Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-12-30
THE STORY OF A LEAF

LID D1Vh1 W. A LEAF
BY G. H.
m was Malcolm's
!. / ! 1 ] 4; ! ! !
N birthday, and the
JM children were hav
A }W) ing picnic in hon
M \N) rs or Of the event out
MN WL,r777zD on the lawn. They
WA Y1)LlL5 had been romping
SYleSs and playing all the
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them.
Presently nurse came out carrying
Baby Bob on one arm and the basket
of luncheon on the other. She put
Bob down beside his brother; then,
spreading the white tablecloth on the
grass, commenced to set out the good
les. Such lot of nice things as man.
ma had gotten up for the occasion!
There were sandwiches and tarts, can
dies and cakes, apples and nuts, be-
sides sundry other delicacies too nu-
merous to mention. 1t was not very
long before the sharp eyes Of the lit
tie folks spied the attractions waiting
for them, which was signal for
general suspension of games, and with
one accord they all fastened to the
rural feast.
When gathered around, Malcolm al
the head and nurse at the foot to as
sist in dispensing the dainties, TOE.
said it was eft to set before king
not very original remark; but Toms
Mother Goose days had not been so
long past, and the rest thought it a
deserved compliment
"Yeth, ii,leed," lisped saucy Madge;
II with we could alwayth take our din
ner out llere--everything tasths so
much better than indoors"
The children laughed and chatted.
the baby crowded and the nurse looked
on, we'll pleased to see their happy
faces and listen to their praises of the
sweet morsels they were dispatching.
Overhead the leaves of the old beech
rustled their appreciation Of the merry
scene, seeming to enjoy the sport as
much as the partakers themselves.
From the furthermost twig of a Dough,
quite near the ground, there hung one
perched upon nurses shoulder. was
vainly trying to catch; but the pretty,
bright thing always managed to flut-
ter away and elude the grasp Of his
tiny fingers. Tom watched his efforts,
an amused spectator and at last, when
his patience exhausted, the baby
screamed angrily at the provoking
leaf, he sprang from his seat upon the
ground, saying: Never mind, Bob,
you shall have it-so you SHALL" but
before he could make good his prom
Use Malcolm stopped him.
Don't touch it, Tom," he said; Bob
will forget all about it pretty soon
he would only pull it to pieces any
how or leave it to wither, and some
how always imagine that leaves and
flowers and such things can feel"
| Tom sat down again without word,
for they always minded Malcolm. Poor
boy, he was lame, and although the
oldest, was not strong and active like
the crest of his brothers and sisters.
But he could tell the most beautiful
stories about fairies, giants and other
wonderful things; and now he offered
to repeat one of his tales if they would
listen to him. OF course they would.
Was there ever a TINS when they
didn't? So the remains of the par
ty'' were quickly slowed away in The
| basket, a circle of eager expectants
formed, and Malcolm began.
The leaves listened to the interest
ing recital, and when the dangers"
and adventures" were passed and The
story ended with the good being re-
warded and the bad punished, followed
the cheer the children gave by grand
flourish to signify their approval also.
But don't believe the little mortals
understood it in that way; they only
thought it was the wandering wind
straying through the l., znches which
had put them in no:iGn. There was
one which danced about longer than
any; it was that one Malcolm had
saved from its would-he destroyers,.
z3|| $50