The Mystery at the Calgary Stampede by Gertrude Chandler Warner Page A

people exhibiting animals
they’ve raised. We have a marvelous midway
fair with rides and food—”
    She noticed Benny’s eyes widen. “Did I
mention food ?” Judy laughed. “You’ll find
some very strange foods at the Stampede.”
    Benny opened his mouth to ask her about
the strange food, but she was already leading
them into the museum.
    “I want to show you something on the
second floor,” Judy said, heading to a wide
staircase. “And I want you to meet my niece,
Daisy, who is joining us. I have a surprise
for her!”
    On the second floor were two large signs
with arrows pointing in opposite directions.
One read Picturing the Northwest , and the
other read Our Historic Stampede .
    “Let’s go that way,” said Benny, pointing to
the second sign, and the others followed him.
    Judy chuckled. “I like how you leap right in.”
    Jessie stopped in front of a wall lined with
posters. “The Stampede’s been around a long
time. Look, there’s a poster for every year.”
    “ This poster is for the Stampede in 1912!”
pointed out Violet.
    “Look at this poster!” said Jessie. “It’s from
2012 and says it’s the hundredth anniversary
of the Stampede!”
    Grandfather stopped in front of a huge
painting.
    “Well, well,” he said to Judy. “It’s so lifelike
that if you weren’t standing in front of us, I’d
guess that was really you .” The painting was a
portrait of Judy standing in front of a concert
marquee that read: Judy Simon: Live at the
Grand Ole Opry .
    Jessie remembered Grandfather telling
them about how Judy traveled all over the
world. She realized his friend must be a
famous country music singer.
    Judy laughed. “It is very odd to see myself
like that!”
    Benny was staring hard at the portrait.
“What is that pin you’re wearing in the
painting?”
    “You have sharp eyes,” said Judy. “That’s
my Young Canadian pin. That was given to
me for being part of the singing and dancing
troupe that performs every evening at the
Stampede Grandstand Show. I was a Young
Canadian for five years so they gave me a
special pin with my name engraved on it!”
    “Five years! That must have been a lot of
work,” said Jessie.
    “It was,” Judy said. “And it was how I got
my start as a singer.” She lowered her voice
to a stage whisper. “The pin is the surprise
I told you about. I’m going to give it to my
niece Daisy. She’s meeting us here to see my
portrait for the first time. She had to miss the
unveiling of the portrait because she was at
rehearsal. But she doesn’t know that I want to
celebrate her too!
    “Daisy is now a Young Canadian,” she
explained. “I have a feeling that this is the
beginning of her own singing career. I’m so
proud of her. Her first time performing on
the Calgary stage is tomorrow night!”
    Violet gave a squeak of excitement, and she
turned to Grandfather. “Do we get to see the
show?” she asked.
    Before Grandfather could answer, Judy
said, “Of course you do.”
    Just then a girl about Henry’s age with
bright red hair and a wide smile that matched
Judy’s ran up to give Judy a hug. “Auntie
Judy!” she exclaimed.
    Jessie knew this had to be Daisy.
    Daisy saw the portrait of her aunt. “Oh
my,” she said. “It’s beautiful!” She stepped
back. “Look at that! The artist even put your
pin on it.”
    “The pin you’ve wanted since you were a
little girl,” said Judy. “Now here you are, a
Young Canadian yourself and ready for your
first opening show!”
    Suddenly Daisy looked anxious, but her
aunt put an arm around her. “You’ll be
just fine. Look,” Judy said, pointing to the
Aldens. “My good friend is visiting with his
grandchildren. They’ll be staying with me.”
    She introduced Daisy to the children, one
by one. The Aldens learned that Daisy lived
just down the street from her aunt.
    “I hope you like Calgary,” Daisy told them.
    Benny beamed. “We will!” he said. “We
can’t wait to see your show!”
    “Oh, it’s not my