chapter 18 “you lie!” shouted tilly titter at the

8/14/2019 Chapter 18 You Lie! Shouted Tilly Titter at The

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You lie! shouted Tilly Titter at the top of her voice in defense of all birds. Youlie, you trap dodging mouse.

Jem was greatly surprised at Tillys words and an angry expression spread overhis hairy face. His tail twitched, his whiskers quivered and it looked much as

though the mouse would lose his temper, but he controlled himself and quicklyassumed a dignified pose.

Sparrow, those are strong words to use in my presence, hissed the mouse. If you were not a lady, Id make you eat those words.

Im sure Tilly dont mean what she saysshe has been a bit hasty, thats all,said the General, hoping to calm the two, for the bird and the mouse had beenwarm friends for a long time.

Yes, I was a bit asty, said Tilly, hanging her head. Im sorry, and I ope youwill forgive me, Jem.

You were forgiven before you asked it, answered the mouse, making a dignifiedbow.

Alice was just a little alarmed at first, but she also saw the fun in the quarrel andshe could hardly keep from bursting out in laughter; in fact, she had to stuff herhandkerchief into her mouth to keep from laughing. Jem certainly was funny inhis dignified pose and Tilly was so angry her feathers stuck out all over her fatlittle body until she looked much like a puff ball.

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Quite true! Quite true! answered the mouse. But I happened to smell crow theminute I came up to the place where the glasses lay just before they disappeared.

Is that so? cried the General.

Quite, said the mouse, with a wise look.

Dear me, Jem, but you must have a wonderful sense of smell, said Alice.

I admit it, I admit it, answered the mouse, making a little bow towards Alice. Ican smell the holes in a piece of cheese, fifty cat jumps off, with mynose blindfolded.

Jem can smell a dishonest eggbefore the shell is cracked. Cantyou, Jem? chirped up Tilly, whohad quite gotten over her anger.

I can, answered the mouse.

How perfectly wonderful!exclaimed Alice in admiration.

Just what is your theory about themissing glasses? asked the General.

Of course a crow would not havethe slightest use for a pair of glasses,

but everyone knows how thieving, Imean how mischievous, a crow can

Jem, said the General, may I ask why you think a crow took MissBetts glasses?

By putting two and two together Ifeel sure it was a crow. In fact, theonly clew I have is that feather overthere. The mouse pointed under abush near-by and the TeenieWeenies saw a small black feather. Itwas plainly a crow feather.

Any crow flying over-head coulddrop that feather, said the General.


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Jem, I believe you are on the right trail, cried the General. You have solved themystery.

I know I have, said the Mouse as he threw out his chest. What a conceited littlemouse, thought Alice, but instantly she was ashamed of the thought, for theMouse was really trying to help her find the glasses.

The next thing is to find the Crow, said the General. Do you know where helives, Jem?

Of course not, of course not! answered the Mouse. I never hobnob withcrows.

An old crow lives in one of those big trees across the creek, said Tilly. Ill betes the very crow that swiped the glasses. E is the worst old thiefes always

takin things that dont belong to im.Suppose you fly to his nest and see if you can locate the glasses, suggested theGeneral.

Well, Ill snoop about a bit, but you can bet your last clover seed Im goin tokeep away if that old crow is around. Es mean enough to pull the pin feathersout of an egg, said the bird

Scout around and see if hes home, said the General.

All right, answered the bird and spreading her wings she flew into the air anddisappeared over the trees.

be, said the mouse and he glanced at Tilly Titter, hoping he had not causedoffence. A crow loves to sneak things off in a spirit of fun and it is my belief thata crow happened along, saw the glasses lying on the doll table and thought itwould be fun to take them. He probably was sitting up in the tree and saw MissAlice lay them on the table and when she went into the house he flew down andmade off with them. As you remember, there were no tracks on the ground, so the

crow must have lit on the table when he picked up the glasses and of course heleft no tracks.


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Is that so? Is that so? squealedthe mouse. Well let me tell youthat you are a first class idiot if you believe any such thing. Itmakes me sick, this talk aboutquick as a cat. Cats are not half as quick as folks think they are.Just because they catch a fewlittle young mice and once in awhile a crippled old mouse that istoo old to move fast, why,everyone says Quick as a cat.Quick as a cat. The only thingcats are quick about is gettingoutdoors in the evenings so theycan howl all night.

Oh, go tie a knot in your tailgrowled Nick I didnt mean toinsult you.

Oh dear! I do hope Tilly finds the glasses, said Alice, as she watched thesparrow disappear. I dont know what Miss Bett will do to me when shediscovers her glasses are gone. It just makes me tremble to think of it.

Tilly wont be able to bring the glasses back even if she does locate them, said

the Doctor. She is much too small to carry such heavy things as a pair of goldrimmed glasses.

