Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-02-27
THE FA1n1ls ROSE IN THE AIR.

anything to his parents, who were
much too settled to fall In with his
idea, he stocked q cardboard box
with cakes and good things that he
found In the pantry and set out to
make his home In the woods.
He made his way to the hollow tree
and climbed inside to inspect bis new
home. Then what do you suppose he
found? Something he had never
noticed before-a tiny little staircase
carpeted with green velvet. which
wound it's way up inside the tree
trrnk.
Tom was utterly amazed. He had
never seen or heard Of staircase In
side u tree. and he gave low and ex'
pressive whistle Of surprise. AS II IN
answer a tiny voice above him cried
"Boys must not whistle In the housed!
Looking up. Tom saw a dainty little
fairy in green dress coming down
the stairs.
"Well, boy creature" said the fairy
what did you come here for"
II came here to live." answered
Tom. I'm tired Of houses and collars
and brushing my hair"
VERY well" said the fairy; that's
easily arranged" And she waved bel
wand and recited the multiplication
table backward. Tom thought she
was Just SHOWING off," but when she
had finished and remarked "Presto
changer he suddenly discovered that
he had changed-to the size Of the
fairy herself.
"Come on up" she said. holding on,
her hands. with a welcoming smile
And Tom eagerly ran up the little
staircase and joined her. The stairs
led up through the darkness that was
lighted by tiny lamps made Of acorns
suspended on spider webs. At the
head of the stairs the fairy opened
little door and led Tom into q tiny
room, the walls Of which were draped
with rose leaves and in which num-
Der of fairies were playing.
Come play with us!' they cried
holding out their hands to Tom.
So Tom ran up and took his place In
the circle. Merrily they began march
Ing around. singing the old song OF
"oats, peas, BEANS" but when the!
came to the part where the farmer
stamps his foot and claps his hands
and Tom stamped his foot with the
rest the whole tree shuddered and
swayed, and with a tearing Of roots II
fell to the earth.
It was nm astonished small boy that
crawled out from the broken branches
what has happened7 What made
It fall like thatT he asked the rufled
company Of fairies who came climbing
out Of the wreck Of the tree.
"Why. you see." they explained
when we made you our size we for
got to make you our strength. and sc
Of course when you stamped your FOOT
you knocked down the whole tree"
"rm sorry" said Tom. IT didn',
know ! was 80 strong"
"Oh, well, 1t doesn't matter, sale
the fairy. I'VE can easily get another
tree. But first we'd better make you
your own size again. You are much too
dangerous as you are"
80 the first fairy raised her wand
and recited the multiplication table
forward this time. and as soon as she
had said "Presto. change" Tom found
himself his own size again.
Then with a farewell wave Of theiI
wands the falries rose in the air like
cloud of butterflies and few away In
search Of new home.
Since he had now no place in which
to live Tom decided to go home
where. even II there were collars
to be worn. there were other good
things to make up for them. So he
left the woods. where the evening
shadows were falling. and arrived al
his own door just In time for supper.