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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d1a7c71 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #55214 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/55214) diff --git a/old/55214-0.txt b/old/55214-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 10a8728..0000000 --- a/old/55214-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3630 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's The Village of Hide and Seek, by Bingham Thoburn Wilson - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: The Village of Hide and Seek - -Author: Bingham Thoburn Wilson - -Illustrator: W. Herbert Dunton - -Release Date: July 28, 2017 [EBook #55214] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE VILLAGE OF HIDE AND SEEK *** - - - - -Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Barry Abrahamsen and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - THE VILLAGE OF HIDE AND SEEK. - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -Illustration: _"The now smiling vagabond stood bowing and scraping in -the middle of the sunbaked road."_ - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - THE VILLAGE - - OF - - HIDE AND SEEK - - - BY - - BINGHAM THOBURN WILSON - - AUTHOR OF - - "YE MOUNTAINEER," "THE TALE OF THE PHANTOM YACHT," ETC. - - - ILLUSTRATIONS BY - - W. HERBERT DUNTON - - Illustration: Publisher's logo - - NEW YORK - CONSOLIDATED RETAIL BOOKSELLERS - 1905 - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - COPYRIGHTED, 1905, BY - CONSOLIDATED RETAIL BOOKSELLERS - - REGISTERED AT STATIONERS' HALL, LONDON - - ------- - - (_All Rights Reserved_) - - ------- - - PUBLISHED, OCTOBER, 1905. - {Printed in the United States of America}. - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - _Dedication._ - - - TO THE CHILDREN OF POVERTY AND RAGS. TO THE - HOUSEHOLD OF SORROW AND BURDENSOME CARE. - TO THE LIVES IN THE SHADOW OF THE DARK GAUNT - FORM OF WOE. TO THOSE WHOSE EARS HAVE BEEN - ATTUNED TO THE HOLLOW, MOCKING VOICE OF - GRIEF. TO THE HUMBLEST OF THE HUMBLE, THE - POOR; THE VERY POOR. AND MAY THIS STORY - PROVE TO BE STARLIGHT IF NOT SUNSHINE. - - VERY RESPECTFULLY, - - THE AUTHOR. - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CONTENTS. - - ------- - - CHAPTER - I. "HIS HIGHNESS," THE VAGABOND - II. AUNT TWADDLES - III. THE PATH UP THE CLIFF - IV. THE CAVE IN THE MOUNTAIN - V. THE VILLAGE OF HIDE AND SEEK - VI. THE QUEEN OF THE DOLLS - VII. KIMBO, THE GIANT - VIII. THE ISLAND OF DREAMS - IX. SODA WATER FOUNTAIN - X. IN THE VILLAGE OF HIDE AND SEEK - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. - - ------- - - "Frontisepiece." - - "Almost dumb with surprise, the children turned about to gaze on the - world that lay far beneath them" - - "All the odd, ill-fitting garments ... were changed into raiments of - rich lace and gold" - - "He seemed to be leaping over great fields fully a mile at a stride" - - "The children stopped to look back upon the spot from which they had - just come" - - "Looking upward they were amazed to behold the open sky filled with - sweet-voiced angels" - - "He gave the old harp a nimble sweep with his dexterous fingers that - filled the air with enchanting music" - - "Perhaps you have noticed by my long hair and studious demeanor that I - am both a gentleman and a scholar" - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - THE VILLAGE OF HIDE AND SEEK - - ------- - - - CHAPTER I - - "HIS HIGHNESS," THE VAGABOND - - -On a bright sunny day in the middle of the month of August, a merry -group of gaily dressed children were romping upon the green lawn of a -country place, that, from its well kept and cleanly surroundings, could -not have been mistaken for any other than the home of some prosperous -and perhaps retired gentleman of wealth and refinement. - -The old-fashioned stone house, with its wide porch and heavily carved -wooden columns green-coated with climbing ivy, rose amid the stately -trees of the lawn, until it seemed lost in a bower of shadowy foliage. -The low, thatch-roofed out-buildings and long lines of far-reaching -fence, carefully coated with fresh whitewash, stood glistening in the -sunlight, quite in harmony with the polished marble window sills of the -great stone mansion. - -Standing in the very centre of the scene, like some still lingering -remnant of the long gone and almost forgotten past, arose the tall, -rustic arm of an old-fashioned well-sweep, that raised or lowered a -moss-covered, old oaken bucket, filled to overflowing and dripping wet -with cool, clear water, not unfrequently visited by this gamboling group -of merry children both during and after their play. - -As the children rested for a moment beneath the sheltering arms of an -old oak tree, they were much surprised to behold the form of a wandering -vagabond ambling along the dusty road. His hat was well drawn down over -his eyes to avoid the glaring rays of the mid-day sun. Over his shoulder -and made fast to the end of a crooked stick, that might have answered as -well for a defence as for a staff, hung his sum total of earthly -possessions, tied carefully into a small bundle and as carefully hid -from view within the folds of a red bandanna handkerchief. - -A passing glance only was needed to tell that the wanderer was weary; -and as his eyes, glistening with envy, beheld the cool shade of the -trees, and the still more inviting bucket above the well, that, -half-filled and leaking, hung suspended in mid-air, he halted his weary -pace in the road near the gate and beckoned the children to approach. - -No second invitation was needed. The boys, more daring and venturesome, -bounded toward him with a merry shout and were soon standing on the edge -of the lawn near the wanderer; but the little girls, like so many timid -fawns of the forest, with a feeling more of fear than of curiosity, -lingered tardily behind; and it was some time before they joined their -less cautious companions. - -He was a curious-looking, but quite jolly vagabond indeed; and although -his face was begrimed and smeared with mingled perspiration and dust, -his eyes shone with a merry, good-natured twinkle, as he doffed his well -worn and dusty black hat and bowed with an air of politeness, quite -unknown to the common everyday tramp of the highways of the world. - -One of the children laughingly exclaimed: - -"Where are you going?" - -And another: "Where did you come from?" - -And still a third: "Where is your home?" - -And so on, until the now smiling vagabond, waiting for a chance to -reply, stood bowing and scraping in the middle of the sunbaked road as -he calmly received volley after volley of almost unanswerable questions. - -"Well!" he exclaimed at last, as the children became suddenly silent, -"you ask me where I am from and where I am going, so now let me say: -just at present I am from everywhere in general and bound nowhere in -particular!" - -And he began pounding the dust from his body and limbs with his old hat, -as if wishing to make himself look presentable, even if out in the -middle of a hot, dusty roadway; and looking up with a longing glance, he -asked permission to obtain a drink of water from the well on the lawn. - -The big gate was still closed to "His Most Royal Highness," and as the -mere thought of his entering the lawn dawned upon the minds of the now -silent children, they drew back in affright and with solemn faces; nor -would they think of granting the stranger's request until finally one -little fellow called his companions together for a moment, as he almost -pleadingly said: - -"It is wrong to deny a poor man a drink of water. He is weary and -perhaps far from home, while God gives us the water so freely. Beside, -he cannot take the shade of these trees away with him when he goes, so, -while he rests on the lawn, I will bring him a drink from the well -myself." - -And with a light foot, but a much lighter heart, the boy bounded away in -haste, while the weary "Knight of the Road" entered the shadow of a big -maple tree on the lawn and stood waiting for him to return. - -As he gulped down the cool, refreshing water in a manner as though -famished, he blinked his bright sparkling eyes in evidence of much -relish; then casting a thankful glance upon the face of his new found -friend, he turned toward him with a smile as he said: - -"My little lad, for your kind act to a weary and thirsty man let me say; -if you will gather your little friends about me under the shade of this -tree, I will tell you an interesting story, which, if you will listen -carefully, may give you something of my past wanderings as well as an -answer to some of the questions you asked of me while I was out in the -road." - -Without a word of reply, the children, anxious to know what the -stranger's story might be, sank here and there upon the grass, as the -vagabond thus began his strange tale. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER II - - "AUNT TWADDLES" - - -"As I paused in the middle of the road near the gate," began the -vagabond, "this manly little fellow who so kindly brought me a drink -from the well, wanted to know where I came from. In answer to his -question let me say: I am, as you see, a friendless vagabond, wandering -hither and thither over the face of the earth. But think not that I -never had a home; for although I may not look it, I once had a dear -mother, just as each one of you has, who, when I was a baby kissed me -and rocked me to sleep every night with a sweet lullaby. But that was a -long time ago, and it is little wonder that, as you now gaze upon me, -you are anxious to know who I am and whence I came. - -"Now I might be an earthly prince in disguise for aught that you know, -though I'm not. Yet right here let me say, I _am_ the son of a King, for -we are _all_ the children of God and our earthly end is alike in this -dust that some of you children at first so pretended to scorn as you saw -it all over my clothes. So from this on, remember, we are only of the -dust; and the babies of satins and silks, all humbled at last, shall lie -down and sleep side by side with the children of tatters and rags. - -"Be that as it may; I was born in the village of Harpers Ferry on the -banks of the fair Shenandoah River, where lofty mountains rise and -overhang with rugged cliffs that seem about to fall into the deep valley -below; and where, in order to get into the town at all, the trains pass -through a dark tunnel in the mountains, and leaping with shrill whistle -across the long span of a great steel bridge, slow down and stop at a -quaint, stone station, so closely surrounded by tall mountains on all -sides that a traveller might think himself at the very end of the world. - -"It is here that the wild Shenandoah empties its foaming waters into the -Potomac River, (for be it remembered that the two streams were joined in -Holy wedlock by the Indians long, long ago), and mingling their currents -in loving embrace, they leap onward through a pass in the mountains and -together journey joyfully eastward toward the sea. - -"As the stranger stands upon the platform at the little stone station, -and gazes far across the Shenandoah River, he cannot help noticing a -dark path, or roadway, leading straight up the face of a steep cliff; -and long will he wonder how it could ever be possible to climb that -path, for it stands almost straight up and down. - -"Right here let me say there are but three persons on earth who can -truthfully boast of having once included that path as a part of their -journey; while strangest of all is the fact that one of these was an old -woman, so awkward and fat that she looked to be almost helpless, while -the other two, at the time of ascent, were mere children. - -"For many years prior to the time of my story, (how long, nobody ever -could tell), there dwelt an old woman somewhere up in these mountains, -and unless something has happened to her recently she is living there -still. - -"She was a strange-looking creature and from her jolly, good nature and -laughing, happy way, had grown in weight until she must have tipped the -scales at fully five hundred pounds. - -"She did not look in the least like a mountain climber, nor in fact -hardly able to mount a short flight of stairs; yet she was a quite -frequent wanderer up and down the opposite bank of the river, where most -of her time was spent in gathering wild herbs on the rough side of the -mountain, or along the fertile bed of the Shenandoah. - -"When the great bag, which she always carried slung over her shoulder, -was filled with herbs almost to bursting, she would start at the bottom -of this high cliff, and, aided by the scrubby bushes that grew from the -dark fissures in the mountain's time scarred face, she would manage in -some mysterious way to drag her full five hundred weight with its load -to the top, and then disappear in the mountain woodland above. - -"It was not only a tiresome, but likewise a dangerous journey, for there -were few places where she could catch her toes in the steep rock; and as -she climbed slowly upward, and with much difficulty felt for each -foothold, her great body swayed and staggered upon the face of the -cliff, while she puffed and blew from her toil so loudly that her heavy -breathing could plainly be heard far across in the village of Harpers -Ferry. - -"Never did she go up the cliff but that great boulders would break loose -under her ponderous tread, and tumbling headlong with mighty bound, -would dash down the steep mountain-side and land with a roaring crash in -the bed of the river below, where to this day they may be seen choking -the tide of the stream in a great rocky mass. - -"In many ways this strange woman was more odd than she looked. She was -not very high, but so terribly spread out that she was equally as tall -when lying down as when standing up; and if, like a turtle, she might -have drawn in her feet and her head, she could have rolled about over -the ground like a great ball—but of course she was not a turtle. - -"The garments, too, that she wore, both in make and material, were -strange to look upon. Her skirt, which could never have been made for -another, was fully a foot too long. It entirely concealed her feet, -which could not have been small, and so caused her to stumble and trip -that often indeed have I wondered how she could get along with her big -bag of herbs over a level road, much less up a path on the face of the -cliff, that even the bravest of hunters and mountain-men dared not -attempt to climb. Thus she went stumbling along in her own silent, -industrious way. - -"And now comes the strangest thing of all about this wonderful, fat -woman. - -"Many are the grown people that have passed her while busy at her labor -of herb gathering, yet not for a moment would she stop work to talk with -any of them. If they smiled, she might look up and smile in reply; but -if they asked her a question she would answer it with such an uncivil -grunt that they were glad to pass rapidly along on their way. - -"But should she happen to meet with a group of gay children, this -strange, fat woman was sure to drop her big bag of herbs, and pausing -for a long jolly chat, would unbosom her goodness of heart and draw from -her ponderous pockets handful after handful of candy and pop-corn balls, -taffy and chocolate drops, the like of which for sweetness and flavor, -no mortal man had ever made. - -"Nor was she in the least inclined to be stingy for she would give the -children as much of her sweets as they could eat and then bid them -good-bye with a kiss and a parting blessing. For so many years had she -thus kindly treated the children that they watched for her coming and -going day after day and were ever on the lookout to greet her, with -tears of joy in their eyes. - -"The name of this fat woman was 'Twaddles;' and as nobody thereabout -knew just whether she was a Miss or a Mrs., the children had nicknamed -her 'Auntie,' although that might have been as big a mistake as either -of the other two names. But it sounded motherly and sweet to her ears, -and, as its mention was sure to bring forth an abundance of bon-bons and -candies, all of the grown people as well as the children called her -'Aunt Twaddles.' - -"Where did she come from? you ask. Well, for many years nobody ever -could tell. Some claimed that she lived in a nest with the eagles far -off in the mountains. Others, that she dwelt alone with some half grown -cubs in the heart of a dark bear den, where the foot of a hunter had -never passed; while some even vowed that at night all the humming birds -kept guard while she slept far back in a cave in the rocks. - -"Old Nimrod, the hunter, declared, (and he had spent his whole life in -the mountains), that she was 'Queen of the Witches' and lived in the -dark hollow of a great tree, far down in a deep rocky glen, where -panthers and owls with wildcats and rattlesnakes dwell. Once when he saw -her, he said she was leading a pack of fierce wolves along on the side -of the mountain; and again she was holding a live panther close to her -breast and rocking it to sleep in her arms. - -"At any rate, wherever she lived, so marvelous indeed was she skilled in -the art of making candy, that her praises were sung by the children far -and near; and strangest of all was the fact that, should you once eat a -little bite of it, the sweetness and flavor it left in your mouth lasted -for over a week, while its memory lasted a lifetime. Years might pass -silently away and the children who had once tasted of 'Aunt Twaddles'' -candy grow up and be married, yet they could never forget it, though -they tried; while stranger still was the fact that a mere recollection -was sure to bring tears to the eyes, nor could one cease crying until he -went home and forgot about it. - -"In proof of this part of my tale let me say; I remember one day as I -stood quite hidden from view amid the green alder-berry bushes that grew -on the bank of the river, I beheld 'Aunt Twaddles' coming slowly down -the edge of the stream. Her big bag was heavily laden with herbs, and, -as the sun was quite high in the heavens, she paused in the shade of a -tree near the foot of the steep path for a moment of rest before -starting up the dangerous face of the cliff, for she needed all of her -strength to go up. - -"Just as she had comfortably seated herself on a log, I noticed a little -old man tottering across the long foot-bridge that led over from the -village. He was hurrying along, rapping his feet and his staff on the -boards as fast as his seventy-odd years would allow. His long, -snow-white hair waved on the midsummer breeze, while the long flaps of -his old-fashioned coat were dangling about his thin, wabbly legs in a -manner too funny for anything. - -"As he drew near, I noticed that there were real tears in his eyes, and -his withered old cheeks were much stained where they had fallen. -Carefully I watched him as he drew near, and, with a feeling of deepest -respect bowed low as he said in a tremulous, squeaky voice: - -"'Good morning, Aunt Twaddles. Would you mind giving an old, life-long -friend another bit of your candy?' - -"In a second 'Aunt Twaddles' arose. - -"'No sir!' she cried, with a frown, 'I gave you plenty of it, Sir, when -you were a good little boy. Tobacco seems to be your favorite candy now -from the appearance of your stained white beard, so you get none of -mine.' - -"And she began to empty her pockets that were filled with sweet, juicy -bon-bons, over the brink and down into the stream; and shouldering her -big bag of herbs, prepared to start up the face of the cliff. The little -old man went tottering back over the foot-bridge to the village; nor is -there any doubt that he went home and cried over the thought of her -candy and kept crying until he forgot about it. - -"And now," said the vagabond, "lest the thought of 'Aunt Twaddles'' -candy brings tears to my eyes, for I have eaten some of it myself, let -us pause for a moment while we more comfortably seat ourselves before I -proceed with the story." - -The almost vertical rays of the mid-day sun were pouring a merciless -fire upon a portion of the charmed circle and the story-teller with his -group of merry children was not slow in selecting a new spot further in -under the protecting branches of the tree. The children had been so -absorbed in the wonderful tale of the wanderer that they had failed to -notice the intense heat until, down the faces of some of the smaller -ones, drops of perspiration were flowing like tears. - -Amid a clamorous shout of "Go on! Go on!" uttered in concert by the -delighted children, it was thus the wanderer continued. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER III - - THE PATH UP THE CLIFF - - -"In the Village of Harpers Ferry, there stood for many years an old -Inn;—so old that no one knew its age. It was built in the days before -saw-mills were known, when all the lumber was either split out or sawed -out by hand. The weather-stained boards on its rickety sides were -covered with moss from the eaves down to the ground, while the shingles -of the roof were so twisted and warped out of place that they afforded -little or no protection to the dwellers within. - -"Travel was light in Harpers Ferry during the time of which I speak, and -the lack of good business, together with his miserly nature, kept the -old Inn-keeper peevish and cross; so much so that he was despised by -everyone about the village. - -"He was a wheezy little old man with a wooden leg, the rough oaken stump -of which, with its shafts and mysterious harness, was a source of much -wonder as well as merriment to the children of the neighborhood; while -the little old man himself seemed to be just withering away and drying -up on his feet, instead of growing weak and infirm, as is the usual -course with most things that are old. - -"Two bright little orphan grandchildren answered his cross, squeaky -call, and as their father had been dead ever since they were babies, and -their dear mother had died some two years before, they lived with the -cross old man at the Inn, where they received a scolding or whipping -much oftener than they did a good dinner. Never was he heard to speak a -kind word to either of them. - -"Through the early part of every spring this old Inn-keeper would suffer -dreadfully from asthma, which is a kind of disease that chokes people -just as if they were strangling all the time. During these bad spells of -smothering he would drive the poor children off into the mountains to -gather wild pennyroyal, which he burned under a funnel and inhaled the -smoke to relieve his wheezing during the night, for without it he could -not sleep. Many indeed were the whippings they had received at the hands -of the cruel old Inn-keeper just because they failed to find enough of -the herb in the mountain to suit his suffering needs. - -"The bright sun was warm on this particular spring morning although the -frost had not yet departed from some of the deep mountain glens. The old -Inn-keeper called the two children from their play in the village street -and bade them hasten away over the river to search for pennyroyal. He -did not forget to threaten them with an angry frown before they left, as -he loudly vowed that he expected to spend a bad night with the asthma, -and solemnly declared that, should they return without a goodly supply -of pennyroyal, he would whip them both soundly, deny them their suppers -and make them sleep without covers on the floor of the attic,—a place -that swarmed with both rats and mice. - -"With this terrible threat still ringing in their ears, the two children -hastened away toward the river and with much fear in their hearts -started across the long foot-bridge toward the mountains. - -"Arthur, the boy, was eleven years old, while his little sister Maud, a -beautiful but shy little thing, had hardly turned nine. They journeyed -along hand in hand and when midway the stream, they looked back just as -the old Inn-keeper entered the Inn, then paused for a moment to glance -over the wide flowing stream and look down into its clear waters for -bass,—which, I might add, was their principal sport on a hot summer day. - -"Far up the tide, a fish-hawk sailed silently round and round over the -foamy water, searching the more shallow places with a keen, piercing -eye, and looking no doubt for its dinner. A long-necked blue heron, -awakened by the loud, clattering footsteps and shouting voices of the -two children, arose from beneath a dark tangle of water-elms that grew -near the farther end of the foot-bridge, and, with lazy wings, and -dragging its slim legs over the water as if it were too much trouble to -lift them up under its body, it went on up the edge of the stream and -disappeared from sight along the dark shore. High over all and circling -with mysterious ease, a bald eagle held stately repose in the sky. - -"'Come, Maudie,' exclaimed little Arthur at last. 