The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1916-07-08
BEDTIME STORIES
FOR LITTLE
FOLKS
THE WISE WtNcLE,s .,.-ti

had long way yet TO go before night
Claus was boy who had been stoler
when baby by wingle, which is {
female kind of wizard, and hardl,
remembered his mothers home.
On this particular day the Wingle
was very pleasant to Claus when he
returned. Claus" she said, Il have
been successful at last. After search
Ing for five years for the magic manu-
script, have found it. Tonight [ will
consult it to find my fortune. Hurry
about supper, boy"
Claus hurried, you may be sure. else
he would have had a whip about bis
shoulders. After the dishes were
cleared away, the Wingle drew up her
chair to the table and told Claus to
go to sleep in his corner. The boy
lay down on the straw pallet, but he
was too much interested in what the
| Wingle was doing to sleep. So he re-
NAMED quiet watching what was go,
ing on at the table.
From a pine knot came a smoky
light. This hung over the Wingle's
head and cast its reflection on the ma
iper, the cat meWing about the floor
and the owl perched on the back of
the chair.
The Wingle began to read the paper
aloud. 1t ran thus:
Henus, genus, hOkypo,
Ringdum riddle and kinkimro.
Swing the black cat by the tail.
Hang her on the rusty nail,
Then you'll have your wishes three,
No matter what on earth they be.
"Hooray." shouted the Wingio.
How lucky | am. | can wish for
that bag of diamonds l know is at the
bottom of the Black Pool, and | will
be rich for life" Then she said the
words and swung the black cat by its
tail and hung it on the rusty nail BY
the door.
Now all is ready for the great
test" said the Wingle gleefully, as she
sat rubbing her hands. But | must
go slowly-how lucky there is no one
here but me to wish. | might lose
what | have in hand if anyone knew
what | was about"
Now Claus had heard every word
and seen everything that went on,
though he pretended to be asleep.
Suddenly it dawned upon him that he
could take a part in this as we'll as
the Wingle-that any wish he ma .
would be granted as soon as hers.
Il wish | had the bag of diamonds
that is in the bottom OF the Black
Pool right here on my back shouted
Claus, jumping to his feet so quickly
that the Wingle almost fell out of her
chair. And l wish I might find my
self back home with my mother be
fore this hour ends
In a second the bag of diamonds
was hanging on Claus back.
you little wretch" screamed the
springing to her feet wildly in
terrible anger and trying to hit Claus
with her chair. "You little imp
will teach you a lesson. You have
used up two of my wishes. Goodness,
if | catch you ! will beat you to bits
| wish | were a thousand miles away
from you"
The Wingle had forgotten when she
said the last thing that it was a wish
and would come true. In another mo-
nent she was flying out OF the door
% the seashore, then tapping across
he waters till she at last was thrown
on tiny bit of land in the
very center of the Atlantic ocean.
And there she dwells today, living on
4 lonely rock, eating raw fish and |
bread fruit, a thousand miles from
Ter old home.
But happy Claus did not wait long |
or his second wish to come true. In |
about half an hour he felt himself /
AIKEN up gently and borne on cloud |
lbove the trees, over rivers and lakes |
Icross the mountains. then softly /
lropped in a garden by the side of a [
path. There in the door be- |
ore him was a woman whom he knew /
o be his long-lost mother.
You may be sure that was a happy |
Meeting and when the mother saw the |
rag of diamonds there was renewed |
ejoicing at the homecoming of Claus. |
Who had long been believed dead.