Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-09-14
our BOYS ;
and GIRLS 5
WiNkuM BlNkS' DREAM

down in the tail grass. wishing hard
that he had u playmate. Ho was just
sturdy, blue-eyed small boy who
had been busy all the morning, loading
his cart with stones and gravel TO fill
up a hole down at the far END OF the
yard so that he and his mother might
have beautiful garden OF pinks and
daffy down-dlllies later in the year.
1t was Just as the last load was on
that one OF the wheels came off: he
had worked patiently at it. trying to
put it back, but it wouldn't stay. The
pin was lost and he couldn't make an
other, for he hadn't any tools-not
even jackknife in his pocket; so he
just stretched out under the trees,
with the sunlight and the shadows
dancing up and down his limbs and
jumping sometimes into his eyes, SO
that he had to shut them close.
There he lay for long time. see
ing pretty pictures in the soft clouds
above. Soon he seemed to feel a tug
at his arms and. looking down, he saw
there was big beetle, inviting him to
feast and merrymaking OF all the
beetles. He thanked him quite politely,
aud at once got up to follow, hay.
ing to take small steps and to go very
slowly, so az not to step on his tiny
host. The grass and hllocks were
rough for Mr.. Beetle, and often he
would catch his legs in the little earth
twiss and 20 tumbling over on his
back, and 1t would be more polite not
before he could turn him eli over
again II nks anted 10 hel1 him but
he did not knO}{ how, and ! sides, he
thought it would be more polite not
to seem 10 notice his clumsiness.
After while they arrived at Mr.
Beetles home, down at the foot of an
old stump. The host pulled away
wisp Of grass and motoned Binks to
enter, but the latter shook his head
and thought ii would be better for him
to atby outside where there was more
air and space.
A big yellow belied spider had spun
4 web across the little twigs and root.
lets, making nice roof, and under
this MIR. and Mrs. Beetle and all the
little beetles lived The room had
been swept clean, little green branch
e. filled the corners, while the long la
Bile was set and decorated with star
blossoms. And soon the guests began
70 arrive.
There were all kinds and sizes OF
butterflies who poised themselves on
the twigs and branches, spreading
their beautiful wings, touched with all
the colors OF the rainbow, in order to
add to the decoration Of the room. The
stasshoppers came, Also dressed in
gay coats OF green and making court
ly bow to their partners, sometimes
getting their long legs caught in the
train OF the butterflies. A pair Of
humming birds came IN their gauzy
attire fitting around and adding to
the harmony with their drowsy song.
Under huge green leaf sat big
black spotted toad, with two little
tinyitoads twinkling their bright eyes
at all the merrymaking and wishing
for place among them. but they
were not invited, SO they could only
sit and run out their wee red tongues,
hoping to catch a taste Of the wind
blown aroma OF good things.
Binks did want to go over and pick
up the little toads, for he liked the
feeling of the soft, spotted bodies in
his warm hands, but he was afraid of
disturbing Mr. Beetle and his guests
besides he felt that he should be very
good and polite to be entertained by
such wonderful company, so he sat
quite still with warm feeling of
content.
While the feast was going on
swift-wlnged messenger came sailing
ina huge buebottle fly who brought
a message and an invitation from Mr..
TitmoHse, who lived tar up in the
wood, to come that evening to dance.
Mr.. Beetle accepted with alacrity,
sending back profuse thanks and say
ing that he would bring all his com.
pany and also his most honored guest,
Winkum Binks.
In the darkness they made their
way up the grassy hill, the hoppers
going with hop, skip and jump,
while the butterflies sailed along like
SO many little airships, and the slow.
moving beetles Travelled as fast as
their legs would permit. Mr.. Tit
mouse had sent down an army Of fire
flies " Light the way and great soft,
white moths stood in the shadowy
places mark the road.
Mr.. Titmouse had invited gay com.
pany Or little animals there was mu-
NC and. everyone danced One Iii,