The Project Gutenberg EBook of AmericanFairy Tales, by L. Frank Baum

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Title: American Fairy Tales

Author: L. Frank Baum

Posting Date: July 26, 2009 [EBook#4357]Release Date: August, 2003First Posted: January 14, 2002

Language: English

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERGEBOOK AMERICAN FAIRY TALES ***

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American FairyTales

By L. FRANK BAUM

Author ofFATHER GOOSE; HIS BOOK, THE

WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ,ETC.

CONTENTSTHE BOX OF ROBBERSTHE GLASS DOGTHE QUEEN OF QUOKTHE GIRL WHO OWNED A BEARTHE ENCHANTED TYPESTHE LAUGHING HIPPOPOTAMUSTHE MAGIC BON BONSTHE CAPTURE OF FATHER TIMETHE WONDERFUL PUMPTHE DUMMY THAT LIVEDTHE KING OF THE POLAR BEARSTHE MANDARIN AND THEBUTTERFLY

THE BOX OF ROBBERS

No one intended to leave Martha alonethat afternoon, but it happened thateveryone was called away, for onereason or another. Mrs. McFarland wasattending the weekly card party held bythe Women's Anti-Gambling League.Sister Nell's young man had called quiteunexpectedly to take her for a long drive.Papa was at the office, as usual. It wasMary Ann's day out. As for Emeline, shecertainly should have stayed in the houseand looked after the little girl; but

Emeline had a restless nature.

"Would you mind, miss, if I justcrossed the alley to speak a word toMrs. Carleton's girl?" she asked Martha.

"'Course not," replied the child. "You'dbetter lock the back door, though, andtake the key, for I shall be upstairs."

"Oh, I'll do that, of course, miss," saidthe delighted maid, and ran away tospend the afternoon with her friend,leaving Martha quite alone in the bighouse, and locked in, into the bargain.

The little girl read a few pages in hernew book, sewed a few stitches in herembroidery and started to "play visiting"

with her four favorite dolls. Then sheremembered that in the attic was a doll'splayhouse that hadn't been used formonths, so she decided she would dust itand put it in order.

Filled with this idea, the girl climbedthe winding stairs to the big room underthe roof. It was well lighted by threedormer windows and was warm andpleasant. Around the walls were rows ofboxes and trunks, piles of old carpeting,pieces of damaged furniture, bundles ofdiscarded clothing and other odds andends of more or less value. Every well-regulated house has an attic of this sort,so I need not describe it.

The doll's house had been moved, but

after a search Martha found it away overin a corner near the big chimney.

She drew it out and noticed that behindit was a black wooden chest whichUncle Walter had sent over from Italyyears and years agobefore Marthawas born, in fact. Mamma had told herabout it one day; how there was no keyto it, because Uncle Walter wished it toremain unopened until he returned home;and how this wandering uncle, who wasa mighty hunter, had gone into Africa tohunt elephants and had never been heardfrom afterwards.

The little girl looked at the chestcuriously, now that it had by accident

attracted her attention.

It was quite bigbigger even thanmamma's traveling trunkand wasstudded all over with tarnishedbrassheaded nails. It was heavy, too, forwhen Martha tried to lift one end of itshe found she could not stir it a bit. Butthere was a place in the side of the coverfor a key. She stooped to examine thelock, and saw that it would take a ratherbig key to open it.

Then, as you may suspect, the little girllonged to open Uncle Walter's big boxand see what was in it. For we are allcurious, and little girls are just ascurious as the rest of us.

"I don't b'lieve Uncle Walter'll evercome back," she thought. "Papa saidonce that some elephant must have killedhim. If I only had a key" She stoppedand clapped her little hands togethergayly as she remembered a big basket ofkeys on the shelf in the linen closet. Theywere of all sorts and sizes; perhaps oneof them would unlock the mysteriouschest!

She flew down the stairs, found thebasket and returned with it to the attic.Then she sat down before the brass-studded box and began trying one keyafter another in the curious old lock.Some were too large, but most were toosmall. One would go into the lock but

would not turn; another stuck so fast thatshe feared for a time that she wouldnever get it out again. But at last, whenthe basket was almost empty, an oddly-shaped, ancient brass key slipped easilyinto the lock. With a cry of joy Marthaturned the key with both hands; then sheheard a sharp "click," and the nextmoment the heavy lid flew up of its ownaccord!

The little girl leaned over the edge ofthe chest an instant, and the sight that mether eyes caused her to start back inamazement.

Slowly and carefully a man unpackedhimself from the chest, stepped out uponthe floor, stretched his limbs and then

took off his hat and bowed politely to theastonished child.

He was tall and thin and his faceseemed badly tanned or sunburnt.

Then another man emerged from thechest, yawning and rubbing his eyes likea sleepy schoolboy. He was of middlesize and his skin seemed as badly tannedas that of the first.

While Martha stared open-mouthed atthe remarkable sight a third man crawledfrom the chest. He had the samecomplexion as his fellows, but was shortand fat.

All three were dressed in a curious

manner. They wore short jackets of redvelvet braided with gold, and kneebreeches of sky-blue satin with silverbuttons. Over their stockings were lacedwide ribbons of red and yellow andblue, while their hats had broad brimswith high, peaked crowns, from whichfluttered yards of bright-coloredribbons.

They had big gold rings in their earsand rows of knives and pistols in theirbelts. Their eyes were black andglittering and they wore long, fiercemustaches, curling at the ends like apig's tail.

"My! but you were heavy," exclaimedthe fat one, when he had pulled down his

velvet jacket and brushed the dust fromhis sky-blue breeches. "And yousqueezed me all out of shape."

"It was unavoidable, Luigi," respondedthe thin man, lightly; "the lid of the chestpressed me down upon you. Yet I tenderyou my regrets."

"As for me," said the middle-sizedman, carelessly rolling a cigarette andlighting it, "you must acknowledge Ihave been your nearest friend for years;so do not be disagreeable."

"You mustn't smoke in the attic," saidMartha, recovering herself at sight of thecigarette. "You might set the house onfire."

The middle-sized man, who had notnoticed her before, at this speech turnedto the girl and bowed.

"Since a lady requests it," said he, "Ishall abandon my cigarette," and hethrew it on the floor and extinguished itwith his foot.

"Who are you?" asked Martha, whountil now had been too astonished to befrightened.

"Permit us to introduce ourselves,"said the thin man, flourishing his hatgracefully. "This is Lugui," the fat mannodded; "and this is Beni," the middle-sized man bowed; "and I am Victor. Weare three banditsItalian bandits."

"Bandits!" cried Martha, with a look ofhorror.

"Exactly. Perhaps in all the world thereare not three other bandits so terribleand fierce as ourselves," said Victor,proudly.

"'Tis so," said the fat man, noddinggravely.

"But it's wicked!" exclaimed Martha.

"Yes, indeed," replied Victor. "We areextremely and tremendously wicked.Perhaps in all the world you could notfind three men more wicked than thosewho now stand before you."

"'Tis so," said the fat man,approvingly.

"But you shouldn't be so wicked," saidthe girl; "it'sit'snaughty!"

Victor cast down his eyes and blushed.

"Naughty!" gasped Beni, with ahorrified look.

"'Tis a hard word," said Luigi, sadly,and buried his face in his hands.

"I little thought," murmured Victor, in avoice broken by emotion, "ever to be soreviledand by a lady! Yet, perhapsyou spoke thoughtlessly. You mustconsider, miss, that our wickedness has

an excuse. For how are we to be bandits,let me ask, unless we are wicked?"

Martha was puzzled and shook herhead, thoughtfully. Then she rememberedsomething.

"You can't remain bandits any longer,"said she, "because you are now inAmerica."

"America!" cried the three, together.

"Certainly. You are on Prairie avenue,in Chicago. Uncle Walter sent you herefrom Italy in this chest."

The bandits seemed greatly bewilderedby this announcement. Lugui sat down on

an old chair with a broken rocker andwiped his forehead with a yellow silkhandkerchief. Beni and Victor fell backupon the chest and looked at her withpale faces and staring eyes.

When he had somewhat recoveredhimself Victor spoke.

"Your Uncle Walter has greatlywronged us," he said, reproachfully. "Hehas taken us from our beloved Italy,where bandits are highly respected, andbrought us to a strange country where weshall not know whom to rob or howmuch to ask for a ransom."

"'Tis so!" said the fat man, slapping hisleg sharply.

"And we had won such fine reputationsin Italy!" said Beni, regretfully.

"Perhaps Uncle Walter wanted toreform you," suggested Martha.

"Are there, then, no bandits inChicago?" asked Victor.

"Well," replied the girl, blushing in herturn, "we do not call them bandits."

"Then what shall we do for a living?"inquired Beni, despairingly.

"A great deal can be done in a bigAmerican city," said the child. "Myfather is a lawyer" (the banditsshuddered), "and my mother's cousin is a

police inspector."

"Ah," said Victor, "that is a goodemployment. The police need to beinspected, especially in Italy."

"Everywhere!" added Beni.

"Then you could do other things,"continued Martha, encouragingly. "Youcould be motor men on trolley cars, orclerks in a department store. Somepeople even become aldermen to earn aliving."

The bandits shook their heads sadly.

"We are not fitted for such work," saidVictor. "Our business is to rob."

Martha tried to think.

"It is rather hard to get positions in thegas office," she said, "but you mightbecome politicians."

"No!" cried Beni, with suddenfierceness; "we must not abandon ourhigh calling. Bandits we have alwaysbeen, and bandits we must remain!"

