The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1915-06-28
Bedtime Stories
For Little Folks
POlLY'S PRANK.

Nov, Polly, l want you to help me
wash up these dishes before father
gets home" said the mother, coming
to the door quickly. So Polly had to
put down her book and come into the
kitchen to lend a hand to her busy
mother.
Now, child, take this pail and bring
some fresh water for supper, re-
marked Mrs. Gordon presently.
So, unwillingIy Polly went slowly
down the hill with the pail jerking
about in her hand. AT the spring she
sat down to rest and look about. 1t
was very pretty over in the woods,
but the meadow was far lovelier with
its smooth green sod, and about it
were scattered the sheep, some lying
in the shade of the trees.
THAT little lamb has an easy time
not a thing to do but play all day"
remarked Polly aloud. Il wish l
could change places. 1t is school, then
help about the house till am tired to
DEATH"
AS Polly stopped to dip the bucket
she noticed a beautiful ring lying in
the bottom of the spring. But before
she could reach to get it the bushes
opened and an old witch walked out,
leaning on a stick.
81 dropped my ring in the spring
Just now, child" she exclaimed, "and
wish you would get it out for me-"
Now Polly thought it strange that
the witch dbl not get the ring herself
till she remembered that some witches
are afraid of water. So she knew at
once that this woman must be witch
and she determined to make bar
gain.
81 will get you the ring" she said,
eff you will grant me my wish"
The witch said she would grant one
wish for the girl, so Polly dipped down
and fished out the ring.
"Now make your wish" said the
witch, as she waved her wand over
the girl three times. Aand Polly
wished that she might be lamb, play
| ing about the meadow.
The next moment she felt she had
four legs instead of two, that her
clothing was gone and in place OF it
was soft wool. And when she opened
her mouth to scream she only said
"Baa, Baa!" Badly frightened she
ran toward the sheep and one old ram
put down his head and butted her
down. AS fast as she got up he would
knock her down with his head so she
fled down the road toward grove.
Now there was picnic being held
in the grove and when the children
saw sheep coming they began to
throw stones at it to drive it home.
But Polly was so miserable that she
ran to a group of schoolmates that
she knew.
obi" the girls screamed, that
lamb is going to butt us; drive 1t
away" And they dashed away to
climb a fence, The boys threw mud
and sticks at Polly, who set out on a
run for her own home.
Mrs. Gordon was bringing her milk
into the kitchen when she caught
sight of the lamb coming gallopins
down the lane, covered with mud and
foam
ooh. that is a mad sheep, a mad
| sheep" she screamed, and she dashed
into the house, shutting the door be-
hind her. Poor Polly wandered all
around the house trying to make he1
mother understand that it was little
girl and not a lamb that was crying
to be let in. But the only thing she
said when she opened her mouth was
'Baa, baa baa.
Presently a man came driving dowr
the road and Mrs. Gordon saw it wa:
the butcher.
ooh, Mr.. JONES'" she called from
the window, there is stray lamb il
the yard; you can have it for So. d.
take it away at once"
Folly heard the order and grew
cold with fright. So weak was sh
that she meekly let him tie rop'
around her neck and lead her to thu
wagon. When catching her by al
four legs he gave her three SWING
and she fell-not into the wagon, Blu
into the cold spring.
'Oh," she cried, as she jumped VI
and found she was still Polly. Il an
so glad / am not a lamb but that
was only a dream. guess it is bet
ter. after all, to be little girl, eveI
if | do have to work some. Mothe
4 I< &c nni1