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

''oH, MY GGDr' SAID SHE.
ban How ola 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 minx!'
"No, good sister, did not taste one, !"
said Mary. 1.-THE first time l 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.
"Ill tell you what, mamma" said
Helen. "Give me cloak and will go
to the mountain myself. That horrid
girl would finish by devouring all the
apples ON her way home. Twill be sure
to find the mountain and the apple tree,
and once there the fathers may scold as
they like I will not leave them until
have shaken down all the apples"
Needless of her mothers disapproval,
Helen put on the cloak and warm hood
ana started for the mountain. Her
mother stood by the door and gazed aft
er her till she was lost to sight.
The ground was covered with snow;
not q human footstep was to be seen.
but after wandering here, now there,
Helen saw the fame Of the fire, far
above her, and began climbing. After a
short time she reached the peak of the
mountain and saw the fire, round which
the 10 months were sitting. At first she
hesitated and was frightened, but soon
recovering herself she went boldly to
the fire, and stretching out her hands
warmed herself without asking permits
sion or even noticing the 10 months.
"What brings you here and what seek
your asked old January sternly.
"You have no right to question me,
old graybeardl Why do you wish to
know what I seeki" answered Helen
haughtily, and turning her head and
back to 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 filed with heavy clouds, the fire
burned low and large snowfakes began
total, while an icy wind howled through
the mountain. In the midst of this
dreadful storm Helen began to curse
her sister and call on the good God, as
she knew the cloak could not keep her
body from stiffening and freezing
Her mother waited impatiently fol-
her daughter. Every little while she
went to the window, then to the door,
to look for her, but the hours passed and
she did not return. "Have the apples
bewitched her so that she cannot find
her way homer" thought her mother.
81 must go and seek her."
Hastily wrapping herself in a cloak
and hood she set out The falling snow
had obliterated her daughters footsteps
and not human trace was to be seen,
while no voice answered to her loud
call. Long she wandered at hazard in
the snow, while it fell in avalanches 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 to be
found.
Her daily work was now ended, the
day had gone and night was coming ON.
What can have happened?
"Oh, my Godp' said the excellent
girl, and opened the window to look out
The storm had ceased, the sky was
brilliant with stars, while the snow
glimmered like diamonds by their light
mot trace of human being was tC
be seen. Mary sadly shut the window.
She made the sign of the cross and pray
ed for her sister and stepmother. In va'f
she waited for them at breakfast ant
dinner. They never came.
Both Helen and her mother were
frozen in the mountain, and Mary In
herited the little cottage, the cow, ant
small field 1t was not long before sh'
married an honest farmer, and they boil
lived in peace and happiness ever after
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New Years was not observed as
Christian festival until the year 4S7