The Washington times., 1913-06-14
For The Times Children
Just Before It's Bedtime
LITTLE HANS AND HIS CRUEL UNCLE.

WHO 1Ot0 MIN ne Wa8 very
poor, and could hardly sup
port himself. but II he wanted to work
he could stay. Hans told him he would
do anything he could to help, and that
his father had left som emoney which
he would give to his uncle to keep for
him.
! His uncle gladly took the money and
put 1t in a stone pot. I'VE will keep
It locked in this closet" he told Hans,
there are so many robbers In this part
Of the country that we must be very
careful,
But one day the pot was gone and his
uncle told him It had been stolen. He
cried and took or at such rate that
little Hans felt worse for his uncle than
for himself. Never mind, uncle" he
said, Il will work and earn more. and
you need not feel so bad about II, I do
not mind"
HIS uncle pretended to be comforted.
and al Invent well until one day his uncle
said. II think you are old enough to go
out into the world ana earn your own
living. I am old and cannot have you
living on me any longer.
Now, little Hans had done all the
work that brought in the money, and
he thought It strange that his uncle
should talk this way, SO he said: Uncle.
because you are old and have no one to
care for you Is all the more reason why
I should stay and look after you"
But his uncle insisted that he 90. 30
once more little Hans found himself
alone in the world and without money.
He Travelled a long way before he
came to a house. and here he stopped
and asked for a nights lodging.
An old woman opened the door In
answer to his knock. and when she
heard what he wanted she told him to
come In and he could sleep In the
kitchen by the fireplace.
In the middle Of the night Hans heard |
a noise which seemed to come from |
under where he was sleeping. He lis |
tened and heard voices. but he could
not hear what was being said.
Hans took a knife from his pocket |
and lifted a brick from the oor and |
looked down into the cellar.
He saw a band of fierce-looking men.
and one Of them was saying: I'VE will
20 this very night and steal the old
mans wealth. There is no one in his
house but little Hans, and he cannot
keep us from taking the gold. 1t Is
hidden In a big pot under the floor,
under the old mans bed.
He Is so old we shall have no
trouble. and If we do we can easily
stop his noise with this"
The man held up a pistol as he spoke.
and Hans knew he was listening to
a band of robbers who intended to rob |
his uncle.
Just as he was replacing the brick J
and wondering how he could save his ,
uncle the old woman who had let him
In the house took him by the shoulder.
so you have been listening. have
you," she said. well you will not |
have a chance to teell what you have |
heard
She pulled Hans by the collar to a |
door at one end Of the room and |
opened it; she pushed Hans In and
closed It, and Hans heard the key turn
in the lock and then her footsteps
crossing the room. Another door closed,
and Hans knew she had gone.
He thought for a while how he could
get out, and then he began to wonder
why the robbers wanted to rob man
20 poor as his uncle.
The robber said uncle had pot OF
gold under the floor under his bed.
said Hans; but / know he Is very
Door. But then they might kill uncle.
he has gold. / must try to
get out Of here and save him."
Hans felt along the wall and found
{ was a small room or closet; then he
bumped softly, and as he did 80 his
sand touched something that moved:
{ was a loose brick.
Hans pulled 1t out and reached in
he hole: he touched a latch. There
must be a door here. thought Hans.
Hans pulled out another brick and
hen another, and soon he had a place
'ig enough to crawl through. Then
lie lifted the latch very softly: the
ioor opened, but 1t was dark. 1t does
lot open outdoors. thought Hans: but
Will die IL 1 stay here. so I better
ind out where 1t does go.
He crawled through the opening and
'tood In the doorway feeling with his
eet for step. He reached SO far that
le lost his balance. and down he went
Down. down. down and then he landed
m something soft. He felt about for
10 VA not hurt n hit ana (ou.G ha