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The Brussels Post, 1908-5-28, Page 3MVP of ell. S.Y ill4c 704 4700.1 FA1Tid VIVIAN was vexed—that is, es vexed asa good fairy possibly could be, nut It was because Fairy `6lvlan was so Very, very good that she was vexed, You see, she long- ed to be out in the great, wide world, doing good to people far and near; while her majesty, Queen of the :'aides, had decreed that Vivian mustremain in the pretty forest, The wood was a Pleasant dwelling place for any ePrlte, 1t Is true, yet the animals and birds who were the sole Inhabitants thereof thriv- ed without having to depend upon her for protection or care. Only upon rare Occasions was her intervention times- sary, and then only to gently chide some of the squirrels or birdies who disturbed the eeace of her forest king- dom by cenUnual scalding, Bending sadly over a little brook that murmured and rippled on its way be- tween mossy banks, the fairy gave way quest that she responded, somewhat tartly: "Very well, granny; which shall It bo --a rZse or a cabbage?" "I would like to be both a rosebush and a cabbage," said the woman, with deep gravity. Nothing more than a wave of the fairy wand was necessary to change granny Into a. beautiful rosebush and a flourishing cabbage. But Fairy Vivian was not content' with this. Now that the old woman had disappeared she felt lonelier than before. So from the rosebush she made appear a troop of tiny girt sprites, and from the cabbage a like number of boy elves. Boys and girls joined hands and ran merrily away In the forest to play, while Viviansmil- 0d after them, Shortly, however, there came a violent rainstorm. The little folk ran in terror to hide themselves within the she ter THEY PLUCKED DAISIES AND TOADSTOOLS FOR UMBRELLAS to her mournful thoughts, when a rus- tling of leaves caused her to turn her head. She started to behold an aged peasant woman confronting her. "What do you here, granny?" de- manded Vivian. "I am tired and weary, gracious fairy," mumbled the old woman, "and I cone to escape the noise and etrito of the world beyond. "1 would spend the rest of my days In this quiet forest." Vivian shook her head as she replied, "Nay. my good woman, the Queen of the Fairies commands that none but birds and beasts and trees and flowers live within these domains." "Then change me into a bird or a beast or a flower!" tearfully pleaded the aged peasant. So annoyed was Fairy Vivian at what she believed to be a most foolish re - of a friendly rock, whence one of the elvescame when the rain had passed, and begged of the fairy: "Your Most Royal Highness, will you not be kind enough to provide us with umbrellas so that we may weather the next storm without necking such nasty lading places?" "Most certainly," laughed the fairy. And immediately she created two new kinds of flowers—the daisies and the toadstools. Thereafter, when the rains fell, each little girl sprite plucked a daisy, and each little boy ell a toad. stool. With these for umbrellas, not a whit cared they whether skies were bright or dark. Their frolics continued, just the tame. And when the daisy or the toadstool umbrellas wore out, there was no cause for worrlmeht, Were not millions and millions of new ones to be had merely for the plucking? et' !CIVEkYa "A P11]] OF ROCKS, MOSSGROWN AND 'COV]011TD WITH TERNS" (e'SCan't tell eit's sWi mtn ' 'seurslona that's made thein doggoned 'Pirates' so mighty scarce of late," contested Captain Billy, stubbornly. "4 say it's because they've got a new bidin' place, an' they've been Itoepin' close an' secret so's we Won't find It out." Lieutenant 'Skinny wiggled his ears thoughtfully. Skinny was a funny fel- low; be could twist his orate, his eye- brows and his ears 'most any way he pleased; he could put his fingers in 011 sorts of positlons,•'cause he was double- jointed, and he'd had his appendix cut out—all of which made him proud, and justly, too. When the wiggling had ceased, showing that Skinny had thor- oughly weighed the matter, there came 'the words: "I don't know but what you're right, 13111y, Well, all we got to do le to hunt out their den, just as we did at 'Pirates' CoVo,' and, every other place the tee ever. Chad." "We'll find 'emall right," Cho0ttsed Jack Warner and Joe Stafhtoii;'r The other bandits nodded their approval, "Then see here, lettere," announced Captain Billy Mumford, brandighing.his flat impressively in the air, "ovehy 'Bloody Robber' must henceforth - an' 0orev'rmore do his awfttIOOI 1111 we And Where these skulkin' 