The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1915-04-23
DID THE IDOL SAVE TOMMY

Tommie's Uncle Jim had been a
sea captain, and had brought home
many curious things. When Tommie
went to visit his grandmother he al
ways looked at them with great inter
est. In the old-fashioned parlor there
was high mantel, and on 1t were
queer-looking shells and a whales
tooth. Tommie often thought he would
not want whale to bite him.
What interested Tommie most, how
ever. was queerlooking Chinese idol.
with pudgy looking eyes and distorted
features. Tommie used to look at it
and wonder If the people where 1t
came from looked like that.
On either side of the fireplace we're
long, narrow doors, and Tommie had
longed to see the inside, but he never
did. Once when he was alone in the
parloP he tried to open one of the
doors, but he could not He wondered
II 1t led I'm back of the chimney or
whether It might not be a secret stair.
way.
There was a haircloth sofa on the
opposite side of the room, and some
times when the minister called, Tom
mic went in the parlor with his grand
mother aud sat upon it. Then he
would look at the idol. and sometimes
1t looked to Tommie as though 1t
winked at him. and once Tommie
laughed oet, for he was sure the idol
made face at the minister.
Then there were portraits of his
great-grakdfather and great-grand-
mother, and when he went I'm the par
Tor alone their eyes followed him
about az though they we're watching
to see he did not get into mischief.
OnS warm afternoon he was wan
dering about the house. and opened
the parlor door.
1t seemed so nice and cool, he went
in. He walked around the room, and
when he came in front of the mantel
he looked at his funny friend. and
laughed. Then Tommle tried one of
the little doors again. but he could
not open 1t. He saw an album and
took IT to the sofa and opened 1t.
How funny the pictures looked! There
was one that looked like his father,
but he was sure his father never wore
such queerIooking clothes.
TOmmie crawled up In the corner Of
the sofa and looked across at the
idol. He seemed to be grinning and
winking at him. He did move, Tom
mie was sure he did. Yes, he was
standing up and reckoning to Tom
mie. Tommie went over to the man.
tel.
Take me down." said the idol.
Il daren't," said Tommie. Grand
mother told me not to handle things
on the mantel."
well, I'll climb down, then, only
you are so much larger than am
you could rave me a lot of trouble"
IF you are coming down, anyway"
said Tommie, 'Tll help you" So he
stood up in a chair and took him
down.
my. but you are smalil' said Tom
mie, looking down at him.
Once was big" said the Idol, 'but
an old witch changed me into this
little shape. Do you want to see what
is on the other side of these doors?"
he asked
yes" answered Tommie. "but they
ara locked"
"Oh, j can open them," said the
idol. "You hold me up to the key
hole"
Tommie did as he told him. and the
idol tapped on one of the doors, and
It opened. 1t was very dark inside.
but the idol told Tommie TO place him
on his shoulder and walk along. They
came to fight of steps, which
seemed to go under the ground, and
Tommte stopped
60 on" said the idol; you have
not entered the cave yet" So Tom
mic did as he told him. At the bot.
tom OF the steps he stopped again.
for he could see in the distance a
number Of men sitting around table
but the idol urged him on. AS they
came nearer to the men, Tommie saw
they were looking at Jewels and
seemed to be counting money. and
they all had pistols and knives in
their belts.
T0mmie became so interested In
what he saw on the table that he
quite forgot to be afraid, and soon he
was standing beside Them T,hav oil
Jumped up and pointed their pistols
st him.
Who are you and what do you
wantr they demanded.
ToTnmie was SO frightened he could
not tell them, and looked around to
the Idol for help, but to his surprise
the idol was not there.
Where did you come FRONT" asked
q very large man. who seemed to be
the leader. Tommie told him his
lived In the house which