The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-01-13
POOR TOM


Tho cottage contained only two
rooms-a bedroom and kitchen
and Tom had to sleep In the
barn with the COW.
Poor Tom he was called by the
people in the village because he
was lame. and besides that he was
very poor indeed.
The only way Tom and his moth.
or had Of getting q living was from
the milk they sold and the little
garden by the house In which they
grew vegetables.
But one year the rain did not
fall when It was needed. and the
garden dried up and the vege-
tables did not grow or the grass
either. so that the COW had little
to eat. and poor Tom thought of
the winter. and knew the COW
would not have hay. and that he
and his mother would have no
food.
One night he was lying on his
bed Of straw in the barn. thinking
about his hard luck, when he saw
a little light pickering at one end
Of the barn.
1T must be FREELY" thought Tom
''or 1t might be a fairy: have
heard that they come to folks
sometimes when they are in trou-
bio In this part Of the country, but
have never seen them"
While he was thinking this the
Hight came nearer and Tom saw
a tiny man with a flredy on his
shoulder.
"Ah! here is poor Tom" said
the little man. x have been look
ing for you. | want to help YOU"
Tom sat up and rubbed his eyes.
for he was sure he. must be dream
ing but the little man laughed and
said. "No, Tom. you are not dream
ing: ] am a goblin come to help
you with your garden"
What can | do for you?" asked
Tom Surely you will not help
me for nothing, and l may not be
able to pay you for your work.
''Oh. we don't ask for pay"
said the goblin with laugh; .all
you have to do is watch and not
speak until we finish. That is
why | was sent ahead to look for
you to tell you not to speak, no
matter what happens or what you
See
Tom promised he would not
speak. and the little man disap-
peared. Tom could see the little
light 60 right through the side Of
the harm.
Tom tried to keep awake, but he
fell asleep. and the next morning
he saw nothing different In the
gardenS and Tom concluded that
he must have dreamed it after all.
The next night Tom was awaken
ed suddenly by a noise that sound
ed like wings Of many birds near
him, and when he looked around
he saw hundreds of little creatures
he knew must be fairies fitting
all around the barn.
Now. you must hurry" said one
"or The COLLINS will beat us with
their work." and without noticing
Tom they flew over to the COW and
began perching on her horn and
ears. and all over her back.
"'Tell her there is plenty Of sweet
hay. and that she must give Tom
and his mother rick milk and
cream" said tho fairy who seemed
to be the leader: 'teil her she must
not kick or be cross ever again,
and that she will never want for
her supper az she has In the past"
Tom saw the little fairies get
close to the ears Of old Nelly. and
even though she was asleep she
seemed to hear them.
"Now we must take Poor Tom"
said the leader fairy. and the next
thing Tom knew the little creatures
were all about him. '.He Is asleep
said the leader. and while Tom felt
sure he was awake he did feel very
drowsy.
Tom felt the little. creatures
touching his lame leg. and funny.
prickly feelings came into It, hut he
remembered his promise to the
goblin. so ha did not speak, though