'Pirates' is keep- themselves. Let us to our Work, Mott!" Billy had borrowed "Let hs to tier Work" from 13111 Kane; but, although it warded mighty fine, it didn't centro any of the "Robbers" to quicken their pace toward the schoolroom, where the "went" atveltcd them. There Was no "meeting or anything" Loeh11iltisought 0 trbunon5 In seboot day by taking a stroll to the woods, Isle 'tenet down • h0 Pike' at dogtrot, dogtrot, skirted Pole I3rown1e0's barn, cut nomas Rocky Lot, and in a jiffy had arrived at the eeneo that lay outside. Nobles 'Needs. eloon. he Was Hooting illmse)f beneath the lofty trees, Then, tiring oC 10ne- tion 1 l mc, - o to t h is WAY 10E a t'to et brrllih and the 1 9s t o n o 'il i' a n WE t qhnnr i nate f the wnoda, Where the boat rarely went, except on "berryln' " expeditlone. Skinny stooped. to dislodge a piece of bark from a rotting stump nearby, In order that he might try his marksman- ship on a noisy woodpecker, when a sound came to his ears that made him dodge quickly behind a tree. Cap- tain Mike Flannigan, of the "Bloody Pirates," had a voice that could be rec- ognized anywhere—and if that wasn't Mike talking Skinny decided that he would eat his new straw hat, brim and all. Through careful investigation, Skinny discovered thatiris sound had Come from an immense pile of rocks, mbes- grown and covered with ferns and un- derbrush. He had learned enough, Carefully retracing hie steps, he made his way out of the wood, and went fly- Ihg down the road. Billy Mumford was pitching horse- shoes with Bill Brandt when Skinny ar- rived, Winded and excited. YOu may know that the news was received with tntereet; In feet, with so much Interest that the whole band of "Robbers" were quickly summoned to Warner's hayloft, Where, after animated conversation,. Captain Billy issued these final !netrue- tions: "Tomorrow, when all them 'Pirates' is. atvay at . their baseball game, I want every 'Robber' to report at the stone - crusher by the woods—and then there'll be somathin' dein.' " There really was "something dein'." In a body the "Robbers" proceeded to the stone pile In the woods, They found a vast cavern had been hollowed, Where Was every sign 0f their enemy's oncupenoy. It did net take long to corn- pietely domelish the don, after which the "Robbo's" tame away joyful, feel- ing that, they had done a good day's work, Ma the "Matra" weren't so joyful when they learned of the destruction of their secret eav0, nor did they appre- elate the Inbar of their ,'(vein, it one rnlght judge 11y Mike leinin11gan's roe marks, As may he supposed, schemes Mr revenge were quickly etly bn tebuts,Ca defiantly rtne's"tet 'ere reto ani lin 'Robbin' 1s toady for'etl'i, any ol" line," nder the Spell of a Mummy Sorcerer SHE TWINS, TO ESCAPE THE BATTLING MONSTI4RS, FLED TOWARD TIIE SEA SYNOPSYS Oli' PRECEDING CHAPTERS. T1 HE twins, Ray and Raymond, visit the natural history museum to In- s,cet a fossil collection. They are locked 1n During the night a mummy high prleat M the Egyptians appears be- fore them, and In great anger sends them back thousands and thousands of years to live with the anlmnls whose bones they have been examining. Dacky," the curious toothed bird, proven friendly. Be promisee to be their guide: Invites them to climb upon his back, and Idea away with them upon a tour of sightseeing. Chapter III BEFRIENDED BY "DACE.Y." [(r-('1MIS beats all the airships 1 that ever happened, doesn't It?" shouted Raymond in his sister's oar, as he felt the wind rush past him. Ray, however, was too'busy holding on to make response. In truth, she was rather frightened at the way "Becky" sped forward, cleaving the alr with powerful strokes of Ills giant wings. The huge bird directed his flight high above the earth. But, presently, he descried a tiny speck below him; thereupon he began a descent so rapid that it almost took away the breath of the travelers upon his back. They alighted near a strange toothed bird, somewhat resembling "Dacky." "This is n1y cousin, Sammy Ar- cheopertyx," said Becky, politely in- troducing the remarkable bird. "Ills last name's awful," muttered Raymond under 1115 breath, "but I suppose 1171 be all right to call him Sammy." Sammy opened his mouth in a grin not quite so formidable as that of Daeky. I was just going to at- tend a meeting we toothed birds are to hold yonder in the 1011oty, and if you care to be my guests for a time I shall be happy to escort you .thither," -. "We'd be delighted!" exclaimed the twins in chorus, while Ray added to herself: "What extremely