The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-29

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 homo again.
The orphan picked up the apples, ard
thanking the months hurried home.
Helen and her stepmother We're aston
.shed 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 stiu hung on the apple tree on
top OF the mountain" said Mary.
Why did you not bring more?" cried
Helen angrily. You ate them up on tie
way, you ugly MINK
mo, good sister, did not taste one"
said Mary. THE first time 1 shook the
tree one apple fell the second time an
other. That is all. 1 was not permitted to
shake the tree a third time, but ordered
to so home"
Helen, who loved fne fruit, left of per-
scouting her sister for the time, and bit
into the apple. She found Ii delicious. the
sweetest she had ever eaten, and her
mother agreed with her, but botn. after
having eaten one. were dissatisfied. They
wished for more.
IN tell you what, mamma" said Helen.
give me a cloak, and / will so to the
mountain myself. That horrd girl would
way home. l VIII be sure 10 find the
mountain and the apple tree. and once
there the fathers may scold as they Ike.
viii not leave them until have shaken
down all the apples"
Hesdless OF her mothers d!sappropavl.
Helen put on the cloak and warm hood,
and started for the mountain. Her mother
stood by the door and gazed after her TIL
she was lost TO sight.
The ground was covered with snow; net
a human fotstep was to be seen, but after
wandering here, now there, Helen saw
the fame OF the fire. far above her, and
began climbing. After short time she
reached the peak OF the mountain, end
saw the fire. round which the twelve
months were sitting. At first she hesltated
and was frightened, but soon recovering
herself she went boldly TO the fire, and
stretching out her hands warmed herself
without asking permission or even noticing
the twelve months.
What brings you here and what seek
you?'' asked old January, sternly.
You have no right to question me, OLD
graybeardi Why do you wish 10 know
what I seek? answered Helen haughtily.
and turning her head and back 10 the fire
she went toward the forest.
old January frowned and waved his
wand over his head.
In The twinkling OF an eye the sky was
low and large snow1iBkes began 10 fall.
while an icy wind howled through the
mountain. In the midst OF this dreadful
storm Helen began 20 curse her sister and
call on the good God. as she knew the
cloak could not keep her body from stiff
fleming and freezing.
Her mother waited impauently for her
daughter. Every little while she went TO
the window. then 20 the door. 10 look for
her, hut the hours passed and she did not
return. Have the apples hewitched her
so that she cannot find her way homer"
thought the mother. Il must go and seek
her"
Hastily wrapping herself In cloak and
hood she set out. The falling snow had
obliterated her daughters footsteps. ana
not q human trace was TO be seen. while
no voice answered 20 her loud call. Long
she wandered at hazard In the snow, while
II fell in svalanches and an icy wind blew
from the mountain.
Mary in the meanwhile had cooked the
dinner and MIXED The cow, but neither
Helen nor her mother was 20 BE found.
Her daily work was now ended. the day
had gone and night was coming on.
What can have happened?
"Oh. my Cod" said the excellent girl,
ard opened the window 10 look out.
The storm had ceased. the sky wars
brilliant with stars, while the snow glim-