New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-29
TIE Enchanted SJood.

ooh, dee; oh, dee" said Billy. II wis touId
do to the be-uful woods"
Let's said Susie dropping her book OF fairy
tales. and going to the window where Billy stood.
looking wistfuly the meadow toward
wooded hill
But muvver said must stay here TIL she
toned home"
SO very much" said Susie hesitatingy. "She said
we could go day. she added. to quiet the
little voice, somewhere within her, which was
warning her TO think of her mother and Of what
she had said But It tresome staying in one
room strange hotel all the long. beautiful sum
mer afternoon. and the woods were great temp
tation.
Billy had perfect confidence in Susie. and II she
said It was all right to go. OF course 1t was. for
she was "growed up" and his tender young con-
science gave him more trouble.
It's jes' lubly," he cried in delight, as they
walked through the meadow. picking the daisies
and buttercups and sweet wild Strawberries.
When they reached the woods they were all that
Susie's fanciful mind had pictured them-cOo and
dim and mysterious-and she almost expected to
see a beautiful fairy step out from behind one OF
the vine covered tree trunks.
They walked along the messy path hand in hand
until they came TO place where 1t branched of
into anothe; path. Just the crossing of the
paths lay a strange looking thing; II was long and
slim and crooked. with a knot for a head and two
beady black eyes: 1t the color of dried leaves
and its feet very long and pointed.
Isn't that queer looking thing!" said Susie
stopping down to examine IL.
''Ess" said Billy. 1T 'ooks Ike little cooked
tick"
Susie gave It a poke and 10 and behold! It rose
up and stood the tips of its long pointed toes
in front OF the astonished children.
Susie was delighted It's a fairy. Billy! It's
fairy she cried. dancing up and down in glee
ESQ said Billy. doubtfully for It did not look
like the fairies Susie's vivid imagination had
pictured to him.
BE CAREFUL" called out the stick in thin.
squeaky voice.
This is an enchanted wood: you had better
cross this path. There! you both enchanted
now" he said dolefuy. Susie in her excitement
danced over the path, Billy following her.
It's a shame" he said as he looked at them.
but It isn't my fault 1 lie here on purpose to
warn people, and they pay any attention to
me" And he walked off in disgust
'Oh. Billy! you look just like a toadstool!'
claimed Susie.
u don't ant to be a toadstoolr' said Billy. get
ting ready to cry
Don't cry. Billy. dear. I think it's lovely! We
can get unenchanted you know. What do look
like? l feel rather queer
oh Toody! oose little bttie toadr' and Billy
stopped crying and began to laugh.
"Oh, dear!' said Susie in dismay. L didn't really
be toad thought perhaps l might be
a tiger lily a dandeon.
We'll perhaps it's just fortunate. long
you a toadstool I know! I carry you
round for an umbrella just like the pictures in
"A Frog lie Would Wooing Go! You remember,
Billy?"
"Ess." sighed Billy but I'd ruver be a little
boy"
We'll. think it's nice to be something else for
a WHILE croaked Susie, for her voice was begin
ming TO change.
She picked Billy up by his pink stem and hoped
gayly of with him. They had a fine time discover
Ing strange new things under the grass and moss.
They found family OF jolly young toads and
Played fascinating games with them, until the
mother toad poked her head out from under a big
d:d invite Silly and Susie to 90 with them ana
after they had disappeared under the stone the
think IT. was time to set about getting 'unen-
rs, awful hungy.' said Billy. "'Ets 80 home
We can't go home like this Billy" she croaked
the tears coming into his eyes.
Susie was perplexed. II very jolly being en-
ehantea ior a little while but it would be awful
Why did l come into these miserable woods?''
find way to 'unenchant US. Oh. dear. / wonder
II will have TO pull out the bears tooth. slay
the stories she had read of enchanted princes and
princesses few through her mind. But she had
was. Perhaps the crooked stick could tell them
back to the path. Billy. dear and make the STICK
change US back TO a little boy and little girl
Essr said Billy, Frightening. But neither the
path nor the crooked stick could they find. though
Susie hoped until she ready TO drop.
lis uses ost, roody?" asked Billy manfully
keeping back his tears. they came in sight of
huge anJhill. "P'waps the ants could tell
where him isi'
That's a bright idea. Billy" and Susie hoped
TO the biggest she saw. and croaked: PLEASE,
Mrs. Ant will you tell US where TO find the crooked
stick? This toadstoo is my little brother Billy,
and enchanted
and uses don't amt TO be 'chsnted any more"
broke in Billy.
Dear dearr' said the ant, I'm sure can't
tell you. OF course, you're enchanted. but the
crooked stick can't help you, because he's en-
chanted himself"
but we've got to go home" crcaked Susie. We
can't be enchanted always"
Its very sad. OF course" shifted the ant, but