'Let us make haste, -for the journey may be tiresome and long.' And hand in hand they -hastened across the bridge. - -"As they came to the edge of the woods they began their search for -pennyroyal. This herb was not plentiful so early in the spring and the -side of the mountain was steep and rough. - -"Bright, fancy-formed ferns were growing here and there from beneath the -edge of the big rocks, and johnny-jump-ups were lifting their tiny blue -heads aloft to the fresh morning breeze, wherever an occasional dead -tree allowed the rays of the sun to fall unshadowed upon the rich soil -below. All through the woodland they noticed the poison-oak vine, as it -slowly began its long summer climb up the trunks of the stately oak -trees. - -"'Alas!' thought the two children as they journeyed along, 'there is no -pennyroyal.' - -"Then looking up with affright at the sound of a familiar voice, they -were greatly surprised, for there stood 'Aunt Twaddles' before them. - -"At once the object of their journey was forgotten and they buried their -grief for a time as the kind-hearted old lady drew forth a handful of -her sweet candy, and all three sank upon a green, moss-covered mound for -a rest and a feast and a chat. - -"When they were comfortably seated, 'Aunt Twaddles' glanced carefully -about her, and, as she measured the moss-covered mound with one sweep of -the eye, she suddenly exclaimed: - -"'Perhaps this mound is the grave of some long dead but great Indian -chief;' and while the two children sat gazing about, she continued: 'But -he can't scalp us now, children! He can't scalp us now!' - -"And with a loud, harsh laugh that rang through the woodland, she leaned -her fat back against the trunk of a tall tree that towered ever so high -above them. - -"'And where are you going, my dears?' at last she inquired. - -"'After pennyroyal for grandfather,' replied little Arthur, and his -words were followed by a deep sigh. - -"'Have you found any?' she asked, as her fat face lighted up with a -broad smile that drove all thoughts of sorrow and care from their minds. - -"'Not yet, Ma'am!' exclaimed little Maud. 'I don't think it has come up -out of the ground, for we have searched so far very carefully.' - -"'Aunt Twaddles' laughed outright. 'Oh yes, it has, dear,' she replied. -'Pennyroyal is the second flavoring herb of the spring-time.' - -"And she reached her hand down deep into her herb bag and drew forth -quite a quantity of fresh plucked pennyroyal and laid it before their -envious gaze on the ground. - -"'And what is the first flavoring herb, Aunt Twaddles?' inquired little -Arthur, as he glanced up from the pennyroyal. - -"'Mint, darling,' she replied with a laugh, and continued: 'On the south -side of the mountain, where the springs moisten and soften the soil, it -lifts its green head out of the earth as soon as the frost leaves the -ground.' - -"She lowered her hand to her big pocket as she ceased speaking and drew -from its mighty depth two great, round pop-corn balls, that were -dripping with honey and of the deep crimson color of ripe cherries. -Placing one in the hand of each of the children, she glanced down upon -them with a happy smile, as she exclaimed: - -"'There, darlings. These are flavored with mint that I gathered only -yesterday. Taste them and see what you think of the flavor.' - -"The two children were delighted with the sweet gift, but though it -pleased them greatly, they could not keep their envious eyes from the -pennyroyal, for they knew that the time thus spent in delay meant a -terrible whipping and a much more-to-be-dreaded night with the rats and -mice in the attic. - -"Seeming to notice the troubled look on their little faces, 'Aunt -Twaddles' exclaimed: - -"'Now, darlings, I know these mountains as well as you know yonder -streets of the village; and if you will take a short journey with me, I -will gather you enough pennyroyal to last the wheezy, old Inn-keeper for -the rest of his life.' And without waiting for them to reply, she -gathered her big bag of herbs into her arms and arose, as if ready to -start. - -"Little Arthur looked up, amazed at her words, while Maud could scarcely -believe her ears, so great was the promise of her dear, old, -kind-hearted friend. Well did they recall the long, sorrowful journeys -they had often made into the mountains in a vain search for the scarce -herb;—journeys that were followed by terrible beatings. The mere thought -of gathering enough pennyroyal to last their cruel old grandfather for -the rest of his life made their little hearts fairly leap with joy." - -"'Come, Maudie,' cried Arthur, as he leaped to his feet, 'let us go.' - -"In a second the children were standing beside 'Aunt Twaddles' who, -after shouldering her big bag of herbs, led the way. - -"They journeyed along down the bank of the river past the end of the -foot-bridge that led from the village, when, pausing at the foot of the -dangerous path on the face of the cliff, 'Aunt Twaddles' rested her -herb-bag on the ground for a moment, and, glancing first at the tall -mountain and then at the children, she exclaimed, with a somewhat -doubtful shake of her head: - -"'It's a pretty stiff climb, children! It's a pretty stiff climb! But -come on, let's go up!' - -"Had 'Aunt Twaddles' asked the two children to rise like two eagles and -soar high over the tops of the mountains, it would not have seemed to -them more of a task than to walk up the bald face of that cliff; and for -a long time they stood gazing upon 'Aunt Twaddles' as if they thought -she had gone completely out of her head. - -"Little Arthur suddenly exclaimed: - -"'Why, Aunt Twaddles, we could never go up there.' - -"As the children glanced at her face, they noticed a strange look in her -eyes that startled them. Was it the look of an evil one seeking to lure -two innocent children to certain death amid the cruel rocks of the -mountain? Or was it the look of the witch that Old Nimrod, the hunter, -had so often told them about as they sat at his feet by the fire in the -old inn? That look that charmed wildcats and panthers and snakes into -doing her will? - -"Without further delay she shouted with a frown. - -"'Oh yes, you can, children. You shall go up with me. How often have I -gone up this path with double your weight as a load!' - -"And gathering the thick twill of her skirt into a fold, she placed it -tightly within the clasp of Arthur's hands, at the same time saying: - -"'Come, Maudie, take hold by the side of your brother and hold fast.' - -"And before the two frightened children could realize what they had -done, they were high up on the side of the cliff and did not dare to let -go. - -"When they had climbed somewhat higher than the church spire that -towered aloft over the village across the river, a fisherman, going to -raise his nets, beheld them; and raising a shout of alarm, it was not -long before the street in the village was filled with excited people. -Men yelled with hoarse voices, pleading with 'Aunt Twaddles' to come -down, but their voices sounded faintly upon the ears of the children, -who hung dangling from the end of 'Aunt Twaddles'' skirt, high up in the -air. - -"The old, one-legged Inn-keeper hastened away, pounding his peg-leg on -the boards of the bridge, in a vain effort to get over to where his -squeaky voice might be heard; but without pausing to heed the tumult -below, 'Aunt Twaddles' continued on up the face of the cliff, constantly -warning the two children to 'Hold fast!' - -"Old Jonas, the fisherman, with dripping fish net gathered under his -arms, ran with all his might over the long foot-bridge and down the -opposite bank, where strong men, with pale faces, aided him in -stretching it at the base of the cliff, to catch, as he said, the -lifeless and mangled bodies of the two children in case they should -fall. - -"Old Nimrod, the hunter, came tottering out of the bar-room at the inn, -his long trusty rifle in hand, renewing his vow that 'Aunt Twaddles' was -a witch, as he took rest on the rail of the bridge, firmly resolved to -shoot her in case the children should let go. With eagle eye he gazed -along the polished barrel of his gun and covered the sight-sickening -climb with an unfaltering aim. - -"Out in the village street, women stood crying and wringing their hands, -while strong men turned white at the sight of the fat woman, swaying and -wabbling from side to side in her effort to get up the face of the -mountain. - -"From the loud sound of her puffing and blowing, she seemed almost -exhausted. Now she would stumble and totter as if about to fall, when, -suddenly grasping with desperate hand a stout, scrubby bush, or a ledge -of the broken rock, she would steady herself for a time and by the -merest chance gain a fortunate foothold. - -"Even the dogs began howling everywhere throughout the village. Every -house stood wide-open and deserted. Someone entered the old village -church and began slowly tolling the bell, the sound of which seemed to -add a doleful appeal to Heaven for the safety and care of the children. - -"Slower and slower, weaker and weaker, yet onward and upward, 'Aunt -Twaddles' toiled on the face of the cliff, when suddenly one loud moan -of horror swept from the parched throats of the multitude as 'Aunt -Twaddles,' by accident, stepped on the end of her long skirt and reeling -from the face of the rock, started to fall. Men turned from the horrible -sight and sank to their knees, while over in the village women fell -helpless into each others arms for support and turned from the sickening -scene. - -"The crack of a rifle rang out on the air from the end of the -foot-bridge and a puff of blue dust arose from the face of the cliff -just over 'Aunt Twaddles'' head, where the bullet had shattered the -rock. - -"Loud shouted the voice of Old Jonas, the fisherman, 'Stretch the net -tight, men! Stretch the net tight! They are falling!' While strong limbs -steadied themselves and firm hands drew tight on the meshes of stout -twine. - -"But Fate favors the brave who have presence of mind. 'Aunt Twaddles' -laid firm hold on the arm of a deep-rooted bush, and, as she drew her -swaying form close to the mountain, the frightened children, swung far -out in mid air, like the pendulum of a clock, and then heavily back -against the cliff. Still they held firmly on to her dress. - -"Louder and louder the people now renewed their cries for 'Aunt -Twaddles' to come down; but to attempt to descend in her weary condition -meant certain death to all. - -"Onward and upward she continued; and while the people below were -suffering the anguish of suspense, with one last weary reach she laid -firm hold on an overhanging arm of a dogwood tree that hung from above -and, with a deep sigh of relief, drew both herself and the children to -safety on top of the cliff. - -"A murmur of joy went up from the dry, hoarse throats of the men at the -base of the mountain, while women sank fainting far across in the -streets of the village. Strong men broke down and wept under the spell -of excitement. Old Nimrod, the hunter, ceased ramming the charge in his -gun, and Jonas, the fisherman, shouldered his fish net; but he trembled -so from excitement that he could not carry it home. The slow, solemn -toll of the church bell turned into one long, loud ring of joy. - -"A wild shout from high up in the air echoed and re-echoed over the -broad valley below. Far up on the side of the mountain, the people -beheld 'Aunt Twaddles' wildly waving her sun-bonnet and lifting the -children into plain view. In a moment she lowered them again in the -shade of a tree and then sank for a rest at their side. - -"As the children sat gazing about on the beautiful scene below, they -could plainly see the bent form of the old inn-keeper. He was rattling -his peg-leg back over the bridge, and as he hobbled along he was shaking -his head with an air of anxiety, thinking no doubt about the safety of -the children, left to the mercy of a witch on the side of the mountain. - -"'Mercy!' exclaimed 'Aunt Twaddles' with a deep, weary sigh, 'we will -take a good rest before we go on, for that was a hard climb.' - -"And now while 'Aunt Twaddles' and the two children are resting under -the shade of a tree on the side of the mountain, we will rest for a -moment, and I will thank you for a fresh drink of water before I go on -with my story." - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER IV - - THE CAVE IN THE MOUNTAIN - - -As the "Prince of the Highway" finished the first part of his story and -asked for a fresh drink of water before continuing, there was a wild, -scampering foot-race between the two largest boys as they hastened away -to the well, straining every muscle and nerve in the struggle to see who -might have the pleasure of honoring the wanderer with a drink. - -All the children that were seated upon the grass about the Vagabond, -began working closer and closer toward him, forgetful now of the cool -and almost unkind manner in which they had turned a deaf ear to his -request for a drink when first he paused in the centre of the hot, dusty -road. The little girls took off their bright colored sun-bonnets in -order that they might not lose a single word that fell from the lips of -the dust-covered story-teller. - -"Mercy!" exclaimed one of the boys, as if just awakening from the scene -that fancy had painted in his little brain. "Mercy!" again he exclaimed. -"What a terrible climb! Isn't it a wonder that the two children could -hold on so long?" - -As the words fell from the lips of the little speaker, the assembled -children seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, for they well remembered -that the two children were safe on the side of the mountain. - -Back over the lawn came the two boys bearing the water; and after the -thirsty Vagabond had refreshed himself, he blinked his little black eyes -and smacked his dry lips with evident delight, as thus he continued his -story: - -"'Aunt Twaddles' and the children, by this time, were well rested; and -rising from the ground she took them by the hands and went slowly up -through the mountain woodland. - -"The effort was not nearly so tiresome as the long struggle on the face -of the cliff had been, and for some time they made rapid progress; for -the mountain rose in a gentle slope and the way was closely shaded by -tall trees, that some weeks before had unfolded their bright foliage to -the blue sky of spring. - -"If nothing greater was to be expected, the journey was a delight in -itself; and it was fully an hour before they paused in a merry group on -the very top of the mountain. - -"As their feet reached the level soil of the mountain crown, 'Aunt -Twaddles' dropped her big bag of herbs for a moment of rest, and turning -to the children, she exclaimed: - -"'There, darlings, at last! Now gaze about you on the great underworld -and see if this isn't worth all the trouble and toil that we had on the -face of the cliff?' - -"Almost dumb with surprise, the children turned about to gaze upon the -world that lay far beneath them. - -"For some time they stood looking upon familiar scenes, dwarfed now by -the distance. The two children, both seeming to think of this fact, were -wondering in their little minds how they would ever get down the side of -the mountain, for they were really so high that it made them quite dizzy -to look below. - - -Illustration: _"Almost dumb with surprise, the children turned about to -gaze upon the world that lay far beneath them."_ - - -"Way down in the deep valley, like the houses of so many pygmies, -nestled the village of Harpers Ferry, where the foot-bridge appeared -like a narrow strand of dark tape, stretching across a snow-white -stream. - -"Far to the westward, the long winding path of the Potomac River -glistened in the bright sunlight like a spotless streamer of snow-white -ribbon, sweeping with many a graceful curve far away into a narrow -trail. - -"Nearer by, dashing with loud, rumbling roar against the foot of the -Blue Ridge mountains on the very top of which they were standing, the -foaming, frolicking Shenandoah could be seen here and there, leaping -between the tall rocky cliffs with merry, gamboling shout that arose -like a song to their ears. - -"Green wheat-fields, like so many squares of bright velvet carpet that -good farmers had laid out in the sunlight to air, were plainly in view -up the broad valley; and the blossoming peach-trees on the far distant -hillsides, that stood bathing in the full glory of the day, looked to -them like so many tiny rose bushes just bursting into full bloom. - -"Nearer by on the mountain ridge, a stray mocking-bird sat in a tree -top, testing his ruffled throat by bursting forth in a wild, beautiful -chant, but changing the notes every moment or so to mock the sweet song -of some one of his feathered acquaintances. - -"Now sweet and low he was singing the song of the linnet and calling -them all about him from their busy labor of nest building. Now he was -causing the blue bird to flutter forth in jealous anger by softly -coaxing away its mate. Then, uttering a loud shrill whistle, he sank -into silence, waiting a reply to his eloquent call from some greatly -deceived 'Bob White' that was eating its dinner far off in a bramble of -mountain shrubs. - -"Now sweet and low, he sang a song all his own; so sweet that the linnet -and thrush grew silent; so tremulous and low that it called back his -faithless mate from its wanderings. Then growing bold and defiant, with -frantic effort, he carolled forth music wild and shrill, as if -challenging the rest of the song birds to a relentless vocal war. - -"A gray squirrel barked high up in the top of the tall chestnut tree -under which they were standing, and far down in a deep, cool hollow -below, they heard a plumed pheasant drumming his battle tune -unchallenged upon a log. - -"'Come, children,' exclaimed 'Aunt Twaddles,' 'let us go!' - -"They followed the ridge of the mountain for some time; but the journey -was made so delightful and charming by the wonderful scenes beneath them -that the two children did not seem to notice just how far they had -travelled, although they had gone a great distance and everything about -and beneath them seemed new and changed. - -"Suddenly they turned to the left from the mountain ridge and passed -down into a dark ravine, the sides of which were so very high that 'Aunt -Twaddles' said the sun never shone anywhere within its dark bounds, not -even during the noon hours of midsummer. - -"It was a dark and gloomy place indeed, filled with great pitfalls of -slimy, green liquid, from which arose an unpleasant odor; while there -was barely enough light for them to see that the steep sides of the -ravine were covered with a damp mould. - -"With a feeling of relief they emerged from this horrible place to find -themselves entering a beautiful and heavily wooded glen. - -"'Aunt Twaddles' informed them that the gloomy ravine through which they -just passed was called 'The Valley of Dry Bones,' for the reason, as she -said, that the bird or animal once entering it scarcely ever came out -alive, and that what few did escape death were mere skeletons. - -"'And how is it that we are not skeletons, Aunt Twaddles, now that we -have passed through the valley?' exclaimed Arthur, with an inquiring -glance. - -"'Because we have used the power of reason, my dear, which no bird or -animal except man possesses,' she replied. Then, pausing to glance back, -she continued: 'Knowing the dangers of the valley, I used the power of -reason and laid my course. If you do not use the power of reason, my -boy, you will often find yourself in the Valley of Dry Bones as you -journey along through life.' - -"Arthur would have questioned 'Aunt Twaddles' further, but they were now -in a beautiful glen; and as they journeyed along he turned about to -behold the lovely creations of nature that lay on every hand. - -"The glen was not very wide, and the leafy branches of the tall, -overhanging trees were so mingled together that the bright sunlight -could not break through, while the beautiful wild flowers seemed -striving to outdo each other in spreading their perfume about on the -balmy air. Yet search as they might, there was not a spray of pennyroyal -anywhere to be seen. - -"A second glance over the glen proved it to be a most picturesque spot -indeed; for the rocks that arose here and there from the flower-covered -soil were not dark and weather-stained like those along the Shenandoah -River, and the wild ferns and perfumed flowers tempted the observing -children to stay their steps. - -"'Now,' exclaimed 'Aunt Twaddles,' as they walked slowly along, 'this -beautiful glen, my darlings, is called Temporary Delight, which means -short pleasures; for, as you see, we are near its end.' - -"Looking up, the children were surprised to behold in front of them a -mountain of solid stone. - -"They had not met with a greater surprise during their entire journey -than this towering cliff of rock that now barred their way; and little -Maud, suddenly hushed, dropped her flowers upon the ground and turned -with a troubled look to 'Aunt Twaddles' as she said in a trembling -voice: - -"'Aunt Twaddles, the flowers are beautiful, but, see, they fade as -quickly as they are plucked, and are not worth carrying. Besides, I do -not see any pennyroyal. How shall we ever get beyond this great -mountain?' - -"'Aunt Twaddles' was standing on the top of a rock, the summit of which -she had reached with a mighty bound; and as she noticed the troubled -look on the faces of the children, she laughed until her fat sides -fairly shook, when she said to little Maud in reply: - -"'The pleasures of life, like these flowers, are never very lasting, my -dear. Never mind, you shall have your pennyroyal. Just learn to wait and -be patient, for all things require time.' - -"She made an effort to whistle, but her fat cheeks refused to make other -than a low hissing sound. - -"It was enough. There was an answering warble from far off in the -woodland, then a sudden flutter of swift crimson wings among the near-by -branches. In another second a beautiful Red Bird came sailing down the -dark glen and, greatly to the surprise of the two children, lighted upon -one of 'Aunt Twaddles'' shoulders where it began to sing a most -beautiful song. - -"In the excitement of the moment, Arthur dropped the handful of withered -flowers he had gathered for his little sister, and with hands half -raised, shouted for her to turn quickly that she might behold the -wonderful bird; but the startling cry of the boy was hushed as he beheld -the Red Bird drop from its slender claw a bright golden key into the -outstretched hand of 'Aunt Twaddles', and then sail away into the -woodland. - -"'Aunt Twaddles' stepped toward the cliff and, turning to the surprised -children, she waved the golden key in the air, as she said in her -usually kind way. - -"'Now, children, listen. I know the old one-legged miser who keeps the -Inn at the Ferry and have known him ever since he was an ill-tempered -boy who respected not the will of his parents. I knew your brave father, -too, let me say, many years before he marched gallantly away to the war -from which he never returned. Often have I given your sweet mother a -bite of my candy, long, long before she went to live with the angels. -And now, for the love of yourselves, as well as for the memory and -respect that I bear your dear, dead parents, I am going to give you that -moment of peace and joy that the cross old miser so begrudges you down -at the Inn.' - -"With that she faced the mountain and placed the golden key in a deep -crevice of the rock, at the same time repeating some strange and -mysterious words. - -"There was a deep, rumbling roar within, that sounded like the angry -roll of distant thunder and greatly frightened the children; when, with -a tearing crash, the tall mountain parted at the centre. - -"Pieces of bursting rock went flying through the air in every direction. - -"Great columns of smoke rose upward and spread over the entire sky like -a mighty cloud. - -"The severed cliff rolled away to the side and there before them stood -the entrance to a deep, dark cave that looked gloomy and filled with -danger. - -"At first, little Arthur and Maud drew back in affright and stood ready -to fly up the glen for their lives; but 'Aunt Twaddles,' turning toward -them, exclaimed in calm, easy tones: - -"'Fear not, my children! Fear not, for I am your friend!' - -"Then without another word she entered the mouth of the dark cave and at -the chiming sound of a deep-toned bell, the cavern became filled in a -second with a million bright and glowing lights, the like of which no -mortal eye had ever beheld. - -"The two little children, now overcome with amazement, stood for the -moment speechless and motionless in the presence of the strange scene -that lay before them. - -"The great flood of light that poured from the cavern illumined the -scene with a strange beauty, that, falling upon the clear, crystal-like -rocks of the glen, seemed to make them glow with sparkling radiance like -so many diamonds; and the wild flowers of the woodland and the foliage -of the trees hung trembling beneath the magic glare that the flood of -fire cast upon them from the mouth of the enchanted cave. - -"Both Arthur and Maud seemed enchanted too. They could have remained -upon the spot perfectly contented, for a long time, had not 'Aunt -Twaddles' broken the spell by calling them. Taking each by the hand, she -led them into the cavern. - -"Instead of the rough, rude, unpolished walls of dark stone that the two -children had expected to find, they were surprised to see the beautiful -crystallized formations that hung everywhere from the roof of the -cavern. The whole place seemed to be one living blaze of light. The -floor was as smooth as a piece of glass and so polished that it might -have answered the purpose of a mirror. - -"They stood gazing about the great cave for some time, when 'Aunt -Twaddles' hurried them on their journey, exclaiming: - -"'Come, children, for we have far to go!' - -"They walked rapidly on through the cavern for some distance, not -failing, however, to take time to explore its most interesting parts. - -"It was not long before they came to a broad river that, with its swift -current, dashed through the great cave with mighty roar. 