If Tilly finds them in the nest, Ill get em, said a voice, and turning her headAlice saw Nick, the Squirrel, who had been sitting on a limb near-by.

Thats lovely of you, Nick, cried Alice. Ill give you a dozen hickory nuts if you do.

It wont cost you a single nut, said the squirrel. Id be tickled to death to dothat for you. It would be just as easy for me to skip up that tree as it would be fora cat to catch a mouse.

Nick instantly saw he had made a blunder, for Jem, the Mouse, fairly trembledwith rage.

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Alice was much too worried about the glasses to listen to the talk, and she kepther eyes on the top of the tree, hoping every minute for Tillys return. Thesparrow was gone a long time, so it seemed to Alice, but really it was only a fewminutes and when she appeared Alice was fairly trembling from the strain of

waiting.Did you find the glasses? she cried, before the bird had time to land on the littlebush.

Yes, the old bum as em, answered Tilly.

Are they in his nest? asked Nick.

No, the old bum drops everything e steals down through a knot ole in the tree,

said the bird. I found a woodpecker who knew the crow and she told me allabout im. It seems that e is all the time stealin things and carryin em to thetree where e drops em into the knot ole.

Do you think I could get through the knot hole? asked Nick.

Sure you can, answered Tilly.

Well then, Im off, cried the Squirrel, and he hopped off towards the woods.

Its in the second big tree from the bridge, on the east side of the creek, Tillycalled after him.

I dont think Nick meant any harm, hesimply used the common saying thatmost folks use, said Alice. He didntmean to offend you.

Well, for your sake, Miss Alice, I willforgive him, Jem replied.

Thats sweet of you, Jem, smiledAlice, and she almost laughed in theconceited Mouses face, for Nick couldhave shaken the very daylights out of thetiny mouse.

Although the Mouse had promised toforgive Nick, he kept right oncomplaining, but Nick, who was a mostgood-natured squirrel, paid very littleattention to the chatter.


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Quicker than a cat can catch a mouse, interrupted Jem, the Mouse.

No, Jem, youre wrong. I was going to say quicker than a wink, laughed the OldSoldier.

Your apology is accepted, said the Mouse.

Nick was gone the longest time and Alice grew quite nervous, for it was rapidlygrowing dark and she was afraid Miss Bett would be looking for her glasses atany moment. She could hear Miss Bett bustling about in the kitchen, andpresently that lady opened the door and called, Come, child, supper is aboutready.Oh dear! exclaimed Alice.

What will I do?

I will ask Nick to bring the glasses toyour window just as soon as he getsback, said the General as Alice arosefrom the ground where she had beensitting.

Please tell him to hurry, Alice pleaded.

I will! shouted the General at the top

of his voice, for Alice was movingtowards the house.

Ill find it, Nick calledback over his shoulder ashe disappeared under thebushes followed byseveral of the TeenieWeenie men.

Do hurry, Nick, Alicecalled after the Squirrel.

You wont have to waitlong, said the OldSoldier. Nick is a mightyfast traveler and hell beback here with thoseglasses quicker than


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Presently she saw Nick jump onto the window sill back of Miss Bett. Alice dropped the piece of bread and buttershe was holding in her hand, butter side down, on theclean table cloth.

Gracious me! exclaimed Miss Bett. Cant you handleyour food without smearing it all over the table?

ImIm s-s-sorry, Miss Bett, answered Alice. IIsuppose its because I am so tired.

If you are so tired you had better go to bed, snappedMiss Bett. Thats the place for tired children.

Oh, thank you, Miss Bett, said Alice, over-joyed at thechance to get away. I think I will, and she fairly flewout of the room.

She dashed up the stairs, ran, into her room and made forthe window. Leaning out, she called softly: Nick, Nick, here I am.

Presently she saw the vines along the side of the house moving and in a secondNick jumped onto the window sill.

Where are the glasses? she asked, as she saw the Squirrel did not have themwith him.

Couldnt find them, Miss Alice, answered the Squirrel. I searched that holefrom top to bottom and they were not there. There were clothes pins, a paper of pins, a thimble, and a lot of other stuff, but no glasses.

Oh goodness! cried Alice. What will I do? Ive got to have them! Miss Bettwill be looking for them any moment.

The General said that wed get them in the morning.

But that wont do! exclaimed Alice. Ive got to have them right away. I think itis awful to disappoint me.

Alice was so nervous she could hardly eat hersupper. She nibbled at some food when MissBett looked sharply at her several times andshe was afraid that the woman would questionher if she saw she was not eating.

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When Nick left Alice he hurriedback to the cherry tree where he metthe Teenie Weenies and they madeplans for getting the glasses in themorning.

Ill get fifty grains of corn togetherand well come over and see theCrow first thing in the morning,said the General. He has the glassesall right and the only way we can getthem is to buy them with corn.