"'Tis so!" agreed the fat man.

"Even in Chicago there must be peopleto rob," remarked Victor, withcheerfulness.

Martha was distressed.

"I think they have all been robbed," sheobjected.

"Then we can rob the robbers, for wehave experience and talent beyond theordinary," said Beni.

"Oh, dear; oh, dear!" moaned the girl;"why did Uncle Walter ever send youhere in this chest?"

The bandits became interested.

"That is what we should like to know,"declared Victor, eagerly.

"But no one will ever know, for UncleWalter was lost while hunting elephantsin Africa," she continued, with

conviction.

"Then we must accept our fate and robto the best of our ability," said Victor."So long as we are faithful to ourbeloved profession we need not beashamed."

"'Tis so!" cried the fat man.

"Brothers! we will begin now. Let usrob the house we are in."

"Good!" shouted the others and sprangto their feet.

Beni turned threateningly upon thechild.

"Remain here!" he commanded. "If youstir one step your blood will be on yourown head!" Then he added, in a gentlervoice: "Don't be afraid; that's the way allbandits talk to their captives. But ofcourse we wouldn't hurt a young ladyunder any circumstances."

"Of course not," said Victor.

The fat man drew a big knife from hisbelt and flourished it about his head.

"S'blood!" he ejaculated, fiercely.

"S'bananas!" cried Beni, in a terriblevoice.

"Confusion to our foes!" hissed Victor.

And then the three bent themselvesnearly double and crept stealthily downthe stairway with cocked pistols in theirhands and glittering knives between theirteeth, leaving Martha trembling with fearand too horrified to even cry for help.

How long she remained alone in theattic she never knew, but finally sheheard the catlike tread of the returningbandits and saw them coming up thestairs in single file.

All bore heavy loads of plunder intheir arms, and Lugui was balancing amince pie on the top of a pile of hermother's best evening dresses. Victorcame next with an armful of bric-a-brac,a brass candelabra and the parlor clock.

Beni had the family Bible, the basket ofsilverware from the sideboard, a copperkettle and papa's fur overcoat.

"Oh, joy!" said Victor, putting downhis load; "it is pleasant to rob oncemore."

"Oh, ecstacy!" said Beni; but he let thekettle drop on his toe and immediatelybegan dancing around in anguish, whilehe muttered queer words in the Italianlanguage.

"We have much wealth," continuedVictor, holding the mince pie whileLugui added his spoils to the heap; "andall from one house! This America mustbe a rich place."

With a dagger he then cut himself apiece of the pie and handed theremainder to his comrades. Whereuponall three sat upon the floor and consumedthe pie while Martha looked on sadly.

"We should have a cave," remarkedBeni; "for we must store our plunder in asafe place. Can you tell us of a secretcave?" he asked Martha.

"There's a Mammoth cave," sheanswered, "but it's in Kentucky. Youwould be obliged to ride on the cars along time to get there."

The three bandits looked thoughtful andmunched their pie silently, but the nextmoment they were startled by the ringing

of the electric doorbell, which washeard plainly even in the remote attic.

"What's that?" demanded Victor, in ahoarse voice, as the three scrambled totheir feet with drawn daggers.

Martha ran to the window and saw itwas only the postman, who had droppeda letter in the box and gone away again.But the incident gave her an idea of howto get rid of her troublesome bandits, soshe began wringing her hands as if ingreat distress and cried out:

"It's the police!"

The robbers looked at one another withgenuine alarm, and Lugui asked,

tremblingly:

"Are there many of them?"

"A hundred and twelve!" exclaimedMartha, after pretending to count them.

"Then we are lost!" declared Beni; "forwe could never fight so many and live."

"Are they armed?" inquired Victor,who was shivering as if cold.

"Oh, yes," said she. "They have gunsand swords and pistols and axes andand"

"And what?" demanded Lugui.

"And cannons!"

The three wicked ones groaned aloudand Beni said, in a hollow voice:

"I hope they will kill us quickly and notput us to the torture. I have been toldthese Americans are painted Indians,who are bloodthirsty and terrible."

"'Tis so!" gasped the fat man, with ashudder.

Suddenly Martha turned from thewindow.

"You are my friends, are you not?" sheasked.

"We are devoted!" answered Victor.

"We adore you!" cried Beni.

"We would die for you!" added Lugui,thinking he was about to die anyway.

"Then I will save you," said the girl.

"How?" asked the three, with onevoice.

"Get back into the chest," she said. "Iwill then close the lid, so they will beunable to find you."

They looked around the room in adazed and irresolute way, but sheexclaimed:

"You must be quick! They will soon behere to arrest you."

Then Lugui sprang into the chest andlay fat upon the bottom. Beni tumbled innext and packed himself in the back side.Victor followed after pausing to kiss herhand to the girl in a graceful manner.

Then Martha ran up to press down thelid, but could not make it catch.

"You must squeeze down," she said tothem.

Lugui groaned.

"I am doing my best, miss," saidVictor, who was nearest the top; "but

although we fitted in very nicely before,the chest now seems rather small for us."

"'Tis so!" came the muffled voice ofthe fat man from the bottom.

"I know what takes up the room," saidBeni.

"What?" inquired Victor, anxiously.

"The pie," returned Beni.

"'Tis so!" came from the bottom, infaint accents.

Then Martha sat upon the lid andpressed it down with all her weight. Toher great delight the lock caught, and,

springing down, she exerted all herstrength and turned the key.

This story should teach us not tointerfere in matters that do not concernus. For had Martha refrained fromopening Uncle Walter's mysterious chestshe would not have been obliged tocarry downstairs all the plunder therobbers had brought into the attic.

THE GLASS DOG

An accomplished wizard once lived onthe top floor of a tenement house andpassed his time in thoughtful study andstudious thought. What he didn't knowabout wizardry was hardly worthknowing, for he possessed all the booksand recipes of all the wizards who hadlived before him; and, moreover, he hadinvented several wizardments himself.

This admirable person would havebeen completely happy but for thenumerous interruptions to his studiescaused by folk who came to consult himabout their troubles (in which he was notinterested), and by the loud knocks of theiceman, the milkman, the baker's boy, thelaundryman and the peanut woman. He

never dealt with any of these people; butthey rapped at his door every day to seehim about this or that or to try to sell himtheir wares. Just when he was mostdeeply interested in his books orengaged in watching the bubbling of acauldron there would come a knock athis door. And after sending the intruderaway he always found he had lost histrain of thought or ruined his compound.

At length these interruptions arousedhis anger, and he decided he must have adog to keep people away from his door.He didn't know where to find a dog, butin the next room lived a poor glass-blower with whom he had a slightacquaintance; so he went into the man's

apartment and asked:

"Where can I find a dog?"

"What sort of a dog?" inquired theglass-blower.

"A good dog. One that will bark atpeople and drive them away. One thatwill be no trouble to keep and won'texpect to be fed. One that has no fleasand is neat in his habits. One that willobey me when I speak to him. In short, agood dog," said the wizard.

"Such a dog is hard to find," returnedthe glass-blower, who was busy makinga blue glass flower pot with a pink glassrosebush in it, having green glass leaves

and yellow glass roses.

The wizard watched him thoughtfully.

"Why cannot you blow me a dog out ofglass?" he asked, presently.

"I can," declared the glass-blower;"but it would not bark at people, youknow."

"Oh, I'll fix that easily enough," repliedthe other. "If I could not make a glassdog bark I would be a mighty poorwizard."

"Very well; if you can use a glass dogI'll be pleased to blow one for you.Only, you must pay for my work."

"Certainly," agreed the wizard. "But Ihave none of that horrid stuff you callmoney. You must take some of my waresin exchange."

The glass-blower considered thematter for a moment.

"Could you give me something to curemy rheumatism?" he asked.

"Oh, yes; easily."

"Then it's a bargain. I'll start the dog atonce. What color of glass shall I use?"

"Pink is a pretty color," said thewizard, "and it's unusual for a dog, isn'tit?"

"Very," answered the glass-blower;"but it shall be pink."

So the wizard went back to his studiesand the glass-blower began to make thedog.

Next morning he entered the wizard'sroom with the glass dog under his armand set it carefully upon the table. It wasa beautiful pink in color, with a fine coatof spun glass, and about its neck wastwisted a blue glass ribbon. Its eyeswere specks of black glass and sparkledintelligently, as do many of the glasseyes worn by men.

The wizard expressed himself pleasedwith the glass-blower's skill and at once

handed him a small vial.

"This will cure your rheumatism," hesaid.

"But the vial is empty!" protested theglass-blower.

"Oh, no; there is one drop of liquid init," was the wizard's reply.

"Will one drop cure my rheumatism?"inquired the glass-blower, in wonder.

"Most certainly. That is a marvelousremedy. The one drop contained in thevial will cure instantly any kind ofdisease ever known to humanity.Therefore it is especially good for

rheumatism. But guard it well, for it isthe only drop of its kind in the world,and I've forgotten the recipe."

"Thank you," said the glass-blower,and went back to his room.

Then the wizard cast a wizzy spell andmumbled several very learned words inthe wizardese language over the glassdog. Whereupon the little animal firstwagged its tail from side to side, thenwinked his left eye knowingly, and atlast began barking in a most frightfulmannerthat is, when you stop toconsider the noise came from a pinkglass dog. There is something almostastonishing in the magic arts of wizards;unless, of course, you know how to do

the things yourself, when you are notexpected to be surprised at them.

