Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-10-08

girls ranged between nine and tnlf'
teen. All were happy and light
hearted.
David being the big boy, led the
way. And having been through the
woods before, knew them fairly well.
The girls and Puggins were making
their first journey into the unknown,
and had many great expectations re-
garding their adventures while hunt.
ing for nuts.
THE woods are full of chestnuts
and walnuts, and occasionally hickory
nuts" informed David. I'VE can
gather enough to fill our bags and
leave bushels under the trees"
But the bags will be too heavy, if
full, to carry said Sally.
ooh, can carry whole bushel,
boosted little Puggins. I'm strong
like d giant, am" And he doubled
up his arms to display muscle just as
he had seen David and other "big'
boys do. Every one laughed at Pug.
gins and his sister told him not to
Grow till he was out of the woods,
which saying had to be explained at
length to the little chap. When made
clear to him he said: cav, don't
crow; l whistles Whereupon every
one laughed again.
And SO on and on the nuttfng party
went, gathering an occasional BIOS
som to fasten in the hats or finding
weed gum" on certain kinds OF
bushes which they all relished very
much. Indeed, Puggins got his mouth
so full of this sticky, strongly favored
wax that. he found it difficult to
articulate.
After quite a long walk the chill
dren reached the woods, heavy forest
timber which covered long range OF
low hills and adjacent valleys. A fine
stream flowed lengthwise, the forest
dividing it into halves, one east and
the other west of the river. David felt
sure of his ground and took a path
leading directly to the river. Reach
ing the stream they found a foot
bridge which had been built to &C
commodate the farmers in the vicinity.
The children began gathering nuts.
which covered the ground on both
sides Of the bridge, and crossed and
recrossed the bridge so often that
after q while they could not remem-
Der which side of the stream they be-
longed on. The east bank resembled
the west bank, the same kinds of trees
growing on either side.
David was the first to think of the
situation. Which side did we come
from - he asked, standing on the
bridge and looking both ways. Then
the girls began to wonder also.
From that side.'' And little Pug
gins pointed to one Of the banks. Il
saw that tree-the one with the fork
-as we come up to the bridge
But no one agreed with Puggins. 81
don't think you know when you saw
that tree first laughed Minnie, Pug
gins sister 1T looks to me as though
we came from the other side. do
believe that is west. And we came
east, you know"
.'Well,' said David, a bit troubled
over the dilemma, IF the sun were
shining as it was when we started out
this morning, could soon tell our
way. But the day has become gray,
with no prospect of sun. And neither
will we have stars or moon tonight
he observed.
'"Oh, Davey!" cried his sister in hor-
ror. "Why do you speak of what we
are likely not to see tonight? We must
be at home long before evening.
.'If," smiled David. But his smile was
not happy one. He looked a bit dis
turbed. "Well," he observed, philosoph-
ically, wed best go filling our bags
with nuts. After we have all we want
we'll consider the subject of discover
ing the points of the compass"
They set to work again, for they had
only partly filled the bags. After the
three largest children had their bags
full-or nearly so-David said they'd
better be off toward home.
"Now, kiddies," he said, I'D advise
you to remain here till 60 round and
feel my may. You can keep me in
formed of your whereabouts by sing
ing or calling out every little while.
ri 20 in this direction-straight ahead
for Is minutes by my watch. If 40
not then come to the meadow through
which we entered the woods, I'll come
back here and go in the opposite d.
rection."
eve got a better plan for your find
ing your way back to u.s." said Minnie
Waite. Here are lot of old papers
that were wrapped about our luncneOn.
Take them and leave tiny bits along
your path Then you can return with
out any trouble"
'And if the paper doesn't last till
the end, blaze your trees" suggested
Sally Jones.
"Not bad ideas" agreed David. "1'll
put both into execution. The paper one
first, for it is quicker. Then, If need be,
I'll resort to blazing the trees along my
trail"
"Quite like the American Indian,
laughed Nellie: Then, as David set off,
his paper in his hands, Puggins asked
what "blazing'' tree meant. Sally and
Minnie explained it to him and he was
much interested.
But the little band of children left in
the big forest beside the footbridge.
were very much worried, and Puggins.
baby-like, began to fret to be at home
with mamma again.
"Say, sister," he whispered to Min
ME, who was hugging him to her as
they sat on the grass under the big
trees, 'if we should die here in the for
est, would the birds come and cover
us with leaves, or would a good fairy
come and touch us with her wand and