Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-07

BY MAUD WALKER.

Charley, All and stella brothers and
sister, decided to spend a part OF one
Saturday In the big Woods" as the heavy
timber on and about the river was called.
High hills stretched themselves from
the very banks of the wide and ever
restless stream running far into the
prairie land beyond. A great section Of
this wooded hlll-land was unoccupied,
thus remaining wild and solemn. The
"Blg Woods" was seldom visited save
by Its owner, who came to chop wood In
the fall, or by an occasional hunter who
had obtained permission from the owner
to do some shooting there.
Ii was very late In March when ALI,
Charley and Stella made their FIRST visit
to the big Woods" The day was 6ne,
not a sign of winter remaining to catch
at kheir toes and fingers, ears and noses.
Their parents had gone to town on busl-
ness which would keep them till noon Of
the next day, for the journey consumed
half day even when the roads were In
the most excellent condition. AS soon as
the father and mother had disappeared
round the nearest hill en- route to town
the children began their preparations to
start on their exploring expedition. They
filled a basket with plenty of food and
quart bottle of milk. ALI carried the bas-
ket and his air gun, thinking that 1t was
just as we'll to be armed. Charley took
upon his back bundle of extra wraps,
thinking it wise to be prepared against
possible March norther. Stella carried
huge umbrella, declaring they might have
q warm spring downpour. Then, locking
the doors securely, putting feed aud wa
ter out for the chickens, and seeing that
the COW and horse troughs were filled
with water and the managers with hay,
they set Off toward the place of mys-
terry, FIVE, miles distant-the big Woods"
AS they went along they begun to con-
lecture about what their surprises might
be. Stella half whispered her fear Of
wild beasts or strange creatures Of the
forest" ALI said he'd not be surprised
to meet a bear-perhaps few tigers,
too. If SO, he'd try his air gun on them.
Charley thought they might run upon a
strange people living in the most prlmi-
tive manner in the dugouts in the hill
sides and subsisting on herbs and nuts.
So, on they went, covering the FIVE
miles in much less time than 1t usually
takes a pedestrian to walk that distance.
All Of a sudden they found themselves
within the confines of the big Woods"
the ground damp and shadowy and the
sky hidden from sight by the thousands
of interviewer branches overhead. 1t was
truly a most noble forest. Here and there
appeared a clearing where the owner had
cut out hundreds of trees to be shipped
away in the shape of firewood. The ex-
plorers were deeply interested as they
followed half-obliterated path leading
down over cliff to the very waters
edge. The river, ever swollen, seemed to
menace them as they stood above 1t and
peered into its murky depths.
ugh! 1t looks fendish," declared
Stella. Lets go up the hill yonder.
This water seems to say, IN grasp you
and hold you and carry you away to the
sea- l don't like it,"
II declare, 1t has clouded overheadr'
cried ALI, trying to get glimpse of the
sky through the interlaced tree tops.
mo; it's just the darkness Of the
wood" said Stella, hopefully.
And 1 think it's the last snow of the
season coming to tell US goodbye"
laughed Charley, buttoning his top coat
closely about his neck.
well, suppose we return to the edge
of the wood" suggested Stella, growing
apprehensive as the darkness settled
down and the wind began to sing plain
lively through the heavy tree tops. Some
how. it seems lonely and-and-scarey
In here"
They turned about, as they all sup
posed, retracing their steps, but in reality
going still deeper into the wood. Soon
they felt lew stray drops Of rain, huge
and cold, coming through the forest top.
Their roof-while 1t shut out lght-was