"IN AUTUMN LAND"

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 110, 11 May 1935, Page 20

"IN AUTUMN LAND"

(Original.)-

Twinkle and .Topsy were walking •through the buihland near the little fresh water millpond, when they saw a fairy approaching them, dressed- in a shimmering flowing gown which, from the waist downwards, was of a deep russet brown, blending into orange, then to pale yellow. "Oh!"'she cried, "here you are. <.I've been nearly all over-Mortal-land in search of you. Would "you like to comb to Autumn Land with;me?*' , Twinkle nodded a reply, being too sui> prised to speak. "Follow me," commanded the fairy. The children followed, her across the 'stream, where they ascended a fairy nam ono puffed out of the tiny station. , ' , When-the train stopped, a few minutes later, a fairy porter, called out in asfehrilf'.wfilptle'i.of'a voices "Autumn. Lan,d! .Autumn land!1' and the fairy tciok the children off the~ train and walked with them, to a fairy forest. On''the- way she told them that her name was Autumn Herald.' As they were walking over'the brown leaves which'had fallen over their path, the trees above; whispered to one another that the ■ Autumn Queen was holding a banquet'in the old oak tree. All was hustle and fcustle about, and the children .could see more than one fairy , dressing'herself in/one of the biggest and." brightest chrysanthemums, while the fairy elves and cobblers were making with' great rapidity more fairy gowns of beautiful tints and hues, with dainty slippers to match. Every moment -more fairies were > hurrying in-'and out' with the newly-made frocks and" smocks, and delivering ' them to the fairiesS v/ho were living in mushrooms. \ ' At last the <fairy Autumn Herald led > them into the great oak tree, which had 'shed most of its golden-brown leaves as 'a carpet all around the base of its trunk: . ■ Inside was a long table, which was lighted by k numerous glowworms, that swayed' and moved to where'light was required.' i On the table were the most marvellous dishes of ice-cream and fruit-salad, and many other things the children liked very much, while all the time the fairy qlves and gnomes hurried in and out with large dishes on their heads. At last the Autumn Queen, who was sitting at the head of the r.table,- 'announced , the .banquet started^ ana "everyone began to eat, until Autumn' Queen, rose and drew back some curtains which were covering a large platform on which were seated a number of gnomes all dressed :rf'reafirfth^their instruments—the' court \bajpd.. ■"■» j' r J *■ ' vA_lbud clapping of hands arose as the band started,; and a 'small fairy trippedrfin; and passed her' Majesty a> golden:b^sket,of fruit and 1 corn, saying, "This'is'-for'the iribrtaV people from Autumn Land." When the band ceased the Autumn Queen handed the basket to Topsy and said in a sweet, melodious voice, "Would you take these to some of the poor people in Mortal Land, please?" Topsy said, with a low bow, "Yes, certainly, your Majesty." Then • calling* Autumn Herald .to her,* the Autumn Queen told her to take the children back to the, millpond. Going-back in the, iairy train, 1 Twinkle, t saidj, to Autumn- Herald/ "Thank you .ever ,so, much for this lovely'trip to, Autumn' Land. Topsy and I have 'enjoyed it very much." The-,fairy, leaving the children at,the millpond, went back to Autumn Land, whijethe children gave >the basket of'fruit to their poor friends, who wete'Joverjoyed. ■ - ' s '. ; ' < „ The End. >:' " "POLYANTHUS" (13). Ngaio.