The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1895-12-27
PAST AND PRESENT.

Cup 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.
"My God, sister, you know that dur
, ing the winter the trees are without
leaves or fruit -
"Ugly lazy bones Go, climb quickly
up the mountain and bring me back ap
pies, or remember we will kill you!'
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 10 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 fire! 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 seek?"
ST seek red apples" said Mary.
eft is midwinter now," said old JAN
uary, "and not the time for red apples. !"
ST know 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 sprang
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
only autumn ones. In the dells meadow
saffron and high ferns were growing be-
tween the autumn brushwood and BRAN.
bles.
Mary looked in vain for red apples
till all at once she noticed tolerably
tall apple tree, and up on the top branches
she saw few red apples.
"Hasten to gather them, cried Sep
TENDER.
The young girl joyfully shook the
tree, and one apple fell. She shook it
again, and a second rolled to her feet.
"You have enough" said the month.
"Hurry home again.
The orphan picked up the apples, and
thanking the months hurried home.
Helen and her stepmother were aston
ished to see her return with the apples
and ran to open the door.
Bah How did you manage to pick
them?" asked Helen.
A few still hung on the apple tree
on the top of the mountain, said Mary.
"Why did you not bring more?'' cried
Helen angrily "You ate them up on
the way, you ugly mink"
No, good sister, did not taste one, -
said Mary. ''The first time I shook the
tree one apple fell; the second time an
other. That is all was not permitted
to shake the tree third time, but Or
dered to go home.
Helen, who loved fine fruit, left off
prosecuting her sister for the time and
bit into the apple She found it deli
cious, the sweetest she had ever eaten.
and her mother agreed with her, but
both, after having eaten one, were dis
satisfied. They wished for more.
"I'll tell you what, mamma" said
Helen. "Give me cloak and I will &c
to the mountain myself That horrid
girl would finish by devouring all the
apples on her way home I will be sure
to find the mountain and the apple tree,
and once there the fathers may scold as
they like. / will not leave them until !
have shaken down all the apples. y
Needless of her mothers disapproval,
Helen put on the cloak and warm hood