Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1901-01-31
THE FAIRY GODhOTHER
By Hattie E. Briggs.


US and make US unhappy, isn't it, J,s-
sie?" And Vira only stopped speaking
from lack of breath and the immediate
presence of tears.
Pm afraid so,' sobbed Jessie, v 10
never could endure either Harry's teas.
ing or Nira's ) censure of him without cry
ing.
"Well, of course, it is nothing particu-
lar to me-" replied the boy. Every
body has a fairy godmOther, and she secs
to it that somebody is appointed to loci
after us, take care of us when we are il
trouble, and give us advice whenever VI
need it. Some have one kind of a friend
and some another. Mine happens to h
q man, an Indian chief, named NewarGC
He told me that Nira's godmother is al
Indian woman-a celebrated squaw o.
the Chippewa tribe. / also happen I,
know that she will be in High Banks th
afternoon. At 2 o'clock she will be =;
the big elm back of the playhouse
Would you like to see her,"
Eyes; tell her I'll come" called Viz;
as Harry again started away with :.
ver's harness, but Harry" she add
severely, don't you stay around. ! don
want you to hear what she says"
Don't you worry" was the gruff Il
ply, 'I'm not dying to hear any of yoHr
secrets"
At 2 o'clock Jessie and Vira
their homes, casting furtive glances abe:
to make sure that Harry was not watc.
ing them. After waiting in the pla.
house what seemed an interminat
length of time, Vira's heart almost st"i.
ped beating, to see coming to her, Slow
skirting the kitchen garden, tall tiSu%"
clothed in the garb of an Indian woman
Her bright blanket glittered in the sH!
light, and as she neared the appointed
meeting place the girls saw that her face
was of dusky hue. Large beads hung
about her neck, and her short hair was
oiled so smoothly as to bring out every
line of the bright penciling which adorned
her features.
Vira went carefully forward, fairly
faint with awe and surprise; for in all her
life she had never before seen a squaw,
and that this one should be her god
mother!
'You Vira ?" queried the squaw, taking
a swift step forward and grasping the
little girls hand.
Yes" was the child's almost inaudible
reply.
II am your godmother," the squaw went
on, in remarkably good English "New-
argo is Harry's fairy-I am yours. You,"
seating herself on the ground and looking
fxedly at Vira, "are a good girl, but not
pretty. Too dark to be pretty" she NUT
tered. "Most brown enough to be my
child
A flush came to Vira's check, for her
dark little face had always been a sensi-
tive point with her. She mentally decid-
ed that Indian godmothers were not an
unmixed blessing after all, if they would
discuss facts so freely
you have many faults, Vira," the
woman continued, looking at her narrow
ly, which l hope you will correct before
l visit you again. You don't like to get
up in the morning, and you are never
ready to go to bed at night. You read too
much when you should be at your music
And" she went on, both you and Jessie
are too selfish about things where Harry
is concerned. He is a good boy, but it
was only last night that you and his sis
ter fairly quarreled with him because he
ate your pieces of cake. A growing boy
needs great deal of cake"
Jessie and Vira looked at each other in
HsIODlSHIUtul. IION ulu llC W.
man know so well what had happened?
"And now, my child" she said, before
/ leave you, is there anything you want
to ask me?"
"Tell me-" the little girl stammered.
"how-er-long have you been my god
motherT
always, Vira, always" was the reply
"You were given to me because of your
. hag
ton with US whether or not we better
take you to live with us. Would you like
to live with meT' she asked, looking
eagerly into Vira's face.
"Oh, no" gasped the girl, clutching
Jessie's hand.
"Well," continued the squaw, "unlcss
you and your little playmate become less
selfish you will be separated, and now,
till l see you again, remember these
things: Rise more cheerfully mornings
pay more attention to your arithmetic
don't cry when your hair is conb'!
and
"Why, Harry Wallingw screamed the
girls in unison, as a sudden gust OF WIND
blew the gay blanket apart and revealed
the well known garments of their play
mate.
''Oh, you mean, horrld thlnS. Wa.''u
Jessie, while Vira flew at him in sud
den fury and stripped the blanket and
trappings from him till nothing remained
but the brilliant penciling which gave his
face the appearance of being the most
vicious Indian woman the Chippewas
ever saw.
"Well. you need not kill fellow" cried
Harry, because he has told you few
truths" as Vira's blows descended on his
head.
an never speak to you again, Harry
Wallingr' screamed his assailant.
'Nor l." echoed Jessie.
"Yes, you both will" answered the
boy, grabbing the blanket and running
toward the house, ''the very first time
you want q drive after Silver. r."-Detroit
Free Press.