there was no water to make the tea for supper. Mary saw her mother
crying and said: "Don't cry, mother; I will go and get some at the
Haunted Spring."

Her mother said: "Oh, no, dear sweet child, those goblins will kill
you."

"No, mother," replied Mary. "I will beg them to let me have some
water for dear father, and I am not afraid."

So her mother got a light bucket for her, and went to the top of
the hill with her, and said: "God bless you, my dear child, and bring
you back to me."

Then Mary went on until she came to the high iron gate. She said:
"Please gate open and let me through. I mind my father and mother
and love everybody."

And the gate opened and she passed into the "haunted" grounds--
She saw a funny, little, short man come running with a stick and said:
"Please, nice man, don't hit me. I have come down to get some good
water to make tea for my father's supper. He has been working all
day, and our well has gone dry. May I please have some of your spring
water?"

"Well, little girl, as you talk so nice, you can have some. Tell the
little folks to open the briars for you."

So she went on and came to a briar patch and saw down at the roots
little people, not much longer than your finger. Mary spoke so kindly to