The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-01-14
THE LITTLE MAN IN THE BUCKET.
Tale Of Fairies, Frogs and q Little
Man I'm Red Breeches.

Tale Of Fairies, Frogs and a Little
Man I'm Red Breeches.
In little cottage near the edge of a
dark wood lived an old woman and her
two grandchildren. She was not nice
and kind, this old grandmother, for she
made Ada and Maud two little drudges.
They had to work very hard, and run
and fetch water from the we'll, while
their grandmother, naughty old witch,
sat in her store behind the counter and
gossiped with the neighbors.
On this particular night am about to
tell you of the children were later than
usual in going to the we'll. so frightened
were they Of the scolding that was sure
to follow that fear lent wings to their
feet. Once arrived there. they COM
menced to pull at the bucket in great
haste. Up 1t came with a jerk, astonish-
iDgly light thought they.
Scarcely had 1t reached the top than
out sprang q little man, knee high.
dressed In red from top to toe. Making
them sweeping bow, he asked IL they
would like a visit to Fairyland.
Awed, yet delighted, they followed his
directions. Giving each OF them a stone
he said: Grub that twice quickly across
your hands" Having done as they were
hidden, 10 and beholdi they had changed
to the same size as the little rod man
himself. "Now, get into the bucket" he
roared, and jumping in himself, he let
the rope fly down, faster and faster, until
not one ray OF daylight was left Far
down on the side to the left appeared a
tiny spot. Every instant IL grew larger.
Then the bucket gave a funny little Jerk
and landed gently at the opening, IL
was merely a round hole in the side of
the well, but, oh, what lay beyond!
Jumping into pretty little boat of
rose leaves, with butterflies wings for A
canopy, they were rowed to the opposite
shore.
Now" said their friend, 4" we have TO
attend the wedding of very dear friend
of mine, who is to be married at 4, and I
want you TO CO."
Walking up the steps OF avery fine man
sion of amber, they were met at the door
by a very fat, important looking frog,
dressed in a big white tie, black satin
knee breechcs and coat, white vest and
gloves. He led the way into the ball |
room, whore all the guests were as
sembled, craning their necks, all trying |
to catch the first glimpse of the bride.
Big frogs, little frogs, fat frogs, thin |
frogs, grandmammas, grsndpapss, aunts
and uncles, one and all restless, eager.
excited. They did not have to wait long,
however. In came the bride, smiling and
Dlushing, dressed in garnet and green
'atin. After the ceremony and congrat-
ilations, the little red man started Ada
Ind Maud of on a brisk walk, for the
ime was short before they must return
)nce more TO earth.
Passing beautiful house OF precious
tones and hearing gay music, Ada and
Maud wanted to go in. "No," said the
title man; "see, that Is q bad place.
md be threw stone at IL. Immediately
he house was In q mass OF flames, and
title men and women came to the win
lows and cried and screamed and scolded
ach other, and threw their ba bies out.
Ida and Maud were sorry TO see the little
nan so cross, but supposed he knew best.
ust as they turned to 60, Ada picked up
stone which had once been the front
oor and hid IL in her dress.
Passing n little further on, they met
wo very fine princes. They spoke to the
iris and wanted TO walk with them: but
be little man threw stones in their faces
nd they turned into big, black bears
nd went bowling OF into the forest.
After this the little red man took them
ack TO the bucket. When they roac he'd
be top, the girls ran home to toll the
wonderful news to granny. Aea showed
he stone she had picked up, 10 the old
'omsn. Snstcbing 10, she cried, "That's
line. that's mine; we can ali 70 back
D Fairyland new and live there" And
be commenced rubbing 10 on the chill
ren and on herself, but the children said
othing at all, knowing she was a witch
ideed.- Maud ssttsrles. In n. Y. Re-
rider.