Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-06-01

word to the fairies that they were
coming. But they supposed that
fairies knew all things, which OF
course they did
Now, come right into my castle,
said the smiling queen, and she led
them into the loveliest rose-hung
: bower the children had ever seen
grandmamma's flower-covered summer
house not excepted. Inside the
castle, the queen clapped her tiny
hands and grasshoppers came hopping
in, carrying tiny golden trays on which
were various fairy dishes. Preserved
rose buds, honeyed wild strawberries
and gooseberries, wild honey-suckle in
morning dew and many other delica'
cies the fairies are noted for. Johnny
and Maggie ate with relish, and de-
clared they had never tested such
delicious food before.
But Spring-time Pete was making a
great noise at the gate, stamping his
hoofs and neighing loudly. Johnny
ran to see what allied him, and found
him tossing his head impatiently, as
though getting ready to start for
home.
He wants to return to his own
abode said one of three fairies who
had come running out to meet the
visitors "He is afraid he cannot
reach home before nightfall unless
you come at once and mount to your
places on his back He is noble
you on being the happy owner of
him."
! Yes, he is fine beast" acquiesced
Johnny, talking very much as his
father talked. Gle is sure a fine
horse. He hasn't fault. But I'll go
call my sister,"
NAY, take your ease." replied the
fairy. It'll run and call the lady
And away she flew to the castle and
told Maggie that her steed was at the
gate in readiness for her to depart.
On hearing this, the queen arose and
escorted Maggie to the door. And as
that little lady departed, the queen
waved her wand above her head, say
ing:
Little Humane Lady, fine,
Come again some day:
Come in early morning hours,
And with us all day stay.
We will take you everywhere
In our dear Fairyland;
And you'll see a noble place
Kept by Fairy Band" "
Maggie waved loving farewell, |
kissed both hands to the queen and
took her leave, escorted by two fairies.
They carried flowers and candied and
honeyed fruits in little baskets for
Johnny and Maggie, which they |
fastened on to Spring-time Pete's sad
die at the sides, just above where
Johnny's stirrups were.
Then saying many farewells, the
children mounted Spring-time: Pete
and he set off towards home, going
even faster than when coming forth.
He was hungry, Johnny said, for
horse would always travel faster going
home than when going away from
home. He knew manger Of hay and
a basket of oats were in waiting for
him. So Johnny told Maggie, and
Maggie believed him, for Johnny was
an honest boy and never told anything
that was not strictly true
They reached home Just before Papa
came for supper, and took up their
place on the porch, just where they |
had been before going to Fairyland.
And when mamma came out to call
them in to supper she said: "Well,
you have enjoyed old Spring-time Pete
all afternoon, haven't you my dearies?
You haven't left the porch once
ooh, yes, Mamma, we went to
cried Johnny getting out
of the saddle, and running into the
house to supper Eyes, Mamma de-
o11 rr{> al 90 down
from Spring-time Pete's back. 1--WE
went to Fairyland. And the queen,
she invited us into her castle and gave
US fairy food to eat
And Mamma only laughed at her
little ones'story. for she knew they
had only played at going to Fairyland,
for she had sat by the open window
and listened to their childish play all
and knew they had not
once left the porch, but had made
believe to go to Fairyland, and to
have passed right through Grand
mammals big yard. And Mamma told
Papa all about it. and Papa said
We'll. can my little ones eat COM
mon food after dining with a Fairy
Queen?"
And Johnny took up big bowl of
sweet milk and rice and began to eat
with relish. Eyes, Para, we like plain
human grub" he said.
Eyes. Papa. we like hahn puman
grub" said Maggie. her mouth so full
If something good that she got her
words all mixed up. But we like
AIRY things to eat too. Don't we
And all "bruver" could do was nod
lis head.