I wouldnt give that highwayman aspeck of dust! cried Jem, theMouse. Its dishonest .to give thatrobber any thing for something he stole.

I dont like to do it, Jem, said the General, but it is the only way we can get theglasses and I do not want Miss Alice to get into trouble.

On the way back to the Teenie Weenie village the little folks laid their plans for

the morning.Well have to start just at daybreak if we want to catch the Crow before he getsaway for the day, said the General. Crows are early risers and great gadders, sowell have to get an early start.

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It was agreed to meet just before daybreak and the Teenie Weenies filled severalbags with corn for the early start.

The next morning, Tilly Titter, Jem, the Mouse, and Nick, the Squirrel, metseveral of the Teenie Weenies and before the sun was up the little party was wellon its way.

Nick carried the bags of corn on his strong back and it didnt take the crowd longto reach the crows home tree.

Tilly flew up to the top of the tree and informed the Crow that the Teenie Weenieswished to speak to him.

Tell em to come up, snapped the Crow, who was al ways a little cross early inthe morning.

They cant very well, answered Tilly. It would be much better if you flewdown to the ground.

All right, growled the Crow. Ill go down, and he hopped off the nest of sticks and flew gracefully to the ground.

Good morning, Mr. Crow, said the General, politely. I am sorry to disturb youso early, but I have a little matter of business Id like to talk over with you.

Well, nothin is stoppin you, snapped the Crow. Go ahead and talk.


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A friend of ours had the misfortune to lose a pair of eye glasses yesterday and wewondered if you could give us any information as to their whereabouts, said theGeneral.

Do you think I stole them? growled the Crow, looking at the General with anangry eye.

I didnt say anything about the glasses being stolen, said the General. I saidthey were lost and I am prepared to give a reward for their recovery.

What reward do you intend to give for their recovery? asked the Crow, lookinghard at the bags of corn.

Ten grains of corn, answered the General.

Make it fifteen and Ill tell you something about the glasses, said the Crow.

Ill do that, too, answered the General, glad to recover the glasses so cheaply.When the Crow had carefully counted over the corn he spread his wings and flewdown the creek out of sight, but he was gone only a few minutes when heappeared again and in his beak he carried the missing glasses.

There you are, he said, as he dropped the glasses on the ground. I knew someone had lost those glasses and that I had better take care of them until they werecalled for.

The old liar! muttered Jem in a whisper as the Teenie Weenies picked up theglasses and the remaining bags of corn and set off for the Bett house.

When they arrived at the cherry tree back of the Bett house it was still very earlyin the morning, so Nick scampered up the vine and hopped onto the window sillin a jiffy.

Alice was asleep in bed sothe Squirrel, not wishing to

awaken her, hopped ontothe table and set the glassesdown.

When Alice opened hereyes an hour later the firstthing she saw was the

glasses. She clapped her hands with joy, and jumping out of bed she picked them

up and carried them downstairs and put them in their place on the mantel.


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Although the Teenie Weenies tried their best to amuse and comfort Alice, theyfelt sure that she was not entirely happy. There were times when her lovely eyesshowed signs of tears, and though the child tried to pretend she was happy, it waseasy for the little folks to see she was discontented.

Miss Bett was not unkind to Alice, but the solemn faced woman did notunderstand children; in fact, she didnt understand grown folks either. People whodo not get along with children sometimes find it hard to get along with otherpeople and even find it hard to get along with themselves.

Alice said very little to the Teenie Weenies about her troubles, but little by littlethe tiny folks learned a great deal about the childs affairs.

They discovered that her home was in the big city, some distance away, and that

she had been sent to Miss Bett for the Summer.Her mother had passed on the Winter before and her father thought it best forAlice to spend the Summer in the country.

So the child was sent to Miss Bett, a distant relative, who lived at the edge of asmall country town.

The Teenie Weenies loved Alice dearly and they discussed the childs troublesquite often.

Id like to put salt in that old hatchet-faced Miss Betts coffee, cried the Dunceone evening when a number of the little folks were gathered about the kitchendoor of the shoe house.

For a dishonest piece of Swiss cheese, Id giveher a bite she wouldnt for get for a dozenSundays! exploded Jem, the Mouse.

Thats no way to talk, boys, said the General.

That wouldnt do a bit of good.It would do me a heap of good, snapped Jem.

General, said the Lady of Fashion, I have beenthinking a great deal about Alice and I believe herfather would take, her away from Miss Bett if heknew the child was unhappy From what Alice hassaid to me about her father, I should judge that he

is a nice man and that he wouldnt want her to beunhappy. I asked her once why she didnt write to

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her father and tell him that she didnot like to stay with Miss Bett, andshe said that she didnt like tocomplain. I know she ought to getaway from that Bett person.

