St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-08-23
TOMMY'S DIRE AM.

street in which he lived, into the beautiful
green, fresh country.
And Tommy had enjoyed the treat; but
am afraid that many of the butterflies
and other insects, and some of the birds
too, had cause to grieve that Tommy and
his little mates had been there to treat
it was none for them. A great part of the
day Tommy had spent in what he thought
good fun He had chased beautiful but
terfies, but when he caught them he could
do little with them. They were a source
of amusement to him for short time, and
then he would let them futter away with
spoilt and broken wings. He had tried to
capture the large bees which he saw fly
ing about, but as he laid hold on one i,
stuDg him 80 thinking himself badly used,
he let it go. Then he had frightened
many of the birds by throwing stones al
them-only fortunately he aimed badly
and never hit his mark. And when he
and some of his companions, wandering
through the green fields, had come aero. S
a large, scaly beetle. he had seized it, aud
in spite of its struggles, had put it in his
pocket.
And now Tommy was back from the
treat and in bed.
He had not long fallen asleep when he
seemed to be again in the fields in which
he had played all day. But all the butter
flies and bees and beetles and birds seemed
to have changed places with him in point
of size, for they appeared as large as boys,
and he as small as beetle, and Tommy
was terribly frightened.
''Ob," he thought, 81 must hide under
the sticks, or those great creatures will
catch mel Oh, dear wish l were
home |" for Tommy was frightened.
So he hid quickly under some small
sticks until all the butterflies and other
things should go away; but it was no use.
Soon he felt the sticks lifted, and heard
something scream out he did not know
what the thing was at first, for he dared
not look up.
"Oh, obi come and look; here's such
funny thing Four legs! And it only
walks on two of them! And such funny
head p
Then Tommy felt himself snatched up
and pinched; and screaming and struggling
he looked up at the big thing that held
him. 1t was beetle of gigantic size, it
seemed to him.
"ohl" screamed the beetle again, "come
and look what I've caught. Such funny
thing; whatever it ISL"
"What have you got?" asked a butterfly
about one hundred times Tommy's size,
flying up.
why, look herel don't know what
it is"
oh" said the butterfly, 'it's only
boy. They're common enough. If you
didn't live so much under the ground
you'd know a boy when you see him. That's
only little one, but I've seen big ones,
and I've good cause too remember them,
too. they've chased me- often enough"
The butterfly spoke very iercely for
such a gentle creature, and Tommy trem-
oled.
"a boy!' shrieked the beetle-''a boy ! |
know something about them, only |
1idn't know this was one. Ugh! you little |
Tommy-''you're boy,
IRE you? I'll pinch you And the beetle
lid, and Tommy screamed and kicked; but
The beetle held him tightly.
whats on heref" asked passing bee,
What have you gotf'
"Oh, only boy said the butterfly, "and
we're only going to pinch him to see him
Kick"
sob, OH" screamed Tommy, ''you cow
lrds! you wouldn't dare do it if were not
10 SMALL but the insects took no notice of
lis cries.
Here, hand him over to me-" said the
zee; Il owe boys a grudge; let me sting
linn
wait Bit" answe, ed the beetle; "let's
AVE some fun with him first. You'll kill
lin if you sting him."
"Not Besides, boys can't feel"
"They can! they can!" shrieked Tom
ny, but no heed was paid to his words.
Just as the bee was about to sting it's
hrieking victim linnet Ito Tommy it
eemed the size of an eagle) flew up. The
fitted away sharply, and the bee
uddenly became Impressed with the me-
essity of going also, and went. Only the
eetle remained, holding Tommy tightly
till, for the beetle knew that its scaly
oat would protect it against the liunet.
But the bee and the butterfly had not such
rejection.
"Whst have you got?' asked the linnet
A boy. owe boys grudge, so Pm
inching him." and so the beetle squeezed
'ommy again, and again he sqaealed.
''Will you give him to me? Id like to
AXE him somewhere" said the linnet
So the beetle dropped Tommy, who was
ow quite sore, and the linnet lifted him
/ its beak
Dreams sre very funny things.
The linnet seemed to be suddenly in the
Dom of house, and Tommy saw 1t was
is own bedroom.
whats the matter?" squeaked
lnny voice." 1t was Tommys white
louse.
''Why, said the ]innet, and it seemed
ute friendly with the white mouse, I've
sught boy. What shall do with
|m7"
"a boy9 Let me look, said the white
ouse; then added, fercely, "Why, it's !,
ommyi'
Eyes, please, Mr.. Mouse" said Tom
y, 'It's me. You know me, don't :
Tommy was afraid of the white mouse, :
seemed so big. =
"Know youf'' screamed the mouse c
I've good reason to know you Yes and :,
wv I'll make you know me-" {
"Please, Mr.. Mouse" said Tommy y
lG the white mouse interrupt him. =
''Know your You're the boy that fast
led me in cage without any food, and '
was hungry. Worse, worse I was :;
irsty. and aIl m water was dried up. l
y cage has been left unclean for weeks.
now you? Yes and now you shall
low me"
The white mouse rushed fsrceiy at h
'mmy. II
But suddenly Tommy awoke, and he a
Is living in bed, and of his natural size. q
"Dear me-" he murmured, "what an f
vful dream have had declare I'll 4
yer hurt anything ever again. And r.
1en get up I'll feed my white mouse. n
forgot him yesterday" For Tommy =
d been 80 full of the treat the day be- 4
re- that the white mouse had been neg
tied. In fact, Tommy often neglected it
Then he dressed. and went to the cage =,