The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1907-04-20

fore entering the dining room. A
single lamp cast soft light on the old
fashioned hallway, mingling with
moonbeams that fioated through the
window halfway up the stairs. From
their bedrooms above came the chill
dren's voices.
Bless their baby hearts!" cried
Ethel in subdued voice. Il wondered
what they were up to this afternoon
when they came to me twice and
asked so seriously whether they was
WEAKLY faiwies.
And what did you say?" inquired.
Il told them to find out for them
selves" she replied, promptly. Il
didn't have the courage to disillusion-
ize them utterly
And they're going to find it out. II
possible"
Il wish we could help them." she
remarked
Maybe we cam" l 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 intently. There
was no mistake this time; the stairs
certainly did give out a continuous
series of creaks. Likewise did we
hear a faint pattering, as of chubby,
bare feet, and hard breathing. and
half-stified giggles and gurgles.
Mercy" Ethel exclaimed under
her breath. Those babies are actual
ly going outdoors in their night
clothes!"
SSH" 1 warned. Don't be alarmed.
Maybe they'll put on their coats and
hats. Anyhow, wait until they get in
to the hack 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 a little later we heard ex-
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 on their coats and
hats" We tiptoed out of the dining
room. and up the stairway. For
long time we looked and listened anx-
iously at the little window, and was
about to go down again when the
back door creaked, and an odd little
In 3r1~k s,,<.k
below US. BUYERS fluffy golden hair
was hidden by an old hat of mine, q
shapeless gray felt. When he had
gone yard or two from the door he
turned around and called, in a 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 stihe laugh.
lust look at the baby" she cried,
softly. Moonlight summer night,
and she's got on her rubber boots"
And Nora's sunbonnet! Wonder
where she found it?'
didn't answer. for just then Bug
ger spoke again.
We'll go quietly pas Jason's house
an tn barn." he explained, down tn
lane to where tn faiwies is, in tn
WALL
Quietly, so not fwighten 'em"
Beeby inquired, in anxious tones.
Yep" said Buzzer; and away they
toddled. hand in hand. through the
moonlight.
Quick, Ethel" I 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," l said. hold
ing open the door, so she could pass
through. Wen 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 a 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 we'll
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 wal,
just as the little folks came down the
grassy lane. 1t is a long march and
a hard march from home to fairy
land when one wears a mans big
slippers. that persist in coming on
every five yards, or when one is al
most lost in fathers coat and Nora'a
sunbonnet. But they came on brayely.
indeed. hand in hand, Buzzer shut.
fling on ahead little. Beeby dragging
her weighty rubber boots with slow.
er steps. All at once they stopped.
with admonitory "Hush!" from Buz.
ger. Don't make any noise!" he add