The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-29
saodsoms. Tney were an sar.ns ,nto &c

fire. .--'o 80
these men were the twelve months a.
the year and great January. who was
seated higher than the rest, had . long.
wal,e beard and snowy hair. In his hand
ne oeld wand
May AZ first was paralyz.d with fear.
o1E after a few moments OF stupor ard
Silence she regained hsr courage, and ap-
psoaen1ng them sad: Men OF God, allow
ne 20 warm myself By your FIRE / an
Trembling with cold"
Old January raised his head and said:
~ ny are yoa here, my maiden? What
do you seek7
Il an soaking violets, answered Mary.
II Is nor the season OF vioiets." said
January. do you not see snow living
everywhere?
know IL Is not but my stepuo-her
and sister have sent me to the mountain
10 gather them, and Il cannot fad any
they VIII KIN me. ! entreat you. fathers,
tell me where / can find some
Slowly old January rose from his seat
and approached one Of the younger men.
Putting his wand IN his hand he said,
Brother March, seat yourself in my
place"
March went and seated himself on the
high stone, and waved the wand over the
IRE At once the flames rose to the sky,
while beneath them the grass grew green
and the ground was covered with prirn-
roses and cowslips. II was spring. and the
ground was quite blue with yioIets that
grew under the brushwood.
Haste and pluck them. Mary cried
March. Quick
The beautiful orphan, filed with 10Y,
FASTENED to pluck the flowers. and coon
had a large bunch. Thanking the months
politely. she ran home. happy and gay.
Great was the astonlshment OF her STEP
mother and Helen when they saw the
bunch of fresh violets.
They quickly opened the door and soon
the house was filed with the perfume OF
well, And where did you find themr'.
asked Helen.
Far up on the peak Of the mountain"
replied her sister.
Helen at once seized the flowers She
inhaled their perfume with rapture and let
her mother smell them. but not giving q
single violet TO Mary or even thanking her
for her trouble.
The next day, as Helen stood warming
herself by the stove, she had a sudden
fancy TO eat strawberries. and called her
sister. Mary" she said. hasten TO the
mountain and gather me strawberries.
They must be very sweet and ripe
Ny God! Whoever heard that straw
berries ripened under the snowr cried the
orphan.
Not word. II you do not bring me the
Strawberries soon we viii kill you. Re-
member. YOU are warned"
After this threat her stepmother seized
her violently and thrust her out IN the
courtyard, barring the door
Tho wretched orphan. her eyes filled
with tears, began to climb the mountain
She already knew the way, and without
hesitation climbed to the peak. where the
twelve months sat around the fire. old
January, as before. On the highest seat.
Men OF Cod she said, '1et me warm
myself by your fire. i am trembling with
cold"
old January lifted his head and asked:
Why have you come here and what do
you seek ?"
II have come to gather strawberries"
said Mary.
1T is now mldwinter and strawberries
do not grow under the snow" answered
January.
Il know IT," said Mary. sadly 'But my
stepmother and sister have ordered me
10 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 high
est stone"
The month OF June went and seated him
self on the stone that marked the high
est place. He waved his wand over the
fire and the flames rose TO the sky. I9