The wizard was as delighted as aschool teacher at the success of hisspell, although he was not astonished.Immediately he placed the dog outsidehis door, where it would bark at anyonewho dared knock and so disturb thestudies of its master.

The glass-blower, on returning to hisroom, decided not to use the one drop ofwizard cure-all just then.

"My rheumatism is better to-day," hereflected, "and I will be wise to save themedicine for a time when I am very ill,when it will be of more service to me."

So he placed the vial in his cupboardand went to work blowing more rosesout of glass. Presently he happened tothink the medicine might not keep, so hestarted to ask the wizard about it. Butwhen he reached the door the glass dogbarked so fiercely that he dared notknock, and returned in great haste to hisown room. Indeed, the poor man wasquite upset at so unfriendly a receptionfrom the dog he had himself so carefullyand skillfully made.

The next morning, as he read hisnewspaper, he noticed an article statingthat the beautiful Miss Mydas, the richestyoung lady in town, was very ill, and thedoctors had given up hope of her

recovery.

The glass-blower, although miserablypoor, hard-working and homely offeature, was a man of ideas. He suddenlyrecollected his precious medicine, anddetermined to use it to better advantagethan relieving his own ills. He dressedhimself in his best clothes, brushed hishair and combed his whiskers, washedhis hands and tied his necktie, blackenedhis hoes and sponged his vest, and thenput the vial of magic cure-all in hispocket. Next he locked his door, wentdownstairs and walked through thestreets to the grand mansion where thewealthy Miss Mydas resided.

The butler opened the door and said:

"No soap, no chromos, no vegetables,no hair oil, no books, no baking powder.My young lady is dying and we're wellsupplied for the funeral."

The glass-blower was grieved at beingtaken for a peddler.

"My friend," he began, proudly; but thebutler interrupted him, saying:

"No tombstones, either; there's a familygraveyard and the monument's built."

"The graveyard won't be needed if youwill permit me to speak," said the glass-blower.

"No doctors, sir; they've given up myyoung lady, and she's given up thedoctors," continued the butler, calmly.

"I'm no doctor," returned the glass-blower.

"Nor are the others. But what is yourerrand?"

"I called to cure your young lady bymeans of a magical compound."

"Step in, please, and take a seat in thehall. I'll speak to the housekeeper," saidthe butler, more politely.

So he spoke to the housekeeper and thehousekeeper mentioned the matter to the

steward and the steward consulted thechef and the chef kissed the lady's maidand sent her to see the stranger. Thus arethe very wealthy hedged around withceremony, even when dying.

When the lady's maid heard from theglass-blower that he had a medicinewhich would cure her mistress, she said:

"I'm glad you came."

"But," said he, "if I restore yourmistress to health she must marry me."

"I'll make inquiries and see if she'swilling," answered the maid, and went atonce to consult Miss Mydas.

The young lady did not hesitate aninstant.

"I'd marry any old thing rather thandie!" she cried. "Bring him here atonce!"

So the glass-blower came, poured themagic drop into a little water, gave it tothe patient, and the next minute MissMydas was as well as she had ever beenin her life.

"Dear me!" she exclaimed; "I've anengagement at the Fritters' reception to-night. Bring my pearl-colored silk,Marie, and I will begin my toilet at once.And don't forget to cancel the order forthe funeral flowers and your mourning

gown."

"But, Miss Mydas," remonstrated theglass-blower, who stood by, "youpromised to marry me if I cured you."

"I know," said the young lady, "but wemust have time to make properannouncement in the society papers andhave the wedding cards engraved. Callto-morrow and we'll talk it over."

The glass-blower had not impressedher favorably as a husband, and she wasglad to find an excuse for getting rid ofhim for a time. And she did not want tomiss the Fritters' reception.

Yet the man went home filled with joy;

for he thought his stratagem hadsucceeded and he was about to marry arich wife who would keep him in luxuryforever afterward.

The first thing he did on reaching hisroom was to smash his glass-blowingtools and throw them out of the window.

He then sat down to figure out ways ofspending his wife's money.

The following day he called upon MissMydas, who was reading a novel andeating chocolate creams as happily as ifshe had never been ill in her life.

"Where did you get the magiccompound that cured me?" she asked.

"From a learned wizard," said he; andthen, thinking it would interest her, hetold how he had made the glass dog forthe wizard, and how it barked and kepteverybody from bothering him.

"How delightful!" she said. "I'vealways wanted a glass dog that couldbark."

"But there is only one in the world," heanswered, "and it belongs to thewizard."

"You must buy it for me," said the lady.

"The wizard cares nothing for money,"replied the glass-blower.

"Then you must steal it for me," sheretorted. "I can never live happilyanother day unless I have a glass dogthat can bark."

The glass-blower was much distressedat this, but said he would see what hecould do. For a man should always try toplease his wife, and Miss Mydas haspromised to marry him within a week.

On his way home he purchased a heavysack, and when he passed the wizard'sdoor and the pink glass dog ran out tobark at him he threw the sack over thedog, tied the opening with a piece oftwine, and carried him away to his ownroom.

The next day he sent the sack by amessenger boy to Miss Mydas, with hiscompliments, and later in the afternoonhe called upon her in person, feelingquite sure he would be received withgratitude for stealing the dog she sogreatly desired.

But when he came to the door and thebutler opened it, what was hisamazement to see the glass dog rush outand begin barking at him furiously.

"Call off your dog," he shouted, interror.

"I can't, sir," answered the butler. "Myyoung lady has ordered the glass dog tobark whenever you call here. You'd

better look out, sir," he added, "for if itbites you, you may have glassophobia!"

This so frightened the poor glass-blower that he went away hurriedly. Buthe stopped at a drug store and put hislast dime in the telephone box so hecould talk to Miss Mydas without beingbitten by the dog.

"Give me Pelf 6742!" he called.

"Hello! What is it?" said a voice.

"I want to speak with Miss Mydas,"said the glass-blower.

Presently a sweet voice said: "This isMiss Mydas. What is it?"

"Why have you treated me so cruellyand set the glass dog on me?" asked thepoor fellow.

"Well, to tell the truth," said the lady,"I don't like your looks. Your cheeks arepale and baggy, your hair is coarse andlong, your eyes are small and red, yourhands are big and rough, and you arebow-legged."

"But I can't help my looks!" pleadedthe glass-blower; "and you reallypromised to marry me."

"If you were better looking I'd keep mypromise," she returned. "But under thecircumstances you are no fit mate for me,and unless you keep away from my

mansion I shall set my glass dog onyou!" Then she dropped the 'phone andwould have nothing more to say.

The miserable glass-blower wenthome with a heart bursting withdisappointment and began tying a rope tothe bedpost by which to hang himself.

Some one knocked at the door, and,upon opening it, he saw the wizard.

"I've lost my dog," he announced.

"Have you, indeed?" replied the glass-blower tying a knot in the rope.

"Yes; some one has stolen him."

"That's too bad," declared the glass-blower, indifferently.

"You must make me another," said thewizard.

"But I cannot; I've thrown away mytools."

"Then what shall I do?" asked thewizard.

"I do not know, unless you offer areward for the dog."

"But I have no money," said thewizard.

"Offer some of your compounds, then,"

suggested the glass-blower, who wasmaking a noose in the rope for his headto go through.

"The only thing I can spare," repliedthe wizard, thoughtfully, "is a BeautyPowder."

"What!" cried the glass-blower,throwing down the rope, "have youreally such a thing?"

"Yes, indeed. Whoever takes thepowder will become the most beautifulperson in the world."

"If you will offer that as a reward,"said the glass-blower, eagerly, "I'll tryto find the dog for you, for above

everything else I long to be beautiful."

"But I warn you the beauty will only beskin deep," said the wizard.

"That's all right," replied the happyglass-blower; "when I lose my skin Ishan't care to remain beautiful."

"Then tell me where to find my dog andyou shall have the powder," promisedthe wizard.

So the glass-blower went out andpretended to search, and by-and-by hereturned and said:

"I've discovered the dog. You will findhim in the mansion of Miss Mydas."

The wizard went at once to see if thiswere true, and, sure enough, the glassdog ran out and began barking at him.Then the wizard spread out his handsand chanted a magic spell which sent thedog fast asleep, when he picked him upand carried him to his own room on thetop floor of the tenement house.

Afterward he carried the BeautyPowder to the glass-blower as a reward,and the fellow immediately swallowedit and became the most beautiful man inthe world.

The next time he called upon MissMydas there was no dog to bark at him,and when the young lady saw him shefell in love with his beauty at once.

"If only you were a count or a prince,"she sighed, "I'd willingly marry you."

"But I am a prince," he answered; "thePrince of Dogblowers."

"Ah!" said she; "then if you are willingto accept an allowance of four dollars aweek I'll order the wedding cardsengraved."

The man hesitated, but when he thoughtof the rope hanging from his bedpost heconsented to the terms.

So they were married, and the bridewas very jealous of her husband's beautyand led him a dog's life. So he managed

to get into debt and made her miserablein turn.

As for the glass dog, the wizard set himbarking again by means of hiswizardness and put him outside his door.I suppose he is there yet, and am rathersorry, for I should like to consult thewizard about the moral to this story.

THE QUEEN OF QUOK

A king once died, as kings are apt to

do, being as liable to shortness of breathas other mortals.

It was high time this king abandonedhis earth life, for he had lived in a sadlyextravagant manner, and his subjectscould spare him without the slightestinconvenience.

