The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1902-07-17


OF magic lemonade, refreshed himself
after his journey.
AS he rested there large dragon
fly came and lit upon a flower stalk
near him, waving its wings up and
down as naturally as possible.
When Pendragon, Jr., had finished
his lunch he rose and descended the
mountain, using the second-best magic
wand as walking-stic The dragos.
fly fitted along in the same direction
not coming too near, but never LOSING
sight of the young man.
AS the young magician came to the
foot OF the mountain he turned into q
thick grove of trees, and then pro
ceeded to tear great iags and tatters ir
his clothing. He then took off his
shoes and rubbed them with rough
stones and clay until they were ap
parently worn and stained by long
travel. His clothes likewise were DOW.
dered and soiled until he looked like
youth who had been begging his way
from door to door.
The drag-fy, who had been watching
all this from under broad leaf, re.
marked to itself, in tiny voice: ssrhis
is very surprising, indeed!"
Having made himself look like =
beggar lad, Pendragon, Jr., came from
the grove into the valley below, and
soon after entered little village. and
stopped at the door of poor cottage
thatched with straw. He knocked a,
the door, and gentle voice from within
cried: Pull the string, raise the latch
and come in!"
Pendragon, Jr., entered, and the door
was closed so quickly behind him that a
dragon-Ay who followed just escaped
being caught between door ard door
post.
"Whew! That was narrow escaped
said the dragon-fy to itself. "This in
sect business is dangerous. I ought
to have been an elephant, and then
could have brought my wand in my
trunk. Still an elephant is likely tc
attract attention. It's better as it is
I'll just sit on this fence rail and wait
until he comes out"
Pendragpn, Jr., found himself within
the little cottage, and in the presence
of an old, old woman, and beautiful
young girl. He took off his tattered
cap, and bowed low. MAY rest here
for awhile?' he asked.
"Who are you, and where are you
from?" asked the old woman.
"A homeless young man" he replied
"who has only his head, his hands, and
this good staff wherewith to make his
way in the world"
But you have a pair of feet" said
the old woman, sharply, land yos
might let them carry you on to those
who have better means of making you
comfortable"
NAY, granny" said the maiden;
"the young man seems weary. 'Tis true
we have little, but that little may be
a blessing to him with less. Let him
stay"
He's but wandering vagabond,
said the old woman. Let him &c
about his business, if he has any. II
he has none, let him find some. am
too old to feed more than one idler."
The maiden flushed and glanced al
her spinning-wheel, the bobbin OF
which was filled with fine thread. She
seemed about to speak, but sighed and
said nothing.
"Dame," said Pendragon, Jr., to the
old woman, ''you have bitter tongue
But it may be that l can convince yor
am no idling vagabond. said I had
only my good staff to depend upon;
but still there are worst friends than
good staff. Mine has virtue great
er than many another. Let me give
you a notion of it's powers"
So saying, Pendragon, Jr., stepped
to the door, and seeing the dragon-fy
resting on the fence-rail, he suddenly
waved the wand and pronounced few
magic words. This was done so quick
Iy that even if the dragon-f1y had
known what was to be done it could
hardly have escaped. AS it was, the
insect could not move before it was
changed into beautiful little white
pig, which squealed with astonishment
and rage.
Pendragon. Jr., was laughing heart
ily at the antics of the little animal
when he was amazed to see the old
woman jump toward him. He tried
to avoid her, but she was as spry as
a cat, and before he could get away
she seized the second-best wand from
his hand. Then she began to wave it
over her head and to dance about with
glee.
"Oho and aha!" she cried; "a brave