Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-07
CHAPTER vi
The Imitation to Drink

TNHE Gnomes, as they surrounded Peeg,
l. and Billy wore such friendly grins thai
the children didn't know whether to be fright
ened or not. The Gnomes didn't touch them
Just bowed politely, and stood smirking q.
them. But In spite of the bows and in spits
of the grins, Peggy and Billy quickly saw
that they were prisoners. The Gnomes l1a,
cut off escape in every direction.
The Gnome who had been the ST. Bernar.
dog, was the politest and the grinniest o
all. and appeared their leader.
Not word did the Gnomes say the.
Just grinned and grnned. With swee-
of his arm the leader indicated that Pege
and Billy were to climb the SLOPE whe
they reached the top, escorted by all III
Gnomes. they found themselves at the ede
of the woods where the fire was burnin;
Around the fire were other Gnomes. Some
these were reclining on snow lounges Son;
were cooking soup in a large kettle Fro
the kettle came most appetzng odors
over at one side half a dozen Gnome
dressed like old.time pirates and seamen wei
bowling. They used balls of solid ice, whie
they rolled down the mountain at ten pil
made Of icicles.
Hendrix Hudson and his crew playir
ten pins" whispered Billy Belgium "R
member the fate of Rip Van Winkle."
But If they were Hendrix Hudson's GREY
Peggy pondered, why didn't the balls NAL
thunder as in the story of Rip Van winkl
Peggy to join in the game, and the Gnom,
handed them balls. Billy hestated a m
ment, then sent his ball bounding down Il
mountain, and smash into the ten pin
sweeping every one of them away.
The Gnomes applauded delightfully."- al
offered Billy drink from a beaker whit
they filled from a'cask. Billy politely rs
fused.
New icicles were set up, and Peggy tri,
her hand. The ball sped straight at the pin
and smash-they went flying in all direction
This shot also was applauded, and Il
Gnomes offered Peggy a drink She polite
declined.
So 1t went on, Billy and Peggy roIlir
the balls, knocking down the pins, and beir
offered drink OF congratulation
But as they kept refusing the drinks Il
Gnomes began to lose their smiles. and gre
n trifle cross.
I'VE ought to pretend we're being put
sleep by the tea" whispered Billy Belgiur
beginning to nod. Peggy nodded also, but .
didn't seem to fool the Gnomes,
Now the cooks brought forward bowls
the delicious smelling soup The Gnom,
offered this to Peggy and Billy. When
was refused all smiles vanished. The leade
frowned .darkly. He gave an order an
half a dozen Gnomes seized Peggy and ha
a dozen seized Billy. The bowls of soup wei
held to their mouths and the Gnomes tries
TO force them TO drink. va
strength going. In another moment the hs
soup would be forced between her lips--an
then she'd sleep for twenty years. Good-b
childhood, good-by home. good-by mother /.
The grips came back on the faces OF III.
Gnomes, impish, malicious, triumphant grin.
for they thought the children in their powe
Then-crash! An icy SNOWFALL hit III
bowl at Peggy's lips, smashing It to smith
Greens, and sending the hot soup all owe.
the Gnomes. ~
Crash! Another SNOWFALL hit the bow.
Rilly's lips, and scattered more hot soup.
The scalded Gnomes let out howis OF PAT
and began an agonized dance.
And right through their dance came dash
ing q pair Of bobs-Blly's bobs, and at tn,
steering wheel was Prince Bonnie Blue Bel
He smashed the Gnomes right and left an,
made straight for Peggy and Billy. The.
didn't need to be told what to do, but jumps
on the bobs Billy giving them a big shoy.
as they did so.
Right down the bowling course the bob.
dashed, faster. faster, faster, In a roarlnf
smothery, whir-r.r. A long, long way the,
coasted TO the earth and safety. and thei
came a big bump. The rush. the roar. tn
smother vanished-and there was Pegx3
sitting on the floor safe ut home.
I'm the nert story Peggy hos a cotnlcoI
adventure Nth Balky Sam, Billy Goat