His father had left him a full treasury,both money and jewels being inabundance. But the foolish king justdeceased had squandered every penny inriotous living. He had then taxed hissubjects until most of them becamepaupers, and this money vanished inmore riotous living. Next he sold all thegrand old furniture in the palace; all thesilver and gold plate and bric-a-brac; all

the rich carpets and furnishings and evenhis own kingly wardrobe, reserving onlya soiled and moth-eaten ermine robe tofold over his threadbare raiment. And hespent the money in further riotous living.

Don't ask me to explain what riotousliving is. I only know, from hearsay, thatit is an excellent way to get rid ofmoney. And so this spendthrift kingfound it.

He now picked all the magnificentjewels from this kingly crown and fromthe round ball on the top of his scepter,and sold them and spent the money.Riotous living, of course. But at last hewas at the end of his resources. He

couldn't sell the crown itself, because noone but the king had the right to wear it.Neither could he sell the royal palace,because only the king had the right tolive there.

So, finally, he found himself reduced toa bare palace, containing only a bigmahogany bedstead that he slept in, asmall stool on which he sat to pull offhis shoes and the moth-eaten erminerobe.

In this straight he was reduced to thenecessity of borrowing an occasionaldime from his chief counselor, withwhich to buy a ham sandwich. And thechief counselor hadn't many dimes. Onewho counseled his king so foolishly was

likely to ruin his own prospects as well.

So the king, having nothing more tolive for, died suddenly and left a ten-year-old son to inherit the dismantledkingdom, the moth-eaten robe and thejewel-stripped crown.

No one envied the child, who hadscarcely been thought of until he becameking himself. Then he was recognized asa personage of some importance, and thepoliticians and hangers-on, headed bythe chief counselor of the kingdom, helda meeting to determine what could bedone for him.

These folk had helped the old king tolive riotously while his money lasted,

and now they were poor and too proudto work. So they tried to think of a planthat would bring more money into thelittle king's treasury, where it would behandy for them to help themselves.

After the meeting was over the chiefcounselor came to the young king, whowas playing peg-top in the courtyard,and said:

"Your majesty, we have thought of away to restore your kingdom to itsformer power and magnificence."

"All right," replied his majesty,carelessly. "How will you do it?"

"By marrying you to a lady of great

wealth," replied the counselor.

"Marrying me!" cried the king. "Why, Iam only ten years old!"

"I know; it is to be regretted. But yourmajesty will grow older, and the affairsof the kingdom demand that you marry awife."

"Can't I marry a mother, instead?"asked the poor little king, who had losthis mother when a baby.

"Certainly not," declared thecounselor. "To marry a mother would beillegal; to marry a wife is right andproper."

"Can't you marry her yourself?"inquired his majesty, aiming his peg-topat the chief counselor's toe, and laughingto see how he jumped to escape it.

"Let me explain," said the other. "Youhaven't a penny in the world, but youhave a kingdom. There are many richwomen who would be glad to give theirwealth in exchange for a queen's coroneteven if the king is but a child. So wehave decided to advertise that the onewho bids the highest shall become thequeen of Quok."

"If I must marry at all," said the king,after a moment's thought, "I prefer tomarry Nyana, the armorer's daughter."

"She is too poor," replied thecounselor.

"Her teeth are pearls, her eyes areamethysts, and her hair is gold,"declared the little king.

"True, your majesty. But consider thatyour wife's wealth must be used. Howwould Nyana look after you have pulledher teeth of pearls, plucked out heramethyst eyes and shaved her goldenhead?"

The boy shuddered.

"Have your own way," he said,despairingly. "Only let the lady be asdainty as possible and a good

playfellow."

"We shall do our best," returned thechief counselor, and went away toadvertise throughout the neighboringkingdoms for a wife for the boy king ofQuok.

There were so many applicants for theprivilege of marrying the little king thatit was decided to put him up at auction,in order that the largest possible sum ofmoney should be brought into thekingdom. So, on the day appointed, theladies gathered at the palace from all thesurrounding kingdomsfrom Bilkon,Mulgravia, Junkum and even as far awayas the republic of Macvelt.

The chief counselor came to the palaceearly in the morning and had the king'sface washed and his hair combed; andthen he padded the inside of the crownwith old newspapers to make it smallenough to fit his majesty's head. It was asorry looking crown, having many bigand little holes in it where the jewelshad once been; and it had been neglectedand knocked around until it was quitebattered and tarnished. Yet, as thecounselor said, it was the king's crown,and it was quite proper he should wearit on the solemn occasion of his auction.

Like all boys, be they kings or paupers,his majesty had torn and soiled his onesuit of clothes, so that they were hardly

presentable; and there was no money tobuy new ones. Therefore the counselorwound the old ermine robe around theking and sat him upon the stool in themiddle of the otherwise empty audiencechamber.

And around him stood all the courtiersand politicians and hangers-on of thekingdom, consisting of such people aswere too proud or lazy to work for aliving. There was a great number ofthem, you may be sure, and they made animposing appearance.

Then the doors of the audiencechamber were thrown open, and thewealthy ladies who aspired to beingqueen of Quok came trooping in. The

king looked them over with muchanxiety, and decided they were each andall old enough to be his grandmother,and ugly enough to scare away the crowsfrom the royal cornfields. After which helost interest in them.

But the rich ladies never looked at thepoor little king squatting upon his stool.They gathered at once about the chiefcounselor, who acted as auctioneer.

"How much am I offered for thecoronet of the queen of Quok?" asked thecounselor, in a loud voice.

"Where is the coronet?" inquired afussy old lady who had just buried herninth husband and was worth several

millions.

"There isn't any coronet at present,"explained the chief counselor, "butwhoever bids highest will have the rightto wear one, and she can then buy it."

"Oh," said the fussy old lady, "I see."Then she added: "I'll bid fourteendollars."

"Fourteen thousand dollars!" cried asour-looking woman who was thin andtall and had wrinkles all over her skin"like a frosted apple," the kingthought.

The bidding now became fast andfurious, and the poverty-stricken

courtiers brightened up as the sum beganto mount into the millions.

"He'll bring us a very pretty fortune,after all," whispered one to his comrade,"and then we shall have the pleasure ofhelping him spend it."

The king began to be anxious. All thewomen who looked at all kind-heartedor pleasant had stopped bidding for lackof money, and the slender old dame withthe wrinkles seemed determined to getthe coronet at any price, and with it theboy husband. This ancient creaturefinally became so excited that her wiggot crosswise of her head and her falseteeth kept slipping out, which horrifiedthe little king greatly; but she would not

give up.

At last the chief counselor ended theauction by crying out:

"Sold to Mary Ann Brodjinsky de laPorkus for three million, nine hundredthousand, six hundred and twenty-fourdollars and sixteen cents!" And the sour-looking old woman paid the money incash and on the spot, which proves thisis a fairy story.

The king was so disturbed at thethought that he must marry this hideouscreature that he began to wail and weep;whereupon the woman boxed his earssoundly. But the counselor reproved herfor punishing her future husband in

public, saying:

"You are not married yet. Wait until to-morrow, after the wedding takes place.Then you can abuse him as much as youwish. But at present we prefer to havepeople think this is a love match."

The poor king slept but little that night,so filled was he with terror of his futurewife. Nor could he get the idea out of hishead that he preferred to marry thearmorer's daughter, who was about hisown age. He tossed and tumbled aroundupon his hard bed until the moonlightcame in at the window and lay like agreat white sheet upon the bare floor.Finally, in turning over for the hundredthtime, his hand struck against a secret

spring in the headboard of the bigmahogany bedstead, and at once, with asharp click, a panel flew open.

The noise caused the king to look up,and, seeing the open panel, he stoodupon tiptoe, and, reaching within, drewout a folded paper. It had several leavesfastened together like a book, and uponthe first page was written:

"When the king is in troubleThis leaf he must doubleAnd set it on fireTo obtain his desire."

This was not very good poetry, butwhen the king had spelled it out in themoonlight he was filled with joy.

"There's no doubt about my being introuble," he exclaimed; "so I'll burn it atonce, and see what happens."

He tore off the leaf and put the rest ofthe book in its secret hiding place. Then,folding the paper double, he placed it onthe top of his stool, lighted a match andset fire to it.

It made a horrid smudge for so small apaper, and the king sat on the edge of thebed and watched it eagerly.

When the smoke cleared away he wassurprised to see, sitting upon the stool, around little man, who, with folded armsand crossed legs, sat calmly facing theking and smoking a black briarwood

pipe.

"Well, here I am," said he.

"So I see," replied the little king. "Buthow did you get here?"

"Didn't you burn the paper?" demandedthe round man, by way of answer.

"Yes, I did," acknowledged the king.

"Then you are in trouble, and I've cometo help you out of it. I'm the Slave of theRoyal Bedstead."

"Oh!" said the king. "I didn't knowthere was one."

"Neither did your father, or he wouldnot have been so foolish as to selleverything he had for money. By theway, it's lucky for you he did not sellthis bedstead. Now, then, what do youwant?"

"I'm not sure what I want," replied theking; "but I know what I don't want, andthat is the old woman who is going tomarry me."

"That's easy enough," said the Slave ofthe Royal Bedstead. "All you need do isto return her the money she paid the chiefcounselor and declare the match off.Don't be afraid. You are the king, andyour word is law."

"To be sure," said the majesty. "But Iam in great need of money. How am Igoing to live if the chief counselorreturns to Mary Ann Brodjinski hermillions?"

