older
men and gave him his wand
Brother September, seat yourself in
the place of honor.
The month Of September seated him.
self ON the highest stone and waved his
wand over the fire. The flames spranR
toward the sky, taking red tinge,
while the snow melted rapidly. The
leaves of the trees fell, one by one.
blown here and there by cold breeze,
and the sun shone yellow. The orphan
saw but very few flowers. and those