Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-02-21
ToMMY,s ADVENTURE.

TOMMY'S ADVENTURE.
It was hot day in August, the sun
shone steadily down on the little VII
lage, the bees hummed loudly and
Tommy discontentedly threw himself
down on the lawn and began to chew
the spears of grass. Passers-by would
wonder why such a generally happy
boy was SO cross. After riding In
turns on his pony and bicycle and
firing himself and every one else, he
had wandered out on the grass, think
ing thus to smooth his ruffled feel
ings. He yawned little, for he was
drowsy, and looked about for some
thing to amuse him.
Right under him he saw colony
of ants that were busily preparing
some breaches in their home, and the
busy workers were trotting to and
fro, carrying bits and sand. Tommy's
bright eyes soon spied the little home
and although he was not naturally a
cruel boy, he was glad to have found
this to amuse him. Taking up small
|
and anXiously awaited for the re-
suit some of the little workers soon
appeared, and great was their dismay
at seeing the obstruction in their
path. They ran this way and that,
and finally they all disappeared, as if
going for reinforcements.
| Tommy was soon wearied of this
play, and shut his eyes for moment,
when with scream he opened them.
In front of him stood an awful looking
creature, larger than himself, and
holding a pair of handouts. He was
glaring at Tommy and the hair on
the little boys head stood up with
fright and the cold chills played tag
on his back.
What 90 you want, sir?" faltered
the boy.
"You!" growled the creature. shak-
ing the chains. Come along with
me, young fellow, the king wishes to
see YOU"
me? What for?' exclaimed the as.
tonished Tommy What have I been
doing?"
"Our king is the king of the ants,
And am the jailer, Ketchem, sent
at His Majesty's command to impris.
on you in the royal prison for placing
a large rock at the gate of the city
when the workers were out, thus shut
ting out the light and making the
palace very damp SO that Princess
Antamine has pneumonia. For this
you are to appear before His Royal
Highness and be judged according to
his will. So come along" and the
jailer clanked his chains and helped
the terrified Tommy upon his tremb-
ling legs and fastened the chains Sc
curely on him.
They shortly arrived at the city
gates, where Tommy saw very ex-
| cited group of Ants, surrounding an
object which proved to be large
brown rock that they were trying
to remove. Some of the more blood
thirsty of the crowd attempted to
do violence to Tommy. but Ketchem
protected him and hurried him to the
Council Hall, on the way meeting
parties of ants coming from the sick.
room of the Princess. The hall was
large and crowded with ants, but
Tommy was dragged up to the throne,
on which sat a big black king, who
savagely asked him what he had to
say. Tommy was too frightened to re-
ply SO Ketchem stated the facts of
the case, calling up several wit
nesses to prove Tommy's deed.
After time the king wearied
Of this, and ordered Tommy
sent to his cell to await the rest
of the consultation of the court physi-
clans.
ketchem then took the prisoner
through long hall. AT first he could
not see, as his eyes were not used
to the dim light, but presently he
made out tiny window high up in
the wall.
His first thought was of escape, but
how was he to do it? The door
was bolted and the passages were
guarded by sentinels. After time
he noticed that the walls of the cell
We're earthen, and the plan which
came to our hero's mind was to
dig his way out. A sharp stone was
found IN distant corner, and with
this in his hand he commenced oper.
atoms. Not moment must be lost If
he intended to escape from the wrath.
full ants. The earth yielded after
vigorous working, but he soon came
% some rocks which retarded his pro-
gress considerably.
After much loss of time in trying
to remove these, what was his ter
ror to hear footsteps approaching his
cell. Yes, they were after him, for
he heard the key in the door. Now
Or never! The great door swung
back. and he saw group of ants
standing in the doorway, seeming
much perplexed that he had gone. AZ
ter moment they seemed to under
stand the direction he had taken,
and started after him. Tommy's hair
| almost stood on end. He thought the
iuuoI NC ucdu, anu lue hluS
had dispatched them to bring the
culprit forth to his doom. Reckless
ly he set to work again. but the
ants gained steadily. and he was al
most going to give himself up when,
In the dim light, he struck his head
against rock, and-Why!
Tommy sat bolt upright and rub.
bed his eyes. Where was the pursu.
ing party? He was seated on the
grass in front of his home and found
he had in his troubled slumbers hit
his head against the trunk OF the
great apple tree beneath which he
was lying.
AS he thought over this adventure
--sor h would never call II . dream