The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1893-03-16


And the one to Problem No. O Ii
Nv hale Yours truly.
INA Y. PENNINGTON
Little Aabfe. The witch of Woody Del
and bad Temper.
By CHARLES II. TALBOT.
Little Mable Blaek-eyes, bless he,
pretty face.
And all her quick. imperious ways,
and all her childish graee.-
Went out one morning 'mocg the
birds and 'mong the rose-hune
bushes;
Herself as sweet as roses are, as
tunefull as the thrushes.
She drifted down the orchard lane as
though the breezes blew he;
Threw back the kisses that the trees
in scented blossoms threw her;
And, where the babbling brook bends
near. upon its shining way,
A house half hid, she turned aside to
call on Mother Gray.
Dame Gray, the witch of Woody
DELL" sat in her lonely kitchen,
Twas just the place for all the world
you'd look to find witch in.
And she was every inch a witch,
with dried and swarthy skin,
And sharp, small eyes, and nose
turned down to meet her turned
up chin.
She wore her lofty pointed hat,
her gown Of twenty hues,
Her famous scarlet petticoat, her
ancient high-heeled shoes.
And when she saw our heroine, she
frowned; while from her side
A huge black cat, with back erect,
the stranger fiercely eyed.
Poor little Mable Buckeyes heart
for the moment sank within her.
ooh, dear!" she thought, would
witches eat a little girl for din
ner7
| almost wish had Mt come, | knew
that I should rue it.
However, I've an errand, and | guess
I'd better do it -
So, gathering all her courage, she
And smiled with charming sweetness
(Ah' right well does she know
To gladden. all the older folkD; then,
IN her own bland way,
She proceeded to declare her wish
to frowning Mother Gray.
Good Mother Gray, l just dropped
in to ask little favor.
/" Then she stopped and STAN
mered, and could not go on, to
save her.
But Mother Gray broke harshly in:
sob! So that's it, is it?
Folks always want some favor done
when they pay me visit"
She eyed her guest a moment.
Then, in milder tone,-"Well,
well,
They all respect the magic power of
the Witch of Woody Dell.
Lock up and speak your wish, my
child. If good, it shall be
granted"
SO, thus assured, our heroine ex-
planned what t was she wanted.
:'You see, and then she lowered
her voice and suddenly looked
1--WE got the awf'lest temper any
body ever had!
And really can not help it. though
[ try, and try, and try;
And Nurse declares that everybody
III hate me by and by.
And SO, good, dear. kind Mother
Gray, thought I'd come to you
(For I've heard a hundred times of
all the wondrous things you do),
70 see If | could get some magic
medicine to take
That would cure my dreadful temper,
and so, perhaps, would make
People love instead Of hating me. as
every one does, nearly;
But want to be 50 good to all that
all will love me dearly"
Then she looked up so beseechingly.
and yet so very sweetly,
That cen the stern old witch's heart
was Won to her completely.
"Ahem! Ahem! Well, well! Dear me,'
observed old Mother Gray;
And she waved her handkerchief
about in a most suspicious way.
Twas lucky, child, yes, lucky
that you CHANGED to come to me;
For yours is quite serious case.
However, we will see
What can be DONE" So saying, she
got up from her chair
And with her cane she hobbled to
the wooden cupboard where
She kept the thousand drugs and
charms by whose mysterious
spell
She exercised her marvellous power
as Witch of Woody Dell.
From the shelf she took phial.
Now here, my child" said she,
Is certain cure for ills like yours.
IT taken faithfully
According to directions. Now list
to me and mind
Ihat you remember every word,
Whenever you re inclined
To answer back, say naughty words.
or do what is MT right
FIRST. ere you say or do thing, run
quick with all your might
And get cup (take heed It either
glass or chinaware);
Then measure out nine teaspoonfuls
- OF water with great care
To which add next FIVE drops of this
preeisely,-for, be sure.
one single atom more or less would
spoil tie wished-for cure.
Then slowly count just tweuty-eight.
and stir it all the while
(Meantime being very careful not to
speak word, or smile);
This done, drink off the potion-po
back, and strange to say.
You'll find your angry feelings have
vanished quite away.
DO this, exactly as I've said. each
time that you are tempted.
AND promise you perfect cure
before the phial's emptied -