"Phoo! that's easy enough," againanswered the man, and, putting his handin his pocket, he drew out and tossed tothe king an old-fashioned leather purse."Keep that with you," said he, "and youwill always be rich, for you can take outof the purse as many twenty-five-centsilver pieces as you wish, one at a time.No matter how often you take one out,another will instantly appear in its placewithin the purse."

"Thank you," said the king, gratefully.

"You have rendered me a rare favor; fornow I shall have money for all my needsand will not be obliged to marry anyone.Thank you a thousand times!"

"Don't mention it," answered the other,puffing his pipe slowly and watching thesmoke curl into the moonlight. "Suchthings are easy to me. Is that all youwant?"

"All I can think of just now," returnedthe king.

"Then, please close that secret panel inthe bedstead," said the man; "the otherleaves of the book may be of use to yousome time."

The boy stood upon the bed as beforeand, reaching up, closed the opening sothat no one else could discover it. Thenhe turned to face his visitor, but theSlave of the Royal Bedstead haddisappeared.

"I expected that," said his majesty; "yetI am sorry he did not wait to say good-by."

With a lightened heart and a sense ofgreat relief the boy king placed theleathern purse underneath his pillow,and climbing into bed again sleptsoundly until morning.

When the sun rose his majesty rosealso, refreshed and comforted, and the

first thing he did was to send for thechief counselor.

That mighty personage arrived lookingglum and unhappy, but the boy was toofull of his own good fortune to notice it.Said he:

"I have decided not to marry anyone,for I have just come into a fortune of myown. Therefore I command you return tothat old woman the money she has paidyou for the right to wear the coronet ofthe queen of Quok. And make publicdeclaration that the wedding will nottake place."

Hearing this the counselor began totremble, for he saw the young king had

decided to reign in earnest; and helooked so guilty that his majestyinquired:

"Well! what is the matter now?"

"Sire," replied the wretch, in a shakingvoice, "I cannot return the woman hermoney, for I have lost it!"

"Lost it!" cried the king, in mingledastonishment and anger.

"Even so, your majesty. On my wayhome from the auction last night Istopped at the drug store to get somepotash lozenges for my throat, whichwas dry and hoarse with so much loudtalking; and your majesty will admit it

was through my efforts the woman wasinduced to pay so great a price. Well,going into the drug store I carelessly leftthe package of money lying on the seat ofmy carriage, and when I came out againit was gone. Nor was the thief anywhereto be seen."

"Did you call the police?" asked theking.

"Yes, I called; but they were all on thenext block, and although they havepromised to search for the robber I havelittle hope they will ever find him."

The king sighed.

"What shall we do now?" he asked.

"I fear you must marry Mary AnnBrodjinski," answered the chiefcounselor; "unless, indeed, you order theexecutioner to cut her head off."

"That would be wrong," declared theking. "The woman must not be harmed.And it is just that we return her money,for I will not marry her under anycircumstances."

"Is that private fortune you mentionedlarge enough to repay her?" asked thecounselor.

"Why, yes," said the king, thoughtfully,"but it will take some time to do it, andthat shall be your task. Call the womanhere."

The counselor went in search of MaryAnn, who, when she heard she was notto become a queen, but would receiveher money back, flew into a violentpassion and boxed the chief counselor'sears so viciously that they stung fornearly an hour. But she followed himinto the king's audience chamber, whereshe demanded her money in a loudvoice, claiming as well the interest dueupon it over night.

"The counselor has lost your money,"said the boy king, "but he shall pay youevery penny out of my own privatepurse. I fear, however, you will beobliged to take it in small change."

"That will not matter," she said,

scowling upon the counselor as if shelonged to reach his ears again; "I don'tcare how small the change is so long as Iget every penny that belongs to me, andthe interest. Where is it?"

"Here," answered the king, handing thecounselor the leathern purse. "It is all insilver quarters, and they must be takenfrom the purse one at a time; but therewill be plenty to pay your demands, andto spare."

So, there being no chairs, the counselorsat down upon the floor in one cornerand began counting out silver twenty-five-cent pieces from the purse, one byone. And the old woman sat upon the

floor opposite him and took each pieceof money from his hand.

It was a large sum: three million, ninehundred thousand, six hundred andtwenty-four dollars and sixteen cents.And it takes four times as many twenty-five-cent pieces as it would dollars tomake up the amount.

The king left them sitting there andwent to school, and often thereafter hecame to the counselor and interruptedhim long enough to get from the pursewhat money he needed to reign in aproper and dignified manner. Thissomewhat delayed the counting, but as itwas a long job, anyway, that did notmatter much.

The king grew to manhood and marriedthe pretty daughter of the armorer, andthey now have two lovely children oftheir own. Once in awhile they go intothe big audience chamber of the palaceand let the little ones watch the aged,hoary-headed counselor count out silvertwenty-five-cent pieces to a witheredold woman, who watched his everymovement to see that he does not cheather.

It is a big sum, three million, ninehundred thousand, six hundred andtwenty-four dollars and sixteen cents intwenty-five-cent pieces.

But this is how the counselor was

punished for being so careless with thewoman's money. And this is how MaryAnn Brodjinski de la Porkus was alsopunished for wishing to marry a ten-year-old king in order that she mightwear the coronet of the queen of Quok.

THE GIRL WHO OWNEDA BEAR

Mamma had gone down-town to shop.She had asked Nora to look after JaneGladys, and Nora promised she would.But it was her afternoon for polishing the

silver, so she stayed in the pantry andleft Jane Gladys to amuse herself alonein the big sitting-room upstairs.

The little girl did not mind being alone,for she was working on her first piece ofembroiderya sofa pillow for papa'sbirthday present. So she crept into thebig bay window and curled herself up onthe broad sill while she bent her brownhead over her work.

Soon the door opened and closedagain, quietly. Jane Gladys thought itwas Nora, so she didn't look up until shehad taken a couple more stitches on aforget-me-not. Then she raised her eyesand was astonished to find a strange man

in the middle of the room, who regardedher earnestly.

He was short and fat, and seemed to bebreathing heavily from his climb up thestairs. He held a work silk hat in onehand and underneath his other elbowwas tucked a good-sized book. He wasdressed in a black suit that looked oldand rather shabby, and his head wasbald upon the top.

"Excuse me," he said, while the childgazed at him in solemn surprise. "Areyou Jane Gladys Brown?"

"Yes, sir," she answered.

"Very good; very good, indeed!" he

remarked, with a queer sort of smile."I've had quite a hunt to find you, but I'vesucceeded at last."

"How did you get in?" inquired JaneGladys, with a growing distrust of hervisitor.

"That is a secret," he said,mysteriously.

This was enough to put the girl on herguard. She looked at the man and theman looked at her, and both looks weregrave and somewhat anxious.

"What do you want?" she asked,straightening herself up with a dignifiedair.

"Ah!now we are coming tobusiness," said the man, briskly. "I'mgoing to be quite frank with you. Tobegin with, your father has abused me ina most ungentlemanly manner."

Jane Gladys got off the window silland pointed her small finger at the door.

"Leave this room 'meejitly!" she cried,her voice trembling with indignation."My papa is the best man in the world.He never 'bused anybody!"

"Allow me to explain, please," said thevisitor, without paying any attention toher request to go away. "Your father maybe very kind to you, for you are his littlegirl, you know. But when he's down-

town in his office he's inclined to berather severe, especially on book agents.Now, I called on him the other day andasked him to buy the 'Complete Works ofPeter Smith,' and what do you supposehe did?"

She said nothing.

"Why," continued the man, withgrowing excitement, "he ordered mefrom his office, and had me put out of thebuilding by the janitor! What do youthink of such treatment as that from the'best papa in the world,' eh?"

"I think he was quite right," said JaneGladys.

"Oh, you do? Well," said the man, "Iresolved to be revenged for the insult.So, as your father is big and strong and adangerous man, I have decided to berevenged upon his little girl."

Jane Gladys shivered.

"What are you going to do?" she asked.

"I'm going to present you with thisbook," he answered, taking it from underhis arm. Then he sat down on the edge ofa chair, placed his hat on the rug anddrew a fountain pen from his vestpocket.

"I'll write your name in it," said he."How do you spell Gladys?"

"G-l-a-d-y-s," she replied.

"Thank you. Now this," he continued,rising and handing her the book with abow, "is my revenge for your father'streatment of me. Perhaps he'll be sorryhe didn't buy the 'Complete Works ofPeter Smith.' Good-by, my dear."

He walked to the door, gave heranother bow, and left the room, and JaneGladys could see that he was laughing tohimself as if very much amused.

When the door had closed behind thequeer little man the child sat down in thewindow again and glanced at the book. Ithad a red and yellow cover and theword "Thingamajigs" was across the

front in big letters.

Then she opened it, curiously, and sawher name written in black letters uponthe first white leaf.

"He was a funny little man," she said toherself, thoughtfully.

She turned the next leaf, and saw a bigpicture of a clown, dressed in green andred and yellow, and having a very whiteface with three-cornered spots of red oneach cheek and over the eyes. While shelooked at this the book trembled in herhands, the leaf crackled and creaked andsuddenly the clown jumped out of it andstood upon the floor beside her,becoming instantly as big as any

ordinary clown.

After stretching his arms and legs andyawning in a rather impolite manner, hegave a silly chuckle and said:

"This is better! You don't know howcramped one gets, standing so long upona page of flat paper."

Perhaps you can imagine how startledJane Gladys was, and how she stared atthe clown who had just leaped out of thebook.

"You didn't expect anything of this sort,did you?" he asked, leering at her inclown fashion. Then he turned around totake a look at the room and Jane Gladys

laughed in spite of her astonishment.

