The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1897-04-01
the garden beyond tho tree.

| WIZ Bakuou DoyOlu inc tree.
Marietta and Lucy stopped without {
word and gazed at Mr.. Waggle's house.
The door was shut, though all the
windows appeared open. Far back in
the garden tho brown mans shoulders
bobbed up and down as ho hoed.
The walnut treo seemed rs full OF
music as if each ono of its leaves breath
cd song.
Step by stop Marietta and Lucy ap.
preached the tree They knew thoy were
not wanted there, but other children
had dared to 60 up that spiral stairway
leading to SO exclusive world. If they
had tumbled down again in n hurry,
Marietta was sure it was because they
were 'cowardly. Mr.. Waggle had nevor
hurt anybody.
"Ho won't care il we go up and sit
| by his door, Lucy. I'm sure 1 wouldn't t
| care, if could make such music as
| that, who heard it. -
Lucy blinked anxiously, but did as
Marietta did. They folt tho ridges Of
walnut bark with tho delighted awo Of
explorers. winding around tho ascent
| Flower breaths came from Mr.. Wag-
gle's gardon, and tho whole visible
earth was stepped above its rim of
woods in shimmcring heat. Tho sun
| glarcd back from white houses. Leaves
| everywhere held ripe depth Of green,
| and Mr.. Wagglos house seemed tho
harmonious center of all these good
things. Marietta wished it could be al-
ways summer, for in tho winter you
notice SO much moro how hungry you
arc. and your hands ache so at knitting,
and thoro is dullncss in sunset which
makes you feel heavy hearted going
homo from school, knowing that the
dinner is eaten and that you will have
to take somo scraps in tho pantry.
They wero just sitting down on Mr..
Wagglcs top step when tho door few
open, loud whistle like call was
blown, and there stood the angry in.
mato, while music played on behind
him.
Marietta was aware that tho brown
man answered and ran from tho garden.
She stood and shook with Lucy, but
tried to DO dignificd.
"We didn't want to disturb you, Mr..
Waggle. Wo were only listening to your
music. You play it SO nicely"
eyes, " responded Mr.. Wagglo, put
ting his knuclllcs III his side and lifting
tho corners Of his nose. "Only 25 Of
you have been up this stairway today.
I Any boys down there, Aloha?"
mo boys, MASTER" answered tho
brown man.
'Thcn 90 back to your plants" said
Mr.. Waggle, and ho reached down from
his doorstep with unexpected dexterity,
pulled Marietta and Lucy into his
house. and locked tho door.
Lucy cried i'll IL high, tiny squeal
liko guinoa pig, but Marietta told hor
Mr.. Wnggio would not hurt them.
Ho stood and looked at thom with the
fcz pushed back from his forehead. He
always wore n jacket and fcz His face
was scanned with many wrinkles, yet il
had no look of ago.
) '"Thcro aro ten music boxes hcrc. I,
A said he, "and 1 intend to kccp then
+ playing until 10 o'clock tonight. 70,
will get enough of the nice music"
+ Though Marietta was appalled, at tn
/. thought of staying there until 10 O 'cloc
/. at night, and Lucy suucalcd in highr
: koy. they SAW tho sumptuouS room Mr.
8 Wngglo inhabited, it's floor like polishc,
K glass, spread with tuftcd rugs and il
T. space divided by rich screens into man,
, llttlo apartments. Square windows ant
square mirrors altcrnatcd until TIT
, house seemed many times expanded
Light bamboo sofas furnished tho spact
not shut In by screens, and Marietta
Thought nothing was lacking to this pal.
ACC but paper.
The music boxes played like enchant.
mont and Mr.. Waggle spoke as if they
wero working u spoil
| NOW, what ril NGI -" said he.
Ito break H.. 80. Il ;;i..t { out before
10 oclock?'
The girls were silent. This was their
nearest approach to the queer citizen of
the tree, and no was quito different
from other folks.
"Can you dance IL cachuca?" demand.
ed Mr.. Wagglo.
Marietta had read Of tho cacluca, but
hcr family had never lot her dance any.
thing
Can you whistle an entire opcra?"
III L dld, my mother would whip
me, y sobbod Lucy.
'Thcro IS but ono chance left" said
Mr.. Wngglo Can either of you make
u rhymc:'
Yes, sir; 1 cam" responded tho
genius quickly.
She can, testified Lucy, showing
rcd eyes above Il moist apron.
II mran,' added Mr.. Wagglo severe.
~ "a long rhyme out of your own
mead. 1t must bo at least threo stanzas
long. with six or eight lines in stan
"a. -
Il can do it," said Marietta. At last
1.-The Knight and the Lady, would
como to paperl Her eyes shono, and she
stood like an athlete ready for action as
Mr. Wagglo moved a screen and showed
her desk furnished with every blessing
hungry author could desire.
There were even paperweights Of
curious design and painted quilts and
ivory and silver knives to distract the
eye. But what were these compared to
tho piles and piles of creamy paper, tho
NJ hor 20