Why couldnt we get theinformation to her father that she isunhappy with Miss Bett? said theDoctor.

Why, why, maybe we could,answered the General. I neverthought of that.

We could write a letter to herfather and one of the boys coulddeliver it to him, suggested theDoctor.

Oh Jimminie Christmas! shoutedthe Dunce. Dont do that, for if her father came after her hed take her home and then we wouldnt see her anymore.

Why Dunce! exclaimed the Lady of Fashion. You wouldnt be selfish enoughto want Alice to stay with Miss Bett and be unhappy just to please you, wouldyou?

Well, no, answered the Dunce, but Alice doesnt seem to be unhappy when weare with her.

I hope not, said the Lady of Fashion. We have tried to make her stay as happyas we can, but we can be with her only a small part of thetime and the rest of the time she is certainly lonesome andunhappy.

Do you think Alice would like it if we told her father howunhappy she is? asked the Old Soldier.

I think it would be best not to tell her, answered theGeneral. The child is not happy where she is and I think itsup to us to do something. I think it would be an excellent ideato write her father a note, but it must be kept a secret. Shemust not know about it.


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The next few days were busy ones for the Teenie Weenies. They had decided towrite to Alices father and a great deal of planning had to be done. It was a mightybig task for such little folks to write a letter to a big person and get it in the mailbox. A regular Teenie Weenie letter would be not much bigger than one-fourth of a big postage stamp. A big person would never see such a tiny letter, and besides,if they did notice it, they could not possibly read it without the aid of a powerfulmicroscope.

Then the letter had to be big enough to go through the regular mail, with anenvelope and stamp on it just like big folks use. It meant a lot of work, but theTeenie Weenie folks tackled the task with a will.

First they had to find enough clean paper to write the letter on and then they hadto get enough paper to make an envelope. Several of the little men set out insearch of the necessary paper and in a short time they found two pieces quite largeenough for their use. They rolled up the paper, tied it securely with thread andcarried it on their tiny shoulders to the shoe house.

Well have to have some dry place to put the paper, said the Old Soldier. Itwill take me several days to cut out the pattern and glue the envelope in place andif it should rain in the meantime my work would all have to be done over.

Next the little folks hunted for a dry place big enough to do the work and at lastthey found a wooden box which made a fine place for a work shop.

Now we must have about a thimble full of ink, said the General when the paperwas spread out neatly on the floor of the box.

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I know where there is an oldbottle of ink, cried theDunce. It is over on the ashheap back of the big greenhouse on the next street.

Get a thimble from the Cook and go after some, said theGeneral.

The Dunce lost but little timein getting a thimble from theCook and with the help of theChinaman, who volunteeredhis services, the two littlechaps carried the thimbleover to the ash heap.

The bottle was about half fullof ink, quite too heavy for thelittle men to tip over in orderto pour out the ink, so theywere forced to find

something which they coulduse as a dipper. The Duncefound half a cherry seed near-by and with that he was able to reach down into thebottle and dip out the ink into the thimble. The two Teenie Weenies had nearlyfilled the thimble when an accidenthappened. The Dunces footslipped and down he went headfirst into the ink bottle. The excited

Chinaman tried to pull the kickingDunce out by the legs, but his fatlittle stomach fitted so tightly intothe neck of the bottle theChinaman couldnt move him.

Allie same me runnie likeeverythings for helpie! shouted

the Chinaman and he struck out forthe shoe house as fast as his shortlegs would carry him.


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Duncie in inkie bottle, gasped the excited Chinaman as he dashed up to theGeneral, who was talking to the Lady of Fashion in front of the old cigar box.

You mean the Dunce has fallen into the ink bottle? asked the astonishedGeneral.

Yesie yes, answered the Chinaman. He fittie tight likie corkie, me no can

pullie out.Great grief! exploded the General. That fellow is al ways getting his foot intosomething.

Noie no! cried the Chinaman. He gottie no footie in bottle. Him head in bottle.Him feet stickie up in air.

All right, said the General, well get him out, and motioning several of thelittle men to follow they hurried off to the rescue.

The poor Dunce was kicking frantically when they arrived and they could hear hissmothered cries for help. Two of the men jumped onto the bottle and catchinghold of his legs they managed to pull the Dunce out. What a sight! He was alovely blue-black color and the Teenie Weenies could hardly keep from laughing,for he certainly did look mighty funny.

They took the dripping Dunce home and the poor fellow had to scrub until he wassore before he was really clean, but even then he had a light blue complexion forseveral days.


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I think the letter ought to be most polite and veryshort, said the Lady of Fashion.

Excuse me, said Gogo, the little colored TeenieWeenie, but Ah dont see how yo all is gwine foto be polite when yo done say anything about datBett pusson. When yo done tryin fo to talk abouther theres no chance fo to be polite.