'Aunt -Twaddles,' realizing that in order to proceed upon their journey they -had to cross this stream in some manner, paused with the two children on -the shore. They stood at the edge of the water, gazing far out over the -tide and wondering what they were going to do, when, at a wave of -command from 'Aunt Twaddles,' a water sprite rose slowly from the tide -and in another instant stood bowing and scraping before them. - -"He was a most curious-looking creature indeed; and, although bearing -little or no resemblance to the people of the earth, he was not at all -bad to look upon. - -"His face beamed constantly with a broad smile, that spread his wide -mouth with its thin lips almost from ear to ear; while, in addition to a -good pair of arms, and hands with long, bony but webbed fingers, he had, -on either side of his shoulder blades, broad fins like a fish, which, no -doubt, he used in his progress through the water. - -"His head ran up to a very sharp point on the top—not a bad feature at -all for diving, as it was sharp like a boat. His eyes, instead of -setting crosswise in his head, as the eyes of most everything do, set -straight up and down with an eyebrow running along on either side of his -nose, the sight of which caused little Arthur almost to laugh in his -face. - -"As he thus stood smiling and bowing before them, 'Aunt Twaddles' turned -to the two children and said: - -"'I left a boat here on this side of the river but this mischievous -creature has taken it away. We had him sent to this underground river -because one night he cut off the beautiful hair of a mermaid and made it -into a wig for himself. I wish you could have seen him when he appeared -the next day with his false golden locks and dark skin. He really looked -as ridiculous as some of those women who have yellow hair and black -eyebrows.' - -"With that she made a movement of the hand and the sprite leaped -straight upward into the air, almost as high as the roof of the cavern; -then, turning a somersault in mid air, he landed head first in the water -with a splash and was gone. - -"It was not long before a big boat came swiftly across the stream. No -one was in it, no one was pushing it, and no one was pulling it, so far -as anyone could see. It came rapidly on and landed with great care -directly in front of 'Aunt Twaddles' and the children, and without -visible aid, bore them swiftly across the stream and landed them safely -on the other side of the river, where they resumed their journey. - -"As they walked slowly along under the glaring light, the children -beheld long rows of shelves covering one entire side of the cavern. When -Arthur inquired of 'Aunt Twaddles' what they might be, they paused for a -moment while she informed them that this great cavern was the Store -House for the seeds of all the flowers and fruits that grew in 'Beauty -Valley.' - -"Although Arthur wanted to inquire further about 'Beauty Valley,' for he -had never heard its name mentioned before, his inquisitive nature was -silenced; for, scarcely had 'Aunt Twaddles' finished telling about the -wonderful places to be found in the enchanted cave, when they came to -its end and found themselves stopped by the presence of a great stone -door. - -"For a moment, 'Aunt Twaddles' stood before this door, waving her fat -arms in a strange, frantic manner, as if she had entirely gone out of -her mind. In a low tone she uttered many strange words, which the -children did not understand; and you can imagine their surprise as they -beheld the stone door move quickly but silently to one side, and a flood -of golden sunlight sweep into the cave. - -"They were now very anxious indeed to know what new wonder might lie -before them. - -"As the stone door rolled away, the enchanted cavern again became dark -and the children wanted to hasten out into the sunshine at once; but the -voice and hand of 'Aunt Twaddles' caused them to stay their steps, as in -earnest tones she exclaimed: - -"'Wait, darlings! We must wait until the Red Bird comes back with a -message before we dare step upon this sacred soil.' - -"And before she had finished speaking, a beautiful Red Bird flew into -the mouth of the cavern and lighted upon 'Aunt Twaddles' shoulder. She -whispered some strange words into its ear and it darted rapidly away. - -"And now while 'Aunt Twaddles' and the children are waiting the return -of the magical Red Bird in the mouth of the great cave, we will wait -here for a moment of rest while the boys bring some fresh water from the -well, for I know some of you are quite thirsty." - -And the Vagabond, wiping the perspiration from his dusty brow, sank into -silence and began fanning himself with his tattered black hat. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER V - - THE VILLAGE OF HIDE AND SEEK - - -As the Vagabond ceased speaking, a murmur passed completely around the -party, and it was easily seen that the children were delighted with the -story so far as it had gone. - -Three of the boys arose, and bidding their near-by companions hold their -places in the charmed circle, dashed away to the well for water. The -rest of the children closed in about the now smiling wanderer and sat -silently gazing upon him, thinking, no doubt, how fortunate they were in -having given him a drink of water when he first paused in the roadway. - -By this time they were almost willing to give him the well itself if he -desired it. - -The three boys hastened back with the water, and the Vagabond, having -passed it around to the children, dampened his brow with the remainder, -and wiping it dry on his coat sleeve, waited for the boys to be seated. - -A robin came from far across the field and lighted in the top of the -tree under which they were seated, as if it, too, wanted to hear a part -of the story. Turning his eye for a second upon the red-breasted -songster, the Vagabond continued his tale. - -"A little time soon passes away like the song of that robin above us; -and it was not long before the Red Bird returned with a noisy flutter of -its crimson wings, while the clang of deep-toned bells sounded within -the cavern. As the great stone door moved slowly into place, 'Aunt -Twaddles' and the children stepped from the mouth of the cave with a -merry bound into the sunlight. - -"Before them lay a broad, beautiful, green valley, that, at a first -glance, seemed to be shut in by tall mountains on all sides; while in -the centre of a blue-grass lawn rose a village of tiny play-houses, each -as perfectly and as carefully built as the home of some boasted citizen -of wealth and fame. - -"Each house was ornamented with a vine-covered porch and green window -shutters, while through the open windows and doorways floated a balmy, -midsummer atmosphere, laden with mingled perfume of wild honeysuckle, -orange blossoms and roses,—so charming that I, a poor vagabond, am at a -loss for suitable words to describe it. - -"The village itself was laid out in wide, well-paved streets with a -great public square in the centre, where arose a most beautiful building -of white marble, ornamented here and there with figures of doll babies -carved from the solid stone. - -"The streets stretched away from the public square in every direction -for considerably more than a mile and so charmed and bewildered were the -children by this unexpected sight that, for a long time, they stood -looking at it, fairly trembling with delight. - -"From the side of a cliff that formed part of a mountain near where they -were standing, a great rock projected far over their heads like a rugged -shelf, to which a winding staircase of pure onyx gave easy access. A -golden throne stood far out on this rocky shelf from which all parts of -the village, as well as of the valley, could be seen with a sweeping -glance. - -"Before the children had time to make any inquiry, 'Aunt Twaddles' took -them by their hands and led them up this glistening stairway to the -golden throne, where they stood looking about over the wonderful -surroundings. - -"'Make yourselves at home,' said 'Aunt Twaddles,' as she sank back with -a sigh of relief into a golden chair; but when little Maud turned to -thank her politely, she found her little heart so full of gratitude and -joy she was unable to speak a single word. - -"Down in the village of tiny play-houses, bright, happy-faced dolls were -playing upon the clean streets and out on the lawn of the public square; -while hundreds of dolls were streaming in and out of the beautiful -building around which lay the miniature village. - -"They were laughing and talking, chatting and romping, until the air -fairly echoed with the sound of their merry voices. Many, separated from -the rest in groups, were playing all sorts of games; and so firmly were -the bright eyes of the children riveted upon the gamboling, playful -beauties that nothing seemed able to draw their attention away. - -"Over the village hung an unclouded arch of bright, blue sky, while -scattered everywhere on the green lay toys and playthings of every known -kind that might either amuse or instruct the doll babies. - -"Some dolls were busily engaged in running toy steam engines. Others -were spinning their tops on the streets of the village. Still others -were sending up crimson and yellow and blue balloons and watching them -pass out of sight or burst in mid-air. - -"Off in a vacant place a number of boy dolls were flying their kites, -and others were playing baseball and tennis; while marbles in millions -lay scattered all over the ground. Little Arthur, eyeing them enviously, -turned to his sister and said: - -"'Mercy! Wouldn't I like to have some of those beautiful toys down in -Harpers Ferry.' - -"Maud's only reply to her delighted brother was a long-drawn sigh, on -the very breath of which she exclaimed: - -"'Oh, Arthur! Look at the beautiful dolls!' - -"For a long time the children watched the dolls as they romped upon the -clean streets and green playgrounds. Finally, little Maud looked up at -'Aunt Twaddles' and inquired with a serious air and softened voice: - -"'Aunt Twaddles, is this Heaven?' - -"A sudden smile spread over 'Aunt Twaddles'' big fat face. Leaning -forward toward the edge of the golden throne, she placed her head -between the two children, and pointing to the village with a clumsy, -awkward hand, she said: - -"'This beautiful spot, my dear children, is the Village of Hide and -Seek. You might truthfully call it a heaven for the dolls, for they -never have any trouble or sorrow here.' - -"Little Maud breathed a deep sigh as she turned again to her friend and -exclaimed in breathless surprise: - -"'The Village of Hide and Seek! What a beautiful place! And I never -heard of it before!' - -"She sank into silence when she saw a little doll bowing very politely, -as it introduced one little doll to another whom they happened to meet -on a side street of the village. - -"The question asked by his little sister and so beautifully answered by -'Aunt Twaddles,' paved the way for Arthur to ask some questions himself. -Turning to 'Aunt Twaddles' he said: - -"'Aunt Twaddles, what is that beautiful white building with the tower of -gold standing in the very centre of the public square? See! The dolls -are hurrying to it from every direction!' - -"When the boy had finished speaking, 'Aunt Twaddles' took one sweeping -glance over the village and replied: - -"'That fine building, my darlings, is the Temple of Music. When the -clock in its tower strikes twelve all the dolls will come out of the -Temple, and, gathering on the green about the band stand, they will all -begin to sing.' - -"Arthur and Maud glanced away toward the clock that stood just beneath -the golden dome in the tower of the Temple of Music. It was five minutes -to the hour; yet the dolls were forsaking their playthings all over the -village and rapidly hastening to the Temple. In a moment more the -streets of the village were deserted. - -"There lay their thousands of fine toys with no one to molest them. -There stood their play-houses with wide-open windows and doors and no -one to touch the fine furniture within; while beyond lay the broad, -green, but now idle playground. - -"The hands of the clock in the tower closed slowly, one upon the other, -as if in loving embrace. - -"One, two, three, came the sound of the chime in the belfry, and thus it -continued until the last stroke of twelve, when, from the wide-open -doors of the Temple of Music, the dolls filed out into the public square -and formed themselves in circling rows around the band stand. - -"In glittering raiment of silver and gold lace, the Doll-Baby Brass-Band -of fully five hundred pieces appeared on the scene and took its place in -the band stand. - -"A marshall, or music master, climbed to his place on a pedestal. - -"There was a loud tap of his gold baton and the instruments went up to -the lips of the happy-faced players. Then came a firm wave of command; -and one grand, wild burst of sweet melody fell upon the ears of the -delighted children, so overcome by the sight and sound they had to lean -upon the side of the golden throne, as all the dolls in the village thus -began to sing: - - - "'Oh come to the Village of Hide and Seek, - For Little Boy Blue, and Little Bo-Peep, - With Hi-Diddle-Diddle, the Cat and the Fiddle, - Are coming to visit us soon. - Old Mother Goose will be sweeping the sky, - And poor Simple Simon will bring us a pie; - While Little Jack Horner will milk on the corner - The Cow that Jumped over the Moon. - - _Chorus._ - - "'We are glad that you came, so please tell us your name - And join us a while in our favorite game. - You should dwell in the Village of Hide and Seek, - For it's Saturday here every Day in the week,— - It is Saturday, Saturday all of the week. - - "'Now Jack from his Bean Stalk will jump to the ground. - The Black Birds will leave the King's pie with a bound. - While Old Mother Hubbard will open her cupboard - And search it again for a bone. - The Dish will come back with the Spoon that it stole, - And Dickery Dock bring the mouse from its hole, - While we will go hunting for Bye Baby Bunting, - And bring her poor Daddy back home. - - _Chorus._ - - "'Mary Contrary will pay us a call, - And fat Humpty Dumpty will tumble and fall, - While poor Jack and Jill, who fell down the hill, - Will gambol about on the green. - The Old Woman and children that lived in a Shoe, - With the Piper and Tom and the Pig, will come too— - And bring Mrs. Jack Sprat with a mouth full of fat, - And Jack with a mouth full of lean.' - - _Chorus._ - - -"The singing was over; and, as the last notes died on the air, the -children seemed to waken as if from a trance, for their eyes had been -riveted upon the singing dolls in one long, unbroken stare. - -"'Such singing!' cried little Maud, as she turned toward her still dazed -brother. - -"'Such a band!' he exclaimed, merrily clapping his hands as he glanced -from his sister to 'Aunt Twaddles;' while down in the Village of Hide -and Seek the dolls were filing back into the Temple of Music. - -"'Look!' exclaimed 'Aunt Twaddles,' as she pointed away toward the -village. 'The dolls are going back into the Temple to practise and the -streets of the village will now be deserted for at least an hour.' - -"The happy children turned about just in time to see the last of the -great army of dolls as they entered the doors of the Temple. All now -throughout the village lay quiet and still. - -"Off in the far end of the valley flowed a golden stream. It was quite -wide indeed and its current, as yellow as any gold that was ever made -into a finger ring, rippled at a surprisingly rapid rate. - -"The banks on this side were clear of bushes and nothing grew to hide -any of the swift-flowing river from view. On the opposite side, and -close to the edge of the tide, arose tall buildings surrounded by huge -piles of well-seasoned lumber, from which came a buzzing sound as if -this might be a factory of some kind. - -"Farther down on the edge of the stream stood several long sheds filled -with bolts of silk and ribbon, satins and laces in great piles without -number; while standing well up in the sky and high over all, as if -suspended from the arched heavens above, hung a tall, golden sign with -shining letters that glistened in the dazzling sun light. - -"For a long time the strange sign greatly puzzled the children, for the -letters seemed to be put up backward and failed to spell anything in -particular; while through the open spaces between them they could just -see the outlines of a herd of reindeer feeding afar in a field of -spotless snow. - -"Arthur's inquisitive nature could permit no such puzzle to remain long -unsolved, and turning to 'Aunt Twaddles' he excitedly asked: - -"'Aunt Twaddles, what are those tall buildings with the strange sign -over them?' - -"'Aunt Twaddles' looked up with a smile and almost shouted with a merry -laugh, 'Strange sign?' But as she glanced in the direction of the golden -stream, she burst forth in an astonished, serious tone and said: - -"'Mercy upon us! The wind has turned the sign completely around.' - -"She touched a small pearl button inlaid in the arm of her golden chair, -and all at once a gentle breeze swept down the valley, rustling the -leaves and tilting the tops of the trees that stood in its way. Slowly -the great sign turned upon its centre with a loud, squeaking sound. - -"Again 'Aunt Twaddles' touched the pearl button. The breeze ceased -blowing; the leaves became silent. Both Arthur and Maud nearly fainted; -for now before their very eyes they read in large letters of pure, -burnished gold. - -"'WORK SHOPS AND FACTORIES OF SANTA CLAUS. Established A. D. 1.' - -"No wonder that piles of seasoned lumber towered sky high! No wonder -great sheds filled with silk lined the bank of the stream! - -"There, surely enough, were his reindeer feeding far off in the -snow-fields; and as the ever good-natured Santa Claus himself appeared -on the roof of his factory and waved them a hearty welcome, the -children, awed by the sight of this great man, sank into the stout arms -of 'Aunt Twaddles' in a spasm of silent joy. - -"'Well!' exclaimed 'Aunt Twaddles' after a time. 'I am so glad you saw -Santa, for he seldom allows even the dolls to see him except about -Christmas time; and now if you will be patient for a moment, we shall -see what this button will bring forth.' - -"She touched a blue button inlaid among many in the arm of her golden -chair. - -"Instantly, far off in the mountain, the children heard singing. Not the -sweet singing of childish voices that had come from the multitude of -dolls in the village, but a wild, musical chant that seemed to set the -very air in motion and to waken a thrill in their hearts such as they -had never known before. - -"Closer and closer it came until the merry voices could be heard quite -plainly. Nearer and nearer, until the words fell upon their delighted -ears, as if spoken by someone upon the very throne at their side. - -"All the dolls came pouring out of the Temple of Music through every -door of the building, and forming themselves into line behind a -soldierly looking little leader, they separated into companies and -regiments and commenced a marching drill, as thus the voices sang: - - - "'The Ice Cream is so delicious, - And the Cake so soft and fine. - Come on, Brownies, bring the dishes, - And Doll Babies fall in line; - Tell the boy dolls and the ladies - To give every tot a spoon, - And put bibs upon the babies, - For we're coming with it soon. - - 'Down the hill, down the hill, - Not at all like Jack and Jill, - For the cream we never spill, - While our voices loud and shrill - Echo back from hill to hill.' - - -"Louder and louder came the chant from the mountain; when lo! as they -gazed in the direction of the music, they were surprised to behold dwarf -after dwarf marching down the mountain-side, each singing with all his -might. - -"At some distance behind them, scurrying helter skelter and pell mell, -were a group of acrobatic brownies, turning somersaults and handsprings, -flip flaps and cart wheels. Some were sliding down the steep on one ear, -while others paused for a moment to stand straight up in the air on the -tips of their noses. Some were walking along on their hands; but all -moved with merry, joyous shout onward toward the village, juggling their -dishes in the air as they came. - -"The voices of the singers were in perfect unison, from the little -pot-bellied brownie in the rear, who sang bass, to the flat-faced pygmy -in the centre, whose high tenor notes echoed and re-echoed among the -surrounding mountains. Thus gaily they came onward, while 'Aunt -Twaddles' and the children stood watching them from the throne. - -"Down in the Village of Hide and Seek all now was silent. The -Doll-General had scattered his forces and marched them away in a quiet, -orderly manner to long tables methodically grouped on the lawn. All the -dolls seemed to be listening to the sweet music. - -"Louder and louder came the song from the band of musical midgets. As -they drew nearer, Arthur and Maud noticed that each dwarf carried a -large tray before him and that the trays were loaded with good things to -eat, piled so high that a strong wide strap encircled the neck of each -dwarf and helped support the tray at its sides. - -"Down the line the army of tumbling pygmies came whirling along, each -bearing a tower of snow-white china dishes; and, strange as it may seem, -not a dish was broken in the rocky journey. - -"The dwarfs were not long in spreading their fine feast before the -dolls. They had scarcely begun to pass around the cake when two -sturdy-looking dwarfs staggered up the onyx steps of the throne, bearing -two heavily laden trays. - -"They were followed by four funny-faced little brownies who spread a -table before the children, and, winking and blinking and smiling, went -merrily about their work. - -"When the table was all prepared, the dwarfs placed before each of the -children a big turkey-dish piled two feet high with vanilla, strawberry -and chocolate ice cream. The four brownies then stepped between them and -sat down a wash tub filled with rich chocolate layer cake. Then, with a -wild shout of hilarious joy, they slid head first down the golden -balustrade and landed upon the grass, turning somersault after -somersault as they rolled along on the velvety lawn. - -"And such ice cream it was! You could fairly see the rich, yellow cream -oozing out of it. Little Maud declared, as she looked at her brother -with a delighted smile, that it surely must have been sweetened with -honey. - -"'My!' she exclaimed, as she tasted it again and again, 'What glorious -cream! I could die eating it, but we must save some to take home.' And -she tasted it again, with a loud smack of her pretty lips. - -"'Aunt Twaddles' leaned far back in her golden chair and, seeming to -have overheard little Maud, she straightened up as she exclaimed: - -"'Eat plenty of it, my darling! Eat plenty of it! For I have a whole -valley full lying over between the mountains.' - -"Instantly the children, startled at the very thought, looked up from -their delightful repast. - -"'A whole valley full!' exclaimed Arthur, but he could say no more, for -he had to stop eating to think about it. - -"He picked up a piece of cake and tasted it. - -"'Oh, Maud,' he cried, 'try some quick! Just try some! This is the -grandest cake you ever ate.' And as the children were feasting upon the -cake, Arthur added in a half-whisper, glancing down at the wash tub -piled full: - -"'But we must not eat it all, Maud, we must save some to take home.' - -"'Eat plenty, my darlings, eat plenty!' came from the lips of 'Aunt -Twaddles.' 