"What amuses you?" demanded theclown.

"Why, the back of you is all white!"cried the girl. "You're only a clown infront of you."

"Quite likely," he returned, in anannoyed tone. "The artist made a frontview of me. He wasn't expected to makethe back of me, for that was against thepage of the book."

"But it makes you look so funny!" saidJane Gladys, laughing until her eyeswere moist with tears.

The clown looked sulky and sat downupon a chair so she couldn't see hisback.

"I'm not the only thing in the book," heremarked, crossly.

This reminded her to turn another page,and she had scarcely noted that itcontained the picture of a monkey whenthe animal sprang from the book with agreat crumpling of paper and landedupon the window seat beside her.

"He-he-he-he-he!" chattered thecreature, springing to the girl's shoulderand then to the center table. "This isgreat fun! Now I can be a real monkeyinstead of a picture of one."

"Real monkeys can't talk," said JaneGladys, reprovingly.

"How do you know? Have you everbeen one yourself?" inquired the animal;and then he laughed loudly, and theclown laughed, too, as if he enjoyed theremark.

The girl was quite bewildered by thistime. She thoughtlessly turned anotherleaf, and before she had time to looktwice a gray donkey leaped from thebook and stumbled from the windowseat to the floor with a great clatter.

"You're clumsy enough, I'm sure!" saidthe child, indignantly, for the beast hadnearly upset her.

"Clumsy! And why not?" demanded thedonkey, with angry voice. "If the foolartist had drawn you out of perspective,as he did me, I guess you'd be clumsyyourself."

"What's wrong with you?" asked JaneGladys.

"My front and rear legs on the left sideare nearly six inches too short, that'swhat's the matter! If that artist didn'tknow how to draw properly why did hetry to make a donkey at all?"

"I don't know," replied the child,seeing an answer was expected.

"I can hardly stand up," grumbled the

donkey; "and the least little thing willtopple me over."

"Don't mind that," said the monkey,making a spring at the chandelier andswinging from it by his tail until JaneGladys feared he would knock all theglobes off; "the same artist has made myears as big as that clown's and everyoneknows a monkey hasn't any ears to speakofmuch less to draw."

"He should be prosecuted," remarkedthe clown, gloomily. "I haven't anyback."

Jane Gladys looked from one to theother with a puzzled expression upon hersweet face, and turned another page of

the book.

Swift as a flash there sprang over hershoulder a tawney, spotted leopard,which landed upon the back of a bigleather armchair and turned upon theothers with a fierce movement.

The monkey climbed to the top of thechandelier and chattered with fright. Thedonkey tried to run and straightwaytipped over on his left side. The clowngrew paler than ever, but he sat still inhis chair and gave a low whistle ofsurprise.

The leopard crouched upon the back ofthe chair, lashed his tail from side toside and glared at all of them, by turns,

including Jane Gladys.

"Which of us are you going to attackfirst?" asked the donkey, trying hard toget upon his feet again.

"I can't attack any of you," snarled theleopard. "The artist made my mouth shut,so I haven't any teeth; and he forgot tomake my claws. But I'm a frightfullooking creature, nevertheless; am Inot?"

"Oh, yes;" said the clown,indifferently. "I suppose you're frightfullooking enough. But if you have no teethnor claws we don't mind your looks atall."

This so annoyed the leopard that hegrowled horribly, and the monkeylaughed at him.

Just then the book slipped from thegirl's lap, and as she made a movementto catch it one of the pages near the backopened wide. She caught a glimpse of afierce grizzly bear looking at her fromthe page, and quickly threw the bookfrom her. It fell with a crash in themiddle of the room, but beside it stoodthe great grizzly, who had wrenchedhimself from the page before the bookclosed.

"Now," cried the leopard from hisperch, "you'd better look out foryourselves! You can't laugh at him as

you did at me. The bear has both clawsand teeth."

"Indeed I have," said the bear, in alow, deep, growling voice. "And I knowhow to use them, too. If you read in thatbook you'll find I'm described as ahorrible, cruel and remorseless grizzly,whose only business in life is to eat uplittle girlsshoes, dresses, ribbons andall! And then, the author says, I smackmy lips and glory in my wickedness."

"That's awful!" said the donkey, sittingupon his haunches and shaking his headsadly. "What do you suppose possessedthe author to make you so hungry forgirls? Do you eat animals, also?"

"The author does not mention my eatinganything but little girls," replied thebear.

"Very good," remarked the clown,drawing a long breath of relief. "youmay begin eating Jane Gladys as soon asyou wish. She laughed because I had noback."

"And she laughed because my legs areout of perspective," brayed the donkey.

"But you also deserve to be eaten,"screamed the leopard from the back ofthe leather chair; "for you laughed andpoked fun at me because I had no clawsnor teeth! Don't you suppose Mr.Grizzly, you could manage to eat a

clown, a donkey and a monkey after youfinish the girl?"

"Perhaps so, and a leopard into thebargain," growled the bear. "It willdepend on how hungry I am. But I mustbegin on the little girl first, because theauthor says I prefer girls to anything."

Jane Gladys was much frightened onhearing this conversation, and she beganto realize what the man meant when hesaid he gave her the book to berevenged. Surely papa would be sorryhe hadn't bought the "Complete Works ofPeter Smith" when he came home andfound his little girl eaten up by a grizzlybearshoes, dress, ribbons and all!

The bear stood up and balancedhimself on his rear legs.

"This is the way I look in the book," hesaid. "Now watch me eat the little girl."

He advanced slowly toward JaneGladys, and the monkey, the leopard, thedonkey and the clown all stood aroundin a circle and watched the bear withmuch interest.

But before the grizzly reached her thechild had a sudden thought, and criedout:

"Stop! You mustn't eat me. It would bewrong."

"Why?" asked the bear, in surprise.

"Because I own you. You're my privateproperty," she answered.

"I don't see how you make that out,"said the bear, in a disappointed tone.

"Why, the book was given to me; myname's on the front leaf. And you belong,by rights, in the book. So you mustn'tdare to eat your owner!"

The Grizzly hesitated.

"Can any of you read?" he asked.

"I can," said the clown.

"Then see if she speaks the truth. Is hername really in the book?"

The clown picked it up and looked atthe name.

"It is," said he. "'Jane Gladys Brown;'and written quite plainly in big letters."

The bear sighed.

"Then, of course, I can't eat her," hedecided. "That author is as disappointingas most authors are."

"But he's not as bad as the artist,"exclaimed the donkey, who was stilltrying to stand up straight.

"The fault lies with yourselves," saidJane Gladys, severely. "Why didn't youstay in the book, where you were put?"

The animals looked at each other in afoolish way, and the clown blushedunder his white paint.

"Really" began the bear, and then hestopped short.

The door bell rang loudly.

"It's mamma!" cried Jane Gladys,springing to her feet. "She's come homeat last. Now, you stupid creatures"

But she was interrupted by them allmaking a rush for the book. There was a

swish and a whirr and a rustling ofleaves, and an instant later the book layupon the floor looking just like any otherbook, while Jane Gladys' strangecompanions had all disappeared.

This story should teach us to thinkquickly and clearly upon all occasions;for had Jane Gladys not remembered thatshe owned the bear he probably wouldhave eaten her before the bell rang.

THE ENCHANTED TYPES

One time a knook became tired of hisbeautiful life and longed for somethingnew to do. The knooks have morewonderful powers than any otherimmortal folkexcept, perhaps, thefairies and ryls. So one would supposethat a knook who might gain anything hedesired by a simple wish could not beotherwise than happy and contented. Butsuch was not the case with Popopo, theknook we are speaking of. He had livedthousands of years, and had enjoyed allthe wonders he could think of. Yet lifehad become as tedious to him now as itmight be to one who was unable togratify a single wish.

Finally, by chance, Popopo thought of

the earth people who dwell in cities, andso he resolved to visit them and see howthey lived. This would surely be fineamusement, and serve to pass awaymany wearisome hours.

Therefore one morning, after abreakfast so dainty that you couldscarcely imagine it, Popopo set out forthe earth and at once was in the midst ofa big city.

His own dwelling was so quiet andpeaceful that the roaring noise of thetown startled him. His nerves were soshocked that before he had lookedaround three minutes he decided to giveup the adventure, and instantly returnedhome.

This satisfied for a time his desire tovisit the earth cities, but soon themonotony of his existence again madehim restless and gave him anotherthought. At night the people slept and thecities would be quiet. He would visitthem at night.

So at the proper time Popopotransported himself in a jiffy to a greatcity, where he began wandering aboutthe streets. Everyone was in bed. Nowagons rattled along the pavements; nothrongs of busy men shouted andhalloaed. Even the policemen slumberedslyly and there happened to be noprowling thieves abroad.

His nerves being soothed by thestillness, Popopo began to enjoy himself.He entered many of the houses andexamined their rooms with muchcuriosity. Locks and bolts made nodifference to a knook, and he saw aswell in darkness as in daylight.

After a time he strolled into thebusiness portion of the city. Stores areunknown among the immortals, whohave no need of money or of barter andexchange; so Popopo was greatlyinterested by the novel sight of so manycollections of goods and merchandise.

During his wanderings he entered amillinery shop, and was surprised to seewithin a large glass case a great number

of women's hats, each bearing in oneposition or another a stuffed bird.Indeed, some of the most elaborate hatshad two or three birds upon them.