We will just have to be polite, smiled the Lady of Fashion.

If Ah was done gonna write dat letter Ah suttenlywould be short, but Au dont see just how Ah wasgwine fo to be polite, grumbled Gogo.

Just what would you say? asked the General, whowas always ready to listen to suggestions.

After several days work the Old Soldier made a handsome envelope. The Turk and the Cowboy helped with the work and when it was finished it was just as fineas the kind big folks use.

Next the letter to Alices father had to be written and that was a matter which

gave the Teenie Weenies a lot of worry. They knew what they wanted to write,but just what to say was the great question.

We must be most particular as to what we say, said the General when a numberof the little folks were gathered together for the purpose of discussing the letter.

Well, I wouldnt be particular as to what I said about that old hatchet-faced MissBett, said the Dunce. Shes an old

DUNCE! roared the General. That will do. I dont want to hear another wordabout Miss Bett. She may not have treated Alice kindly, but that does not excuseyour talking about her in such language.

The Dunce stuck out his lower lip, stuffed his hands into his pockets and shuffledoff, quite peeved at the rebuke.

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Yas, sah, answered the little chap. Words am mah weak spot. Ah knows justwhat Ah wants fo to say, but de words done get out of mah mouth wrong.

What would you suggest, Nick? asked the General, turning to the Squirrel, who

had joined the crowd.Im not much on letters, answered the Squirrel, blushing a trifle, for he wassomewhat bashful. Id make the letter short and get right to the point, and as theLady of Fashion suggests, Id try and be very polite.

Thats good advice, Nick, said the General. You Squirrels are pretty wise.

After much talk and argument a letter was finally agreed upon. It was carefullywritten out on a tiny piece of paper half as big as a postage stamp and then it wasgiven to the Turk who was to print it in big letters on the sheet of paper, whichwas to be sent in the letter.

The Policeman had found an old envelope in Alices waste basket and on the back of it was her fathers address.

The Turk set to work and in a short time he printed the letter and here it is, just as

the little chap painted it with his tiny brush.

Well, answered the little coloredchap as he rubbed his tiny bald head,Ah would say, Mr. Alices Father,dear sah: Yo all had bettah send arailroad ticket to yo little gal, Alice,fo to come home. If yo dont, that

Miss Bett pusson done gwine fo topestah her to death. She done gettinthinner than a buttahfly and if yodont done get her away shes gwineter go up to heaven like Miss Evadone went.

You certainly have the right idea,

Gogo, said the General, with atwinkle in his eye, but it should beworded differently.


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No doubt of it. No doubt of it, said theGeneral. But we couldnt ask her for it.She would know who sent the letter toher father, and thats just what we dontwant her to know.

Me know where we can gettiestampie, cried the Chinaman. Me seestampie in big house where fat kittie catlivesthe big house over by the creek.Me see whole lottie there.

No, Chuck, said the General kindly,we could not do that for stamps cost

money and we would be stealing if wetook one of their stamps.

After the letter had been written it was neatly folded and five of the little menstuffed it into the envelope. It was then tightly sealed with glue and carefullyaddressed to Alices father.

Great hat! exclaimed the Doctor, when the envelope was sealed and the letter

propped up against the side of the box. Weve forgotten the stamp. Weve got tohave a stamp to put on the letter or it will never be delivered.

The Teenie Weenies had never thought about a stamp! Of course, they wouldhave to stamp the letter, but where were they to get a stamp?

We can just take one off any old envelope and stick it onto the letter, suggestedthe Dunce.

Yes, and go to jail for doing it, answered the Doctor. It is against the law touse a canceled stamp.

Whats a canceled stamp? asked the Dunce.

Why, any stamp that has been put on a letter and gone through the post office,answered the Doctor. In the post office they mark the stamp with black ink linesand that is to show it has been canceled and if you use it on another letter youhave broken the law.

Oh! gasped the Dunce, and he looked quite frightened.Miss Alice would done give us a stamp, suggested Gogo.

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Then me no gettie stampie, cried theChinaman, for me no wantie steal.

We have just got to think up someway to get a stamp, said the General.We can never send that letter withouta stamp.

I can get a stamp for you, cried TillyTitter. The Sparrow had been roostingon a little limb of a bush overhead andalthough she had her head tuckedunder her wing and seemed to benapping, she heard every single wordthe Teenie Weenies said.

Oh, could you? exclaimed the Ladyof Fashion.

Surest thing, you know, chirpedTilly. When I was building my nestthis Spring I picked up a little piece of paper I saw flyin around and I stuffedit in my nest. It was a stamp and itsstill there and if it isnt too badlyweather beaten you can ave it. It was

a brand-new stamp when I picked it up, but, gracious me, I dont know whatcondition its in now.

Please get it, will you, Tilly? asked the General. Certainly, answered the bird,and she flew off in the direction of her cozy nest under the eaves of a big housenear-by.

