Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-07
Peter umkin 5 Wish

basking in the rays of the great Octo-
Der sun. The sun had been very good
to PeSer and his brothers, for he had
sent down his little sunbeams to dress
| them in their little golden suits for
Halloween. The raindrops, too, had
lent their aid. AS result, Peter was
gradually turning from green to a
bright, healthy yellow color He was
very happy pumpkin indeed, and had
only one wish-to have eyes, a nose
and mouth, like the beautiful moon.
Peter could not see the moon, since
he had no eyes; but the old owl had
described her to him, and he thought
she must be the most wonderful thing
in the world
At last Peter wished so hard to have
eyes, nose and mouth that he deter
mined to find way to get them. "The
moon is useful in lighting the world"
the moonbeams said "You must be
of some use If you would look like
her" And they promised to help
him.
Soon after that little boy named
John came into the cornfield, trund-
ling wheelbarrow.
Here is fine pumpkin for Hallow-
cen tonight" he said, and then Peter
felt something sharp press upon his
stem. After that he felt himself put
into a wheelbarrow and carried away.
81 wonder what is going to happen to
me?" he said to himself. Presently
the wheelbarrow stopped, and he was
lifted out and carried into the house
"See what fine pumpkin l have
brought you, Aunt Dinah!" said
voice, as Peter felt himself thumped
down on the kitchen table.
1T certainly u.s." said another voice,
"and am goisg to make you some
pumpkin pies
"Then will get it ready for to-
night" said John. Here Peter felt an
other cut, and then very sharp pain
inside. Now, am going to, be use
ful,' he thought; but he did not stir,
for he was brave fellow. Presently
he felt a curious, empty feeling, and
then he felt John cutting little holes
in him with with his jack-knife. In
five minutes he was wonderful pump
kin head. He saw John and Aunt
Dinah laughing at him, and drew
deep breath of happiness His wish
had come true.
That night they put a lighted candle
inside him and carried him about, to
the great joy of all the boys-and tho
fear of the little tots.
How he enjoyed it all!rThen he was
hung to the porch. The young people
and children were having games and
making merry in the house; their
happy laughter floated out to him.
Peter Pumpkin was glad to rest a
nil ysyr irry sv, IN n1&N
air, with his candle burning brightly.
The moon peeped out from behind a
cloud and seemed to smile at him. \
brownie had seated himself cross
legged on the railing, and he nodded
UP at Peter good-naturedly.
well, Friend Peter" said the
brownie. ''how are you enjoying our
night?"
81 think it is lovely" said Peter,
land 1t means great deal to me, for
/ have never had features before"
ut seems pity that your pleasure
should be so short. Tomorrow you
will go to the dust heap" said the
brownie, teasingly.
Somehow that remark did not make
Peter Pumpkin sad. He went on
swinging in the. breeze. They talked
together until long after the house
was darkened for the night At last
the brownie got down from his perch,
yawning, and stretching his short
legs.
''The birds are beginning to twitter,
and dawn is no friend of mine" he
said, and vanished. The candle spIut.
tered and went out, and all was still
for while.
In the morning pretty young girl
tripped out on the porch.
Good morning, Peter Pumpkin"
she said, brightly. You shall not so
to the dust heap today. l will hang
you in the nursery"
So she unlocked him and took him
into the house and up to the old, old
nursery, where so many children have
played, and studied, and slept. There,
over the mantel, Peter Pumpkin is
growing old and getting rather wrink.
led, but he does not mind. He watches
John and the other boys studying their
lessons every night round the open
fire, and is enjoying serene old age,
for he has been both useful and happy.
Mary Small Wagner, in the Youths