'I have a tall mountain of it standing just across the valley -before you.' - -"The excited children again looked up from their feast and there, sure -enough, just across the green valley and standing directly in front of -them, towered a tall golden-colored mountain, that reached almost to the -sky. - -"And to think that it was all cake! - -"The children were so surprised they could make no reply. Between every -mouthful they raised their sparkling eyes to look at Cake Mountain; and, -as there seemed to be no need of saving any of the cake or ice cream, -they started in to do full justice to their repast, for they were truly -hungry after the long journey from Harpers Ferry to the village of Hide -and Seek. - -"And now while little Arthur and Maud are enjoying themselves, and -swallowing great spoonfuls of delicious ice cream, we will pause in the -story for a moment while some of you swallow another drink of that nice -cool water, if the boys will kindly bring it to us from the well." - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER VI - - THE QUEEN OF THE DOLLS - - -The hot sun was now standing directly over the tops of the trees, and, -as the moving shade had left the Vagabond with a part of his circle of -children out in its broiling rays, he was glad indeed to pause with his -story while they all rose at his request and formed a new circle farther -in under the sheltering branches. Four of the boys leaped from the -ground and scampered away to bring the water as the Vagabond had -requested. - -When the new circle was formed, one of the little girls,—a sweet-faced -darling of not more than five years, pushed herself away from the -others, and with a feeling of pride, took a seat by the side of the -Vagabond, where she sat looking into his face quite anxious for him to -go on with his story. - -The boys were not slow in returning from the well; and in order to -assure themselves that the water would reach the parched lips of their -companions fresh and cool, they had unbound the old oaken bucket from -the well pole and were bearing it along, dripping full, between them. -The water soon arrived, and by order of the Vagabond it was passed -around, he not even forgetting to first wait upon the little lady who, -so honored, sat proudly by his side. When they were all comfortably -seated in the shade at last, it was thus he continued his interesting -tale: - -"After the two children had eaten all they possibly could, just as many -of you drank all the water you possibly could, the dwarfs and brownies -came hurrying up the stairs and were not long in removing the dishes and -table. The brownies, in a most winning manner, insisted upon their -eating more, for there was enough left to feed a dozen hungry children, -but they were forced to reluctantly decline. - -"The sun-tanned brownie, who removed the dishes from in front of Maud, -looked too funny for anything with his long-peaked cap set aslant on his -little round head and roguishly pushed over to one side. On his face -appeared a broad grin as he took the dishes under his arm, and gazing -intently toward little Maud, said in a shy, half-whisper though -sufficiently loud for her to hear: "Pretty girl!" - -"Then without waiting a reply, he made one wild, hilarious plunge, -dishes and all, down the balustrade. Nor did he stop when he struck the -ground, but hurried away toward the mountain, halting only for a second -when half way up its steep side to wave her an affectionate adieu with -his funny round cap. Thus waving he passed from sight under the -sheltering trees that grew along the mountain way, while the children -turned to view other parts of the beautiful valley. - -"'What broad, golden stream is that, Aunt Twaddles?' inquired little -Arthur, as he pointed toward the Work Shops of Santa Claus. - -"'Aunt Twaddles' glanced up as he spoke and looking in the direction of -the golden stream, she replied. - -"'That, my darlings, is Taffy River.' - -"'Taffy River!' exclaimed the children in one breath. Then Arthur, in an -excited tone, continued: 'You don't mean to tell us, Aunt Twaddles, that -taffy flows in a river like that!' - -"The children stood anxiously awaiting her reply. - -"'Yes, darlings! Oh, yes!' she replied. 'Taffy River gets its start up -at Honey Springs in the lower end of Ice Cream Valley and flows, as you -see, down between Ginger Bread Hills and Cake Mountain, then on past the -Work Shops of Santa Claus and empties into Lake Fudge, over beyond the -Pop-Corn Fields where you see the reindeer.' - -"Arthur was so bewildered he did not know what to say; while little Maud -stood with her mouth open in such a manner that she was quite amusing to -look upon. Suddenly she exclaimed: - -"'Mercy, Aunt Twaddles! Is that white field pop corn? Why I thought it -was snow!' - -"'No! no! my children!' smilingly exclaimed the good lady. 'That field -is all pop corn. You see,' she continued, 'we never have either rain or -snow here. Not a particle of water is ever permitted to fall in this -enchanted valley, not even a drop of dew; for if it should, though it -was only a tear, something dreadful would surely happen. This is not our -will, but the will of Heaven; and if you watch, you will see for -yourselves.' - -"'Aunt Twaddles' touched another button in the arm of her golden chair -and gazed calmly over the valley. - -"While they were waiting for something unusual to happen, little Maud -roused from a spell of deep thought and inquired: - -"'Aunt Twaddles, does any of Taffy River ever empty into the -Shenandoah?' And her eyes sparkled at the thought. - -"'Ah, no, darling,' replied the generous old woman with a knowing smile. -'When the children of the earth are good, Santa Claus takes most of it -on his journey at Christmas time; but when they are naughty it overflows -Lake Fudge and is wasted among the surrounding hills.' - -"'Aunt Twaddles' seemed somewhat impatient and again pressing the button -with a firm hand, the children were greatly surprised to behold a heavy, -dark cloud rising in the west. Leaping upward it came flying angrily -over the summit of Ginger Bread Hills; then dashing furiously against -the tall sides of Cake Mountain it rolled upward with the sound of deep, -muttering thunder and spread over the entire sky. - -"The wind came howling bitterly down the beautiful valley with a sudden -dash and roar, and again turned the sign above the factory of Santa -Claus out of reasonable position. - -"Strong trees bent low before the breath of the on-coming storm, while -the entire end of Beauty Valley grew suddenly dark. All the dolls of the -village hastened into their play-houses as fast as their little legs -could carry them. Santa Claus came out of his factory and, arching his -eyebrows with the palms of his wide-open hands, cast a sweeping glance -over the threatening sky and then disappeared within. - -"The doors throughout this great factory were suddenly closed. Windows -came down with a bang. Louder and louder the shrill wind howled with a -wintry wail and in a few moments a blinding snowstorm of pop corn buried -the distant field in a spotless coverlet of white. - -"'Aunt Twaddles' touched another button in the arm of her chair. -Suddenly the clouds melted away into a veil of thin mist and again the -sun poured down its wealth of golden glory. - -"Up went the windows in the factory of Santa Claus. The dolls rushed out -of their play-houses and danced once more upon the green, while a mighty -host of brownies rushed from the factories into the field and began to -gather basket after basket of pop corn to be made into pop-corn balls on -the banks of Taffy River. - -"'Aunt Twaddles' sat back in her chair, smiling silently, for she had -watched the expressions upon the faces of the children during the -wonderful storm. - -"The scene was indeed most marvelous and it was a long time before -either of the children ventured to say a word, for the wonderful -workings of nature, all under control of the little, shining buttons, -mystified them beyond utterance. - -"Suddenly they beheld a little brownie hurrying from the factory toward -the throne. 'Aunt Twaddles' arose when she saw him coming. - -"'Here comes a messenger,' she said, 'and something must be wrong.' - -"In another second he bounded up the onyx steps and soon afterward stood -tremblingly before them. - -"'What is it, Spit?' inquired 'Aunt Twaddles' as she gazed down upon -him. - -"'Spit,' for that was the name of the brownie, looked up into her face -as he stood awed by her presence. - -"'Twaddles!' he exclaimed, 'during the storm the lightning struck a -wooden doll in the village and hurt it mighty badly.' - -"As this sad bit of news fell on the ears of 'Aunt Twaddles,' she -dismissed the brownie with a wave of her hand and sank back in her -chair, and the children could see that she was much distressed. - -"'Come! come!' she said to herself at last, 'we must not grieve so much -over accidents, for they are often the will of Heaven.' - -"She arose and greeted the children with a glad smile. - -"'Aunt Twaddles,' inquired Arthur, 'does Santa Claus always live here?' - -"Instantly, 'Aunt Twaddles' stepped back from the children and paused. -She stood near the steps of the golden throne, her hand resting upon the -white polished onyx post that ornamented the end of the beautiful -balustrade, and turning to them, she said: - -"'Yes, children, Santa Claus always lives here and I am his sister.' - -"As she spoke the last word, a magical change came over her entire -features. - -"Instead of the fat, flabby, emotionless countenance the children had -long known and loved, each careworn line withered instantly away, and in -place came the bloom and smile of eternal youth and beauty; while the -ungainly and ponderous weight that had so encumbered her journeys, -disappeared all in a moment, until she now looked more like a beautiful -fairy than the dear, good 'Aunt Twaddles' of old. - -"All the odd, ill-fitting garments, with the long, heavy skirt to which -they had so firmly clung for their lives while climbing the face of the -cliff, were changed before their very eyes into raiments of rich lace -and gold; and she stood before them in her true character, no longer -'Aunt Twaddles,' the herb woman, but the fairy sister of Santa Claus, -more lovely by far than any doll they had ever beheld. - -"'You see me now, darlings, as no mortal eye has ever beheld me. Amid -the common walks of life, when gathering wintergreen, spices, and herbs -on the mountain, with which to flavor the candy for Santa Claus, I am -awkward and ugly, fat, and ungainly, and I care not; for the rarest of -womanly beauty on earth lies not in the looks, but the heart. But here, -in this haven of blissful repose, you now behold me as I truly am;—not -Aunt Twaddles, the herb woman, but _Twaddles, the Queen of the Dolls_, -and the ruler who reigns over the Village of Hide and Seek.' - - -Illustration: _"All the odd, ill-fitting garments were changed into -raiments of gold."_ - - -"Awed beyond measure and wrapt in admiring silence, the poor children -stood trembling in the presence of the queen. Nor could they reconcile -themselves to the sudden change, for 'Aunt Twaddles,' the herb woman, -had always been so good and kind to them. - -"Little Maud suddenly sank to her knees on the throne, and cried aloud -in a pitiful voice: - -"'Oh, dear queen, how beautiful you are! But please be your dear self -again, for I love the Aunt Twaddles who has always been so good to me.' - -"Before she could finish her heart-rending plea, the beautiful Doll -Queen folded her to her bosom and covered the face of the child with -sweet, motherly caresses. - -"'Come! come!' she said softly, at last. 'We will make a tour of Beauty -Valley, or, as the dolls of the village all love to call it, 'The Land -of Santa Claus.' And she unclasped Maud from her arms. - -"The Queen touched a bell on a silver stand and at the faint sound a -beautiful white-winged dove, with a pale blue ribbon about its snowy -neck, came flying from a near-by olive tree and lit upon the edge of the -throne before them. - -"The children, much interested in the unusual sight, drew back toward -the opposite side of the throne as if fearing they might frighten the -bird away; but the Queen, smiling so sweetly that they felt like falling -to their knees and worshipping her, turned to them as she exclaimed: - -"'Have no fear, my darlings, for you cannot frighten it away. This bird -is my private messenger that always finds Kimbo when I want him.' - -"The Queen waved her hands with a graceful, easy motion, and the dove -rose in the air on its snowy wings. Three times it circled above the -throne, and then took its course toward the buildings of Santa Claus and -passed out of sight. The Queen stepped lightly beside them and said: - -"'Let us wait now, my darlings, for the arrival of Kimbo.' - -"And now while we leave the beautiful Queen standing with the children -upon the golden throne and waiting for Kimbo, whoever he is, I will wait -here by the side of this little queen, seated upon God's Throne, the -green grass, until some of the boys bring us more water; for the day is -sultry and warm and Miss Lady, so sweet at my side, must be kept like a -fresh cut flower, shaded and cool." - -The Vagabond ceased with that part of his story. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER VII - - "KIMBO, THE GIANT" - - -"The Queen of the Dolls!" cried all the children with delight. - -"My, how I should like to meet her!" exclaimed one flaxen-haired little -maiden, who formed a part of the circle. - -The little girl beside the Vagabond declared she would have her mamma -write to the Queen that night and ask Santa Claus to take the letter to -her the next time he came around. - -There was a loud outburst of merry laughter that was joined in by His -Highness the Vagabond himself. - -The mirth soon subsided, and before they had hardly time to engage in -much general talk about the "Queen of the Dolls," five of the boys came -hurrying from the well, bearing the old oaken bucket, dripping and cool. -When the general thirst was quenched, the Vagabond cast a smile upon the -upturned face of his sweet little friend, who so honored his side by her -presence, as he thus went on with his tale. - -"The white-winged dove had scarcely passed out of sight before the two -children beheld a strange object moving up and down along the distant -horizon; and so rapid was its approach that it was not long before they -could distinguish the outlines of a gigantic personage. - -"He seemed to be leaping over great fields, fully a mile at a stride, in -his frantic effort to get to the throne. Turning to watch the -approaching figure, the Queen cried aloud: - -"'Oh, children, look quickly! Kimbo the Giant is coming with all his -might!' - - -Illustration: _"He seemed to be leaping over great fields fully a mile -at a stride."_ - - -"And before the amazed children could say a word, the wondrous Kimbo -cleared the factories of Santa Claus and Taffy River with a mighty -bound, and in another instant stood before them. - -"The giant was so tall that his ponderous chin was level with the floor -of the golden throne; and you can well imagine their surprise, not a -little of which was tinged with fear, when they saw his massive -features. - -"The children sank back in affright; but when the Queen assured them -that the Giant was as kind as any doll down in the village, they -ventured to turn with a shudder and look into his partly opened mouth. -It appeared to them like a hole in the mountain near Harpers Ferry where -the people once dug out coal. - -"As he uttered a few words of respect to the Queen, accompanied with a -low bow, the sound which came from his partly opened lips was like the -deep, growling rumble of distant thunder and shook the very throne on -which they were standing. - -"His eyes were larger than saucers; and the great veins in his glaring -eye-balls seemed like blood-red cords swollen and ready to burst. His -ears, each ornamented with an earring as big as a wagon-tire, were as -long as Maud's little arm; and never a pumpkin grew longer or larger -than Kimbo's great nose. - -"His neck was as thick as the trunk of the largest tree that grew down -by the Shenandoah River, and just about as wrinkled and rough as its -bark; while his broad shoulders were far wider than the entire throne of -the Queen. - -"His eyebrows resembled great patches of grass more than eyebrows, and -his massive jaws, supporting a wrinkled chin, looked as if they might -take a bite out of the very rock in the side of the mountain and not -mind it in the least. - -"On the top of his head he wore a peculiar kind of rig intended no doubt -for a hat, which was bound firmly in place by strands of his coarse -black hair, as thick and perhaps as strong as a hawser. On closer -inspection, however, this hat proved to be a kind of settee, for its -entire side was an upholstered seat with strong arms and deep cushions. - -"The Queen stepped toward the edge of the throne and invited the -children for a ride on the Giant's head. - -"As they were all ready to get aboard, the Giant lowered his head until -the settee was level with the floor of the throne and they were not -tardy in getting comfortably seated. In another moment they were off on -the journey. - -"They started away at such a rapid pace that the children could hardly -breathe; so the Queen cautioned the Giant to go more slowly, and he -slackened his pace to the speed of a railroad train. The Queen informed -them that he was then only walking, and that they need not be alarmed in -the least as the Giant was sure-footed and would not stumble or fall. - -"Onward they went like the wind, past the foot of Cake Mountain with its -towering sides and dome of rich, brown crusted cake; on up through the -Ice Cream Valley, where, with a mighty roar, the Honey Springs gushed -from the ground. Thence over the Ginger Bread Hills and past field after -field filled with pie plants, in which an army of brownies were -gathering hot pies and sprinkling them with sugar. - -"They passed through great groves of cocoanut trees from the tops of -which shouting bands of wild monkeys threw cocoanut shells after them; -thence through vineyards of ripening grapes and orchards of oranges and -lemons, and arrived at last at the border of a most beautiful lake that, -with its wild, wonderful surroundings, presented the grandest scene they -had ever beheld. - -"The great Kimbo backed cautiously up to a towering rock, one side of -which presented a straight cliff toward the lake; and when they had -stepped from their high perch on the Giant's head to the smooth level -top of the great rock, the Queen bade them pause for a moment to look -about over the beautiful scene that now lay beneath and before them. - -"Stretching away in the distance, almost as far as the eye could see, -lay a marvellous lake that, in its fitful, frolicsome mood, resembled -some rolling sea of crimson and gold and piled its great billows, -glistening in the sunlight, with a resounding crash upon the pebbly -shore. - -"Far off to the right, and many thousands of feet higher than the rock -on which they were standing, a stream came tumbling down from the crown -of a tall mountain, and churning its waters into endless foam, fell into -a deep and distant valley. - -"Pointing away with her pretty hand, the Queen said to the children: - -"'Behold, darlings, the famous Butter-milk Falls of which you have heard -so much! The stream, as you see, does not enter into this lake, but -falls from the top of Cheese Mountain and then wanders away through a -sandy valley where it sinks into the ground.' - -"For a moment the children gazed upon it; then Arthur exclaimed with -some satisfaction: - -"I'm glad it doesn't empty here for I never did like butter-milk.' - -"The Queen and the children laughed heartily at the very thought. - -"As they stood laughing upon the rock, they beheld at no great distance -a wild, noisy cataract, where a beautiful, wide, golden stream leaped -from a high rock, and whirling its never-ceasing torrent into endless -eddies of a thousand different dyes, plunged into the lake that lay -before them. - -"'Look, Maud!' exclaimed Arthur. 'Look! Look! The beautiful falls!' - -"The children asked of the Queen its name and she replied: - -"'That, my darlings, is the end of Taffy River and those are the Stick -Candy Falls. Here Taffy River pours its delicious stream over the rocks -into Lake Fudge that you see lying before you. Now,' she continued, 'we -will walk over and inspect Stick Candy Falls, after which we will return -to this rock, for I consider this the finest viewpoint anywhere along -the shore of the lake.' - -"The Queen did not have to assist the children in their descent from the -rock. With a merry bound they ran down the path ahead of her, delighted -with the prospect of visiting the Falls which appeared so beautiful. - -"Around them on all sides, grew sweet-scented flowers that, at any other -time, might have caused the children to stay their steps, for they were -fond of wild flowers indeed; but on this particular occasion all the -blossoms of the woodland would not have tempted them, for the sound of -the roaring cataract grew louder and louder as they drew near. - -"The path descended into a little glen, the rocky sides of which hid the -cataract from view; and the children stopped to look back upon the spot -from which they had just come. There towered the tall rock with its one -steep side facing the lake. The great Giant, Kimbo, sat on the ground at -its base leaning against the cliff, his head drooped heavily forward -almost between his drawn up knees. - - -Illustration: _"The children stopped to look back upon the spot from -which they had just come."