In a very short time Tilly returned, with the stamp held tightly in her bill.

There! she cried, as she dropped it at the feet of the General. It seems a littledirty, but you can use it.

The Teenie Weenies gathered about the stamp and examined it most carefully.

It will be all right, said the General. We will have to clean it a bit and then Ithink it will be just as good as new.

The Turk brought some art gum out of the house and the little chap set to work


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rubbing it on some tiny spots of dirt which soon disappeared.

The glue was nearly all gonefrom the back of the stamp, but itonly took a few minutes to coat itagain from the Old Soldiers tinyglue pot.

Well have to lay the envelopeon the floor in order to fix thestamp, said the General.

Several of the little men caughtthe heavy envelope and carefully

laid it on the floor of the box. In the excitement of moving the big envelope,Grandpa, who was a little near sighted, accidentally stepped onto the freshly gluedstamp. His tiny feet stuck tightly and down the little chap went, right into the potof glue. The sticky glue spilled all over the old gentlemans long whispers and hewas forced to go to the house and soak his beard in a thimble full of warm waterin order to get out the gummy glue.

After Grandpas unfortunate experience with the stamp, it had to be again coatedwith fresh glue and then it was put in place on the corner of the envelope. A pieceof paper was laid over the stamp, to keep it clean, and then a couple of the littlemen trampled the stamp tightly in place.


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We can work it out this way, the Old Soldier toldGeneral. We can get Tilly Titter to fly up to the top

of box with one of the boys, who will take aline with him. He will then make the line

fast, let down one end andpull up pulleys and ropes.Then two more men canclimb up on the rope and getthe tackle ready to pull openthe lid of the letter box.

When that is done we canpull up the letter and drop itin the box.

Fine! Fine! exclaimed theGeneral. Thats a bullyscheme. We will get an early

start in the morning and get the letter in the box before big folks begin stirring

about.The little people picked out a mail box which very few big people used, andeverything was made ready for an early start the next morning.

All the little folks were out of bed the next morning before daylighteven thesleepy-headed Dunce awoke without being pulled out of bed. After a heartybreakfast of two baked raisins and almost a thimble full of crisp rice cakes, theTeenie Weenies set off for the mail box. Four of the little men carried the

envelope while the rest followed, carrying the ropes and pulleys.

It is quite an easy thing for big folks to drop a letter in the mail box, but for theTeenie Weenies it is quite another matter.

A Teenie Weenie is only two and a half to three inches tall and a mail box usuallystands about four and a half feet from the ground, which would be about one

hundred and eight feet high, in Teenie Weenie measurement. Now it is no easymatter for such little folks to climb so high, and to carry a big letter up so far isdifficult indeed.

The Old Soldier was quite an engineer and after much thinking he finally workedout a plan by which the letter could be carried up and dropped into the mail box.

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In a short time they arrived at the mail box, where they were met by Tilly Titter.

Great at, but you folks are the sleepy eads, cried the bird. I ave been waitinere for about a million ours.

Thats stretching it a bit, isnt it, Tilly? laughed the General.

Well, I avent been ere ardly a million ours, but I ave been ere pretty nearlyfive minutes, answered the bird.

Where is your friend, Honest Jem? asked the Turk.

Oh, we ad a spat, said the bird. We were arguing about a friend of mineyesterday and Jem got mad at me because I stuck up for im. My friend is awoodpecker and Jem says woodpeckers arent onest because they are alwayspecking things full of oles. You know Jem always says that wherever you find aole it means something is missing, or there wouldnt be any ole, for youve gotto take some thing out to make a ole.

Jem would think doughnuts were terribly dishonest, wouldnt he? asked the OldSoldier.

Lawsy yes! roared the bird in a fit of laughter. Poor Jem thinks a doughnut isthe crookedest and the most dishonest thing in the world. E says all circles aredishonest because they are always angin around oles.

While the Teenie Weenies talked with Tilly they were busy getting their ropes


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and pulleys in shape, and when all the tackle was ready the bird carried theCowboy up to the top of the mail box on her soft little back.

The Cowboy made the line fast to the top of the box and in a few seconds severalof the men pulled themselves up. They then fixed ropes and pulleys to the lid of the letter box and after much grunting and pulling they managed to lift the lidhigh enough to let the letter pass into the box.

Now send up the letter, shouted the Cowboy to the Teenie Weenies below.

All right, answered the General, shouting through his hands in order to makethe Teenie Weenies at the top of the box hear what he said.

The letter was tied to a long line and then pulled up to the letter box, into which itwas safely dropped.

Just as the letter slid down into the box, the Dunce, who was helping with thework, stubbed his toe against a rope and before he could save himself he plungeddown after the letter into the box.

