Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-09-26
Flsie,s Visit 10 Witchland.

Elsie Drown was 4 little ciII who was
NOT always very good. Sometimes she
was quite bad and this had been one
of her Gauehtiest days She had rum
away from school in the morning to fish
for minuows and tadpolcS, In ths after
noon she had dressed herself in her en-
hnidercd white dress and blue sash and
mad promenaded the plank walk with her
mammal lace paraSol. She had broken
the parasol and then hidden ii in the
darkest corner ol The hall closet She
had climbed the peach trees and torn II
great rent in her skirt, and when mamma
came home from the city she had told
her numerous faicShood~ about tae days
duines
Mamma took her up To her own lutte
room and talked seriously to her. but
Elsie wa, not rcpcntant, and finally She
was put to bed and told that She must
stay there until she was truly sorry.
1t was early IN the evening before
dinner. and Elsie did NOT want to stay
in bed; she hated this punishment above
all others. She could hear her little girl
friends playing in the gardens adjoining
her own. She knew they were having a
fine time. I'm few minutes the bell
would ring for dinner, and cook had told
her they were Ia have peach watlle.,
How She loved walllcs! And Johnny
would eat his share she knew
She kicked the post of her little white
bed until the brass ball at the top fairly
jingled, and then strange thing hap
pcned.
The top of the ball flew open. and out
of il came tiny old woman. She looked
like the witches Elsie had socn in her
fairy books She was about five inches
tall: She wore long green cloak and a
hood, and all that Elsie could see of her
face was Il pair Of very bright black eye
and long nose. The little old woman
balanced herself ON the rod at the foot
ct the bed, and shaking her Trigger at
Elsie. said ia high, sharp voice;
Elsie Drown. | have lived in this
house since You were u very small child.
and / have seen how You dieohey your
mother and tell fal,ehood~ which is the
very worst thing little girl can do
and mean to teach You a l,s-on. Get
mp and dress yourself and cone with
me-"
Elsie di9likrd very much to do this,
but She dared not disohcy, 80 She put on
her clothes rs quickly ao possible.
Nov am going to show YOU what
happens to little girls who tell lies" said
the witch, as she beckoned Elsie TO the
bcdpost.
but how am to go down such a
very small hole?" asked Elsie.
Cont ask questions" and she gave
Elsic's arm Il sharp pinch. Jump W
here"
Elsie shrickcd with pain and jumped
to the top Of the post in a hurry, and al
once found herself falling very gently
but swiftly through long, narrow
! shaft.
She nearly lost her breath before they
came TO a sudden stop in trent of tiny
iron door. The witch took great bunch
Of keys from her pocket, and, putting
one in the kcyholc, the door hcw open
and they stepped out into a most beau
/ titu peach orchard.
! Some OF the trees were still in bloom
their dainty pink blossoms filling the aii
/ with fragrance, while others we're Ioadc,
! with great. luscious fruit until thcn
/ hranchc. fairly swept the ground Their,
were trees full Of small, white peaches
! With red cheeks the kind Elsie like,
b,~t they were ~ juicy. and as sweet
as honey.
oh. my must have some OF
| those" and she made q spring toward
branch hanging within tanializing rcacl
over nu head. But the witch held hri