IDA AND THE LITTLE OLD MAN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 12, 16 September 1908, Page 60

IDA AND THE LITTLE OLD MAN.

A STORY FOR CHILDREN.

By

CADIA TAINE.)

(A “Graphic” Cousin). Ida was a dear little girl who had no mother or father ; they had ied when she was only eight years old, and she had had to look after herself. One day in the middle of winter, when the snow was lying inches deep upon the ground, Ida. went into her tiny ’ hut to warm herself by the fire, and soon fell sound asleep. Then some very strange things happened. First, a funny little old man jumped out of the fire, which so surprised' Ida that she woke up with a start, and exclaimed, ” Oh, am I dreaming.” “No,” said the little man, ” I have just come down the chimney, and I am going to take you home with -me. Now, do exactly what I tell you. and be quick about it. Jump into the fire.” “But,” said Ida, ” I shall get burnt to death if I do.” “ Do as I tell you,” said the little man sharply. Ida was very frightened, hut she obeyed him, and) instead of jumping into the fire, she jumped right through it, and as soon as she reached the ground the little man took her by the hand, and said, “Now, we must walk quickly because I am in a hurry, ami! am going to take you to my house, which is built in the middle of a big ’weed.” Soon they reached the edge of the wood, and the ilttle man said some magic words, and immediately a pathway appeared which led to his house. ” Now we must do some work; you must gather some wood and I will build you- a. nice little room for yourself.” Ida did as she was told, and soon site had gathered enough. When this was dene, the little man repeated. the magic words, and the sticks

placed themselves together, and made g very strongly built room. “ Now you can come with me, and we will get some furniture for your house. First we will go to the nearest town, buy a lock for yaur door, s« that no robbers can break in, then w« Brest get some paper to paper your room, and make it pretty; afterward w e will buy a rag and all the ether things you will need.” Instead of going to the town as he had' said, be repeated the magi.: words again, and all the things apeared before ban.” Now I wiß put *R these things i n place, and wilt ent a doorway sq that) you ean prepare my meal- without always going out to get to my cottage, It looks very small, but there are three rooms h» it—one is a sittingroom, one the kitchen, amt the third is my bedroom. “Oh ” said Ida, “how lovely.” And the* my room is joined <m now, so that yaw really have four rooms.” “That is true,” said the little man; "now, I am sure you would like to go over the house, because it is yours as well as mine.” So Ida. went and looked over die four little rooms, and; was delighted wjth them, they were so dean. ami pretty. T never saw such a lovely little house before,” said Ida. “My bed is as white as snow, and bo robbers from the mountains can get in here, it is so strongly built. I used to be so frightened when I lived by mvself in iny one-roomed hut, because I thought robbers could easily take the roof off and get in.” “You are right,” said the little man : "no robbers can get in here, and that is one reason why I brought you here.” "You are very kind to me,” said Ida, "but I am so hungry.” “Well,’’ said the little man, "I will find something for us to eat. You lay the table; you will find the cloth in the cupboard.’’ And very soon everything was ready, and they sat down and ate, a very hearty meat When it was over, and the dishes washed, they sat down by the fire, and Ida was very much astonished when the little nun asked her to be his wife. The little mam had been so kind to Ida that at last she decided to say “Yes,” so they went to church and were married, Afterwards, instead of taking Ida back to the cottage, the little man took her to a beautiful palace, and told her that because his mother had called him "Here”’ the wicked fairies had been very angry, and had said that until he could find a beautiful maiden willing to marry him, he must live in a hut in the heart of the forest, and look a very old man. But that after his marriage he should regain his proper form. and also his palace, and they should both live happily ever after.