Los Angeles herald., 1910-04-03
THE GIFT OF THE EASTER FAIRY

1t was Susette who was talking;
Tomorrow will be Easter Sunday, and
oh! how pretty the shop windows look
filled with pretty gifts, flowers and
cards"
She had been to school, and her
teacher had spent the morning reading
to the scholars about butterflies, flow
ers and baby chickens.
Susette stood a long time gazing at
the pretty gifts, saying to herself:
How I wish that mother were not so
poori How / wish |, too, could have
an Easter gift!'
She walked slowly home. The house
was empty. Her mother was away,
working to earn money to support her
little daughter and herself"
Susette sat down in the old wooden
rocking chair and cried again: How l
wish l might have an Easter gift!"
Suddenly a beautiful fairy stood on
the table right at her elbow, saying
softly: "Susette, 1 heard you wishing
for a gift; you are good child, and
would love to see you happy. You may
make a wish. viii you choose between
great riches. or a kind nature and
beautiful heart? Make a wish for one
now, and next year 1 will return and
ask you if you are happy"
Then the little girl cried quickly:
Give me great riches, beautiful fairy"
The fairy fluttered away, whispering:
"Susette, in a few hours all will be
changed; your wish for great riches
shall be granted"
When Susette's mother returned to-
ward evening the little girl told her of
the Easter fairy's visit, but her mother
cried Child, you have been dream
ing"
Susette felt very much disappointed,
for She too thought she must have
slept while waiting in the rocking
chair
BY I o'clock that evening mother and
child were fast asleep. Then the fairy
returned. She waved her wand, and
10! the little home became a beautiful
palace; the broken furniture was of
costly wood and tapestries; the calico
dresses were of satin, and priceless
gems shOne i'm jewel boxes on the gold
en- bureaus.
When all was changed the fairy
called Genie, who lifted the palace on
his back, and after floating far, far
away. he placed it on the banks of a
beautiful river.
In the morning when Susette awak-
ened she heard the fairy whisper; BE
hold your Easter gift! In yonder chests
YOU will find untold wealth. Spend
YOUR money as you wish. l VIII return
next year to see if you are happy"
At first Susette enjoyed her wealth.
very much. Then one sad, sad day her
mother became very ill.
Money was spent most lavishly on
great physicians and rare remedies
but nothing availed In few days
Susette saw her mother no more.
The little girl was now very lonely
as she was surrounded by strangers,
who cared for nothing but her money.
Fine dresses and jewels were every
where, also dainties of all kinds, but
nothing made her happy.
Day after day Susette spent her
time in a high tower looking aimless-
" over fields and meadows at the
flowing river and now the year had
rolled around and Easter Sunday was
here again. Susette arose early, Won
dering sadly if her tiny friend would
come. Yes! Just at 8 o'clock she
heard the sweet voice of her Easter
fairy whispering: Dearest child, are
you happy?'
mo! nor cried Susette.
"You have one other wish" said the
fairy. "Will you remain the possessor
of great riches, or will you become the
owner of a kind nature and beautiful
heart?"
"Oh beautiful fairy, give me a kind