The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1894-06-25

. you," he said, but can't describe it,"
"Pck i'm up an show i'm to your MAJ
| exclaimed Drusilla suddenly.
mo no. nor cried Mr.. Thimbleiinger,
| leaping to his feet THAT would spoil every
| thing. No grown person living i'll this coun-
try has ever seen me. No, no! don't try that.
1t would spoil your luck. l wouldt be here
now if the Dolls grandmother hadn't beg
ged me to come with her last night. But
I'll come to see you"-he pointed at Drusilla
I'll come often"
Il des said dat fer ter see what you d
say" protested Drusilla. you wan gwine
ter take i'm, you, honey?" This qres-
ton addressed to Buster John, who
Scorned to answer it.
Grown people wouldn't understand me-"
Mr.. Thimblefinger explained. They know a
great deal too much to suit me-
How do you get to your country%' in
qured Buster John. who was Keen for an
adventure.
"The nearest way is by the spring. re-
piled Mr.. Thimblefnger. That is the only
way you could co.
Can I go, too?' asked Sweetest Susan
And Drusilla"'
''Oh, of course said Mr.. Thimbefnger.
Struggling his shoulders. "One can go all
CO."
DO you go down the spring branch?"
asked Buster John.
mo, no." replied Mr. Thimblefnger Be
low the spring and below the branch"
DO you mean under the spring." Sweet
est Susan inquired, with some hesitation.
THAT'S it," cried Mr. Thimblefinger
Fright down through the spring and under
it,
'Why, wed drown" said Sweetest su-
san. The spring is deep"
well, you'll ha' ter 'skuze me-" exclaim-
ed DruSilla. Dat waters too wet fer me-"
Buster John waited for an explanation,
but none was forthcoming
We couldn't go through the spring, you
know" she said presently
Glow do GU know. Asked Mr. Thirble-
anger, Slyly. Did YOU ever try tt?"
He asked each of the children this and
the reply was that none of them had ever
tried it.
II put my foot in it once" said Buster
John, and the water was just like other
it,
Come, now" Mr.. Thimblefinger suggest
ed, don't say you know. Sometimes people
live to be very old and don't know the very
things they ought to know
But L know that" replied Buster John,
confidently.
Very well, them said Mr. Thimblefnger,
pulling out a tiny watch, did you ever feel
OF the water in the spring at precisely nine
minutes and nine seconds after IL o'clock%'
"N-o-o-o," replied Buster John, taken by
surprise, Il don't think I ever did"
"Of course not" cried Mr. Thimblafnaer
gayly. you had no reason. Well at nine
minutes and nine seconds after L o'clock
the water in the spring is not wet. 1t is as
dry as the air we breathe. It is now two
minutes after Il o'clock. Well so to the
spring. Wait until the time comes. and
then you will see for yourself"
AS they went toward the spring-Mr
Ihimbiehnger running on before with won
derful agility-Drusiila touched Sweetest Su-
san on the arm. Honey said she, don't
Lot
Goodness knows eff he puts his han on me
I'm gwine ter squall
"Wiu you hush?' exclaimed Buster John.
impatiently.
Watch out, now" said Drusilla def
antly. "Ef you gifts drowneded in dar III
sho' tell yo' ma
Fortunately, there was no one near the
spring, Mr.. Thimbefnger advanced
boldly, followed closely by the children
though Drusilla seemed to hang back some
what doubtfully. When they arrived there
Mr.. Thimbleiinger took out his tiny time
piece and held it in his hand The children
watched him with breathless interest, es-
pecially Buster John, who was thrilled
with the idea of having an adventure en-
tirely different from any that he had read
of in the story books.
AS the little man stood there holding his
watch and looking at it intently the dinner
bell rang, first in the hallway and then in
the back porch. The children remembered
it afterward.
''You all better so git yo' dinner TO it git
COZ, stidder proiickin' 'roun here wild YOU
dunner what remarked Drusila.
''Now!' exclaimed Mr.. Thimbehnger,
put your hand in the spring."
Maury did as he bid. and, to his
amazement. he could feel water. He
could see it, bat he couldn't feel it. He
turned pale with excitement and withdrew
his hand. Then he put his other hand in,
but the result was the same. lie plunged
his arm in up to the elbow, but his sleeve
remained perfectly dry
'"rry it, Sis he cried
Sweetest Susan did so. and boldly de-
cared there was no water in the spring.
She wanted Drusila to try to wet her hand,
but Druslla sulleny declined.
Mr.. blefinger settled the matter by
walking into the spring.