THE BOY WHO RAN AWAY.

Hutt News, Volume 3, Issue 30, 18 December 1930, Page 4

THE BOY WHO RAN AWAY.

"May I go with you to-night?" asked Night-Light the Owl one evening, when the Sleepy Dustman and Dreams were setting out with the Sleepy-Dust. "Yes, of course," said the Sleepy-Dustman. "Lock up the Odd Little House securely, and come along." Night-Light the Owl did as he was told, and then the three of them speed towards the little twinkling lights of Nursery Land. "It is not often that you want to come with us, Night-Light," said the Sleepy-Dustman, "No," said Night-light the Owl, "but to-night the beads round my neck have been crying out "Go to Nursery Land, go to Nursery Land," and as I thought they would give me no peace if I stayed at home, here lam!" It was not long before the Sleepy-Dustman hopped into the first nursery and started sprinkling his Sleepy Dust on the children who lay in the little white beds. One by one their ' curly heads cnddled into the pillows, and drowsy eyes closed. Dreams followed the Sleepychildren smiled in their sleep as Dust, wagging his tail, and the he passed. ' ■ _ Night-Light the Owl fluttered after them for a bit, his beads tinkling merrily, but he soon grew tired, and when they were in a big jolly nursery, where there were three little beds, he said to the Sleepy-Dustman "I think I shall stay here for a short time, and then fly back to the Odd Little House." • "Very well,'* said the SleepyDustman, and he hurried out of the door, followed by Dreams. Night-Light the Owl perched nimself on the corner of the man-tel-piece and sat blinking at the three children fast asleep in their little white beds. They were special friends of his, and had often watched him flutter silently by in the twilight, and called to him "Good-night, Night-Ldgbt, goodnight," and he had cried back * * Too-whit, too-whoo." So he sat on the mantel-piece and watched them as they lay peacefully sleeping in the fire-lit room. : _. Presently the door was pushed open, and in came a small boy. He wore a little white night-shirt, on his head was a queer little red cap, and his feet were thrust into red slippers. In one hand he carried a candle in a red candle-stick an din. the other a big brass bell. "What do you want?" asked Night-Light the OwL . "I am looking for my Daddy said the1 boy. "I am away from Nursery Land a long time ago— of course I soon wanted to come back, but when I found my way at last everyone had forgotten all about me,and all the children I used to play with were grown up, and though I want to go to bed ever so much I can't find my own little bed, and I can't find my Daddy to tuck me in." , The little boy sat down on the floor, and stuffed his knuckles into his eyes. . ■ "Don't cry," said Night-Light the Owl kindly. "I'm sure you'll find your Daddy and your own nursery soon, but until you do; I think you had better come back with me to the Odd Little House. "Who lives there?" asked the little boy, cheering up. "The Sleepy-Dustman lives there," said Night-Light the Owl proudly. "He is a very important person indeed." Suddenly the little boy gave a cry and dropped his bell and candle stick.

"My beads," he cried, "you have my beads round your neck. Where did you find them?"

"I didn't find them anywhere" eaid Night-Light the Owl indignantly. "They were a present. 7' "•Who gave the into you?" asked the boy eagerly.

'' The Sleepy-Dustman and Dreams,'' said Night-Light the Owl.

'' Oh,'' said the boy, and he look ed disappointed. "Perhaps they aren't my beads afte/ all," he said sadly. "Of course they aren't yours," said Night-Light the Owl. "They are mine—but come along now. If you climb on to my back I will carry you back to the Odd Little House."