elegant manners Sammy What's -his -name haat" Picking their way over the marshy ground, avoiding panda of stagnant water by circuitous routes, at length the council place of the toothed birds was reached. And what a gathering it was! The birds assembled were quite as funny as their names. You can imagine, then, how funny they must have been to the twins, when, In proper order, they were introduced as Tontmy Ichthyor'nis, Bob R11am- phorynchus, Teddy Hesperornis and by other names just as bad. Dacky told Raymond eonlldentially, however, that they were known as "Icky," "Kinky" and "Vesper." This relieved Raymond greatly, for he knew posi- tively Ile couldn't pronounce the names Sammy told h1m. He would need as many teeth and as big a jaw as Dacky to do that. "But. why don't you make us ac- quainted with those birds over there?" whispered Ray to Sammy, pointing to a small group of birds who had no teeth and who were look- ing scornfully at those who had. Sammy snapped his jaws together wickedly, "Haid they aren't worth knowing, I assure you," said he; "It's only certain , worthless members of the Dodo family, with Mike Aepyornis, Jlm Natornis and 33111 Dlornis." Further conversation was Interrupt- ed by ICky ath'utting to the center of the circle that had been formed. "Fellow -toothed birds(" said he, "we are assembled this day to discuss plans of .revenge toward those who have insulted us." Vere he looked toward the disdain- ful group of "untoothed" birds, who stood aloof. All the other toothed birds followed their leader's exam- ple, uttering weird shrieks Of defi- ance and hatred, At this the dodos and their comrades haughtily turned their backs upon the meeting and pretended to be looking away in the distant horizon. "I saY we've been insulted," scream- ed the now thoroughly enraged lead- er, "by those 10110 are jealous of our superior attainments, These wretches, these know-nothings, have actually dared say that, inasmuch as we have teeth and finely shaped bills, we are neither beast nor reptile nor bird, but a mixture of both. Yes, 'mixture' is the exact word they used!" "And se you aro," Piped Rufus Do- do from afar, showing that the dodos were interested in spite of their as- sumed Indifference. So infuriated were the toothed birds at these words that they prepared to rush upon their insulters, when there came a sound of great floundering and splashing, in the marsh, then a scrambling over ground, as two ime mense creatures came into view, bate tiing one with the other. One of the animals had a head like a turtle, and he was covered with horny plates, an upright, bristling ridge running down his back. The other possessed a enakelike head, a long, serpentine neck and a huge body covered with thick hide. Together these horrible creatures tus- sled, uttering short grunts and wheezes and roiling over and over with a force that shook the ground. Already the birds—toothed and "un - toothed". -were in flight. The twins sped toward the sea margin nearby. As they ran they heard Dacky screaming in their ears: "Quell, for your liven! Ben Stego- t.'tia9�Y 'f THEY bIRET SAMMY saurus and Joe Brontosaurus are fighting again." Truly, the beasts were even more terrible than their names. Ray a'• ? Raymond needed no warning to spur them on, But when they remelted the sea they were filled With dismay. No further could they go in that direc- tion, nor could they think which way to turn. Backe was nowhere In sight. Just then an immense, crocodile -like snout poked Itself above the surface of the Water. At first the twins' Im- pulse was to rush away as fast as possible from this frightful inhabit- ant oe the sea, but the merry t, kbe In the creature's eyes reassured them. Neither was the voice unpleas- ant that said to them: I peeped out of the water a -t saw Dimity run away from you, my Odl- dren. Re ought to be ashamed of himself for deserting you in such a =mom But don't he afraid. Come with me, and I s11a11 take the best of care of you. I am a nice, merry fellow —the 'jovial zeuglodon' they call me— but if the name's too hard for you, call me just 'Zoogy.' I think I like 'Zoogy' better, anyway," It certainly was very, very kind of Zoogy. The twins appreciated his goodness ever so much. They already felt greatly comforted. And as Zoo- gy swam out into the ocean he was as careful as he could be to keep hid hack, where the twine were perched, high above the water. Many wonders of the deep had Zoogy promised to show them. He was as good as his word, for not far had they progressed when the