The Washington times., 1913-01-14
For The Times Children
Just Before It's Bedtime
TOPSY-TURVY LAND.

Il ~ ~
proper place.
Her hat was thrown into corner, or
anywhere 1t happened to land when she
came in from school and her books
were dropped in the same way. Her
room was always untidy and her hair
ribbons scattered over the bureau and
her closet looked as though someone
| had stirred It with stick.
Her bureau drawers were in disorder,
and her mother used to tell her they
were "topsy-turvy." Some day you VIII
| find yourself In Topsy-Turvy Land" her
mother said one day. after she had tried
| to show her how to keep things IN or
der. THAT is the place where little girls
find themselves when they keep their
things In disorder. as you do"
"Topsy-Turvy Land" repeated Netta'
as her mother left the room; there :s
no such place as that. and II there were
/ am sure It would be much better than
living where you have to put everything
away in its right place. There is no
such place as Topsy-Turvy Land,
mother just said that to make me more
, orderly -, :,
Isn't there?" said a voice. and Meta
turned around to see where II came
| from. On the sill Of the window sat a
| queer little man. swinging his tiny feet
and rolling his big round eyes
$50 you think there Is no. such place
4 as Topsy-Turvy Land?'' he asked And
| without waiting for the astonished Net
| ia to reply, he went on talking.
~ will show you that there Is such
/ a place, and after you have lived there
a while you may be willing to keep your
room and what belongs to you In order
rather than in disorder.
The little man clapped his tiny hands
and. much to the astonishment Of Meta.
he made a noise Ike distant thunder.
Then all became dark, and when she
could see light again Meta found her
self In a room which was the Queerest
she had ever seen.
She seemed to be standing on the
floor, but 1t had no carpet on II II
was white like the ceiling. She looked
I'D or down., she was not quite sure
which she did, and there was the car
net. Meta recognized the furniture OF
her own room, but 1t was all UPSIDE
down.
what a queer place. said Meta
eft cannot be my room, land ye
the things I see look like mine
; guess will sit down and look about
| and. perhaps, things will look righ'
when l am seated"
But the minute she moved she fei'
herself turn over like flash. and sne
was standing on her head. Meta reacn
ed for a chair to steady herself, for sht
felt sure she could not stand on hel
head long.
Much to her surprise, she found her
1 self in the chair, only her feet were vi
: where her head should have been, ant
a her head was still on the floor.
a Then She discovered that her ores
a Was upside down, the neck Of the dres
s was round her feet and the bottom o
i her skirts were around her neck
n II can't dress like this" said Meta
Q .I must get another dress, anyway, 70
:. .lI am going out this afternoon"
4 On her head she walked to her close
s The door was open. She seldom re
8 membered to close II. All her ciothe
4 were on the floor and she was waikin
=. on the ceiling.
u 20. dear. what shall | do?" she saic
: .I never saw such queer place. ES
\ erything is topsy-turvy.
..rhat is quite right said a voice
"and YOU are at last in Topsy-Turv
. Land"
The little man stood on the carpe
: and as Meta looked down mt him sh
. thought he was the only thing she sa'
that seemed TO be quite as II should b'
How do you like this land: aske
= the goblin, for. of course. you haV
q guessed who the little man was.
= II do not like It at ALL" replied Nett'
n ..why. 1 cannot find thing. and i al
II all upside down.
r. That is the way you have been keel
n ing YOUR room and the things that b'
N long to you. 1 thought you would lik
N this place. You are one of the peop
% who have helped to make IL. fo
ID should he the one to enjoy it."
Is Il helped to make this topsy.t turH
g. place. asked Meta. II should like