Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-11-15

CAST A SPELL on ME THAT WILL MAXI
MI: HAPPY ALWAYS.
and, most children will think. with
good reason. The mellow afternoon
seemed to tease her with its bright
glory. 1t was hard to leave all the
beauty of wood and field and 20 bach
to the dull round of studies in the
noisy. warm city Books were suc''
stupid things, anyway.
These were Katy's thoughts as she
sat swinging beneath the apple tree
and gazed into the deep green over
head. Finally she decided she w"n.G
not go at all. She would run away
And she started up and soon had dis
appeared into the depths Of the wood
taking with her IL few apples for food
Katy was very much excited and
walked very fast ut first for fear tha;
she might be seen. but by and by she
lost herself completely and wandered
Oh. still happy in the thought of put
ting school behind her. There was
much to see and marvel at around her.
The path seemed made of emerald vel
vet. So bright and soft WAS the moss
which covered ii. The leaves of many
trees were turning scarlet. ana the
wild flowers still bloomed brilliantly.
So the place seemed to be enchanted,
and II was Katy's delight to believe
il was. She would not have been sur
prised to see fairies or elves or even Il
wizard or witch peer ut her through
the branches. She ate her apples by
and BY and drank from clear, cold
spring and then wandered on again.
Ry this time she could not have gone
home again If she had wished. but II
was not until II began to grow dark
that she felt the least bit afraid. Then
II happened that she saw Il little light
twinkling through the black night.
She crept forward and peered through
the window of the wee cottage. 1t
was a funny little place on the side OF
a steep hill, the upper windows on a
level with the ground at the back, and
the kitchen rambling away down the
hill in front Inside a queer old wo-
man stood stirring some savory stew
in a great iron pot over the open fire.
She knocked timidly. and when she
had faltered out her story in answer to
the witchs shrill demands she was
made welcome and given generous
share Of supper.
Cant you please cast spell on Inc
that will make me be happy always"
pleaded Katy.
go up to bed. my child" shrilled
mother witch not unkindly. Il will
see what can be done. can cast
spells and will try to help you. even
though you have been so naughty in
running away"
So Katy Struggled down beneath the
patchwork quilt and prepared to be be-
witched.
Just then she became aware Of a
shrill singing beneath her window.
katy did! Katy didn't!' was sung
out loudly. the same thing over and
over again. One little voice asserted
Katy did, and the other one replied
katy didn't Didn't what? wonder
ed Katy, not in the least surprised to
be able to understand these songs.
Didn't betray a trust shrilled a
cricket close by.
katy did, insisted the first voice
sturdily.
But she never will again" thrilled n
locust
"Never again. never again. never
again" sang the tree toad in triumph.
Katy knows that even in the woods
there Is work to be done in the fall
Every creature. big or small. is busy
laying up stores for the winter. and
she would not like to be the only idle
one among so many. She will be glad
to get back to lessons now that she
understands.
And Katy realized that the spell upon
her had enabled her to understand the
songs of the insects. and she had
learned from the wisdom Of the woods
the value of the wisdom Of books.