The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-07-07
The Land of why.

Baby was a good little girl most of
the time, but she had one bad habit.
BY the way, she wasn't a baby at all,
for she was five years old, but so every
one called her.
This bad habit was often q trouble
to her mother.
Mamma, may 7 60 out and play ?"
mo, dear, not now," said mamma,
as she stitched away on the sewing
machine.
"Why?" whined baby.
Just look out at this Storm" an
swered mamma, and baby glanced out
at the hurrying snowtiakes blown
along.
II know it, but I want 10 60. Why
can't II"
"You would take cold" said man.
ma, patiently.
"But I'll put on my leggins. Say
mamma, can II"
mot to-day, darling" said mamma,
"Oh, dear! Why not ?n and she
curled herself in the big rocking chair
for a cry.
She was just lifting her head to ask
again, when mamma said ''would you
like a story"
20, yesw and the tangled hair was
pushed back, the few tears dried with
the back of a dimpled hand, and all
was sunshine indoors.
There was once a little grip
"Not me !" interrupted baby.
mo, not you" and mamma went on.
'"There was nee a little girl who al
ways asked why. Some why's are
good questions, but little ~fretful, whin-
ing why's. were what this little girl
used. She said why's so many times
one night that her poor mamma got
tired and put her to bed at seven, in
stead of half past, to help her remem-
Der.
"She lay in her crib looking at the
big moon until it seemed as if there
was a golden path right up to the
bright moon. While she lay there
looking at the moon, the door
opened, and down the path came the
moon man walking slowly.
"On he came right through the
window, and sat on the little crib rail-
ing. He was 80 bright and funny.
Winnie wasn't afraid, and so when.he
said would you like to 60 with me
to the Land of Why? she said yes
quickly.
$50 he took hold of her hand and
they began walking up the moon path.
"Wait till 1 get my clothes on ~ said
she, stopping.
"'Why% the moon said.
"'Cause I shall be cold.'
"'Why will you be cold?' he asked,
as he led her right through the win
dow.
"'Cause I'm b%arefooted.'
"'Why are you barefooted?
"Cause I was in bed,' said Winnie
in a low voice.
"'Why were you in bed
$50, dear! Cause I said why
Why did you say why%
go, 1 don't know-won't you take
me back
"Then Winnie stamped her bare
foot on the moonpath and said, Don't
you ask me why, any more!
"'Why? said the loon man, laugh
ing.
40, dear!' cried Winnie, please
don't say why any more
"'Why-don't you want to 60 to
the Land of Why"
80, No! No! Non sobbed Winnie.
"Then the kind moon man put both
his hands on her shoulders and said {:
If I take you back will you promise
never to whine any more"
eyes, I won't, mover, never, never
&C Well, then, one, two, three, and
away we 60!
$50 down the moon-path they ran
until they reached Winnie's window
and her crib.
"Then the funny moon-man went
back up the shining path.
"Winnie watched him, but long be-
fore he got to the moon-door she lost
sight of him, and though she sat right
up and looked, she could only see the
moon shining and not even the moon
path.
Mamma = she called.
"And when her mamma came in
she told her all about it and said:
And 1 am neve going to whine
why any more.'"