twins saw a mighty struggle between two mon- sters whom Zoogy called Tim Ichthy- osaurus and Dick Plesiosaurus, "There's going to be lots of trou- ble around here very shortly," observed Zoogy, "because Tim and Dick will soon Have more to do than fight among them- selves. Do you see that host swim- ming toward us?" Ray and Raymond looked over the water as far as their eyes could reach. Before long they saw what appeared to be an army of monsters approaching through the sea, Zoogy laughed in glee. "You're going to witness the greatest battle of your life," said he. - w Animals in Harness yOU who are accustomed to think of the horse as the only animal in harness, will be astonished 10 you study the subject further. Of course, you know that reindeer draw sledges in the Far North; and that dogs are employed for similar purposes in seine countries; that elephants, bul- locks and goats are frequency used as beasts of burden. But it may sur- prise you to learn that in the German settlement of Andhehn, southern Cali- fornia, ostriches are trained to draw light vehicles. One may now buy in British East Africa any number of zebras, which can readily bo trained to the use of bit and bridle. The zebra is Very strong, a fast trotter and less liable to disease than the horse. Perhaps the oddest animal in har- ness is a wild boar,driven by a French peasant. This animal, now titres years old, draws a little three -wheeled cart. No bit can be used, so the reins aro attached to the teeth of the boar. _'`,`-,�`-' 10V `�"�`-^`�" ___ - ), ? '— a 'k.: •4 at' > 1, 3:y' ..s .'J "?3 ., i tiy%•�. . 1lkk� Y7'.-'r:%3p'. .�r y a _s ,„--•• "'THERE'S GOING TO BE LOTS OF TROUBLE] AROUND HERE VERY SHORTLY OBSERVED ZOOGY," 1011 ,r "s,' _ •-.:',Lin;. DON'T know what in the world to do," .Lamented the poor mother kangaroo; "In hunting for food very fast I should go, But I can't, 'cause my babes are exceedingly slow; So I often must stop In the midst of a hop To wait for the tots to crawl up in a row" Tho kangaroo couldn't help fuss, fret and fume; For' days she was plunged in the darkest of gloom However, a phut to her calve one fine day: A pocket she sewed in her skin right away, And 110r babies now ride Snug and eloso by her side, And swiftly and. Safo she now goes where sho may, 1.Ziddie of lidos. Taelt—It' an emlily barrel weighs clean; pelmets, Whitt. can. 1 I r you do to Make t weigh algin pounds? act—Give Dglc�iat1g111it.With enough hoes. A Difference to Vitae, "Can any little boy tell m0 the altfere epee betiveen a:- lake and nn (Mean?" "Yes'm, replied )'rnn0ls, who had teemed 11'onf oxtp40101100; "Mime are pieasanier 10 swallow when you fall In," reLetetkEto/74)&aff MOTHER GRETC1dEN shrank back alrrightedly, but before the fero- cious wolt could leap upon her there came a scurrying of feet from be- hind and a form passed her, launching itself upon the terrible beast. A flash - of steel, and the Wolf had fa11011—slain by the dagger of brave Ju11001. "I•Iow can I thank you, 'my courageous maul" gasped )Mother Gretchen, The rough countryman responded mod- estly, "It was nothing, mother, I am onlyborhoogld."ad to have been in your neigh - "Oh, yes, but 1t Wee something," pros Costed the old woman, "and 1 shall see that you do not lack the reward you tl0- eorve, hero meg, which u lv gnarl as yon)'is cll1 kboogt treasure.y(Tnhreste years from this very lay, breast the shell and you shall land Oompensaton, This I swear." . Julian bowed olumslly, muttered hie Minims, and continued en hie Way toward his 11tte Tann. What the ptnsant told Ills friends of What had happened they bade hhn r0- joiee, "Mother Gretchen is a very wise olid Womlu1,03 said they, "Some say she 15 a Witch; but hotiw:mover that may be, It Is well 'known that she has never told a lie. Never has 511e broken her prom- ise. You may well be grateful for the eppOrtnnity tvliteil °babied you to cavo the. 1110 of such a powerful so'coreos," Long and deeply Julian pondered over these words, Then he came to the 0011 - elusion: "If I am to gain great wraith, or other bcnors are to fall upon me, I must be preparing for them." Thereupon Julian, who had heretofore been somewhat of an idle fellow, dills "A 13'LASt3 OF STEEL" gently set about Improving hin,selt end his rantlltion, By day he plowed 111s fickle and worsted elsewhere about the Utile term with hltehee 00111 be' night h0 pored over 1)0010 and did ilio utmost to acquire learning, Snot tilt people began to observe a great change in Julian. So well tat Play-ActingA VERY learned little i('e,`I. was