The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-18

to resemble a telephone. After 1t was emptied, it was hung on the wall Tor Walter to amuse himself with, and ne and his playmate, Alice Elizabeth had great times telephoning. This Is about how it was done, Walters mama an- swering for Central" and for the party at the other end of the telephone as well.
 The little girl would ring the bell and "Central" would answer, Hello! who Is wanted?"
 Alice Elizabeth would ask for James store, which was the grocer of whom her mama bought. and the reply would come:
 ''Yes, who is it?''
 Alice Elizabeth" would be the an swer
 Well, Miss Alice Elizabeth, what can we do for you today2'
 Send me some sugar"
 How much?"
 "A penny's worth"
 All right, Miss Alice Elizabeth. And what else?"
 Send me some chocolate candy"
 How much2'
 Three hundred dollars worth.
 "Very well. Is there anything else, Miss Alice Elizabeth?"
 That's all today. Good-by."
 'Good-by."
 Ting-a-ling -a-ling.
 Then Walter would take his place. Much the same formula would be gone through with, except that Walter would ask for five dollars worth of chewing gum and a thousand million jawbreak- CTS.
 One day, when Walters mama was at a neighbours and the children had ex- hausted all their games. they turned to the telephone for amusement. It must not be supposed that they didn't understand that 1t was Walters mama who really answered them, but they played 1t was not and that sufficed. Because they understood this, they did | not expect anyone to answer them this that a little thing like that would not | disturb them. But they were destined to experience a surprise.
 Miss Alice Elizabeth rang the bell l and put the receiver to her ear. She very clearly heard Hello" in return to | her call.
 "oh, oh'' cried she. turning to Walter;
 Whats wrong, Alice El1zabeth2" asked that young man, that very young "someone is really real talking"
 Course Speak up and ask If it's Alice Elizabeth again turned to the | telephone and said: Hello! is this Central?"
 No" came the response. this Is again turning to Walter "she says it's fairyland. It's a fairy talking to me. Whatever shall we do, Walter?'
 Walter seized the receiver from her hand and pushed Alice Elizabeth away, Hello, Fairy" said he in a business like way; what do you want?'
 You forget, it was you who called me. It would be more proper to tell me what Five dollars worth of chewing gum" said Walter.
 Very we'll Is there anything else?' ers''
 "All right And what does the little girl want?"
 T want a pennys worth of sugar." shouted Alice Elizabeth
 And is there anything else today?"
 T want $500 worth of chocolate drops. "
 My, myl that's q lot. You must be careful or you will be sick" said the Fairy over the phone.
 Honest, l won't eat more than three pieces, said Alice Elizabeth.
 That's very moderate"
 Three Is the same as twenty isn't it?' asked Alice Elizabeth, fearing that she had placed the figure too low.
 No. indeed" answered the fairy. But I think 1t is great deal safer number in dealing with chocolate drops. Well. Is there anything else today?"
 No, thank you,' said Walter.
 Well, so long as you are good chill dren, whenever you want anything else just call up Sweet Pea, Fairy Land, and will answer you"
 Then the telephone went ting-a-linga- ling and they were rung off.
 "Oh. goody, goodyi' cried Alice Eliza beth, jumping up and down in her ecs- tasy. Walter, fairies will give us any thing we ask for. really real they will. ,., Then. where Is my chewing gum. I'd like to know?'
 "I'il bet it's at the front door" The children raced to the front door and were astonshed at what they saw. xUa a nina xafifb h chewing gum, and about hundred big boxes of chocolate drops and a tiny, wee package of sugar and whole yard full | of jawbreakers, four feet deep, and they were rolling like marbles into the street. My, but a thousand million is a | whole lott remarked Walter; for there were more jawbreakers than he knew what to do with.
 Alice Elizabeth also was astonished at the quantity of chocolate drops that had come in answer to her request, but she didn't stop to speculate about it: rather than that. she opened a box and began | gagged. Walter came to his senses and he, too, began eating chocolate drops, reserving the jawbreakers until he should have more time. They didn't stop with three or with 20 even, but ate and ate and ate very much more than was good for them. In the midst of their feast they saw their mama coming | across the street. As she entered the gate she stopped aghast at the boxes of | chocolate drops and chewing gum and the great quantity of tawbreakers which she saw But she didn't stop long, for the sight of the children eating so much | candy filled her with the feeling that it would be necessary to hasten if she would prevent them from becoming i'll from oVereating. She rushed into the gate and attempted to make her way to the porch. but she trampled on a quantity of jawbreakers. which rolled beneath her feet and threw her sprawl l hA ssrno 4f, e moment and almost as quickly dowr again. It appeared very amusing ts Walter and Alice Elizabeth. who laughed aa danGed ssn and cWSgea their man hands 55 like this very we'll It was annoying to bl unable to enter her own house; 1t wa undignifed to be falling about as sh was, and she was fearful the neighb0r would see her, and for children to laugl at her plight was more than she coul, bear;
 instant Cease eating that candy ant tell me how you got 1t here"
 "A fairy brought, it here" returne, Walter in very matter-of-fact way.
 Walters mama sniffed the air as she didn't believe 1t. Yet she didn' dispute 1t, for she was too busy thinking how she could get in the house. Re membering the old adage that the long est way around is the shortest way through, she circled around to the bacl gate, then up the walk to the kitcher door and entered there, for the Jaw breakers, though piled all around the house, failed 10 meet there. leaving a path vacant along the walk. few minutes later the front door was opened from the inside and Walter was pulled rather hastily inside being followed b5 Alice Elizabeth. The young man was in. terviewed by his mama, who. listened to the story of the fairy with aston. ishment, because the presence of ths sweetmeats was something which coult not be accounted for even without som' ] mystical intervention.
 Meantime. evening was drawing on