Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1907-02-14
"a Story OF Childhood
ny HENRY EDWARD ROOD

IL wish we could help them" she
remarked.
Maybe we can" ! replied, hopeful
ly.
Thereupon We turned our attention
to dinner. We were sitting there
nearly an hour later. finishing our
coffee. when We heard the stairs creak
dismally.
Then Ethel put her hand on one
side. and listened lntently. There
was no mistake this time: the stairs
certainly did give out continuous
series OF crcaks. Likewise did we
hear a faint pattering. as of chubby.
bare feet. and hard breathing, and
halfstiiled giggles and gurgles
Mercy" Ethel exclaimed under
her breath. Those babies are actual
ly going outdoors In their night
clothes!"
"Sh!" warned. Don't be alarmed.
Maybe they'll put on their coats and
hats. Anyhow, wait until they get in.
to the back hall; then we can creep
upstairs and see them through the
window at the landing"
In another minute the door separat'
ing the front from the back hall
closed. and little later We heard en-
cited whisperings from the clothes
press far In the rear.
"Now's the time" Ethel cried.
Lets hurry up to the window while
they're putting OH their coats and
hats" We tiptoed out OF the dining
room. and up the stairway For a
long time we looked and listened anx-
iously at the little window, and ! was
about to 60 down again when the
back door creaked. and an odd little
figure appeared In the moonlight just
below us. BUYERS fluffy golden hair
was hidden by an old hat of mine.. a
shapeless gray felt. When he had
gone yard or two from the door he
turned around and called, in loud
whisper, Come on. sister! Hurry up,
r tn faiwies II get away"
There was brief pause, and the
next moment Ethel strangled in an
effort to stifie laugh.
Just look at the baby!" she cried
softly. Moonlight summer night.
and she's got on her rubber boots"
And Morals sunbonnet. Wonder
where she found it?"
didn't answer, for just then Buzz
ger spoke again.
We'll 60 quietly pas Jason's house
an tn barn." he explained. down tn
lane to where tn faiwies Is, In tn
wall"
Quietly, 30 not fwighten EN-"
Beeby inquired, in anxious tones.
Yep" said Buzzer; and away they
toddled, hand in hand. through the
moonlight.
Quick, Ethel" said. running
downstairs as rapidly and as noise
lessly as possible. Follow me, and
we'll see the fun
Poor little chaps!" she responded.
1T doesn't seem fair to take advan.
tage of their innocence"
I'VE won't take any," ] said. hold
ing open the door. so she could pass
through. well find out where their
fairy land is, and then we'll people It
for them"
What a splendid plant" the dear
girl cried, giving my shoulder q pat
of approval. How did you think Of
It? And which way shall we go?"
Around the house here, and
through the orchard back OF the corn
crib and wagon shed-then well
reach fairy land ahead Of them"
So on we ran as fast as We could,
through the shadows OF the apple or
chard, and hid near the stone wall,
Just as the little folks came down the
grassy lane. 1t is long march and
hard march from home to fairy
land when one wears a mans big
slippers, that persist In coming on
every Eve yards. or when one Is al
most lost IN fathers coat and Nora's
sunbonnet. But they came en- bravely,
indeed, hand In hand. Buzzer shut.
fling on ahead little. Beehy dragging
her weighty rubber boots with slow
err steps. All at once they stopped,
with admonitory "Hush!" from Buz.
ger. Don't make any noise!" he add
ed. kicking the slippers from his feet
and tossing aside the big hat.
Me, tool" Beeby exclaimed, sitting
plump down In the lane and pulling
on her boots. Then she slid out Of
my coat, the sunbonnet fell to the
earth. and on they came 20 the stone
wall. half In ruins. in very truth q
pair of sprites dancing gaily In the
moonlight. through the soft. sweet
smelling night air. Trembling with
excitement. they reached fairy land.
and peered In crevices. and In the lit
tie caves where two or three great
stones lay In a heap But alas!
Meme don't see any faivies. g
said Beeby. a tremor IN her voice.
Does 90. Buzzer2"