Milo died, 'and a remarkal,lc little girl, besides,. WVhy, at the ago of $ she' Mead read quite easily, and could do sums In arithmetic, while era oven knew a.1ittle geography, By the tune's a. Was 6, she knew as Meal ae many boys and girls of 13. The only fault this learned: miss pos- sessed was that elle liked to display, her learning, Now, Mlidred had a else ter who was just as other girls are— Perhaps not quite as studious as some, She enjoyed playing with her dolls and romping much more than she did her lessons. And so it was that whenever Mildred showed her great knowledge people raised their halide in admire.. tion. Then they would shake their hands solemnly and remark how pecu- liar it was that her sister .seemed to have but little cleverness. This 'would make Alive feel very, very stupid, But she was proud of her talented mater, and as good-hearted a lasete as ever lived. One morning the sisters went shop- ping. ,Ere they reached their destina- tion they met a kind, old gentleman, "Where are you going in such a. hurry, my children?" asked Ile. "Give thee good -day, graybeard," re-, plied Mildred, apeaking in a way oho had learned from boosts, In orderto Un - HE WAS ASTONISHED press the old gentleman. " )ur mother bade tis to the shambles hie for a Sat haunch." "W -w -what;" ejaculated the aston- ished Old party. "Haply thou knowest him—the good man Janes?" continued Mildred, with. self-assurance. "No." replied he, very much puzzled, "but will you not come with me, so that. I may buy you some chocolate?" "Alack, we are forbid to tarry, gentle sir; wo need be blythe. The mother's patience stays upon our coming." "And is your sister in arch a hurry, too?" inquired the gentleman, "Let her answer for herself," added he, curious to know if the other little girl spoke in the same remarkable manner. But before Alice could give a timid reply, Mildred interrupted, saying: "Oh, she knowest little of the gentle art of conversation, els. I prithee, question not tooclosely, lest she betray her ignorance." "Indeed," responded the old gentle- man, quite sharply, "you seem to have great knowledge, but yea certainly have great conceit, also. I don't imag- ine such a learned miss would enjoy simple sweets. anyway. "Wait a moment," said he, turning to Alice. Hastening . into a nearby Con- fectionery shop, he reappeared presently; with a box of delicious bonbons, which, he handed to Alice. Then, patting the modest little girl's head, he left them. Mildred was so chagrined at the harsh words of the gentleman that she refused the dainties which Alice, with all gene oroslty, ;tressed upon her. But the re- proof set her a -thinking, with the re- sult that thereafter she took good care not to try to let every one know Net how clever she was. Clever Trickster. 0T. Tommy was very clever at doing tricks, guessing riddles and solvingale most any kind of puzzle. The other clay Willie Jones ape preached, announetng that he had a question Trams: could never guess. "How many hairs have I on my head?" Tommy looked critically at the mo,1 of hair adorning the 1100d of his friend. At last he replied: "There are 2,827,523. If you 'will count them, you will find this number cor- rect," VOVIEZZ he applied himself to labor that he ha$ accumulated much wealth. His possess sions were 11030 greater than those of any man thereabouts. So well had he applied himself to study that he was the peer of any in knowledge, Thus it came about that ;tenors Were heaped upon hint. 11a' married the daughter of a nobleman, and Withthe po3erf11] in- fluence thus gained became Governor of the province. The three years had passed. Dally the anticipation of Julianhail grown, as 110 looped forward to .the time when lid could break his preciotta egg. The dolt had now arrived. Summoning all hie friends, and with n11 possible ceremony, Julian broke the egg. It was empty] In bitter disappointment th0 Governor had old Mother Gretchen brought be., tore him. "Did yeti not say," said he, reproach- fully, "that my egg should gain tor L. a treasure?" "And ties it net brought you many treasures?" replied the old woma11, "But for it you wallet not bo rielt now or powerful or teethed. Toe wetlld still he living on your 11tiic fare, Peer- e1 than ever, and perhaps just as Lg neem. Do you not aw0 0v0ryU1ing even your beautiful Wife«inticed your everyhappiness, to this eggsholl7" Junin smiled enderslandmgly, Meth. et', you are right said he; and I;' theme You with tel my heart for your gift -a gift morn precious than mortal over before r000lved,"