Omaha daily bee., 1907-05-12
Jack and Rosebud Rescued
BY Helena Davis

Jack. only the young know not fear.
Grow youthful again, Granny Wrinkles.
Ha, hal" And Brave Jack was loud in HIS
merriment.
Just here Rosebud came again into the
garden, her bonnet on and basket in her
hands. From the basket she took Brave
Jacks hat and wooden sword, handing
them to him. AS Brave Jack put on his
hat and buckled the wooden blade about
his waist he smiled and said to Granny
Wrinkles: Tell our mother what l have
hidden you tell, and don't forget to bake
an extra-slzed Sunday cake, that sister and
] may have slice tonight on our return
home. Wen be hungry after a day spent
in the wo%.s with the fairies"
Then away the two children went laugh
ing at Granny Wrinkles, who stood looking
after them, shaking her head warningly.
They reached the great woods about noon
and sat down to rest a bit. II was cooler
there than down in the sunny village Of
Meades. Both children felt the fatigue Of
the walk and were chilly and hungry. AS
they rested they heard sound above them
i'm the thick shrubbery and towering trees
which shut out the light and warm sun
shine. whats that?" whispered Rosebud
Brave Jack drew forth his sword and
listened attenuvely.
"A bear or a dragon" he informed his
sister. But there was a quaver of fear in
his voice, though his manner was bold and
fearless.
AS they waited crouching behind a tree
overgrown with vines, long, dark object
sprang down the path beside them. What
it was the children could not tell, It moved
so swiftly. Brave Jack held his wooden
sword in front Of him, preparatory for the
attack, but they were unmolested. Just as
their wildly beating hearts were becoming
calmer another sound-the step of a human
being-was heard on the path coming down
from the mountain top.
In another moment a hideous old man,
humpbacked beak nosed and claw fin
gered, stepped into the path beside them.
A slight movement Of Rosebud caught his
ear. He paused. turning sharply round,
and caught sight Of Brave Jack, whose
color had instantly fed on seeing him.
A second glance showed him Rosebud, who
was still crouching behind the vlne-cov-
cred tree. s
"Ha, ha what have caught in my
metz" ne cackled. showing toothless gums
"A lad and lass upon me soul. Mine
they shall be. The lad TO work and the
lass to learn to cook and stew for me.
Ha, hal"
we live IN the village down yonder. ."
said Brave Jack, still holding his wooden
sword as II to strike with 1t. 1--WE be-
long to Ansen, our father, who is one Of
the lawmakers and judges of Meades We
shall go home directly, Sir Hermit"
'Ah, so you say" cackled the old man.
But l choose to say otherwise Nay, lad
and lass, you have come into my realm,
and now you are mine! All, / shall soon
teach you both new tricks. Didst see my
lioness go past just now? I rode down to
the dragons spring TO drink, and after l
had left her back she ran away from me,
coming down this path"
Brave Jack was almost too frightened Ia
speak, and poor little Rosebud sat CULVER
ing and crying softly behind the tree.
Brave Jack determined though to not give
In easily. He would show fight at any
cost. Raising his sword a trihe higher,
nerving himself for the blow and aiming
at the hdeous old head OF the monster In
human form before him. he brought down
his wooden blade with all his might across
the hairy neck The SWORD was splintered
into a hundred fragments The old man