Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-26
A Christmas Carol to the King
of America.

BY Lucy Wright, Aged IA Years, 6S w.
Louchs Street, Sheridan, Wyo. Red Side.
In the village Of b there lived a very
wicked man, who died in his sins and
when he opened his eyes he found TO his
amazement and horror that he had been
transformed into a black and wiley serpent
with grizzle grey eyes. One day as he
was wriggling through the woods, he came
to an old hollow stump. where he espied
a deep excavation. Being filled with
curiosity he was about to enter, when he
was startled by a voice who said, Enter
not thou vile wretch into this domain" On
looking up he perceived a great mole
Look here. Mr.. Mole" said the serpent
elf I am only a black snake I am very wise
and II you will listen to me I can tell you
something that Will make US both very
rich," and as the mole was very eager for
riches he listened to what the snake had
to say.
"In this wood there are beautiful lilies
growing and II they are snapped up at a
seasonable time, just before the bud bursts
a beautiful maiden viii appear and I want
you to arrange a parlor to hold captive
twenty-four of these lovely little creatures.
After they are trained we can take them
about through the great cities and have
them perform in dance and song to enter
tain the people of the world
Mr.. Mole thought and thought and
finally said. IAN right, Mr.. Snake, I am
with you in this scheme"
Then the snake started out to look for
the lilies and the first bud he handed Mr..
Mole Cat the mouth OF the e~xcavaion)
bursted forth and a beautiful fair maiden
slipped from his hands. She was indeed
so very lovely that Mr.. Mole. on entering
his palace rooms crowned her queen and
put a sceptre in her hand. I'VE will call
her name Queen Solla," said he, ''since
she was taken from the NY that KIM
Solomon spoke OF In the scripture and
she was very wise"
When the serpent had brought twenty
three beautiful maidens to MIR. Mole and
had gone for the last one, two school
boys came along and perceived the old
snake wriggling In the tall grass with a
flower in his mouth. One youth exclaimed
See that snake! Let us kill himi How
much no looks like the old saloon keeper
who once lived opposite my fathers gro
Gerry store" So they gathered rocks and
stoned Mr.. Serpent to death. In an in
slant he turned into a little white rabbit.
He at once made off to the mole palace.
but, of course, had to introduce himself,
because the mole did not recognize his
faNNs NANNA az gAu SA0 HOlG Ills
story they both felt very pleased, because
the rabbit might now enter the palace room
without fear OF soaring the singing
maidens.
Mr.. Mole said twenty-three maidens is
enough, 1t is a good number and a lucky
one. So one day he took Mr.. Rabbit into
the maiden's chamber and he was greeted
with such EXPLANATIONS OF admiration and
love that Mr.. Rabbit was very pleased,
indeed, to think he had been transformed
to such an honpred condition. However,
one day when he was out in search of food
for the lovely maidens he was entrapped
and was Immediately transformed to a
beautiful white dove. He went home with
a very cheerful heart and related his ex-
perience to his friend the Mole, and now
said he: II can fly to the president of
the United States who, in a few words,
can transform me into a prince of peace
After bidding farewell to the lovely
maidens and Mr.. Mole, he flew away to
Washington and ~allghted upon the White
House balcony. and, when the door opened,
he made his way to William Taft's private
room and perched upon a picture frame.
You can imagine the presidents surprise
when he heard that bird exclaim.
Transform ne into a prince OF peace.
Oh, ye king OF men,"
Immediately Mr.. Tafts hands we're up
lifted as IL in application, and he said
Behold a man" AT once a prince OF
peace stood before him who bowed his
hanks and said: christmas eve a carroll
viii be sung for your benefit by twenty
three beautiful maidens Of a woodland
glen"
We will follow the march and sit with
his friends and listen TO the carroling OF
these maidens who filled the White House
halls with valumes OF insplrational song,
and, as they strengthen the soul Of your
American king with their carroling, the
door opens and they pass out into the
night taking on the symbolic wings OF
purity and love and waving their hands
as II TO say goodbye. while their echo
rings over the earth.
Peace be to America and may you
follow In our footstepS."