The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-19

l felt himself hurled, it seemed, bill Erasshopper. but which was only one of the household slaves of the queen. Everybody was too busy to stop to say word to him. Little yellow and green worms made trails over the ground trying to track the way the bandits went, while small flying dragons with long tails had massed themselves into an army, ready to attack any group of bugs that might be detaining the prince
 A Bit Discouraged
 Tot Tim felt very much discour- aged. He went off by himself and sat down on the top of log fence which had been made. at the request of the queen. by the human being who was as large as an earth man. She had seen such fences around the great estates of fairies in the earth world, and decided that she must have one herself.
 While Tot Tim was sitting there very disconsolately, he thought he heard strange humming amid the shrubbery at his feet. He looked, but was not able to sec anything. Then he became absorbed Tn his own thoughts. his chin sunk in his two hands. Finally his eyelids dropped in sort of tired daze.
 They had not been shut, however, but second when Tot Tim unmis- takably heard something, at which his eyes flew open with jerk.
 Standing right near him upon the log fence was the aueerest bug he had ever seen. He was spotted more than half way of his back, had a checked collar. a nose and mouth very pudgy, tiny ears, and a venom ous black eye. He stood up on his little straw legs. and in one hand was holding a tiny black hat with a white brim.
 He began to whine to Tot Tim in the most rasping, unpleasant voice the fairy had ever heard He held out the hat.
 Please, good. kind sir" purred the creature. "could you deign to donate a few trifogas. to poor starving bug?"
 An Enemy
 Tot Tim felt awfully sorry that he had not stayed invisible, because it seemed to him thattthe poor starving bug might be capable of springing
 
 back at any moment.
 What are trifogas?" queried Tot Tim. The bug explained that they were things like pennies are to earth folks.
 Tot Tim didn't have a trifoga in the world-vand said so.
 T only wish I had a few myself" he ejaculated. Hanged if know what I'm going to do if 1t takes tri- fogas to. get something to eat up here" And Tot Tim got a mental picture of himself dying of starva- tion.
 But the bug was insistent and kept coming steadily closer to Tot Tim this time almost waving the hat un- der Tot Tim's nose.
 You must give mo trifogas" he hissed. and if Tot Tim had not sprung backwards, he felt that she bug would have flown in his face.
 This reused Tot Tim to the height of his superiority. Like a light ming flash, he knew what he knew.
 You miserable cutthroat" Tot cried. T know as well as anything that that is the princes hat you have in your hand. know that you are one of the ones who has betrayed him to your gang of thugs. Tell me instantly where the prince is or shall call poisoned hornet from fairyland to drag you before the queen of all the fairies to be punish ed.
 { The yenomous bug knew authority when he heard it. He was more afraid of fairies, because they were good people and had power to pun ish the wicked. than of anything else In the universe.
 Talked TAeu
 "Oh, if you will only spare me will tell you where he is," gasped the bug. And then Tot Tim, who had discovered he had the same power in the star as he had upon earth strode after the bug . short distance around the log fence to the exact spot from which he first thought he heard the humming.
 growing bush Tot Tom saw the poor who had stripped him of his beautiful wedding finery. put him into the skin of . katydid and were guarding him until he could slowly starve to death. The reason he had been captured was because tho king of the bugs was anxious to wed the little princess himself. so that he might rule over the land.
 Tot Tom sensed the wicked kings evil plans.
 With a cry that was meant just to reassure the prince only, but which the bugs could not understand. Tot Tom became invisible again. He flew over. dropped down, and with his two hands picked up the poor little prince. threw him over his shoulder and sprang into the bough of nearby tree.
 A great uproar then arose among the bugs.
 The prince was gone! Where was Inc? How had he disappeared? They were furious.
 Then the venomous bug. suspecting Tot Tim but thinking he was gone, told the bandit all about his encoun- ter, and suggested a fine plan as to how he would go out and entice Tot you are to sign and send in if you Fresh Air club for children and the romise to try to assist in sending