The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-06-22
The Old Woman Who Lived Shoe and Her Children Have Thrilling Adventure

formed OF cobwebs. completely around
the circle, intact, except where Tatters
had broken through.
Now, Wilbur. although he had seen many
a fairy ring, had never noticed one with
a cobweb fence around It, nor had he ever
seen one at night before, yet. the circum-
stance was so peculiar. and as he was as
much interested in spiders as in anything
else, he sat him down in the tall grass
just outside to watch and discover, II pos
sible, just why the spiders made this CIR
cular web. and what they caught IN II.
Tatters' barks came fainter and fainter
across the meadow, until they died away
and all was silent except the gentle rust
hng of the grass ard the mOnotonous mu-
sic Of the night insects.
He watched for long time. so long that
he began to be surprised that his dog did
not return. and just as he was growing
tired and beginning to think of his bed he
heard tiny voice right beside him say
ing:
Gracious! but I am glad you're back
again. MUmpetsi I had begun to think
that horrid dog had caught you"
He very nearly had me, 90 tell the
truth It was all I could DO 70 dodge the
rascal" answered another stlYery voice,
and as Wilbur peered through the tall
grass he saw two little figures attired in
shimmering garments, upon whose tiny
wings the moonbeams flickered as II they
were covered with diamonds. They were
no taller than your finger, but the air
was now so still and the night 50 calm
and silent that their words came TO MIN
as distinctly as If uttered BY people OF or
binary stature.
We'll. I got rid Of him at last contin-
ued the voice. II steered him toward Mr..
Muskrats house, and AIusky happened to
be sitting in front, so the dog went for
him"
IT'S funny, isn't It," said the other,
that the very first time in many years
that we get together for dance we are
interrupted? The last time it was the
same way"
f'Wen, If We will come out into the light
Of the full moon when our wings are use
less, we must take chances.
But I did want dance so bad, said
the other. And now it's all spoiled"
ooh, no" said the first fairy, for that's
what they really were. The others will
soon return. They all got away, for
held the dog after me all the time, so that
they might escape. We can have a nice
little talk while we wait for them. It's 50
long since you have been here that you
must have quite a bundle Of gossip
aOh. dear me, no; / have been in the
strictest retirement. assure you, scarcely
ever going out But 1 heard a piece OF
news to-day that was interesting, and Il
viii interest you. The Giant Finnegan Is
coming back here, so look out for earth
quakes." -,
ssyVhat does he want heTe?'
.sWhy. don't you know that's his shoe up
there on the top Of the hill! He has just
missed it, as he had both Of his shoes tied
fovether around his neck. and he didn't
rotica when or where he dropped that
one Now. he's finished his wading in the
Pacific Oceanf where he was fishing for
-rbaIes. and he wants to put on his shoes.
BeSides that, his dear little mother lives
-ioLt here in this meadow
ives. / know that. Of course. She is in
+ba cave under the big rock yonder. near
tbe shore; but didn't suppose you fairies
from the south knew that"
.sTbe idea! AS If you had any secrets
from us. L once called on her"
Isn't Il funny" added the first speak
er. that she Is so very small. while her
son Finnegan IS so tremendousg
Very remarkable. indeed Now. I'll tell