The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-01
Buds and Maimie's New Year Call On Mo-
fhnr GOOCn
Their Goose.
BY HI. M. WALKER.

way, saying: "Pshure, oil niver heard
of such a loidy. Oi'm quite certain none
such lives on me beat. Mother Goose.
be she? Pshure an it's an unusual
name for a woman" Then the officer of
the peace sauntered along, leaving Bud
and Mamie none the wiser.
But nothing daunted, they took road
leading to the country, feeling quite sure
that such parsonage as Mother Goose
would not live in town, but that she
would seek the privacy of hills and
dales. For a while they found broken
path through the snow, but after leav-
ing the city limits the road became
heavy for their little feet, the snow be-
ing slightly frozen to a crust on top,
making it very difficult to walk through.
They had gone some distance when
suddenly footprints appeared on the
white ground On examination Bud
found that they had not been made by
a human being. but by some four-footed
fellow with soft paws. oh" he cried,
IT do believe these are dog tracks,!
But even as he spoke Mamie saw COM
ing from over the hill at their right the
sprightly little figure of a girl running
towards them. She was wrapped in a
warm red cloak and hood, and was beck
oning to Bud and Mamie, calling out
in a clear, sweet voice for them not TO
follow the tracks in the snow. The
dren waited for her to come up, and
when she was quite close they. saw, to
their establishment, that the little girl
was Red Riding Hood. Bud and Mamie
s'Oh, you are little Red Riding Hood!'
Eyes, my dear friends" answered the
pretty child in red. And let me beg
where yai those Lead And she pointed to
the tracks in the snow. They were
made by that wicked old wolf who de-
ceived me SO a long, long time ago, "a, he
est. and once every year he comes prowl-
ing around here to seek for whom he
may devour."
cautiously about her. rs he near us
mo. he only. comes at night" ex-
makes his tracks in the snow to lead
some poor wanderer to think they were
made by some friendly dog. who must.
of course, live, with a master nearby:
persons will follow the path he leads
with the hope of finding hospitality at
its end. But the wanderer never returns,
for he falls a victim to the old wolf,
who is waiting for him in disguise.
But you both seem cold and weary
from your long walk and exposure to
the cold. Won't you come with me TO
my home and have some Refreshments
while you rest and get warmed?"
OF course, the children gladly accepted
the invitation to visit the home of so
celebrated little parsonage as their
present companion and followed where
she led. On the way they asked her If
she knew where old Mother Goose lived.
Eyes, indeed. I'm going there tonight"
answered Red Riding-Hood Mother
Goose holds her annual New year re-
ception, and such an assembly as there
will be. Why, every member of her
family will be present, besides several
"Oh, may we go too?'' eagerly asked
Bud, his face glowing with expectancy.
"Yes. yes: please allow us to bear
YOU company" begged Mamie. I'VE
came out today to make New Years
call on Mother Goose and her family
VERY well, your wish may be grant
ed, assured Red Riding-Hood, gra-
ciously. Then she led the children
through a high gate and up well-kept
walk to a cosy little cottage with ever
green's all about the yard. Birds were
Singing in the windows and latticed
porch. They were tame and We're not
confined in cage prisons. but hoped
and flew about at their own sweet will.
WHO lives here with .you?" asked
Mamie, as the three children assembled
the steps to the front door.
MY mother and the wild BIRDS" re-