_ - - -"As they drew near to where the angry river made its desperate leap, the -children were frightened, for the wind caused by the cataract came -roaring about their ears, bearing mist and spray that for a time almost -blinded them. They passed around this danger point and came to a more -sheltered spot, where they paused to view the falls. - -"As they stood there they noticed that a path led far in behind the -falling stream, and that the ledge over which this wonder of nature -poured its wealth of golden beauty was a peculiar rock crystal, quite -similar to that which ornamented the beautiful glen through which they -had passed before entering the Enchanted Cave. - -"Arthur's inquisitive nature was awake and ready. He proceeded to test -the tall ledge with the blade of his pen knife, when, as he placed a -shattered bit of the rock to his lips, he shouted aloud to his sister: - -"'Oh, Maudie, this ledge of rock is Rock Candy!' Then placing the -remaining piece in his mouth, he rushed into the arms of the Queen to -tell her of his surprising discovery. - -"Long formations of varying sizes and color were hanging everywhere; and -the children understood at a glance that this was the place where Santa -Claus gets all the stick candy with which he is so generous at Christmas -time. The sticks hung wherever a crevice or crack appeared in the ledge, -and no sooner was one broken off than another began to form in its place -at once. - -"As they stepped forward to get a better view behind the falling -torrent, they could see dozens of busy brownies breaking off the sticks -and carefully packing them in long paper boxes, which others were -carrying to the store house that stood on the towering brink above. - -"The Queen led them beyond the group of busy workers, when, looking up -at the ledge over which the cataract hung like a graceful veil, they saw -the following lines carved deep in the rock far above their heads. They -paused and with some difficulty, read these lines. - - "'Sweet Taffy River, with its eddies wild, - Comes dancing onward like a playful child, - Till from this towering ledge, with face aglow, - It bounds, delighted, to Lake Fudge below.' - - -"They returned then to the high rock, and the children were surprised to -see a great army of dolls moving rapidly toward the lake. The dolls were -romping and chatting as they hurried along, but all seemed to have the -same purpose in view for they were headed toward a certain point on the -shore. - -"Both Arthur and Maud were nearly crazy to join them, but the Queen -wanted to go up on the high rock again, and, as the will of the Queen -was the law of the land, up the high rock they went. - -"They paused for a moment to look down on the great Kimbo, and laughed -merrily when they saw he was still fast asleep. - -"'Don't disturb him,' said the Queen in a low tone, as she assisted the -children up the path to the top of the rock. - -"Shout after shout arose from the crowd of dolls gathered upon the -shore; and as their merry voices shook the air and resounded far over -the lake, Maud inquired of the Queen the cause of their presence and the -unusual tumult they were raising. - -"The Queen was standing still, looking far over the lake. It was some -moments before she replied, for the commotion seemed somewhat unusual. -Glancing toward Maud, she said, sweetly: - -"'These, darlings, are all the dolls from the Village of Hide and Seek. -They have come down to the shore and are anxiously waiting to be taken -over in their ferry-boat to the Island of Dreams that lies in the centre -of this beautiful lake.' - -"Pointing toward the location of the strange island, she continued: - -"'Wait a few moments and you will see!' she said, casting another hasty -glance far over the tide. - -"The children peered in the direction toward which the Queen pointed, -and beheld far in the distance the dim outlines of an island low down on -the very edge of the horizon. As they stood there they felt a drowsy -sensation creep over them and, like the great Kimbo, they too would have -fallen asleep had it not been for the sudden appearance of a -strange-looking boat that was coming rapidly across the foam toward the -shore. - -"As it drew into plain view the tumult of the dolls on the strand -ceased. The children noticed, to their great amazement, that twelve -dolphins were swimming in tandem through the tide and drawing the barque -after them; while astride the back of each dolphin sat a beautiful -mermaid to guide their course through the foam. With much skill as well -as grace, they swang their magnificent craft to a carefully selected -landing on the shore of the lake, while all the dolls scampered -clamorously aboard, and the boat was soon away on its journey. - -"Little Maud danced up and down on the big rock in a perfect spasm of -delight, at the same time exclaiming as loud as she could: - -"'Oh, Queen, can't we go, too? Can't we go, too?' - -"Little Arthur looked up at the Queen disappointed when he saw that the -barque was leaving the shore without taking them along. - -"'Well, darlings,' said the Queen, 'if you wish, you too may go to the -Island of Dreams.' - -"She looked down upon them with a sweet, winning smile. - -"Nothing in the world could have pleased them so well, for they hoped to -meet all the dolls from the village over there. The Queen blew a little -gold whistle that hung from a chain about her neck, and the massive head -of the great Kimbo instantly appeared above the level of the rock, and -he stood rubbing his sleepy eyes with the back of his hand, that seemed -larger than the prize ham of a county fair. - -"'Kimbo, my boy,' said the Queen, 'tell the mermaids to send a boat for -us.' - -"Then she turned to watch the doll boat that was fast disappearing in -the distance. - -"A broad smile swept over the Giant's good-natured face. He stamped his -great foot on the ground, and woe to the rocks that were beneath it. The -drowsiness left his leg, that, like himself, had fallen asleep, and as -his foot came down with a mighty bang the earth all around the big rock -trembled as if from an earthquake. - -"Glancing into the faces of the children, he winked his big, sleepy eye -with a sound like the clapping of hands that caused both of the children -to laugh in his face. Then he turned slowly about and repeated the -Queen's request in thunderous tones. - -"There was an instant pause of the dolphins in the distance; then a -bright gleam of sunlight flashed from their tails as they lifted them -from the lake in sportive glee. The shrill voice of an answering mermaid -came from far over the waves; then they continued their journey and were -soon lost to sight. - -"The Queen turned to the children with a bright smile upon her pretty -face and, giving each of them a sweet kiss, she said softly: - -"'It won't take them long, dear ones. It won't take them long. We shall -have to wait but a few moments.' - -"So now, while the beautiful Queen with the children are waiting on top -of the rock for a boat to come for them, we will wait here under this -tree for a fresh drink of water, that the dear ones gathered about me -may keep comfortable and cool." - -The Vagabond cast a smile over the excited and anxious faces in the -circle, as he brushed the sweat from his brow and ceased speaking. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER VIII - - THE ISLAND OF DREAMS - - -"I wonder if my papa knows Kimbo, the Giant?" exclaimed the little one -who was seated at the Vagabond's side. "He knows everybody. He knows -Santa Claus, and Rip Van Winkle; and I heard him say that he once ate -dinner with Jack the Giant Killer." - -She paused and with a sweet smile looked up into the Vagabond's face. - -"Your father must be quite a traveller himself!" he exclaimed in reply; -to which the little girl quickly responded: - -"He is." - -Then she pushed herself over and without invitation climbed on to the -Vagabond's knee, which he carefully brushed with his old hat to receive -her. - -The merry group gathered closer and closer, and the circle gradually -became smaller and smaller until now it was an all around squeeze; when -one of the little girls somewhat relieved the crowded condition by -pushing herself out from the rest and taking the place at the Vagabond's -side that had just been vacated by the little maiden for the preferable -seat on his knee. Half a dozen of the boys arose, took up the old oaken -bucket and hurried away to the well. - -All the children were in great haste for the story to continue, and it -did not take long for the boys to return with the water. The sun was -shining down red hot, although it was quite comfortable under the tree; -and after the water had been passed around the circle and the faithful -water carriers were seated in their respective places, the Vagabond went -on with his story. - -"In much less time than it has taken to refresh ourselves here under the -tree, the two children beheld a beautiful barque bearing rapidly down -upon them from far across the foam; and, as it approached, they noticed -it was drawn by a pair of blue dolphins, guided by two mermaids who far -exceeded in beauty any that accompanied the craft of the dolls. - -"The Queen summoned Kimbo, and by the time he had lifted them down from -the top of the tall rock, and they had dismounted from his hand upon the -shore, the boat was ready to receive them. - -"The Queen assisted the children on board, and they proceeded to examine -the boat. Arthur said he had never beheld a real mermaid before, while -little Maud declared that the closest she had ever been to one was in a -picture-book. They kept their eyes turning from one mermaid to the other -as the Queen said, by way of explanation: - -"'You will notice that one of the mermaids has beautiful, long, golden -hair that you might liken to sunlight, while that of the other is as -black and glossy as the wing of a raven. Now, you see, it is no trouble -to tell them apart, although it is a matter of mere taste as to which is -the more beautiful. This one,' she continued, 'we call Day, and that one -Night.' - -"Day and Night gathered up their long golden reins as if ready to start, -and the dolphins rolled impatiently in the tide. - -"A word of command came from the lips of each mermaid, then a wild, -spasmodic splash of the dolphins' tails, followed by a quick, forward -motion of the boat, and they were away on their journey. - -"They sped rapidly along, and the children could not help marvelling, as -they sank into the soft-cushioned seats of the boat. Seeming to notice -their appreciation of its beauty, the Queen said: - -"'This barque, my darlings, though not nearly so large as the one on -which the dolls from the village embarked, is much more swift, and is -never used by anyone except myself and Santa Claus.' - -"While she was speaking, the Island of Dreams came into full view. The -ride was simply delightful. The dolphins lunged forward at such a rapid -pace that a cool, soft breeze sprang up and fanned them. As they -journeyed rapidly toward the island, they glanced up occasionally to -admire its charming outlines. - -"The entire shore of the island seemed lined with tall, weeping willow -trees, the long arms of which, with longer tendrils, hung everywhere far -down to the ground, as if they, too, had partaken of the drowsy -influence of the place and were half asleep. Not a breath of air stirred -across the broad island to disturb their slumbering repose. - -"As they drew near the shore, the children noticed that the surface of -the lake was covered with broad leaves of water-lilies, that grew upward -from deep down in the tide and held their yellow and white blossoms -aloft to be admired. These water-lilies were so plentiful, that the -dolphins had some difficulty in working the boat through them to the -shore. - -"Arthur and his sister sat very still. They were watching the graceful -motions of the two laboring dolphins, when suddenly the very Heavens -seemed to open far above them, and a bright light overspread the entire -surface of the lake. Instantly the dolphins ceased from their labor. The -sound of rushing wings seemed to come from high in the air; and, looking -upward, they were amazed to behold the open sky filled with sweet-voiced -angels, who, as they came down from Heaven on fluttering pinions, sang -to the delighted children the following song of welcome. - - -Illustration: _"Looking upward they were amazed to behold the open sky -filled with sweet-voiced angels."_ - - - THE ISLAND OF DREAMS. - - "'In the midst of a lake that is crimson and gold, - Lies the magical Island of Dreams, - Where the flowers of fancy forever unfold, - And the sunlight of happiness gleams. - And no poor little girl, or no poor little boy - Need dread least some sorrow befall, - For the angels are near, when you're visiting here - And God fashioned this island for all. - The Island of Dreams, the Island of Dreams, - God fashioned this island for all. - - - "'On the isle in the lake that is crimson and gold, - You forget every sorrow and care, - And wander about amid beauties untold, - As free as a breath of the air; - And no lord of estate puts a lock on the gate, - To deny you its fanciful scenes, - For the angels of God guard the ever-green sod - Of the beautiful Island of Dreams. - The Island of Dreams, the Island of Dreams, - Guard the ever-green Island of Dreams. - - - "'When you visit the lake that is crimson and gold, - Bring poverty's tatters along. - Little care if your garments are ragged and old, - For your soul shall be clothed in a song. - Though a hovel alone, you may claim as a home, - Where the sunshine of life never gleams, - You may bask in its smile, as you journey awhile - In the beautiful Island of Dreams. - The Island of Dreams, the Island of Dreams, - As you stroll through the Island of Dreams.' - - -"As the beautiful song of welcome ceased, the angels disappeared in the -sky, and the boat swang gracefully toward the shore. - -"The Queen assisted the children to the beach, and they started up a -dark, cool and shady path toward the centre of the island. - -"As they journeyed slowly along, Arthur noticed that the air was heavily -laden with the dreamy perfume of flowers; and he suggested to the Queen -that perhaps this was what made everything so drowsy about the place, -for he declared that the odor made him sleepy. - -"There were only a few of these flowers the children had ever seen -before. - -"Arthur recognized the tall, blooming magnolia trees from the -description of them he had once read in a book; while the tuberose, the -calla lily and the lilies of the valley, both the children knew well for -they had often seen them in the gardens at home. All the rest were -strangers to them, and for a long time they lingered to admire their -wondrous beauty. - -"It was not long before they chanced to look up, and seeing a group of -dilapidated, half-fallen houses in the hazy distance, moss-covered and -almost hidden from view by the long branches of low-bending trees, the -children turned to the Queen and asked the name of the curious-looking -place. - -"She informed them that the village was the home of the Sand Man, and -that the name of it was 'Drowsy Town,' so named because everything about -the place was half asleep. - -"Often indeed had the children heard of the Sand Man, but they never -expected to visit his home; so they hastened their steps and soon -entered the curious village. - -"The place contained but few houses, all of which were badly neglected -and sadly out of repair; for who could stop to fix up houses in such a -sleepy place? Beside, what do people care about the outside of a house -when they are sleeping within all the time? - -"The fences were mostly fallen, save here and there where a moss-covered -stretch of old-fashioned wooden pickets leaned half-heartedly against -their warped railings, while now and then a gate hung over on one hinge -as if, like everything else, it was anxious to lie down in the dust and -sleep. - -"Long gray moss trailed from the eaves of the old buildings right down -to the very ground and spread over the window casements like gray-green -curtains to keep out the light, which it most certainly did. - -"As the children passed the home of the Sand Man, by far the most -neglected in the village, and to which the Queen pointed with evident -pride, they lingered on the corner for a moment to look about the place. - -"A cat came slowly out onto the old porch, yawned, stretched and went -in. A dog half arose, as the sound of their noisy feet on the worn-out -pavement disturbed his slumber, and raising his ears, glanced drowsily -about, growled and then sank down to sleep under a green vine that -sheltered one end of the porch. - -"They moved slowly on, then stopped on the opposite corner and looked -far down the silent and deserted street, where they saw a queer-looking -individual, staggering and stumbling toward them. - -"Now he would lunge forward head first into the trunk of an old tree; -then, rousing himself, he would stagger onward only to fall over the -curb stone, or run pell mell into a post. He finally tripped over a -broken slab in the neglected walk and fell flat upon his face, from -which position he seemed to arise with much difficulty. - -"'Who is that staggering person' exclaimed Arthur, 'reeling toward us -like some drunken man?' - -"The Queen looked down the street as the boy spoke, and turning to the -children with a smile upon her face, she excitedly exclaimed: - -"'Why, children, here comes Mr. Sleepy Head to greet us! The Sand Man -has sent him, for you know the Sand Man cannot leave his labors just -now.' - -"They stood waiting for him to draw near and could not help but laugh -outright, as he again bumped squarely into a big tree. - -"'Who is Mr. Sleepy Head?' inquired Arthur. - -"'I never heard of him!' exclaimed little Maud. - -"'Oh yes, you have,' said the Queen, 'for many a book has been printed -about him and his wonderful achievements. Some years ago,' she -continued, 'he was quite a popular personage among the children of the -world, but many of them seem to have forgotten him of late. His most -popular mention perhaps was in a jingle that began something like this: - - "'To bed, to bed,' said Sleepy Head, - 'Let's wait a while,' said Slow. - - -"Little Maud declared she had often heard her grandfather speak of him. - -"'Yes,' said the Queen, 'he is always half asleep. It is his duty to -sing to the children while the Sand Man sprinkles his sand in their -eyes. He is a most beautiful singer, but the poor, industrious Sand Man -has a very hard task in keeping him awake.' - -"As the Queen finished her explanation, Mr. Sleepy Head fell headlong -into the gutter. He arose, brushed the dust from his garments, and with -another sleepy, lazy lunge, stood bowing and smiling before them. - -"He was a curious-looking little man, with dull, dreamy eyes, and -carried before him a small harp, securely bound to his person by a broad -strap that encircled his neck. The harp was a woeful sight and was -covered with dents and scars and cracks where he had fallen with it -against various objects during his sleepy journeys. - -"The Queen said it was a wonder that music could be produced from it at -all, so little was the care he gave it, and then turned to him with a -request for a song. - -"Mr. Sleepy Head looked up with a lazy smile as he shook himself and -then leaned with his back against the decayed trunk of a tree, while he -yawned with outstretched arms. After stamping the drowsiness from his -lazy limbs, he gave the old harp a nimble sweep with his dexterous -fingers that filled the air with enchanting music; and, smiling again at -the children, he proceeded to sing the song of - - - THE SAND MAN - - "'Always at evening and every day, - As the shades of the night come down; - The Sand Man calls good little children away - To the Village of Drowsy Town. - And no sorrow nor care ever entereth there, - But toiling with tireless hand, - He breathes o'er the slumbering children a prayer, - While sowing his sleepy sand. - - Chorus. - - "'When the shades of night come down - Over the Village of Drowsy Town, - Children gay drop their play, - And shake a day-day to their mammas: - Off through the meadow with little Bo-Peep, - Helping her gather her wayward sheep, - And praying the Lord their souls to keep, - While visiting Drowsy Town.' - - -Illustration: _"He gave the old harp a nimble sweep with his dexterous -fingers that filled the air with enchanting music."_ - - -"When the singer had finished the chorus, he was suddenly overtaken by a -fit of sleepiness; and, as his body slipped to one side, he reeled from -the tree and fell backward into the gutter with such force that the -children instantly sprang to his assistance, for they were sure he was -badly hurt. But he managed to stagger again to his feet, and excusing -himself for the great impoliteness of falling asleep in company, he -again leaned his back to the tree, ran his hand with a magical sweep -over the strings of his harp and thus continued his song: - - "'The rich and the poor have an equal share, - In the Village of Drowsy Town; - And the poor little orphan receiveth his care - As he maketh his nightly round. - With a sweep of his hand he goes sprinkling sand - As he wanders about through the street, - With a kiss and a smile for each dear little child, - As it falls fast asleep at his feet. - - Chorus. - - "'When the shades of night come down, - Over the Village of Drowsy Town, - Children gay, drop their play, - And shake a day-day to their mammas: - Off through the meadow with little Bo-Peep, - Helping her gather her wayward sheep, - And praying the Lord their souls to keep - While visiting Drowsy Town.' - - -"As the last sound of the singer's voice died on the air, his hands fell -limply from the strings of the harp and his eyelids closed with a last, -long, weary look. His head fell heavily forward upon his breast, and as -his knees gave way beneath him, he slipped slowly to the ground with a -loud snore and rolled over on one side, where, with harp in the gutter, -Mr. Sleepy Head lay fast asleep. - -"'Well!' exclaimed Arthur, 'I've often heard of such a thing but I never -saw anyone really fall asleep before.' - -"The good Queen smiled at the bright remark. - -"'Come,' she said. 'Don't disturb him.' - -"They tip-toed away from the slumberer and continued on down the street. - -"They had not gone very far before they saw a little old man approaching -in the distance. He was stooped and bent from the weight of a bag that -hung about his neck. Every now and again he would thrust his hand -inside, then withdraw it and swing it around as if scattering something -over the ground. - -"'There,' exclaimed the Queen, 'is the Sand Man scattering his sand!' - -"The children watched the bent form of the Sand Man busily engaged at -his toil in the distance; while the entire army of dolls were lying -about on the ground, fast asleep at his feet. - -"Both Arthur and Maud wanted to walk over and shake hands with him, but -the Queen, knowing how dreadfully sleepy it would make them, turned with -a sweet smile as she said: - -"'Do both my darlings want to fall asleep right here in Drowsy Town when -we have so many things to see?' - -"Without a word of protest they started back toward the landing, upon a -different street, as the Queen informed them, than the one on which the -home of the Sand Man was located. - -"'Let us walk slowly and talk,' she said, as she slackened her pace to -an easy, ambling gait, 'for we want to see the dolls get safely aboard -their boat and start for home.' - -"And now while the Queen and the children are walking slowly through the -Village of Drowsy Town, in no great hurry to reach the landing, we will -be in no great hurry to continue with the story, but will wait while we -refresh ourselves with some more water from the well, and at the same -time, hear what some of you think of the magical Island of Dreams." - -With that the story-teller breathed a deep sigh and sank into total -silence. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER IX - - THE SODA WATER FOUNTAIN - - -"That was a beautiful song the angels sang!" exclaimed one of the little -girls as four small boys struggled with three larger ones for possession -of the old oaken bucket, and the mossy accumulation on its sides -suffered somewhat from the effects of the scramble. - -"I like the song of Mr. Sleepy Head best!" exclaimed several at once; -and while they were giving their various opinions about different parts -of the story, the boys hastened back from the well and joined in the -merry chatter. - -As they hastily passed the water from one to another, one little fellow -exclaimed: - -"Mercy! I can't get over the Valley of Ice Cream and that Mountain of -Cake. I just wish we had some of it here!" - -"How about the Rock Candy Falls?" asked another. - -"They were just grand! just grand!" exclaimed several, almost in one -voice. The children now gathered closer than ever about the Vagabond. -The little girl on his knee sat holding his hat as thus the "Knight of -the Highway" continued: - -"As the Queen and the children were walking along on a back street of -the village, they met Mr. Sleepy Head again. His harp was hanging far -over to one side, and his head was resting heavily upon his breast; -while the sound of his loud snoring told them he was fast asleep. Once -in a while he would snore so loudly that he wakened himself, when he -would again lunge on. - -"He had not gone very far when he stumbled head first into a tree with a -bang that must have hurt him badly; for as he came to with a sudden -start, they noticed he rubbed his head with his hands and looked dazedly -about as if he had lost his way. Starting forward again, he changed his -course and journeyed on toward his master. - -"As they passed out of the village, the children were surprised to see a -great stream of water, shooting hundreds of feet into the air and -tossing its snowy spray about in a wickedly wasteful manner, while the -stream seemed to be coming straight up out of the ground. - -"As they stopped to look at it, Arthur said he had often seen a -waterfall falling down, but had never seen one fall up before. The -children were more than delighted with this strange wonder of nature. - -"The Queen smiled at Arthur's remark, and turning to the children, said: - -"'You know, children, somewhere, way down in the ground, there is a -chemical laboratory, the great chemist in charge of which is Mr. Nature. -There are not many places where he displays his wonderful ability in -such an unusual fashion, but here he seems to have outdone all his other -attempts. This is Soda Water Fountain, where day after day, and year -after year, he sends forth his exquisite drink to quench the thirst of -all weary travellers who visit the Island of Dreams.' - -"'Soda Water Fountain!' exclaimed little Maud. - -"And before they could half realize either the immensity of its height -or its volume, the Queen led them to where they could drink to their -hearts' content. - -"As they stood drinking and watching the tall stream shoot high into the -air, they could not help but ask questions; and, turning to the Queen, -little Maud wanted to know what sent it up so high. - -"'I believe the people of the world call such a display a geyser,' said -the Queen. 'Several of them are to be found in various parts of the -earth. When you have had all you wish to drink, and while we walk slowly -back to the landing, I want you to tell me, if you can, where they are -located.' - -"They started slowly away on their journey, the children wrapt in deep -thought. - -"Little Arthur said he had never been to school much since his mother -died, for his old grandfather didn't believe in schools, and perhaps -that was why he did not know more about such wonderful things. - -"The Queen cast a look of pity upon him as she softly said: - -"'Schools are great things, and every little boy and girl ought to learn -the lessons well; for the world is full of wonderful things, quite as -strange and curious, if you understand them, as any you have seen since -leaving Harpers Ferry. Every year,' she continued, 'Santa Claus visits a -great geyser in Wyoming, located in a place called Yellowstone Park; -while in Iceland and New Zealand there are very beautiful geysers -indeed, the waters of which are hot enough to cook an egg.' - -"While the conversation continued, and the Queen was instructing the -children and showing them why it was wise to learn their lessons well, -they came in sight of the spot where they first landed upon the island. - -"There was a loud commotion down on the shore of the lake, and they were -surprised to see all the dolls climbing into their boat. Scarcely had -they stopped to view the wonderful and interesting sight than the barque -which had borne them to the Island of Dreams appeared from a near-by bay -and was soon at the landing, awaiting the commands of the Queen. - -"The mermaids in charge of the doll-boat had driven their dolphins a -short distance from the shore where they lay as if waiting for a race -with the Queen's barque. It was not long before the two boats were -resting on the lake side by side. - -"Arthur expected every moment to see the waiting dolphins leap forward -in a wild effort to surpass each other; but, as there seemed to be no -effort made to start them, he soon changed his mind and sat looking upon -the plump, round backs of the dolphins as they lay motionless in the -lake before them. - -"There was a sound of rushing wings high in the air. Again the sky -separated as before, and the angels who first welcomed them to the -Island of Dreams came falling from the sky. - -"In the barque of the dolls all was now quiet. - -"There was a sudden outburst of celestial music from a chime of -rich-toned bells in the heavens above, and as the angels hovered over -the boats, it was thus they sang a parting song: - - "'Come again to the lake that is crimson and gold, - For the barques ever wait your command; - The mermaids are true and the dolphins are bold, - To pilot you safe to its strand. - Tell the children of earth that the Island of Mirth, - The one place where the sun ever gleams, - Like a story that's told that will never grow old, - Is the beautiful Island of Dreams. - The Island of Dreams, the Island of Dreams, - Ever gay is the Island of Dreams. - - "'Come again to the lake that is crimson and gold, - Come again to our heavenly clime; - Though the ways of the world may be cruel and cold, - It is warm over here all the time. - When despairing and sad, with no heart to be glad, - And engulfed by the tears that you weep, - Bring your troubles a while to our magical isle, - And the Sand Man will rock them to sleep. - In the Island of Dreams, the Island of Dreams, - The Sand Man will rock them to sleep.' - - -"No sooner had the angels ceased their beautiful song than they -disappeared as quickly as they had come, and there was nothing to be -seen but the unbroken arch of the deep blue sky. - -"The dolphins shot forward across the lake and bore the dolls away on -their homeward journey. As the barque containing the Queen and the -children passed leisurely along the shore, they could plainly see the -Sand Man, going home after his daily toil with Mr. Sleepy Head stumbling -and staggering behind him. - -"With a wave of their hands and a blessing upon the wonderful Island of -Dreams, the boat turned out into the lake and moved rapidly toward the -high rock on the distant shore. - -"Kimbo the Giant did not bother them to alight, but placing the palm of -his big hand down by the side of the boat, he bade them stand upon it; -then, in a trice, he lifted all three to the top of the high rock for a -last, long look on the lake. - -"The dolphins rolled playfully in the tide below. The mermaids waved a -bashful adieu; and then, with a burst of speed, the barque swept like a -whirlwind across the lake and was soon lost to sight. - -"The ride on top of the Giant's head back to the throne of the Queen was -just as delightful as their former trip through the land of Santa Claus, -for Kimbo tried in every possible manner to offer them amusement. - -"Now he would shout 'Hold tight!' as he jumped over a tall hill. Then he -would give them some other warning, as he suddenly leaped from the top -of one hill to another, and sailed through the air over the great valley -below. - -"It was thus he amused the Queen and the children until, with one last -mighty leap, he cleared the tall factories of Santa Claus and Taffy -River at a single bound and landed them safely upon the golden throne. - -"By this time the children had become well acquainted with the Giant, so -much so that for some time they stood talking with him. Little Arthur -thanked him for the kindness he had shown to both himself and his -sister, and as the Giant's mouth opened for a merry laugh, they noticed -that his white snowy teeth resembled, in shape as well as in size, the -grave-stones that stood in the village churchyard on the hill at Harpers -Ferry. Nor could they suppress their surprise as he raised his enormous -hand to bid them good-bye. - -"It was so huge that little Maud could barely clasp her two hands around -its little finger. She made a frantic effort to shake the hand up and -down, but there wasn't much shake about it. With a merry smile, Kimbo -backed away from the throne, bowed low before his Queen, and, with one -mighty hop-skip-and-a-jump, he leaped high over a tall mountain and was -gone. - -"'Come,' said the Queen, as she turned about and placed her finger -against a button on the side of her golden chair, 'we will now have some -refreshments and then visit the Village of Hide and Seek.' - -"So now, while the Queen and the children are waiting to refresh -themselves, let us once again send to the well, that we, likewise, may -be refreshed before we go with them into the beautiful village." - -With that the Vagabond drew a long breath, for he had been talking -rapidly; and, as he sank into silence, the happy children gazed upon him -with a feeling of pride that had slowly grown from dread to friendship -and almost to love. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER X - IN THE VILLAGE OF HIDE AND SEEK - - -A general burst of applause greeted the ears of the story-teller as he -ceased speaking and sank into silence. All the boys now rose with merry -faces and surrounding the old oaken bucket, journeyed together to the -old well, while the little girls sat gazing intently upon the stranger, -as if he were the greatest man in the whole world. - -One little girl whispered to another little girl that some day he might -be President of the United States, but the other little girl gave it as -her honest opinion that he should have been long ago. Many of the others -were now almost as much interested in the man as in his wonderful story. - -A little girl asked him if Harpers Ferry was very far from there; while -another wanted to know if he could call around the next day for she was -anxious to introduce him to her father and mother, who, she declared, -would be more than delighted to meet him. - -The Vagabond's only answer to all was a good-natured smile. When the -water arrived, and it had been passed around to the children, the -Vagabond helped himself to his heart's content, after which he proceeded -to tell the last of his story. - -"The Queen did not have to wait long after pressing the button, for it -rang a bell that summoned into her presence a finely liveried butler, -who, when he learned the wants of Her Royal Highness, glided silently -down the steps of the throne. Presently two court attendants entered, -bearing a tray on which were a number of glasses filled with a fluid -referred to by the Queen as Nectar; although, as Maud said, it was too -good for language to describe. Shortly after the refreshment they -started to visit the Village of Hide and Seek. - -"When they were part way down the steps some little doll in the village -spread the news of their coming, and all the dolls, almost wild with -joy, dropped their playthings and flocked to meet them. - -"The Queen and the children followed a beautiful, pebbly path that led -through an orchard lying to the north of the village, for they wanted to -enter upon the main street; and as they went slowly along they passed -beneath boughs laden almost to breaking with ripe, mellow chocolate -drops, while the path was lined on either side with bushes where great, -rich, juicy clusters of gum drops hung, ready to fall to the ground. - -"They were soon joined by the romping dolls, and together they walked -down the main street to the public square and paused in front of the -beautiful Temple of Music. - -"Dolls with bright, rosy cheeks came running as if almost wild to meet -them. Some had azure eyes and light golden hair: while others, with dark -piercing eyes and long raven locks might put to blush the fairest -picture ever drawn. - -"They gathered around little Maud, and pulling at the hem of her dress, -begged to be taken into her arms. At last she lifted a flaxen-haired -beauty from the ground, and with a sweet, satisfied smile upon its face, -it laid its head lovingly upon her breast as it said in a contented -half-whisper: - -"'Please be my mamma, please be my mamma.' - -"Then a thousand sweet doll-baby voices cried out in chorus: - -"'No, she shall be my mamma. She shall be my mamma.' - -"And they raised such a hue and cry and scrambled so to get hold of her -dress, that in order not to be partial, she had to let the little beauty -down again on to the ground. - -"Amid the wild excitement of the dolls, Arthur was not alone. He stood -to one side watching a little doll that was lying under a tree and -talking with some other little dolls standing near by. - -"Its eyelids were wide-open, yet its eyes had an unnatural expression. -For a long time he regarded her pityingly when he saw that the doll was -blind. A strange manly-looking doll walked up to him, and, peering into -his face, exclaimed: - -"'Seeing you are a stranger, sir, in the village of Hide and Seek, and -noting your apparent sympathy for the blind doll lying yonder under the -tree, allow me to tell you the life story of her who has so touched your -emotions. Arthur bowed politely and expressed a desire to hear what the -strange doll might have to say. The little fellow continued: - -"'Perhaps you have noticed by my long hair and studious demeanor that I -am both a gentleman and a scholar; and right here let me say, I am the -Village Poet. I can converse much more easily in verse than in prose; so -if you will kindly listen to me for a moment, I will relate a little -circumstance which occurred some time ago, and will tell you the plain, -unvarnished truth about the blind doll.' - - -Illustration: _"Perhaps you have noticed by my long hair and studious -demeanor that I am both a gentleman and a scholar."_ - - -"Resting for a moment, for he did not appear to be very strong, he -breathed a long sigh as he began: - - "'Once on a time a Baboon came across yon mountain crown. - He sailed down in a big balloon and landed near the town; - And seeing, as he walked along, this blind doll lying near, - He paused to say a kindly word, or shed a gentle tear. - - "'Why is it, little doll?' he asked, 'you lie here all the day, - Instead of romping on the green, like other dolls at play? - And why avoid the jolly crowd, pray tell me if you will, - Is it that you thus like to be, or is it you are ill?' - - "'Oh, sir,' the little doll replied, 'you're surely more than kind, - But look at me and you will see that I, alas, am blind; - And thus all day I keep away, nor venture near the throng, - For not a friend a hand will lend to guide my feet along.' - - "'The Baboon picked the blind doll up and stared with all his might. - 'Pray, tell me Dolly,' he inquired, 'how did you lose your sight?' - 'Alas, kind sir, my sightless eyes, I strained them in a fog, - A-looking for a Christmas gift from Mother Hubbard's dog.' - - "'Then up spoke Simple Simon, and with utterance unkind - He cried, 'This doll who falsifies is lazy and not blind. - I'll prove my words,' but ere he could, to everyone's surprise, - The Baboon pulled his anchor up and sailed off through the skies. - - "'Poor Simple Simon, he was right. This doll is only blind - When lying flat upon its back, or partly so inclined; - But if you make it sit up straight, you'll find his words are true, - For then the sleepy-headed Doll can see as well as you.' - - -"Little Arthur walked over to the doll and lifted it into a sitting -position. It opened its eyes at once and looked squarely into his own. -Uttering a word of surprise to his poet friend, they walked away from -the blind doll together and passed down the street. - -"When they had nearly crossed the square, the Poet Doll bade him 'Good -day' and entered a house on the corner which Arthur concluded to be the -Poet's home. He found himself standing near a curious, round-faced -boy-doll, who was looking on the gathering in silence. His head was so -close shaven that he was almost bald, except for a long queue extending -far down his back like a pig-tail, while his little black almond-shaped -eyes sat well aslant on his head. - -"Arthur thought he would speak first; and, turning to the little fellow, -he said: - -"'Excuse me, my little man, this is a most lovely village. Do you live -here?' - -"There was a moment's pause and a look of bashfulness upon the -boy-doll's face, as, with a courteous bow and the politeness of a -prince, it said in reply: - -"'I humbly beg your honorable pardon, sir, but, as my education in -foreign languages was sadly neglected, I most heartily deplore the -deficiency and am quite sorry to inform you that I do not speak your -honorable language as I understand nothing but Chinese.' - -"Arthur, seeing his mistake, retired with a most polite bow and went -over to another little doll that spoke English. - -"'Come,' exclaimed this new found acquaintance in a quite familiar -manner, 'let us play a game of hide and seek. I know a dandy place to -hide.' - -"'All right, sir,' said Arthur, joyfully; 'but first let me tell my -sister about it for she dearly loves to play.' - -"And the two walked hand in hand to where Maud stood surrounded by a -multitude of little dolls. - -"As Arthur watched and listened, waiting to get an audience with his -sister, he overheard one little doll say to her: - -"'When did you come here?' - -"'To-day,' replied Maud, then added, 'but if I had only known the way, I -would have been here long ago. I am so sorry that I must soon leave.' - -"'Where are you going?' another doll shyly inquired. - -"'Going home,' replied Maud, with a deep sigh. - -"All the little beauties looked up into her face as if greatly -bewildered. - -"'What does she mean?' asked one of the dolls of her companions. 'What -is home?' And it arose on tip-toes to look into her face. - -"'My home,' replied little Maud, 'is down in Harpers Ferry on the -Shenandoah River.' - -"'River!' a doll repeated. 'Harpers Ferry!' And it turned a bewildered -look upon the rest of the assembled dolls standing in questioning -silence before her. - -"Maud soon realized that the dolls failed to understand her, and, -wishing to make herself understood, she gazed wistfully over the -gathering of bright faces, as she said: - -"'I live in one of the most beautiful places in the world.' - -"Before she could finish what she wished to say, however, one little -doll way back in the multitude spoke up, saying: - -"'World, did she say? Why, I have often heard Santa Claus speak of that -place.' - -"All the dolls turned their attention from Maud to the little speaker. -They assisted their little companion up on to the bottom of an inverted -tin sand pail that she might be seen as well as heard; when with a -bashful bow, she said: - -"'The world, playmates, is the place where mothers die and leave their -little children all alone.' - -"With a leap from the sand pail, the little speaker disappeared in the -assemblage of dolls. Instantly all turned to Maud with an inquiring -look. There was an expression of doubt upon their little faces and they -were now more than anxious for her to speak. - -"'Yes,' she replied, 'alas! That is only too true.' - -"And she breathed a sorrowful sigh as she thought of her mamma who had -been dead for two long years, and of how she had nestled close in her -loving arms waiting for Santa Claus to come, only three nights before -she passed away. - -"She glanced into the sad face of her orphan brother standing near, and -down in her little heart there came a sad longing for the sound of that -sweet mother's gentle voice, with its tender words of love and nightly -prayer. - -"Again the happy days, now gone forever, came back to her childish -memory; and the soft song of her mother stole into her soul with a -charming lullaby. Again she felt the warm, fervent kiss on her cheek, as -in fancy she heard her mother whisper a last 'Good night.' - -"A sob burst from her sweet lips. A tear rose to her eye and stood -trembling upon the long black lashes. Another followed and crowded it -from its place to the ground. - -"The Queen drew back horror-struck, for the Heaven-forbidden drop of -water had at last fallen upon Beauty Valley. - -"A sudden chorus of wild screams rent the air. There was a terrible -shock, an upheaval, as if from an earthquake. The very ground trembled -as if in a fit of convulsions. Sharp, darting pains struck the children -mercilessly down into a state of insensibility. All then grew silent as -death and pitch dark. - -"In a few moments the shrill whistle of a train resounded through the -Shenandoah Valley, as it dashed out of the tunnel in the mountain and on -over the great steel bridge into Harpers Ferry. - -"Little Maud, wakened by the echoing tumult, gazed in a bewildered -manner about her. There lay her brother asleep upon the green mound, -under the same tree where they had first met 'Aunt Twaddles.' She placed -her hand tenderly upon him, and he awoke with a sudden start. - -"'Oh, Maudie!' he exclaimed, 'what happened that it grew dark so -suddenly?' - -"The boy half arose as he received only a sob in reply, and you can well -imagine his surprise as he gazed about; for there at his side lay a huge -pile of freshly picked pennyroyal on the very top of which was a -snow-white card. The card was most beautifully embossed with a picture -of the Village of Hide and Seek, and, in the handwriting of 'Aunt -Twaddles,' it bore the following inscription: - - - _"To my darling Children: - Remember always that, as you saw a tear - destroy a realm of joy, so can a spirit of discontent destroy a life of - useful happiness. - Yours very lovingly, - 'Twaddles, the Queen of the Dolls_.' - - -"'Oh, Arthur!' exclaimed Maud, 'hurry and don't think of it any more.' - -"And the two children gathered up as much of the pennyroyal as each -could possibly carry and hurried across the long foot-bridge into the -village. - -"Men, women and children ran to greet them with tears of joy in their -eyes. With strong arms they bore them and their pennyroyal into the Inn, -where the stern, scolding, old inn-keeper stood ready to whip them, but -the sight of the pennyroyal caused him to relent. - -"On the afternoon of the following day, Arthur and his little sister -were seated all alone on the bank of the Shenandoah, looking far across -upon the steep path that led straight up the face of the mountain. Their -little elbows were planted firmly upon their knees, their chins sunk -deeply into the palms of their wide-open hands. For a long time they sat -motionless, thinking no doubt of their wonderful journey. Little Arthur -finally broke the silence. - -"'Maud!' he exclaimed, in a tone deeply touched with emotion. - -"'What is it, Arthur?' she replied, with a sob. - -"'Maud,' he repeated, 'I was just wishing that that big mountain over -yonder, right under Taffy River, would spring a leak.' - -"For a long time they sat weeping and thinking of it; nor is there any -doubt that they wept over it until far into the night, when they fell -asleep and forgot about it. - -"This then is the story, my children, of the strange path on the side of -the mountain that lies like a scar on the face of the cliff; and many -are the old settlers thereabout who will vouch for the truth of my tale. - -"It is needless to prove true what is true; still if there is any -feeling of doubt in your hearts, just stand on the banks of the fair -Shenandoah almost any warm morning in springtime, and no doubt you will -see 'Aunt Twaddles' slowly ascending the path with her big bag of herbs. - -"But if you should happen to miss her, and still want some proof of -these facts, just keep a close watch on the strangers who step from the -trains when they stop at the little stone station. If you see them -wiping their eyes with a handkerchief and gazing about on the -surrounding mountains, you may be sure they have once eaten some of -'Aunt Twaddles' candy and are wiping the tears from their eyes and -crying like children for more. - -"At the same time you will see them looking about on the cliffs, and -searching for the steep path that leads up to the Village of Hide and -Seek, quite firmly resolved at some future day to return and go up with -'Aunt Twaddles.' But for the present, (poor things), their only hope is -to go back into the cars and cry until they forget about it. - -"There are many more wonderful things I might tell you of the Village of -Hide and Seek, and likewise to the everlasting glory of 'Aunt Twaddles'' -candy as well, but the very thought of it makes me feel sad; for now as -I talk, I feel tears coming to my eyes and find I must either talk on -and cry on, or quit talking and forget about it. - -"Excuse me, dear children, won't you, while I weep?" - -As the Vagabond ceased speaking the tears flowed down his cheeks in a -perfect torrent; and although the children were delighted with his -story, they too wept in sympathy with him. The very loudest of all was -the dear little tot who had occupied the place of honor on his knee. - -While the group of children sat weeping in sympathy under the tree, the -Vagabond arose. Bidding them all farewell, he placed his old, worn-out -hat on his head, shouldered his crooked staff, waved a parting blessing -toward the well on the lawn, and still weeping, passed out of sight -along the dusty highway. - - - - - THE END. