The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1916-10-26
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Copyright, 1916. ~ the Meclur,
Once upon time there lived : poor
little lad named Toby; his father and
| mother were dead, and he was all
alone in the world.
His clothes were in rags and he had
nothing to eat but the food he begged
as he went along the road.
One night when 1t was cold and
Toby had to sleep as usual in the
woods he heard a sound like groans
coming from some place near by.
Toby followed the sound and came
upon an old man lying on the ground.
What Is the matter my poor old
man?' asked Toby.
"Oh! / am cold and hungry" said
the old man. opening his eyes. II
have not had anything to eat all day
and my clothes are not warm enough
to keep the wind from me-"
Poor old man. said Toby, taking
eff his coat of rags. 81 have little to
offer you, but l will cover you with my
coat and give you crust Of bread /
have In my pocket"
The old man thanked Toby and ate
the bread, and Toby crawled close be-
side him to keep warm, and told the
old man to sleep
Toby was SO cold he could not go to
sleep Tor long time, but after q
while even the cold could keep him
awake no longer, and he slept
When Toby awoke In the morning
the sun was shining and he felt nice
and warm. He opened his eyes, and
at first he thought he was covered
with the leaves from the trees around
him. but when he sat up and looked
Toby found he had a nice warm coat
over him and beside him was warm
suit Of clothes and warm cap.
There were warm shoes and stock
ings, too, and Toby thought the fairies
must have been there, though he had
never believed in fairies.
Then Toby thought of the old man
who was beside him when he went to
sleep, but he had disappeared.
Toby jumped up and put on the
warm new clothes and then he looked
all about for the old man, but nowhere
could he find him.
"Hollo! Hollo!" came through the
woods. and Toby answered, "Hollo!"
'Hollo! Hollo!" came again, and
Toby followed the sound just as he had
the groaning sound the night before.
Soon Toby came upon little house
right in the midst of the woods, and
standing in the doorway was an old
man.
Come IN and have breakfast" he
said to Toby
Toby had never had so much to eat
in all his life before, and every time
he stopped the old man would tell him
to eat more. i
Toby wondered If the old man was
the one he had given his crust, to the |
night before. He did not look like the !
same one, for this old man looked
strong and well, while the other was
ragged and worn looking
did you rest well?" asked the old
man when Toby had said he could eat
no more.
Toby told him he had. and asked If
he was the man he had given the crust
to and covered with his old coat the
night before.
The old man told him he was and
Toby asked how 1t happened he was so
hungry when he found him II he had
a home and plenty of food.
'I wanted to see II you were worth
having for son." said the old man. /
had sen you many times in the woods
gathering berries, and / knew you
were poor and alone. but wanted to
be sure your heart was right before
offered you home.
when you covered me with your
coat and gave me your last bit OF food
knew you were son worth having,
and now II you like you shall live here
with me and I will teach you all Il
know about the trees and animals. for
| am an old man and cannot go on
with my work much longer alone"
Toby thought It must be dream he