The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1894-09-10

( pointed at a bright star with his right fore
! finger, and then went back to his hollow
! trce warning the girl not to forget her
| promise.
! when she looked In the basket the red
/ dragons apples had disappeared, aAd in
I their place she saw the finest Strawberries
! that had ever been grown. These she car
| Iiad to the rich man. who was as much
| surprised at the size ana Iusciousuess Of the
I berries as his guests were at the eAtraor-
binary beauty of the young girl. They
praised her beauty to their host. who shook
his head ana said that beauty ceased to
be beautiful when il was tied 10 stupidity.
The guests, however, would not believe
that 80 beautiful creature could be stupid
anu 10 satisfy them the rich man sent for
the girl and engaged ner il conversation
Her replies were wise, 80 apt ana -
witty as to astound ali the company, while
the rich man was dumlounued with aston
ishment.
After that, when the Strawberry Girl
came with berries for SAFE. the ricn man
always sent for her. ana her wit and in
teilgence We're 50 pleasing 10 him that he
finally asked her TO be his wife. But she
remembered the bargain she had made
with the little old man who had met her
in the wood and she tod the ricn man
that she would have to take time to con-
slider his proposal.
''She was very much worried. She fret
ted until she began to lose some of her
beauty, and when Granny Grin-Eye saw
this she began to ask questions, and it was
not long before she found out all about
the bargain the Strawberry Girl had made
with the little Old Man of the Wood.
on. no.! she cried. He is up to his
old tricks, is he? Well, we shall see!
so she went to her chest and got the
silver chain with which the strawberry
Girl had been fastened to the blackberry
bush, ana wrapped and twined it In the
shape of a star. This star she fastened
on the Strawberry Girls forehead by means
of a velvet band, and told her to wear it
constantly.
1T happened that on the very day the
year expired the Strawberry Girl was walk
ing through the wood. The little old man
jumped from his hollow thee and ran for
ward to Claim his bride. But when he saw
the star shining on her forehead he gave II
loud cry, threw his hands before his eyes
and turned and fled through the wood fast
err than any deer could have DONE No
body ever saw HIM again. and the Straw
berry Girl married the rich man ana lived
happily for many long years.
Il think that is nice story" said Sweet
est Susan
I'm glad you do" remarked Mr. Thin
blehnger. MY mother knew all the facts
In the case. and I've heard her tell it many
a time. / may have left out some of the
happenings but these and many others you
can supply for yourself"
Mrs. Meadows looked up at the sky of
Mr.. Thimblsfinger's queer country. 1t had
grown perceptibly darker Mr.. Thimble-
finger pulled out his little watch Dir. Rab-
bit closed one eye and sat as If listening
for something.
Well" said Mrs. Meadows. II expect l
will have to tell you goodoy for this time.
/ hope you'll come again. l declare, it's
been a treat TO have some new somebody to
talk to. Mr.. Thimblefinger will go with
""'t. BY the time you get back the sun will