Fortunately, the foolish fellow lit on the top of a pile of letters, which helped tobreak his fall, so he was not hurt except for a little shaking up.

The Cowboy slipped a rope down into the box and the Dunce was pulled out.

Its a good thing we got you out, laughed the Cowboy. If the postman had

found you in there without a stamp on you, you certainly would have been sent to


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jail for trying to sneak through the mail withoutpostage.

The little men carefully removed all the ropesand pulleys and Tilly carried them safely to the

ground just before the mailman came along tocollect the letters. The little folks slipped behindsome bushes near-by and watched him collectthe mail. Their letter was on its way.


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Ill bet that Bett person has been unkind again, cried the Dunce.

Well, s-s-she does not mean to be unkind, said Alice, and her pretty red lipstrembled. She just scolded me a little for dropping some egg on the tablecloth atbreakfast. She said I was a careless child, and I wasnt a bit. I am very careful atthe table. I didnt mean to drop the egg and I told her I was sorry. Poor Alicebegan to sob in spite of her brave efforts to keep from crying and the TeenieWeenies looked very much as though they might cry, too.

I just think it is dreadful to have to stand for such abuse, cried the Lady of Fashion, stamping her tiny foot on the ground.

Jem, the Mouse, had been standing at the edge of the circle of little folks. He hadlistened with much attention to what Alice had said and it was plain to see fromhis actions that he was angry.

Im goin to the house and Im goin to give that old woman a scare that will lasther for some time, squealed the Mouse, and instantly he bounded off toward theBett house.

Oh dont, Jem! cried Alice, but the Mouse never even looked back and keptright on going until he disappeared around the corner toward the back door.

Oh, I wish Jem would not do that, said Alice. He is so quick-tempered.

He wont do any damage, laughed the General. Jems squeak is worse than hisbite.

The morning the Teenie Weeniesmailed their letter to Alices father,several of the little folks walked overto gossip with the child.

They found Alice in tears, but shequickly dried her eyes and smiled ather little friends.

In trouble, my dear? asked theLady of Fashion, kindly.

N-n-no, answered the child,bravely holding back the tears. Its

nothing.

Chapter 27


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Oh dont, Miss Bett, cried Alice. He is just a harmless little mouse and hedidnt mean anything.

Well, I mean something! answered the lady, getting off the chair. Ill get hisscalp before another day goes by.

Alice was terribly frightened at the threat and she dashed out to the old cherry treewhere she had left her friends

Please tell Jem to stay away from the house, said Alice to the Teenie Weenies.

Miss Bett is terribly angry and she is going to set a trap for him.

The nasty little beast ! gaspedMiss Bett, looking some whatashamed at being caught standingon a chair in fear of a tiny mouse.Ill set a trap for the wretch.

Hell give Miss Bett an awful scare, saidAlice.

It will do her good, said the Dunce. Shedeserves it.

Im going in and stop him, cried Alice,

and jumping to her feet she ran across thelawn toward the house. The child had onlygone a few steps when the most terrificscreams came through the open window.Hes attacking her, thought Alice, and sheran toward the kitchen door.

Alice almost laughed when she peered intothe kitchen. Jem was standing on his hindlegs squealing at the top of his voice andMiss Bett was standing on a kitchen chair,holding her skirts tight about her thin legsand screaming in terror.

Alice looked sternly at the Mouse, whoturned as she stepped into the kitchen, andseeing the child disapproved of his actions,he quickly scampered out of the room.


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You dont need to worry on my account, cried a voice as Jem joined the childand her friends. I know when Im well off and I never bother traps. Theyre off my calling list.

Alice felt much relieved at Jems words, for she wouldnt have anything happento the little Mouse for the world.

Youll promise you wont bother the trap if she sets one, wont you, Jem? askedAlice.

I dont need to promise, answered the Mouse. I wouldnt even look at one of the fool things.


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Chapter 28

The Teenie Weenies anxiously waited for an answer to their letter. They did notexpect to receive a letter themselves, but they hoped Alice would hear from herfather.

Every day some of the tiny folks visited the old cherry tree and watched for somesign of the letter. Tilly Titter spent most of her time sitting on a branch of the oldapple tree which stood near the window of Alices room, and Jem, the Mouse,prowled through the house each night looking for an answer to the letter, butwithout success.

I dont think Alices father ever got the letter, blurted out the impatient Dunceone day. It seems to me we ought to have heard something by this time.

Of course that is possible, said the General. But her father might be away fromhome or the letter might get delayed some way or other. Well just have to bepatient.

I dont will ever reach him, growled the Dunce, and many of the little peoplelooked as though they thought the same, but the very next day minds, for TillyTitter brought the news.

The letter is here! she cried, as she flew down to the ground in front of severalof the little men who were cutting up lead pencils into firewood. The postmancame a little while ago and he delivered a letter to Alice. Its from father, she

cried, when she took it out of the postmans hand. I knew she would receive theletterI just felt it in my wing feathers she would.


