Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-06-03

to a small house on the roof Of which
the bird perched. When they went up
close to it they saw that the house was
made of bread and cakes. This was a
fine treat for the hungry boy and girl
and each broke off a piece Of the house
and began to eat.
All at once an old woman opened the
door and came out. The children were
in such fright that they let fall what
woman said "Oh, you dear children,
what has brought you here? Come and
stop with me and no harm shall come
to you." and as she said this she took
them both by the hand and led them
into the house.
There she gave them fine meal OF
milk, cakes, fruit and nuts. and when
they were through put them to bed In
nice room with two small beds In 1t.
in which the children lay down and
thought they were in heaven.
The old woman was kind to them at
first, but in truth she was witch who
built the bread house to serve as trap
for them. The next morning she came
and looked at them as they slept and
mumbled to herself, They will make a
nice bite for me-"
Then she took up Hansel with her
rough hand and shut him up in a small
place that had a barred door, like a
cage He cried loudly but 1t was of no
use.
Next she shook Grethel and said Get
up you lazy thing and fetch some water
to cook some food for your brother who
must stay in that cage and get fat.
When he is fat as he ought to be shall
eat him" Grethel began to cry at this,
but it did no good, for the old witch
made her do as she wished. So a nice
meal was cooked for Hansel, but
Grethel got nothing but crabs claws.
Each morning the old witch came to
the cage and said "Hansel, stick out
your finger, so that may see ii you are
fat yet" But Hansel used to stick out
a bone and the old witch, who had poor
sight took it for his finger and thought
it was strange he should be so lean.
When four weeks had passed and Han
sci still kept quite lean, she got tired of
waiting, and said she would have him
fat or lean The children began to cry,
but the old witch told them to be still.
Leave off that noise, it will not help
you bit. Next morning she made
and make fire. First we will bake,
though" said the. old witch 1.-THE oven
is ready and l have made the bread"
She pushed poor Grethel up to the oven
in which there was fierce fire. Creep
in" she cried "and see If it is hot
enough and then we will put in the
bread" She meant when Grethel got in
to shut up the oven and let her bake so
that she might eat her as well as Han
sell
But Grethel knew what she wished to
do and said. II don't know how to do
do it. How can creep in?"
The old witch was mad and she got
in to show her how and Grethel locked
her in. Then she went and let Hansel
out They threw their hands and kiss
ed each other for joy. They went
through the house and in each corner
stood chests Of gold and pearls.
These are better than the small
white stones" said Hansel as he filled
his pockets with all they could hold.
Il will take some home too" said
Grethel and she filled her apron and
pretty soon they found their way home.
Their stepmother had died since they
had left. ..t
When they got home they ran burst
ing into the room where their father
was and told him how rich they were.
Their sorrow was now at an end, and
they lived in great peace and joy.
Katie Miller. age IL,
Hedrick, Ia. r. No. /.