Now knooks are the especial guardiansof birds, and love them dearly. To see somany of his little friends shut up in aglass case annoyed and grieved Popopo,who had no idea they had purposelybeen placed upon the hats by themilliner. So he slid back one of thedoors of the case, gave the littlechirruping whistle of the knooks that allbirds know well, and called:

"Come, friends; the door is openflyout!"

Popopo did not know the birds werestuffed; but, stuffed or not, every bird isbound to obey a knook's whistle and aknook's call. So they left the hats, flewout of the case and began fluttering aboutthe room.

"Poor dears!" said the kind-heartedknook, "you long to be in the fields andforests again."

Then he opened the outer door for themand cried: "Off with you! Fly away, mybeauties, and be happy again."

The astonished birds at once obeyed,and when they had soared away into thenight air the knook closed the door andcontinued his wandering through the

streets.

By dawn he saw many interestingsights, but day broke before he hadfinished the city, and he resolved tocome the next evening a few hoursearlier.

As soon as it was dark the followingday he came again to the city and onpassing the millinery shop noticed a lightwithin. Entering he found two women,one of whom leaned her head upon thetable and sobbed bitterly, while theother strove to comfort her.

Of course Popopo was invisible tomortal eyes, so he stood by and listenedto their conversation.

"Cheer up, sister," said one. "Eventhough your pretty birds have all beenstolen the hats themselves remain."

"Alas!" cried the other, who was themilliner, "no one will buy my hats partlytrimmed, for the fashion is to wear birdsupon them. And if I cannot sell my goodsI shall be utterly ruined."

Then she renewed her sobbing and theknook stole away, feeling a littleashamed to realized that in his love forthe birds he had unconsciously wrongedone of the earth people and made herunhappy.

This thought brought him back to themillinery shop later in the night, when

the two women had gone home. Hewanted, in some way, to replace thebirds upon the hats, that the poor womanmight be happy again. So he searcheduntil he came upon a nearby cellar full oflittle gray mice, who lived quiteundisturbed and gained a livelihood bygnawing through the walls intoneighboring houses and stealing foodfrom the pantries.

"Here are just the creatures," thoughtPopopo, "to place upon the woman'shats. Their fur is almost as soft as theplumage of the birds, and it strikes methe mice are remarkably pretty andgraceful animals. Moreover, they nowpass their lives in stealing, and were

they obliged to remain always uponwomen's hats their morals would bemuch improved."

So he exercised a charm that drew allthe mice from the cellar and placed themupon the hats in the glass case, wherethey occupied the places the birds hadvacated and looked very becomingatleast, in the eyes of the unworldly knook.To prevent their running about andleaving the hats Popopo rendered themmotionless, and then he was so pleasedwith his work that he decided to remainin the shop and witness the delight of themilliner when she saw how daintily herhats were now trimmed.

She came in the early morning,

accompanied by her sister, and her facewore a sad and resigned expression.After sweeping and dusting the shop anddrawing the blinds she opened the glasscase and took out a hat.

But when she saw a tiny gray mousenestling among the ribbons and laces shegave a loud shriek, and, dropping thehat, sprang with one bound to the top ofthe table. The sister, knowing the shriekto be one of fear, leaped upon a chairand exclaimed:

"What is it? Oh! what is it?"

"A mouse!" gasped the milliner,trembling with terror.

Popopo, seeing this commotion, nowrealized that mice are especiallydisagreeable to human beings, and thathe had made a grave mistake in placingthem upon the hats; so he gave a lowwhistle of command that was heard onlyby the mice.

Instantly they all jumped from the hats,dashed out the open door of the glasscase and scampered away to their cellar.But this action so frightened the millinerand her sister that after giving severalloud screams they fell upon their backson the floor and fainted away.

Popopo was a kind-hearted knook, buton witnessing all this misery, caused byhis own ignorance of the ways of

humans, he straightway wished himselfat home, and so left the poor women torecover as best they could.

Yet he could not escape a sad feelingof responsibility, and after thinking uponthe matter he decided that since he hadcaused the milliner's unhappiness byfreeing the birds, he could set the matterright by restoring them to the glass case.He loved the birds, and disliked tocondemn them to slavery again; but thatseemed the only way to end the trouble.

So he set off to find the birds. They hadflown a long distance, but it was nothingto Popopo to reach them in a second, andhe discovered them sitting upon the

branches of a big chestnut tree andsinging gayly.

When they saw the knook the birdscried:

"Thank you, Popopo. Thank you forsetting us free."

"Do not thank me," returned the knook,"for I have come to send you back to themillinery shop."

"Why?" demanded a blue jay, angrily,while the others stopped their songs.

"Because I find the woman considersyou her property, and your loss hascaused her much unhappiness,"

answered Popopo.

"But remember how unhappy we werein her glass case," said a robinredbreast, gravely. "And as for being herproperty, you are a knook, and thenatural guardian of all birds; so youknow that Nature created us free. To besure, wicked men shot and stuffed us,and sold us to the milliner; but the ideaof our being her property is nonsense!"

Popopo was puzzled.

"If I leave you free," he said, "wickedmen will shoot you again, and you willbe no better off than before."

"Pooh!" exclaimed the blue jay, "we

cannot be shot now, for we are stuffed.Indeed, two men fired several shots at usthis morning, but the bullets only ruffledour feathers and buried themselves inour stuffing. We do not fear men now."

"Listen!" said Popopo, sternly, for hefelt the birds were getting the best of theargument; "the poor milliner's businesswill be ruined if I do not return you toher shop. It seems you are necessary totrim the hats properly. It is the fashionfor women to wear birds upon theirheadgear. So the poor milliner's wares,although beautified by lace and ribbons,are worthless unless you are perchedupon them."

"Fashions," said a black bird,

solemnly, "are made by men. What lawis there, among birds or knooks, thatrequires us to be the slaves of fashion?"

"What have we to do with fashions,anyway?" screamed a linnet. "If it werethe fashion to wear knooks perched uponwomen's hats would you be contented tostay there? Answer me, Popopo!"

But Popopo was in despair. He couldnot wrong the birds by sending themback to the milliner, nor did he wish themilliner to suffer by their loss. So hewent home to think what could be done.

After much meditation he decided toconsult the king of the knooks, and goingat once to his majesty he told him the

whole story.

The king frowned.

"This should teach you the folly ofinterfering with earth people," he said."But since you have caused all thistrouble, it is your duty to remedy it. Ourbirds cannot be enslaved, that is certain;therefore you must have the fashionschanged, so it will no longer be stylishfor women to wear birds upon theirhats."

"How shall I do that?" asked Popopo.

"Easily enough. Fashions often changeamong the earth people, who tire quicklyof any one thing. When they read in their

newspapers and magazines that the styleis so-and-so, they never question thematter, but at once obey the mandate offashion. So you must visit thenewspapers and magazines and enchantthe types."

"Enchant the types!" echoed Popopo, inwonder.

"Just so. Make them read that it is nolonger the fashion to wear birds uponhats. That will afford relief to your poormilliner and at the same time set freethousands of our darling birds who havebeen so cruelly used."

Popopo thanked the wise king andfollowed his advice.

The office of every newspaper andmagazine in the city was visited by theknook, and then he went to other cities,until there was not a publication in theland that had not a "new fashion note" inits pages. Sometimes Popopo enchantedthe types, so that whoever read the printwould see only what the knook wishedthem to. Sometimes he called upon thebusy editors and befuddled their brainsuntil they wrote exactly what he wantedthem to. Mortals seldom know howgreatly they are influenced by fairies,knooks and ryls, who often put thoughtsinto their heads that only the wise littleimmortals could have conceived.

The following morning when the poor

milliner looked over her newspaper shewas overjoyed to read that "no womancould now wear a bird upon her hat andbe in style, for the newest fashionrequired only ribbons and laces."

Popopo after this found muchenjoyment in visiting every millineryshop he could find and giving new life tothe stuffed birds which were carelesslytossed aside as useless. And they flew tothe fields and forests with songs ofthanks to the good knook who hadrescued them.

Sometimes a hunter fires his gun at abird and then wonders why he did not hitit. But, having read this story, you willunderstand that the bird must have been a

stuffed one from some millinery shop,which cannot, of course, be killed by agun.

THE LAUGHINGHIPPOPOTAMUS

On one of the upper branches of theCongo river lived an ancient andaristocratic family of hippopotamuses,which boasted a pedigree dating backbeyond the days of Noahbeyond theexistence of mankindfar into the dim

ages when the world was new.

They had always lived upon the banksof this same river, so that every curveand sweep of its waters, every pit andshallow of its bed, every rock and stumpand wallow upon its bank was asfamiliar to them as their own mothers.And they are living there yet, I suppose.

Not long ago the queen of this tribe ofhippopotamuses had a child which shenamed Keo, because it was so fat andround. Still, that you may not be misled,I will say that in the hippopotamuslanguage "Keo," properly translated,means "fat and lazy" instead of fat andround. However, no one called thequeen's attention to this error, because

her tusks were monstrous long andsharp, and she thought Keo the sweetestbaby in the world.

He was, indeed, all right for ahippopotamus. He rolled and played inthe soft mud of the river bank, andwaddled inland to nibble the leaves ofthe wild cabbage that grew there, andwas happy and contented from morningtill night. And he was the jolliesthippopotamus that ancient family hadever known. His little red eyes wereforever twinkling with fun, and helaughed his merry laugh on alloccasions, whether there was anything tolaugh at or not.

Therefore the black people who dweltin that region called him "Ippi"thejolly one, although they dared not comeanigh him on account of his fiercemother, and his equally fierce uncles andaunts and cousins, who lived in a vastcolony upon the river bank.

