Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-08-15

so,'' answered Mrs. Long. But you
must be sure to play out Of doors, for
when one is i'll one is disturbed by any
unusual or unnecessary noise in the
house. Now, bear in mind that you are
to be very good, quiet little folk while
at Mrs. Parker's."
Then Mrs. Long filled small basket
with eggs, wrapped jar Of jelly In a
brown paper, and, giving the dainties
to Billy and Tilly, told them to be on
their way before the sun got high in
the heaven and caused the heat to be-
come intense.
The Parkers' country home, mere
bungalow, surrounded by an acre OF
ground, which was covered with
shrubs, flowers and trees, lay mile
from the Longs quite extensive
estate of 200 acres. The Parkers had
Just come into the neighborhood that
spring, but a warm friendship had
sprung up between them and the
Longs. SO it was with real pleasure
that Billy and Tilly went on the kind
errand for their mother. They were
delighted to take something nice to
the sick neighbor, and happy to have
the fine morning walk through the
woods, which lay between their home
and that of their neighbors.
After the first half mile of the way
Tilly's arm became pretty tired with
carrying the, jar of Jelly, and she Of
fered to exchange burdens with
Billy. 81 thought you'd have carried
the basket" said Billy, relieving his
sister of the jelly jar, and handing her
the little basket in It's stead. "A
basket is easily carried, for 1t has a
handle, you know"
Eyes, and going through the woods
with basket on my arm makes me
feel like Little Red Riding Hood"
Laughed Tilly. wouldn't it be funny
If we were to meet wolf-just as she
did,"
"But that was only in the story"
declared Billy. "But-lookie yonder!
What's that dark object at the edge
of the road?" Tilly stopped short.
looking in the direction of her broth
er's pointing finger. ooh. ! wonder
if it's wolff" she gasped. mo, 1t
it. Why, it looks Just like some
one lying down by the roadside. May
be it's tramp.
Maybe it's a wolf in the disguise
of a person. suggested Billy, him
self bit afraid to go closer to the
as yet mysterious figure which re-
sembled man half sitting and half
lying on the roads bank.
Tilly's eyes grew, wide. A wolf in
the disguise of a person! Really, why
shouldn't it be so since wolf
could change himself into most any
form he chose if assisted by witches.
And the woods were deep and dark
enough to hide witches and spirites OF
evil purpose. Surely, it was not very
safe to walk through there without
grownup to protect you. lilly felt
herself becoming very much frighten'
ed, and once suggested that they aurn
back home again.
mo; we must go on to Mrs. Park.
ers with the eggs and. jelly" de-
clared Billy. "But maybe it would be
best to-to-to go round the spot
yonder."
eyes, let's go up over the hill and
round it on the other side," agreed
| Tilly. I'VE will be longer getting tc
Mrs. Parker's, but don't mind that;
do your
'eWell I'm not afraid, you know" as
serted Billy, trying to assume brave
air. "But for your sake, sister, III &C
wound the hill But were alone &c
just go right along the road and
But at this instant the mysterious
object at the roadside arose to
standing posture, and the children saw
1t was an old man with white hair ane
beard. He had stout alking stick IL
his hand, and stood leaning upon 1t
AS his eyes fell upon Billy and Till.
he bowed and smiled, calling to them
Don't be afraid little ones Come
tell me where this road leads to.
feel that I am bit turned rount
since having nap beside the roat
here" Then he held out welcomin.
hand for Billy and lilly to come ant
grasp.
I'm afraid of him." whispered Bill
ly. What if he really isn't "a mai
at all, but a wizard! 1t looks strang
that SO old man should be sleepin
beside the road in the woods. And h
doesn't belong to this neighborhood. !"
Tilfy stood looking critically towar
the old man, who was still smiling a
her and her brother. Somehow, a
though she had been frightened
few minutes before, something in tn
; aged mans genial face told her ther
was nothing to fear. But Billy's uncel
tainty regarding the stranger cause
; lilly to hesitate in going to him. How
ever, she whispered to Billy, "Hones
and sure, brother, I don't believe tn
man is wizard or wolf in disguise
| He looks sort OF like grandpapa.
. you'll go with me I'll walk closer
him and then we can hear what h
has to say"
! .sWell, of course-I'm-I'm not af-
fraid,' declared Billy, seeing a dout
in his sisters mind regarding his br'
very. Its for you that"
well, I'll go with you to the plac
or nearly to the place where tn
old man Is standing" said Tilly. "Se
he's still smiling toward U.S."
But supposin' he shouldn't be :
shouldn't be a-man?" whispered b
3 ly, in apprehension. "He might be
:, -a-wizard!"
s "Ah, little ones, don't be so fearfl
+ of mel" called the old man, now cor
S ing deliberately toward Billy and II
ly. See, it's only my walking-stic
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