The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-05
THE c11AGIC STUMP. BY MAUD WALKER

Isn't it wonderful that voice should come from that aged stumpY' asked Henko still too much mystified to think of food and drink.
 But let us try touching the piece of bark" urged the little half-starved Sena. "See, there's the loose bit of bark. It merely hangs as though about to fall or. Please brother, press your thumb on it. v
 Henko agreed to do so, and to their great amazement the stump opened like Il great door as soon as they pressed their thumbs against the bit of loose bark. "Ah, my little ones, just step down stairs and partake of breakfast. It is all waiting-nice and hot and fresh for you"
 In vain did Henko and Sena look for the owner of the voice. No one was to be seen. They stepped down a flight of stairs, beautifully carpeted When about 10 feet below the earth's surface they saw q brilliant light gleaming from an open door. Through this door they walked, feeling no fear. They found themselves in a spacious room. filled with sweetest perfume and flowers. A table was spread for two As Henko and sena stood looking about them in admirng wonder the voice that had spoken to them from the stump again sounded in their ears.
 ''St down and eat to your satisfaction, my little ones.'
 Henko and Sena did as told. and had soon finished most appetizing break fast; in fact. the finest one they had ever enjoyed. As they were about to rise from the table the voice again ad- dressed them
 q am an invisible fairy. and dwell here beneath the stump of an old tree . in whose branches dwelt my ancestors. After the tree had been cut down could not give up the old spot.-so made for myself this little abode beneath my old friend I can become visible at times, but never by daylight Only on moonlight nights can l take on the form of human being and so become ap- parent to the human eye. Dwelling here with me beneath this magic stump are ten of the greatest fairies In existence. We have great powers over man, beast and the clements. 1 have just discovered that you two little ones are orphans and that you are not treated kindly by your old uncle and aunt. They~are very wicked people, and we fairies have de cided that their lives shall not last much longer. They are menace to good people. They i'll treat their poor serv- ants and those who fall into their power. One of our fairies has gone out to touch 0 for the supper of the old man and woman. The fowl thus touched by her will cause those who eat 1t to fall III and their stomachs will refuse food for fortnight. After that they will be so weak that no amount of nourishinent can help them to rally. They will weaken and die although they will have the daintiest of food about them in abund- ance."
 The voice ceased speaking md Henko and Sena wondered still more at 1t, knowing now that it came from an In visible fairy.
 "Oh, that you might do something for us,r' said Sena, her voice full of sadness. If we could get away from our cruel kinsfolk, we'd work without complaint for our daily bread.
 ''Yes, kind fairy, please help us to get away from our wicked old uncle and aunt" urged Henko, lending his plea to his sisters.
 You shall have all these grand acres, and you will use the work people right ly.' said the voice. Your old kinsfolk will not be here long to rob and beat their working folk and servants. You two little ones are their only heirs, and you will soon come into possession of a rich inheritance. After the duck that is now being prepared in the kitchen for the table of your uncle and aunt has been eaten by them you will see how truly have spoken.