New-York tribune., 1907-09-29
6be Canoe of .SfExJer Birch Bark.

Little A-oos-a sat alone by the water side. Her
mothers wigwam vas not far away. and her
mother inside il, smoking pipe. A-oos-a
did not like tne smoke. bat she did like gaze
and gaze into the depths Of the creek Its waters
were SO clear so beautifult Besides things
often came floating down. driven ~ waters rising
hisher-dead flowers. scraps of paper. and some
times hits Of toys for Indian children lived up the
hillside.
A-oos-a had no toys. Her mother sold baskets
occasionally, and bought canned things TO eat. and
sacks Of -four. But a toy for A-oos-a!
Therefore. she had content herself with The
waters Of the creek and what they brought to her
There comes 2 bit of paper with q face on it
thought A-oos-a, her black eyes shining. Il can
reach il with q pole
But she did not II sailed past her. and she was
sorry. for il seenedfto her that some one above
high UP TIE hillside-znust send her down these
things from the place where the happier children
lived.
= wish some one would swim down on the water
10 play with ne she thought or, if not swim.
sail in a canoe and take me for a ride upon the
water"
Then she saw. the tiny pink flower that grows,
Two tiny bell-like blossoms always single
stem She had heard that II ever you found one
blossom growing alone you could have a wish.
But they are always twins thought A-oo-sa-
sa9 she had WHISPERED to it her wish
"A canoe. and scTne one TO play with Ine.'
The DAY warm, though IL was already Oc-
tober. Her little black head nodded over her
But before long the sound Of the waters. broken
by the plssh OF paddle. awoke her she rubbed
her eyes Then she sPrang 10 her feet with a little
CRY Of wonder and delight
PsUsing the water in front Of her, slowly
spinning round, a tiny canoe Of silver birch bark,
delicate paper. met her eyes IN IL sat child,
jump in he said = have come to play with
you
A-oos-a lost no tine il obeying him. And down
they went together. TIL the Wigwam Of A-0os-a's
mother was far behind.
on. the wonders Of that ride upon the waters,
The hanks widened away from; their edge. ana
showed the little Indian girl fair fields of green
grass, smooth and soft: tall trees. with apples
and pears shining like Jewels among the green
leaves.
Here We stop" said the boy Come, let us get
out"
he 1noored the canoe TO the pole that seemed
sticking Of the purpose ! should like
I say that he helped A-oos-a out-but no Indian
bov helms an Indian girl He gathered her golden
apples, though. and juicy pears. And he nrst
chased her. ana then lei her chase him, all round
the meadow Then, as the sun was sinking, he
led the way back TO the canoe-and they went
WIN ycE AGAIN." asked A-oos-a, as he let
her climb up the bank to the place from which he
had taken her
IN the moonlight, flashing away from her straining
sight.
IRE next cay. A-oos-a (froIn very interested mo-
tiyes. fear) tried to help her mother in the wig
out Of the way, you hinder you are like a little
under my feet said her mother Go outi'
So A-ocs-a went out the water side She was
scrTy She had wanted to DO a kind deed for
sonebcds-and her mother was the only person
she knew.
She watched the running water Then shn
thought she would catch fish for her mother and
she took her little hook and bated II, She put Il