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - ● Transcriber's Notes: - ○ Punctuation has been standardized. - ○ For illustrations which had no caption in the book, a descriptive - phrase was added. For example: [Illustration: Decoration] - ○ Unbalanced quotation marks were left as the author intended. - ○ Typographical errors were silently corrected. - ○ Spelling and hyphenation were made consistent when a predominant - form was found in this book. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Village of Hide and Seek, by -Bingham Thoburn Wilson - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE VILLAGE OF HIDE AND SEEK *** - -***** This file should be named 55214-0.txt or 55214-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/2/1/55214/ - -Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Barry Abrahamsen and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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} - .c011 { page-break-before:auto; margin-top: 2em; } - .c012 { margin-top: 2em; text-indent: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c013 { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c014 { margin-top: 2em; font-size: 85%; } - .c015 { margin-top: 1em; font-size: 85%; } - .c016 { font-size: 85%; } - @media handheld { .table0 { margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; width: 80%; } } - </style> - </head> - <body> - - -<pre> - -Project Gutenberg's The Village of Hide and Seek, by Bingham Thoburn Wilson - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: The Village of Hide and Seek - -Author: Bingham Thoburn Wilson - -Illustrator: W. Herbert Dunton - -Release Date: July 28, 2017 [EBook #55214] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE VILLAGE OF HIDE AND SEEK *** - - - - -Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Barry Abrahamsen and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/cover.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> - -<div> - <h1 class='c001'>THE VILLAGE OF HIDE AND SEEK.</h1> -</div> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c002' /> -</div> - -<div id='illus004' class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/illus004.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p><span class='small'><i>"The now smiling vagabond stood bowing and scraping in the middle of the sunbaked road."</i></span></p> -</div> -</div> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div><span class='xlarge'>THE VILLAGE</span></div> - <div class='c000'>OF</div> - <div class='c000'><span class='xlarge'>HIDE AND SEEK</span></div> - <div class='c003'><span class='small'>BY</span></div> - <div class='c000'><span class='large'>BINGHAM THOBURN WILSON</span></div> - <div class='c000'><span class='small'>AUTHOR OF</span></div> - <div class='c000'><span class='small'>"YE MOUNTAINEER," "THE TALE OF THE PHANTOM YACHT," ETC.</span></div> - <div class='c003'><span class='small'>ILLUSTRATIONS BY</span></div> - <div class='c000'><span class='large'>W. HERBERT DUNTON</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='figcenter id003'> -<img src='images/illus005.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>NEW YORK</div> - <div><span class='large'>CONSOLIDATED RETAIL BOOKSELLERS</span></div> - <div>1905</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c002' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div><span class='sc'>Copyrighted, 1905, by</span></div> - <div>CONSOLIDATED RETAIL BOOKSELLERS</div> - <div class='c000'>REGISTERED AT STATIONERS' HALL, LONDON</div> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class='c004' /> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>(<i>All Rights Reserved</i>)</div> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class='c004' /> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div><span class='sc'>Published, October, 1905.</span></div> - <div>{Printed in the United States of America}.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c002' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div><i>Dedication.</i></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c005'> - <div>TO THE CHILDREN OF POVERTY AND RAGS. TO THE</div> - <div>HOUSEHOLD OF SORROW AND BURDENSOME CARE.</div> - <div>TO THE LIVES IN THE SHADOW OF THE DARK GAUNT</div> - <div>FORM OF WOE. TO THOSE WHOSE EARS HAVE BEEN</div> - <div>ATTUNED TO THE HOLLOW, MOCKING VOICE OF</div> - <div>GRIEF. TO THE HUMBLEST OF THE HUMBLE, THE</div> - <div>POOR; THE VERY POOR. AND MAY THIS STORY</div> - <div>PROVE TO BE STARLIGHT IF NOT SUNSHINE.</div> - <div class='c000'>VERY RESPECTFULLY,</div> - <div class='c000'>THE AUTHOR.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c002' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c006'>CONTENTS.</h2> -</div> -<hr class='c007' /> -<table class='table0' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='20%' /> -<col width='79%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <td class='c008'><span class='small'><span class='fss'>CHAPTER</span></span></td> - <td class='c009'> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'>I.</td> - <td class='c009'><a href='#ch01'><span class='sc'>"His Highness," the Vagabond</span></a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'>II.</td> - <td class='c009'><a href='#ch02'><span class='sc'>Aunt Twaddles</span></a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'>III.</td> - <td class='c009'><a href='#ch03'><span class='sc'>The Path up the Cliff</span></a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'>IV.</td> - <td class='c009'><a href='#ch04'><span class='sc'>The Cave in the Mountain</span></a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'>V.</td> - <td class='c009'><a href='#ch05'><span class='sc'>The Village of Hide and Seek</span></a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'>VI.</td> - <td class='c009'><a href='#ch06'><span class='sc'>The Queen of the Dolls</span></a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'>VII.</td> - <td class='c009'><a href='#ch07'><span class='sc'>Kimbo, the Giant</span></a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'>VIII.</td> - <td class='c009'><a href='#ch08'><span class='sc'>The Island of Dreams</span></a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'>IX.</td> - <td class='c009'><a href='#ch09'><span class='sc'>Soda Water Fountain</span></a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c008'>X.</td> - <td class='c009'><a href='#ch10'><span class='sc'>In the Village of Hide and Seek</span></a></td> - </tr> -</table> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c002' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c006'>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.</h2> -</div> -<hr class='c007' /> -<p class='c010'><a href='#illus004'>"Frontisepiece."</a></p> -<p class='c010'><a href='#illus059'>"Almost dumb with surprise, the children turned about to gaze on the world that lay far beneath them"</a></p> -<p class='c010'><a href='#illus115'>"All the odd, ill-fitting garments ... were changed into raiments of rich lace and gold"</a></p> -<p class='c010'><a href='#illus123'>"He seemed to be leaping over great fields fully a mile at a stride"</a></p> -<p class='c010'><a href='#illus133'>"The children stopped to look back upon the spot from which they had just come"</a></p> -<p class='c010'><a href='#illus151'>"Looking upward they were amazed to behold the open sky filled with sweet-voiced angels"</a></p> -<p class='c010'><a href='#illus163'>"He gave the old harp a nimble sweep with his dexterous fingers that filled the air with enchanting music"</a></p> -<p class='c010'><a href='#illus191'>"Perhaps you have noticed by my long hair and studious demeanor that I am both a gentleman and a scholar"</a></p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c002' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div><span class='xlarge'>THE VILLAGE OF HIDE AND SEEK</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class='c004' /> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch01' class='c011'>CHAPTER I <br /> <br /> <span class='small'>"HIS HIGHNESS," THE VAGABOND</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c012'>On a bright sunny day in the middle of the -month of August, a merry group of gaily dressed -children were romping upon the green lawn of a -country place, that, from its well kept and cleanly -surroundings, could not have been mistaken for -any other than the home of some prosperous and -perhaps retired gentleman of wealth and refinement.</p> - -<p class='c013'>The old-fashioned stone house, with its wide -porch and heavily carved wooden columns green-coated -with climbing ivy, rose amid the stately -trees of the lawn, until it seemed lost in a bower -of shadowy foliage. The low, thatch-roofed out-buildings -and long lines of far-reaching fence, -carefully coated with fresh whitewash, stood -glistening in the sunlight, quite in harmony with -the polished marble window sills of the great stone -mansion.</p> - -<p class='c013'>Standing in the very centre of the scene, like -some still lingering remnant of the long gone and -almost forgotten past, arose the tall, rustic arm of -an old-fashioned well-sweep, that raised or lowered -a moss-covered, old oaken bucket, filled to overflowing -and dripping wet with cool, clear water, not -unfrequently visited by this gamboling group of -merry children both during and after their play.</p> - -<p class='c013'>As the children rested for a moment beneath -the sheltering arms of an old oak tree, they were -much surprised to behold the form of a wandering -vagabond ambling along the dusty road. His -hat was well drawn down over his eyes to avoid -the glaring rays of the mid-day sun. Over his -shoulder and made fast to the end of a crooked -stick, that might have answered as well for a defence -as for a staff, hung his sum total of earthly -possessions, tied carefully into a small bundle and -as carefully hid from view within the folds of a red -bandanna handkerchief.</p> - -<p class='c013'>A passing glance only was needed to tell that -the wanderer was weary; and as his eyes, glistening -with envy, beheld the cool shade of the -trees, and the still more inviting bucket above the -well, that, half-filled and leaking, hung suspended -in mid-air, he halted his weary pace in the road -near the gate and beckoned the children to approach.</p> - -<p class='c013'>No second invitation was needed. The boys, -more daring and venturesome, bounded toward -him with a merry shout and were soon standing on -the edge of the lawn near the wanderer; but the -little girls, like so many timid fawns of the forest, -with a feeling more of fear than of curiosity, -lingered tardily behind; and it was some time before -they joined their less cautious companions.</p> - -<p class='c013'>He was a curious-looking, but quite jolly vagabond -indeed; and although his face was begrimed -and smeared with mingled perspiration and dust, -his eyes shone with a merry, good-natured twinkle, -as he doffed his well worn and dusty black hat and -bowed with an air of politeness, quite unknown to -the common everyday tramp of the highways of -the world.</p> - -<p class='c013'>One of the children laughingly exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Where are you going?"</p> - -<p class='c013'>And another: "Where did you come from?"</p> - -<p class='c013'>And still a third: "Where is your home?"</p> - -<p class='c013'>And so on, until the now smiling vagabond, -waiting for a chance to reply, stood bowing and -scraping in the middle of the sunbaked road as he -calmly received volley after volley of almost unanswerable -questions.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Well!" he exclaimed at last, as the children -became suddenly silent, "you ask me where I am -from and where I am going, so now let me say: -just at present I am from everywhere in general -and bound nowhere in particular!"</p> - -<p class='c013'>And he began pounding the dust from his body -and limbs with his old hat, as if wishing to make -himself look presentable, even if out in the middle -of a hot, dusty roadway; and looking up with a -longing glance, he asked permission to obtain a -drink of water from the well on the lawn.</p> - -<p class='c013'>The big gate was still closed to "His Most Royal -Highness," and as the mere thought of his entering -the lawn dawned upon the minds of the now -silent children, they drew back in affright and -with solemn faces; nor would they think of -granting the stranger's request until finally one -little fellow called his companions together for a -moment, as he almost pleadingly said:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"It is wrong to deny a poor man a drink of -water. He is weary and perhaps far from home, -while God gives us the water so freely. Beside, -he cannot take the shade of these trees away with -him when he goes, so, while he rests on the lawn, -I will bring him a drink from the well myself."</p> - -<p class='c013'>And with a light foot, but a much lighter heart, -the boy bounded away in haste, while the weary -"Knight of the Road" entered the shadow of a big -maple tree on the lawn and stood waiting for him -to return.</p> - -<p class='c013'>As he gulped down the cool, refreshing water in -a manner as though famished, he blinked his -bright sparkling eyes in evidence of much relish; -then casting a thankful glance upon the face of -his new found friend, he turned toward him with a -smile as he said:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"My little lad, for your kind act to a weary and -thirsty man let me say; if you will gather your -little friends about me under the shade of this tree, -I will tell you an interesting story, which, if you -will listen carefully, may give you something of -my past wanderings as well as an answer to some -of the questions you asked of me while I was out -in the road."</p> - -<p class='c013'>Without a word of reply, the children, anxious -to know what the stranger's story might be, sank -here and there upon the grass, as the vagabond -thus began his strange tale.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch02' class='c006'>CHAPTER II <br /> <br /> <span class='small'>"AUNT TWADDLES"</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c012'>"As I paused in the middle of the road near the -gate," began the vagabond, "this manly little -fellow who so kindly brought me a drink from the -well, wanted to know where I came from. In -answer to his question let me say: I am, as you -see, a friendless vagabond, wandering hither and -thither over the face of the earth. But think not -that I never had a home; for although I may not -look it, I once had a dear mother, just as each one -of you has, who, when I was a baby kissed me and -rocked me to sleep every night with a sweet lullaby. -But that was a long time ago, and it is little wonder -that, as you now gaze upon me, you are anxious to -know who I am and whence I came.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Now I might be an earthly prince in disguise -for aught that you know, though I'm not. Yet -right here let me say, I <i>am</i> the son of a King, for -we are <i>all</i> the children of God and our earthly -end is alike in this dust that some of you children -at first so pretended to scorn as you saw it all over -my clothes. So from this on, remember, we are -only of the dust; and the babies of satins and -silks, all humbled at last, shall lie down and sleep -side by side with the children of tatters and rags.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Be that as it may; I was born in the village of -Harpers Ferry on the banks of the fair Shenandoah -River, where lofty mountains rise and overhang -with rugged cliffs that seem about to fall into the -deep valley below; and where, in order to get into -the town at all, the trains pass through a dark -tunnel in the mountains, and leaping with shrill -whistle across the long span of a great steel bridge, -slow down and stop at a quaint, stone station, so -closely surrounded by tall mountains on all sides -that a traveller might think himself at the very -end of the world.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"It is here that the wild Shenandoah empties -its foaming waters into the Potomac River, (for be -it remembered that the two streams were joined in -Holy wedlock by the Indians long, long ago), -and mingling their currents in loving embrace, -they leap onward through a pass in the mountains -and together journey joyfully eastward -toward the sea.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"As the stranger stands upon the platform at -the little stone station, and gazes far across the -Shenandoah River, he cannot help noticing a -dark path, or roadway, leading straight up the -face of a steep cliff; and long will he wonder -how it could ever be possible to climb that path, -for it stands almost straight up and down.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Right here let me say there are but three -persons on earth who can truthfully boast of -having once included that path as a part of their -journey; while strangest of all is the fact that -one of these was an old woman, so awkward and -fat that she looked to be almost helpless, while -the other two, at the time of ascent, were mere -children.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"For many years prior to the time of my story, -(how long, nobody ever could tell), there dwelt an -old woman somewhere up in these mountains, -and unless something has happened to her recently -she is living there still.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"She was a strange-looking creature and from -her jolly, good nature and laughing, happy -way, had grown in weight until she must have -tipped the scales at fully five hundred pounds.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"She did not look in the least like a mountain -climber, nor in fact hardly able to mount a short -flight of stairs; yet she was a quite frequent -wanderer up and down the opposite bank of the -river, where most of her time was spent in gathering -wild herbs on the rough side of the mountain, -or along the fertile bed of the Shenandoah.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"When the great bag, which she always carried -slung over her shoulder, was filled with herbs -almost to bursting, she would start at the bottom -of this high cliff, and, aided by the scrubby bushes -that grew from the dark fissures in the mountain's -time scarred face, she would manage in some mysterious -way to drag her full five hundred weight -with its load to the top, and then disappear in the -mountain woodland above.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"It was not only a tiresome, but likewise a -dangerous journey, for there were few places -where she could catch her toes in the steep rock; -and as she climbed slowly upward, and with much -difficulty felt for each foothold, her great body -swayed and staggered upon the face of the cliff, -while she puffed and blew from her toil so loudly -that her heavy breathing could plainly be heard -far across in the village of Harpers Ferry.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Never did she go up the cliff but that great -boulders would break loose under her ponderous -tread, and tumbling headlong with mighty bound, -would dash down the steep mountain-side and -land with a roaring crash in the bed of the -river below, where to this day they may be seen -choking the tide of the stream in a great rocky -mass.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"In many ways this strange woman was more -odd than she looked. She was not very high, but -so terribly spread out that she was equally as tall -when lying down as when standing up; and if, -like a turtle, she might have drawn in her feet -and her head, she could have rolled about over -the ground like a great ball—but of course she -was not a turtle.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The garments, too, that she wore, both in -make and material, were strange to look upon. -Her skirt, which could never have been made for -another, was fully a foot too long. It entirely -concealed her feet, which could not have been -small, and so caused her to stumble and trip that -often indeed have I wondered how she could get -along with her big bag of herbs over a level road, -much less up a path on the face of the cliff, that -even the bravest of hunters and mountain-men -dared not attempt to climb. Thus she went -stumbling along in her own silent, industrious -way.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"And now comes the strangest thing of all -about this wonderful, fat woman.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Many are the grown people that have passed -her while busy at her labor of herb gathering, yet -not for a moment would she stop work to talk -with any of them. If they smiled, she might -look up and smile in reply; but if they asked her -a question she would answer it with such an -uncivil grunt that they were glad to pass rapidly -along on their way.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"But should she happen to meet with a group -of gay children, this strange, fat woman was sure -to drop her big bag of herbs, and pausing for a -long jolly chat, would unbosom her goodness of -heart and draw from her ponderous pockets handful -after handful of candy and pop-corn balls, -taffy and chocolate drops, the like of which for -sweetness and flavor, no mortal man had ever -made.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Nor was she in the least inclined to be stingy -for she would give the children as much of her -sweets as they could eat and then bid them good-bye -with a kiss and a parting blessing. For so -many years had she thus kindly treated the -children that they watched for her coming and -going day after day and were ever on the lookout -to greet her, with tears of joy in their eyes.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The name of this fat woman was 'Twaddles;' -and as nobody thereabout knew just whether she -was a Miss or a Mrs., the children had nicknamed -her 'Auntie,' although that might have been as -big a mistake as either of the other two names. -But it sounded motherly and sweet to her ears, -and, as its mention was sure to bring forth an -abundance of bon-bons and candies, all of the -grown people as well as the children called her -'Aunt Twaddles.