The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-01-26
Winnifred's Adventure.
BY IiIILiIS BROWN.

once there was great, great forest,
In which nothing lived but wild beasts.
And there was little girl who, in going
to and from school, had to pass through
the edge of it. Her mother often
warned her that she must never inger
by the way, for if she had to pass that
dreary path alone late in the day some
evil might befall her. On a morning
when the sun shone brightly, the good
mother tied on her hat, saying, as usual :
"My little girl, be sure to get by the
wood before the night falls you have
long way to go, but when you get home
then you shall rest"
Winnifred was quite used to hearing
this, so she answered, "Yes, mother"
without thinking much about it, and
hurried away that she might not be late
at school, for she felt it almost dis
grace to get tardy mark.
In coming home she was 80 very warm
and tired, and the great trees shed such
a cool, pleasant shadow, that she stood
still, took off her hat, then looked all
about and listened. Nothing was to be
heard bat the busy insects and birds.
She said to herself, Everything is 80
quiet it can do no harm if 1 just drop
down under this pine tree and rest one
minute L am so tiredp
She had barely closed her eyes when
she heard a soft whispering noise close
by her ear. She lifted her head to find
where it came from. Then she saw a
crowd of many tiny people, all dressed
in long brown robes just alike-each lit
tie person an inch and half high, like
every other little person--and the whis-
fNariny ao1y1 which oaroa IN from fb a
were the voices of the crowd. Winni-
fred opened her eyes as wide as they
would go, crying, Wonderful, wonder
full I" which so frightened them that
each little mite put his forefnger in his
ears and ran away as fast and nimbly as
little brown ants. Winnifred was aston
ished to find they had all vani shed so
quickly. She was very, very sorry, and
waited a long time for them to come
back, calling in her softest tones, 'Dear
little tiny creatures, do come back
again l am SO sorry scared you away.
will not hurt you in the least / only
want to look at you again"
But it was all in vain. She heard
nothing of them till, reaching out to
pluck wintergreen berry, she saw hid
den behind a large bunch of the leaves
the king of the whole tribe. He was
peering at her, hall in awe, half in curl
osity. When he saw himself discovered
he came out boldly, took off his hat,
which was of bright green, with beau
tiful long white feather in it, bowling low
to the ground. Careful this time not to
brighten him, Winnifred asked, with a
charming smile, "Who are you, sir,
pray2 if it is not impertinent to in
quire.
"Fair child, am one of the Pine
needle Family in truth, 1 am their
king"
"And where do you live, Sir King of
the Pineneedles ?"
"My abode is here, or was-in the
very spot where you now are," said the
King sadly "you have laid waste the
whole of my palace gardens" Winni-
fred started. 81 beg of you, dear lady,
to rise carefully, or you will overturn
my whole city"
She looked and saw all round her tiny
houses built in streets, and sure enough
at her feet the palace shone in gilded
marble.
"Oh, how sorry I am to have spoiled
your gardens, but how 1 wish could
get IN there u
"You CAM" said the King, eff you
will consent to be made small like one
6f u.s."
"Ohl yes, that would be fine but
how can it be done2" and she glanced at
her large body, which was like that of a
piantess beside the wee Prince of the
the Pineneedles. The King stopped
and picked plant growing at his feet,
which she had not noticed till that mo-
ment, and handed it to her, saying
"Eat the leaf of this, and you will have
no trouble in entering the palace" She
took the plant eagerly and ate it. She
had barely swallowed when she felt her
self shrinking up all over. She chewed
again and swallowed and again. The
third time she was no taller than the
King himself. Then the King cried,
"That is enough, my beautiful Great
Ere."
And he took her hands and said,
"You are the loveliest maiden l ever
beheld Your eyes are blue like the
skies your hair yellow like corn your
skin white as the daisy's petals, and
your hps red as two berries. Will you
be my dear bride, and go to my castle
and live with me, Queen Of the Pine.
needles all your life!"
She was just about to say, "Yes, u
when she heard her fathers voice shout
ing, and sprang up in terror. The forest
was black as ink, and in the dark light
flashed at distance the shouts con.
tinued. Winnifred, Winnifrcd I" the
hoarse voice called.
eyes, yes father. Where are you
I'm coming !" In minute her father
took her in his arms, kissing her with
tears in his eyes. The neighbors gath.
cred round with blazing torches, and
took her home to the almost distracted
mother, who hardly dared to hope to see
her little Winnifred safe in her arm;
And all the people said that it wa