And while these black people, wholived in little villages scattered amongthe trees, dared not openly attack theroyal family of hippopotamuses, theywere amazingly fond of eatinghippopotamus meat whenever they couldget it. This was no secret to thehippopotamuses. And, again, when theblacks managed to catch these animalsalive, they had a trick of riding them

through the jungles as if they werehorses, thus reducing them to a conditionof slavery.

Therefore, having these things in mind,whenever the tribe of hippopotamusessmelled the oily odor of black peoplethey were accustomed to charge uponthem furiously, and if by chance theyovertook one of the enemy they wouldrip him with their sharp tusks or stamphim into the earth with their huge feet.

It was continual warfare between thehippopotamuses and the black people.

Gouie lived in one of the little villagesof the blacks. He was the son of thechief's brother and grandson of the

village sorcerer, the latter being an agedman known as the "the bonelesswonder," because he could twist himselfinto as many coils as a serpent and hadno bones to hinder his bending his fleshinto any position. This made him walk ina wabbly fashion, but the black peoplehad great respect for him.

Gouie's hut was made of branches oftrees stuck together with mud, and hisclothing consisted of a grass mat tiedaround his middle. But his relationshipto the chief and the sorcerer gave him acertain dignity, and he was muchaddicted to solitary thought. Perhaps itwas natural that these thoughts frequentlyturned upon his enemies, the

hippopotamuses, and that he shouldconsider many ways of capturing them.

Finally he completed his plans, and setabout digging a great pit in the ground,midway between two sharp curves of theriver. When the pit was finished hecovered it over with small branches oftrees, and strewed earth upon them,smoothing the surface so artfully that noone would suspect there was a big holeunderneath. Then Gouie laughed softly tohimself and went home to supper.

That evening the queen said to Keo,who was growing to be a fine child forhis age:

"I wish you'd run across the bend and

ask your Uncle Nikki to come here. Ihave found a strange plant, and want himto tell me if it is good to eat."

The jolly one laughed heartily as hestarted upon his errand, for he felt asimportant as a boy does when he is sentfor the first time to the corner grocery tobuy a yeast cake.

"Guk-uk-uk-uk! guk-uk-uk-uk!" was theway he laughed; and if you think ahippopotamus does not laugh this wayyou have but to listen to one and youwill find I am right.

He crawled out of the mud where hewas wallowing and tramped awaythrough the bushes, and the last his

mother heard as she lay half in and halfout of the water was his musical "guk-uk-uk-uk!" dying away in the distance.

Keo was in such a happy mood that hescarcely noticed where he stepped, so hewas much surprised when, in the middleof a laugh, the ground gave way beneathhim, and he fell to the bottom of Gouie'sdeep pit. He was not badly hurt, but hadbumped his nose severely as he wentdown; so he stopped laughing and beganto think how he should get out again.Then he found the walls were higherthan his head, and that he was a prisoner.

So he laughed a little at his ownmisfortune, and the laughter soothed himto sleep, so that he snored all through the

night until daylight came.

When Gouie peered over the edge ofthe pit next morning he exclaimed:

"Why, 'tis Ippithe Jolly One!"

Keo recognized the scent of a blackman and tried to raise his head highenough to bite him. Seeing which Gouiespoke in the hippopotamus language,which he had learned from hisgrandfather, the sorcerer.

"Have peace, little one; you are mycaptive."

"Yes; I will have a piece of your leg, ifI can reach it," retorted Keo; and then he

laughed at his own joke: "Guk-uk-uk-uk!"

But Gouie, being a thoughtful blackman, went away without further talk, anddid not return until the followingmorning. When he again leaned over thepit Keo was so weak from hunger that hecould hardly laugh at all.

"Do you give up?" asked Gouie, "or doyou still wish to fight?"

"What will happen if I give up?"inquired Keo.

The black man scratched his woollyhead in perplexity.

"It is hard to say, Ippi. You are tooyoung to work, and if I kill you for food Ishall lose your tusks, which are not yetgrown. Why, O Jolly One, did you fallinto my hole? I wanted to catch yourmother or one of your uncles."

"Guk-uk-uk-uk!" laughed Keo. "Youmust let me go, after all, black man; for Iam of no use to you!"

"That I will not do," declared Gouie;"unless," he added, as an afterthought,"you will make a bargain with me."

"Let me hear about the bargain, blackone, for I am hungry," said Keo.

"I will let your go if you swear by the

tusks of your grandfather that you willreturn to me in a year and a day andbecome my prisoner again."

The youthful hippopotamus paused tothink, for he knew it was a solemn thingto swear by the tusks of his grandfather;but he was exceedingly hungry, and ayear and a day seemed a long time off;so he said, with another careless laugh:

"Very well; if you will now let me go Iswear by the tusks of my grandfather toreturn to you in a year and a day andbecome your prisoner."

Gouie was much pleased, for he knewthat in a year and a day Keo would bealmost full grown. So he began digging

away one end of the pit and filling it upwith the earth until he had made anincline which would allow thehippopotamus to climb out.

Keo was so pleased when he foundhimself upon the surface of the earthagain that he indulged in a merry fit oflaughter, after which he said:

"Good-by, Gouie; in a year and a dayyou will see me again."

Then he waddled away toward theriver to see his mother and get hisbreakfast, and Gouie returned to hisvillage.

During the months that followed, as the

black man lay in his hut or hunted in theforest, he heard at times the faraway"Guk-uk-uk-uk!" of the laughinghippopotamus. But he only smiled tohimself and thought: "A year and a daywill soon pass away!"

Now when Keo returned to his mothersafe and well every member of his tribewas filled with joy, for the Jolly Onewas a general favorite. But when he toldthem that in a year and a day he mustagain become the slave of the black man,they began to wail and weep, and somany were their tears that the river roseseveral inches.

Of course Keo only laughed at theirsorrow; but a great meeting of the tribe

was called and the matter discussedseriously.

"Having sworn by the tusks of hisgrandfather," said Uncle Nikki, "he mustkeep his promise. But it is our duty to tryin some way to rescue him from death ora life of slavery."

To this all agreed, but no one couldthink of any method of saving Keo fromhis fate. So months passed away, duringwhich all the royal hippopotamuseswere sad and gloomy except the JollyOne himself.

Finally but a week of freedomremained to Keo, and his mother, thequeen, became so nervous and worried

that another meeting of the tribe wascalled. By this time the laughinghippopotamus had grown to enormoussize, and measured nearly fifteen feetlong and six feet high, while his sharptusks were whiter and harder than thoseof an elephant.

"Unless something is done to save mychild," said the mother, "I shall die ofgrief."

Then some of her relations began tomake foolish suggestions; but presentlyUncle Nep, a wise and very bighippopotamus, said:

"We must go to Glinkomok andimplore his aid."

Then all were silent, for it was a boldthing to face the mighty Glinkomok. Butthe mother's love was equal to anyheroism.

"I will myself go to him, if Uncle Nepwill accompany me," she said, quickly.

Uncle Nep thoughtfully patted the softmud with his fore foot and wagged hisshort tail leisurely from side to side.

"We have always been obedient toGlinkomok, and shown him greatrespect," said he. "Therefore I fear nodanger in facing him. I will go withyou."

All the others snorted approval, being

very glad they were not called upon togo themselves.

So the queen and Uncle Nep, with Keoswimming between them, set out upontheir journey. They swam up the river allthat day and all the next, until they cameat sundown to a high, rocky wall,beneath which was the cave where themight Glinkomok dwelt.

This fearful creature was part beast,part man, part fowl and part fish. It hadlived since the world began. Throughyears of wisdom it had become partsorcerer, part wizard, part magician andpart fairy. Mankind knew it not, but theancient beasts knew and feared it.

The three hippopotamuses pausedbefore the cave, with their front feetupon the bank and their bodies in thewater, and called in chorus a greeting toGlinkomok. Instantly thereafter the mouthof the cave darkened and the creatureglided silently toward them.

The hippopotamuses were afraid tolook upon it, and bowed their headsbetween their legs.

"We come, O Glinkomok, to imploreyour mercy and friendly assistance!"began Uncle Nep; and then he told thestory of Keo's capture, and how he hadpromised to return to the black man.

"He must keep his promise," said the

creature, in a voice that sounded like asigh.

The mother hippopotamus groanedaloud.

"But I will prepare him to overcomethe black man, and to regain his liberty,"continued Glinkomok.

Keo laughed.

"Lift your right paw," commandedGlinkomok. Keo obeyed, and thecreature touched it with its long, hairytongue. Then it held four skinny handsover Keo's bowed head and mumbledsome words in a language unknown toman or beast or fowl or fish. After this it

spoke again in hippopotamese:

"Your skin has now become so toughthat no man can hurt you. Your strengthis greater than that of ten elephants. Yourfoot is so swift that you can distance thewind. Your wit is sharper than thebulthorn. Let the man fear, but drive fearfrom your own breast forever; for of allyour race you are the mightiest!"

Then the terrible Glinkomok leanedover, and Keo felt its fiery breath scorchhim as it whispered some furtherinstructions in his ear. The next momentit glided back into its cave, followed bythe loud thanks of the threehippopotamuses, who slid into the waterand immediately began their journey

home.

The mother's heart was full of joy;Uncle Nep shivered once or twice as heremembered a glimpse he had caught ofGlinkomok; but Keo was as jolly aspossible, and, not content to swim withhis dignified elders, he dived under theirbodies, raced all around the