TONY'S PUNISHMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 114, 16 May 1931, Page 18

TONY'S PUNISHMENT

The apples in Farmer Smith's orchard were quite ripe and Tony had been influenced by his-friends to steal some. He had gobbled more than was good for Mm and went home with, a pain. ...

That night he could not eat any tea, and went to bed very early, where he had a strange experience. As he was thinking about the apples he had stolen, a strange looking little man with a long beard came through _ the window, stood watching the terrified boy awhile, and then said: "Follow!" Tony involuntarily did so. Soon they were far away, flying over houses and tree tops till they came to a land which tha old man said was fairyland. "Now," he said, "I am the queen's messenger, she has sent for you, as you have done something naughty, and I'm sorry to say it is not the first time. You must see her at once." "AVhere is she'?" asked.the terrified Tony. ' . "I'll show you," replied the little man, leading Tony along till they, came to a little green house. Here Tony's guide said, "Bing the belli I have

other jobs to do." Tony rang and ft fairy appeared in a shining dress of silver. "I want to see the queen, stammered Tony. .He was led into a large room in the middle of which sat !the queen with a very stern look on her face. "Come here, Tony," she commanded. Tony walked over and fell on his knees before her. "Now," began the queen, "I have heard that you have been stealing fruit. Am I right'?" "Yes," answered! Touy. . "Well," replied the queen, "this cannot go on forever, and you have had many warnings. This time you will be punished, and severely, too, so that you won't forget another time. She rang a bell and in came an old dwarf. "Take this boy and give him six cuts for stealing." Tony was led away and put on a box, while the dwarf went to get a cane. He came back looking very fierce. [

"Tony, come " He was given a shake and woke up. It had all been a dream, but I think it was just as good as a whipping as hei never stole again.