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In a few minutes the entire village heard the news and they set off at once for theold cherry tree. Alice was not in sight and the little folks waited almost an hour

before she appeared.I have a letter! I have a letter from my father, she cried, as she danced up to thetree where the Teenie Weenies stood.

He to see me and hes going to take me home with him. He will be here to-morrow evening. He is going to drive down in the auto and we will leave the nextmorning for home. See, she said, and she held the letter open so the little folkscould read it.

Dearest Alice, it began. I have neglected to write to you for several days and Iam very much ashamed of it, but I am coming down on Saturday in the machineand if you care to return with me we will leave the next morning. I have to make atrip of several days down state and I think you would enjoy the trip with me. If you would rather stay a little longer, I can pick you up on my way back. Kindlygive my regards to Miss Bett. Lovingly, your father.

Tears came into the eyes of several of the little people when they had finished the

letter and Alice was quick to notice it.


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I dont know what I am going to do without your company, she said. I willmiss you terribly. Cant you all come home with me? I could make you all socomfortable and we could have such jolly times. Please come with me.

That would be lovely, answered the General, but we couldnt do it, for wehave our own little village and we love it. We are much too small to live with bigfolks. It is lovely of you to want us and we appreciate it.

Alice could tell by the fixed expression on the Generals tiny face that it would beuseless to urge the question further and she suddenly felt very sad. She realizedthat she was going to miss her tiny friends and the tears gathered in her eyes. TheTeenie Weenies saw how badly she felt so they silently slipped away and left her

alone.


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There was much gloom in the TeenieWeenie village. Alices father had come andshe was to leave in the morning. The littlepeople were to meet her for the last time atthe old meeting place beneath the cherrytree.

Dear me, but I am going to miss Alice,said Mrs. Lover. We have had such funplaying with her and she is so dear. TheLady of Fashion, who was working on adainty piece of spider web lace as a parting

gift to Alice, tears from her tiny eyes and the General was seen to rub his nose ina very suspicious way.

Dunce was gloomy, for all the little folks had learned to love the gentle child.

The tiny lights burned until early in the morning in the Teenie Weenie houses thatnight, for most of the little folks were busy making parting gifts for Alice. At last,when the lights were out, manyof the Teenie Weenies lay intheir tiny beds for a long timebefore they finally fell asleep andsome of them cried themselves tosleep.

The Teenie Weenies were tomeet Alice at the cherry tree.Eight oclock was the time set forthe meeting, but the little folks

were on hand an hour before theappointed time.

Each of the little folks hadbrought some parting gift. TheOld Soldier had carved out abeautiful basket from a hickorynut, the Lady of Fashion andsome of the other Teenie Weenieladies brought along samples of

Chapter 29


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their dainty needle work, the Chinaman had a huge package of rice cakes, theGeneral and the Doctor each carried a well-smoked frog ham and the Duncebrought along a violet blossom.

Alice joined her friends it was plain to see she was trying hard to be cheerful andall the little folks made up their minds they would be brave, too, so they chattedcheer fully as they presented their tiny gifts.

I think it perfectly lovely of you to give me all these nice things, said Alice, asshe tenderly put the tiny gifts into her pocket. They will help me to rememberyou, and I dont want you to forget me.

We wont, we wont! shouted the little people.

Could youdo you supposecould you write to me? asked the child eagerly.

Why, yes, answered the General, we could do that once in a while.

Oh, lovely! exclaimed the child. Here is my address, and she slowly repeatedher address while the General care fully set it down in his tiny notebook.

Maybe you could come and visit me some time, said Alice.

Maybe we couldwho knows, answered the General. And maybe you willcome back to see us some time.

I will, yes I will, cried Alice, jumping to her feet. I must be going now forpapa is waiting, so good-bye, all you wonderful little folks. You have been sokind to me and if it hadnt been for your kindness I should have had a miserabletime here. I love you all, every one of you, and blowing a kiss off the end of herdainty little fingers she turned and ran for the house with the tears streaming fromher lovely eyes.


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The Teenie Weenies had kept up bravely while the child was with them, but theinstant her back was turned the little folks opened up their tiny mouths and such abellowing was never heard before.

For several moments the Teenie Weenies enjoyed a real good cry, as the OldSoldier said afterwards, and then making their way through the big flower bedthey peered through the picket fence and watched Alice climb into the big auto.The car door slammed, the engine roared and in another instant Alice was gone.Slowly and mournfully the little people walked back to their tiny village under therose bush, with a queer feeling in their tiny hearts. They felt terribly sad at the lossof their friend, but again they felt happy that they had been able to be of service tothe lonely child.


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chapter 18 “you lie!” shouted tilly titter at the

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