Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-03-03
By ALDIs DUMBAR

fOrtably. But about this ode If you have any time on hand that you aren't intending to use right away and would let me borrow it I'm sure could get the appointment. Then | would have my magnificent apartment in the pal ace and the fence wouldn't matter"
 "Well," unused the witch. who had a soft spot in her queer heart for her godson. you could hardly do worse at court than you do at farming. I have a few extra hours in my strong closet there. I've been saving them carefully. Hours are precious, B:ia- torio" ... f
 ."Oh, one would be more than enough" returned the poet, eagerly. ''The idea is all ready to be written on beautiful sheet of pink embossed paper with gold edges, that is in the top drawer of my desk"
 "Wait here," ordered the witch "I must fly up into the tower where I keep my account books, and. see what can let you have"
 Catching up her brooms4ick. which stood leaning against the wafi,5she dis appeared-leaving Dilatorio, iMs her cave. As he stood wondering. his eye fell on the strong closet in a corner, and he went cautiously toward 1t and laid his hand on the key. To his sur prise the door swung open at touch, so that he could look in. It was lined with polished silver, but inside was nothing more than . few old nets. haneing from row of silver pegs.
 "So spare hours look like that!" said the poet. Who would have thought it." Then he closed the door in hurry. for he heard the swish of broom straw. .,
 "I find that can't spare but one hour." drowned the witch. dropping through the roof on her stick, still knitting. "I dont often waste time. i and I know perfectly we'll that this will be thrown away, but just for once I'll give you an hour outright. that is. all of 1t that you don't spend on the road going home"
 'I can be at my desk in i've min- utes." protested the poet.
 "very well. If your ode is already composed. that should leave you time enough to write 1t down. But go straight 10 your door from mine. with out letting anyone suspect that you have time to spare"
 At that. she opened the door of the strong closet and took down one of the nets Dilatorio started. for in- stead of being empty. it wss filled with little moving bright things that shone and glis.ened until his eyes were quite dazzled.
 What are those. godmothsr?" he asked.
 "Nicks." she answered, very grossly. twisting the top oi the net into rope.
 "Nicks!" said Dilatorio.
 "Of time. stupid! Here. sling this over your shoulder and be off!" and before the poor. bewi'dered poet could speak, she had hustled him outside 1 and slammed the door.
 Taken quite aback, he stood gazing | at it helplessly until. hearing a funny ! little "Pf!" in the air over his head. | he looked up. There, floating away, went something bright. liAe a golden feather. "Pf!" and there went an- other. Then he suddenly knaw that these were escaping from the net on l his back, and he started off down the | road toward his farm.
 "Ho, there, poet!" called a familiar voice, as he came to a ieId where two i men were hoeing. "Wht.her so fast? Wait and see what I have to show l thee,-
 Not now!" Dilatorio shook his l head 'T cannot stop. 1 must hasten home to my desk"
 You can spare little time to good | fellowship. had not thought you erusty- The desx may surely wait," laughed his neishbor. Come. ,ou are learned in deep matters. Name or me this rare coin that I pIowed up yesterday. Ny dame told me to ask you"
 "Ah- well. bring 1t here I may just glance at it." and he plused-
 "Pf." PIT But the loud voice of |, the farmer who was not . poet kept the poet who vas not much Of . farmer from noticing that his burden | v1s growing less
 With T must be eoin., Dilatorio 1. vent oR ct last saefpg over .he open- ing lines q his cde- 1