The Washington times., 1912-10-04
For The Times Children
Just Before It's Bedtime
THE BROWNIES. BROOM.

TT was time for returning to school
in the fall, and little Wilhelm was
much distressed. Ali summer long
he had played with his wagon and
big Ponto. but now the days were grow
ing cool and the school bell would soon
ring. 30 Wilhelm moped about In the
sunlight and worried about what would
happen in a few days when he had to
take up his bag and books again.
The first session was to be in the
afternoon, and when the day arrived
the boy was all ready to start with the
other children. But when he got to the
turn in the path In the woods he
stopped. Far OF he could hear the
tinkle of the bell and the shouts Of
the boys gathering for the first time.
But the woods were 30 pretty, the
light Hickering through the trees wove
such dainty patterns on the moss, that
he sat down to rest, unheeding the ring
Ing that soon died away in the hills.
Presently he felt tiny hand press
his knee and saw little man all
clothed in green locking at him In
tently.
you will excuse me-" sir" exclaimed
the Brownie in a shrili voice, but
5tc you dit vi yOuT way " fpshoOip uhu
thought you would help me do this sum
In arithmetic. ! am starting to school
tomorrow myself"
80 wilhelm, who was a kind-hearted
though lazy boy. took up the tiny PEN
ell and figured out the sum correctly.
The wee Brownie stood by on one foot
stretching his head In wonder at the
ease with which the boy arrived at the
/ A.lx ~ lvx r
hand. he disappeared in the bushes with
| clad cry OF thanks.
But hardly had tho small figure gone
| when wilhelm caught sight Of an aged
\ man with a tall cap on his head and
| long cane In Is hand standing before
him. The old man was all clad in a
gray gown. which covered him from
head to foot. and down the front Of II
| fell a sweeping. white beard that waved
| In the breeze like floating curtains. The
man had a mean. wizened face and
stood grinning at the boy for long
time. At last he spoke. ....
"Ah, ha." he chuckled. "You are one
OF the boys who ought to be at school!
Playing truant. see. will taken you
where you can do some work instead Of
sleeping In the woods" and. .takins
hold OF the boys collar. the man pushed
Wilhelm on before him down the path
Al last they reached cottage in the
very depth of the forest. The man
showed Wilhelm into q room and shut
the door.
you don't get bite to eat till yot
sweep that room clean" he called
through the window to wilhelm. There
is a broom in the corner-get 1t and
sweep"
30 the boy picked up a'broom he saw
in corner and began to sweep. but a,
fast as he swept the dirt in one direc
ton a strong wind would scatter Il
again. Time after time he swept. bu
in an instant the dirt was all over th'
floor as badly as ever. The moon ros,
and poor Wilhelm was still at his task
tired. hungry. and thirsty. But outsid
OF the door the wicked old man la,
asleep and he could not get away. ]
was impossible to sweep the room, e.
the boy sat down and began to weel
bitterly.
Hello! cheer up!" laughed a smal
voice at Wilhelm's elbow, and the la
looked down to see the little Browni
standing In the Moonlight in the cente
of the floor. Don't worry about tthi
job; it's easy. This old man is reall
a witch. and IL you can get the broom
stick he rides, you can sweep this room
Years ago he stole my best broom fror