The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-24

tho flowers and most of us must die on account of them"
 Tot Tim figured quickly.
 ''who Is the leader of this worm familyY' he queried.
 "she is a very terrible lady worm." answered the pink sweet-pea, and hungry all the time"
 Where is her Iair?" fired Tot Tim.
 "oh, you wouldn't dare talk to her" bewailed the sweet-pea, "she might eat pou up too.'
 But Tot Tim was not to be denied So the sweet-pea pointed to the far side of the yard under a little knoll which was the entrance to the secret passage in which the worm lived.
 To Make It Right
 Tot Tim marched right Hp to it. He thumped at the door.
 Come out of your lair. Mrs. Worml" he shouted loudly. As long as fairies live, you shall not mistreat the little blue-eyed girl and the poor sick children! I will not let you"
 Mrs. Worm was q very cruel, cum ming, wicked ogre of 8 worm. At that she came rushing to the door, terro- ply angry.
 hissed at Tot Tim. .You leave my premises at once or will call poi son bug to sting you to deathl can call a hundred, if necessary"
 But Tot Tim did not even turn pale He was not even afraid to die, because he was good.
 Instead he looked Mrs. Worm right in the eyes.
 weren't deliberately being so wick ed.a said Tot Tim. And I know the Great White Fairy won't stand for that"
 Alone
 When Tot Tim said the Great White Fairy" the ugly worm trem- bled bit But although he knew he could stamp his foot three times and the White Fairy would come to his rescue, Tot Tim felt he must fight his battle alone.
 T challenge you to duel, you wicked. wiched creature" he cried out, you murderer of little flowers"'
 "And~I take you.' shouted Mrs. Worm.
 At that without waiting for Tot Tim to arm himself, she rushed at him and spat out some venomous secretion. If Tot Tim had not lodged, it might have put out one of his eyes.
 Mrs. Worm was taken aback a bit, but undismayed.- She whipped her tail around, almost knocking him down.
 She Was Wicked
 Tot Tim realized that she was stronger than he, and would take any mean, unfair advantage.
 You cowardp he accused.
 Suddenly remembering his wings, Tot Tim sprang into a nearby thorn bush. From this he ripped off two spines. Then he sprang instantly back to the fray.
 "Therer' declared he, If you are disposed to fight this battle fair, Mrs Worm, here is your weapon and I'll hold minew
 Tot Tim could not see, but already Mrs. Worm was calling to her aid half thousand other worms. They were of all descriptions, and she had given the signal for them to begin a cowardly, terrible march to attack Tot Tim, crush him-sting him to death. Mrs. Worm was rejoicing So just to gain time. she pretended she was going to fight fair. She was sure Tot Tim could not escape that he i would be killed anyhow. Threatening
 You're a fine fellow, you are, de- lending the poor and weak" sha laughed sarcastically. "All you are is just smart aleck. What I'll do is poke your smart head clear off" Tot Tim was not so sure of this, but the sarcasm hurt because 1t was not true. He answered: Tin not a smart aleck. You are doing wrong and you must not be allowed to continue it." Well you'll never make me stop" she slung at him. Then unfairly again she lunged forward, and brought the blood ont of Tot Tin,'s right arm. She was trying to reach his heart.
 Then Tot Tim began his last des- perate stand. He gathered himself for a fight~to the death. The White Fairy would know that he had done his level best. His eyes narrowed; he squared himself, he slung ths thorn spine around his head unril it produced rings like black light 1 ming. He thrust out and at last felt the spine strike home. He brought it , heavily down upon Mrs. Worms shoulders, as he seemed to gather strength.
 Calling the Bug Finally he1fe1t her weaken. Then she began to writhe upon the ground and scream for help. My bug! My stinging worms." she summoned. Let every stinging worm kill this creaturew But when she said this, she was presuming too far against forces of good For. like quick flash, the white Fairy who had been standing by all the time, waved her hand, and from thousands of tinya clouds in every direction came fluttering mil lions Of fairies, armed with nets and
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