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Where did she come from? you ask. Well, -for many years nobody ever could tell. Some -claimed that she lived in a nest with the eagles -far off in the mountains. Others, that she dwelt -alone with some half grown cubs in the heart of -a dark bear den, where the foot of a hunter had -never passed; while some even vowed that at -night all the humming birds kept guard while -she slept far back in a cave in the rocks.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Old Nimrod, the hunter, declared, (and he had -spent his whole life in the mountains), that she -was 'Queen of the Witches' and lived in the dark -hollow of a great tree, far down in a deep rocky -glen, where panthers and owls with wildcats and -rattlesnakes dwell. Once when he saw her, he -said she was leading a pack of fierce wolves along -on the side of the mountain; and again she was -holding a live panther close to her breast and -rocking it to sleep in her arms.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"At any rate, wherever she lived, so marvelous -indeed was she skilled in the art of making candy, -that her praises were sung by the children far and -near; and strangest of all was the fact that, -should you once eat a little bite of it, the sweetness -and flavor it left in your mouth lasted for -over a week, while its memory lasted a lifetime. -Years might pass silently away and the children -who had once tasted of 'Aunt Twaddles'' candy -grow up and be married, yet they could never forget -it, though they tried; while stranger still was -the fact that a mere recollection was sure to bring -tears to the eyes, nor could one cease crying until -he went home and forgot about it.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"In proof of this part of my tale let me say; I -remember one day as I stood quite hidden from -view amid the green alder-berry bushes that grew -on the bank of the river, I beheld 'Aunt Twaddles' -coming slowly down the edge of the stream. Her -big bag was heavily laden with herbs, and, as the -sun was quite high in the heavens, she paused in -the shade of a tree near the foot of the steep path -for a moment of rest before starting up the -dangerous face of the cliff, for she needed all of -her strength to go up.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Just as she had comfortably seated herself on -a log, I noticed a little old man tottering across -the long foot-bridge that led over from the village. -He was hurrying along, rapping his feet and his -staff on the boards as fast as his seventy-odd years -would allow. His long, snow-white hair waved on -the midsummer breeze, while the long flaps of his -old-fashioned coat were dangling about his thin, -wabbly legs in a manner too funny for anything.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"As he drew near, I noticed that there were -real tears in his eyes, and his withered old cheeks -were much stained where they had fallen. Carefully -I watched him as he drew near, and, with a -feeling of deepest respect bowed low as he said in -a tremulous, squeaky voice:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Good morning, Aunt Twaddles. Would you -mind giving an old, life-long friend another bit of -your candy?'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"In a second 'Aunt Twaddles' arose.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'No sir!' she cried, with a frown, 'I gave you -plenty of it, Sir, when you were a good little boy. -Tobacco seems to be your favorite candy now -from the appearance of your stained white beard, -so you get none of mine.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"And she began to empty her pockets that -were filled with sweet, juicy bon-bons, over the -brink and down into the stream; and shouldering -her big bag of herbs, prepared to start up the face -of the cliff. The little old man went tottering -back over the foot-bridge to the village; nor is -there any doubt that he went home and cried over -the thought of her candy and kept crying until -he forgot about it.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"And now," said the vagabond, "lest the -thought of 'Aunt Twaddles'' candy brings tears to -my eyes, for I have eaten some of it myself, let us -pause for a moment while we more comfortably -seat ourselves before I proceed with the story."</p> - -<p class='c013'>The almost vertical rays of the mid-day sun -were pouring a merciless fire upon a portion of -the charmed circle and the story-teller with his -group of merry children was not slow in selecting -a new spot further in under the protecting branches -of the tree. The children had been so absorbed -in the wonderful tale of the wanderer that -they had failed to notice the intense heat until, -down the faces of some of the smaller ones, drops -of perspiration were flowing like tears.</p> - -<p class='c013'>Amid a clamorous shout of "Go on! Go on!" -uttered in concert by the delighted children, it was -thus the wanderer continued.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch03' class='c006'>CHAPTER III <br /> <br /> <span class='small'>THE PATH UP THE CLIFF</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c012'>"In the Village of Harpers Ferry, there stood for -many years an old Inn;—so old that no one knew -its age. It was built in the days before saw-mills -were known, when all the lumber was either split -out or sawed out by hand. The weather-stained -boards on its rickety sides were covered with moss -from the eaves down to the ground, while the -shingles of the roof were so twisted and warped -out of place that they afforded little or no protection -to the dwellers within.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Travel was light in Harpers Ferry during the -time of which I speak, and the lack of good business, -together with his miserly nature, kept the -old Inn-keeper peevish and cross; so much so that -he was despised by everyone about the village.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"He was a wheezy little old man with a wooden -leg, the rough oaken stump of which, with its -shafts and mysterious harness, was a source of -much wonder as well as merriment to the children -of the neighborhood; while the little old man -himself seemed to be just withering away and drying -up on his feet, instead of growing weak and -infirm, as is the usual course with most things -that are old.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Two bright little orphan grandchildren answered -his cross, squeaky call, and as their father -had been dead ever since they were babies, and -their dear mother had died some two years before, -they lived with the cross old man at the Inn, -where they received a scolding or whipping much -oftener than they did a good dinner. Never was -he heard to speak a kind word to either of them.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Through the early part of every spring this -old Inn-keeper would suffer dreadfully from -asthma, which is a kind of disease that chokes -people just as if they were strangling all the time. -During these bad spells of smothering he would -drive the poor children off into the mountains to -gather wild pennyroyal, which he burned under a -funnel and inhaled the smoke to relieve his wheezing -during the night, for without it he could not -sleep. Many indeed were the whippings they had -received at the hands of the cruel old Inn-keeper -just because they failed to find enough of the herb -in the mountain to suit his suffering needs.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The bright sun was warm on this particular -spring morning although the frost had not yet -departed from some of the deep mountain glens. -The old Inn-keeper called the two children from -their play in the village street and bade them -hasten away over the river to search for pennyroyal. -He did not forget to threaten them with -an angry frown before they left, as he loudly -vowed that he expected to spend a bad night with -the asthma, and solemnly declared that, should -they return without a goodly supply of pennyroyal, -he would whip them both soundly, deny -them their suppers and make them sleep without -covers on the floor of the attic,—a place that -swarmed with both rats and mice.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"With this terrible threat still ringing in their -ears, the two children hastened away toward the -river and with much fear in their hearts started -across the long foot-bridge toward the mountains.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Arthur, the boy, was eleven years old, while -his little sister Maud, a beautiful but shy little -thing, had hardly turned nine. They journeyed -along hand in hand and when midway the stream, -they looked back just as the old Inn-keeper -entered the Inn, then paused for a moment to -glance over the wide flowing stream and look -down into its clear waters for bass,—which, I -might add, was their principal sport on a hot -summer day.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Far up the tide, a fish-hawk sailed silently -round and round over the foamy water, searching -the more shallow places with a keen, piercing -eye, and looking no doubt for its dinner. A long-necked -blue heron, awakened by the loud, clattering -footsteps and shouting voices of the two -children, arose from beneath a dark tangle of -water-elms that grew near the farther end of the -foot-bridge, and, with lazy wings, and dragging its -slim legs over the water as if it were too much -trouble to lift them up under its body, it went on -up the edge of the stream and disappeared from -sight along the dark shore. High over all and -circling with mysterious ease, a bald eagle held -stately repose in the sky.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Come, Maudie,' exclaimed little Arthur at -last. 'Let us make haste, for the journey may be -tiresome and long.' And hand in hand they hastened -across the bridge.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"As they came to the edge of the woods they -began their search for pennyroyal. This herb -was not plentiful so early in the spring and the -side of the mountain was steep and rough.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Bright, fancy-formed ferns were growing here -and there from beneath the edge of the big rocks, -and johnny-jump-ups were lifting their tiny blue -heads aloft to the fresh morning breeze, wherever -an occasional dead tree allowed the rays of the sun -to fall unshadowed upon the rich soil below. All -through the woodland they noticed the poison-oak -vine, as it slowly began its long summer climb up -the trunks of the stately oak trees.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Alas!' thought the two children as they -journeyed along, 'there is no pennyroyal.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Then looking up with affright at the sound of -a familiar voice, they were greatly surprised, for -there stood 'Aunt Twaddles' before them.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"At once the object of their journey was forgotten -and they buried their grief for a time as the -kind-hearted old lady drew forth a handful of her -sweet candy, and all three sank upon a green, -moss-covered mound for a rest and a feast and a -chat.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"When they were comfortably seated, 'Aunt -Twaddles' glanced carefully about her, and, as -she measured the moss-covered mound with one -sweep of the eye, she suddenly exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Perhaps this mound is the grave of some long -dead but great Indian chief;' and while the two -children sat gazing about, she continued: 'But he -can't scalp us now, children! He can't scalp us -now!'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"And with a loud, harsh laugh that rang -through the woodland, she leaned her fat back -against the trunk of a tall tree that towered ever -so high above them.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'And where are you going, my dears?' at -last she inquired.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'After pennyroyal for grandfather,' replied -little Arthur, and his words were followed by a -deep sigh.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Have you found any?' she asked, as her -fat face lighted up with a broad smile that -drove all thoughts of sorrow and care from their -minds.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Not yet, Ma'am!' exclaimed little Maud. 'I -don't think it has come up out of the ground, for -we have searched so far very carefully.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Aunt Twaddles' laughed outright. 'Oh yes, -it has, dear,' she replied. 'Pennyroyal is the -second flavoring herb of the spring-time.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"And she reached her hand down deep into her -herb bag and drew forth quite a quantity of fresh -plucked pennyroyal and laid it before their envious -gaze on the ground.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'And what is the first flavoring herb, Aunt -Twaddles?' inquired little Arthur, as he glanced -up from the pennyroyal.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Mint, darling,' she replied with a laugh, and -continued: 'On the south side of the mountain, -where the springs moisten and soften the soil, it -lifts its green head out of the earth as soon as the -frost leaves the ground.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"She lowered her hand to her big pocket as she -ceased speaking and drew from its mighty depth -two great, round pop-corn balls, that were dripping -with honey and of the deep crimson color of ripe -cherries. Placing one in the hand of each of the -children, she glanced down upon them with a -happy smile, as she exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'There, darlings. These are flavored with -mint that I gathered only yesterday. Taste them -and see what you think of the flavor.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The two children were delighted with the -sweet gift, but though it pleased them greatly, -they could not keep their envious eyes from the -pennyroyal, for they knew that the time thus -spent in delay meant a terrible whipping and a -much more-to-be-dreaded night with the rats and -mice in the attic.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Seeming to notice the troubled look on their -little faces, 'Aunt Twaddles' exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Now, darlings, I know these mountains as well -as you know yonder streets of the village; and if -you will take a short journey with me, I will gather -you enough pennyroyal to last the wheezy, old Inn-keeper -for the rest of his life.' And without waiting -for them to reply, she gathered her big bag of -herbs into her arms and arose, as if ready to start.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Little Arthur looked up, amazed at her words, -while Maud could scarcely believe her ears, so -great was the promise of her dear, old, kind-hearted -friend. Well did they recall the long, sorrowful -journeys they had often made into the mountains -in a vain search for the scarce herb;—journeys -that were followed by terrible beatings. The mere -thought of gathering enough pennyroyal to last -their cruel old grandfather for the rest of his life -made their little hearts fairly leap with joy."</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Come, Maudie,' cried Arthur, as he leaped to -his feet, 'let us go.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"In a second the children were standing beside -'Aunt Twaddles' who, after shouldering her big -bag of herbs, led the way.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"They journeyed along down the bank of the -river past the end of the foot-bridge that led from -the village, when, pausing at the foot of the dangerous -path on the face of the cliff, 'Aunt Twaddles' -rested her herb-bag on the ground for a moment, -and, glancing first at the tall mountain and -then at the children, she exclaimed, with a somewhat -doubtful shake of her head:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'It's a pretty stiff climb, children! It's a -pretty stiff climb! But come on, let's go up!'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Had 'Aunt Twaddles' asked the two children -to rise like two eagles and soar high over the tops -of the mountains, it would not have seemed to them -more of a task than to walk up the bald face of -that cliff; and for a long time they stood gazing -upon 'Aunt Twaddles' as if they thought she had -gone completely out of her head.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Little Arthur suddenly exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Why, Aunt Twaddles, we could never go up -there.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"As the children glanced at her face, they noticed -a strange look in her eyes that startled them. -Was it the look of an evil one seeking to lure two -innocent children to certain death amid the cruel -rocks of the mountain? Or was it the look of the -witch that Old Nimrod, the hunter, had so often -told them about as they sat at his feet by the fire -in the old inn? That look that charmed wildcats -and panthers and snakes into doing her will?</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Without further delay she shouted with a -frown.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Oh yes, you can, children. You shall go up -with me. How often have I gone up this path with -double your weight as a load!'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"And gathering the thick twill of her skirt into -a fold, she placed it tightly within the clasp of -Arthur's hands, at the same time saying:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Come, Maudie, take hold by the side of your -brother and hold fast.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"And before the two frightened children could -realize what they had done, they were high up -on the side of the cliff and did not dare to let -go.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"When they had climbed somewhat higher than -the church spire that towered aloft over the village -across the river, a fisherman, going to raise his -nets, beheld them; and raising a shout of alarm, -it was not long before the street in the village was -filled with excited people. Men yelled with hoarse -voices, pleading with 'Aunt Twaddles' to come -down, but their voices sounded faintly upon the -ears of the children, who hung dangling from the -end of 'Aunt Twaddles'' skirt, high up in the air.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The old, one-legged Inn-keeper hastened away, -pounding his peg-leg on the boards of the bridge, -in a vain effort to get over to where his squeaky -voice might be heard; but without pausing to heed -the tumult below, 'Aunt Twaddles' continued on -up the face of the cliff, constantly warning the two -children to 'Hold fast!'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Old Jonas, the fisherman, with dripping fish -net gathered under his arms, ran with all his might -over the long foot-bridge and down the opposite -bank, where strong men, with pale faces, aided him -in stretching it at the base of the cliff, to catch, as -he said, the lifeless and mangled bodies of the two -children in case they should fall.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Old Nimrod, the hunter, came tottering out of -the bar-room at the inn, his long trusty rifle in -hand, renewing his vow that 'Aunt Twaddles' was -a witch, as he took rest on the rail of the bridge, -firmly resolved to shoot her in case the children -should let go. With eagle eye he gazed along the -polished barrel of his gun and covered the sight-sickening -climb with an unfaltering aim.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Out in the village street, women stood crying -and wringing their hands, while strong men turned -white at the sight of the fat woman, swaying and -wabbling from side to side in her effort to get up -the face of the mountain.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"From the loud sound of her puffing and blowing, -she seemed almost exhausted. Now she would -stumble and totter as if about to fall, when, suddenly -grasping with desperate hand a stout, scrubby -bush, or a ledge of the broken rock, she would -steady herself for a time and by the merest chance -gain a fortunate foothold.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Even the dogs began howling everywhere -throughout the village. Every house stood wide-open -and deserted. Someone entered the old village -church and began slowly tolling the bell, the sound -of which seemed to add a doleful appeal to Heaven -for the safety and care of the children.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Slower and slower, weaker and weaker, yet -onward and upward, 'Aunt Twaddles' toiled on the -face of the cliff, when suddenly one loud moan of -horror swept from the parched throats of the multitude -as 'Aunt Twaddles,' by accident, stepped on -the end of her long skirt and reeling from the face -of the rock, started to fall. Men turned from the -horrible sight and sank to their knees, while over -in the village women fell helpless into each others -arms for support and turned from the sickening -scene.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The crack of a rifle rang out on the air from -the end of the foot-bridge and a puff of blue dust -arose from the face of the cliff just over 'Aunt -Twaddles'' head, where the bullet had shattered -the rock.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Loud shouted the voice of Old Jonas, the fisherman, -'Stretch the net tight, men! Stretch the -net tight! They are falling!' While strong -limbs steadied themselves and firm hands drew -tight on the meshes of stout twine.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"But Fate favors the brave who have presence -of mind. 'Aunt Twaddles' laid firm hold on the -arm of a deep-rooted bush, and, as she drew her -swaying form close to the mountain, the frightened -children, swung far out in mid air, like the pendulum -of a clock, and then heavily back against the -cliff. Still they held firmly on to her dress.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Louder and louder the people now renewed -their cries for 'Aunt Twaddles' to come down; -but to attempt to descend in her weary condition -meant certain death to all.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Onward and upward she continued; and while -the people below were suffering the anguish of suspense, -with one last weary reach she laid firm hold -on an overhanging arm of a dogwood tree that -hung from above and, with a deep sigh of relief, -drew both herself and the children to safety on top -of the cliff.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"A murmur of joy went up from the dry, hoarse -throats of the men at the base of the mountain, -while women sank fainting far across in the streets -of the village. Strong men broke down and wept -under the spell of excitement. Old Nimrod, the -hunter, ceased ramming the charge in his gun, and -Jonas, the fisherman, shouldered his fish net; but -he trembled so from excitement that he could not -carry it home. The slow, solemn toll of the church -bell turned into one long, loud ring of joy.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"A wild shout from high up in the air echoed -and re-echoed over the broad valley below. Far up -on the side of the mountain, the people beheld -'Aunt Twaddles' wildly waving her sun-bonnet -and lifting the children into plain view. In a -moment she lowered them again in the shade of a -tree and then sank for a rest at their side.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"As the children sat gazing about on the beautiful -scene below, they could plainly see the bent -form of the old inn-keeper. He was rattling his -peg-leg back over the bridge, and as he hobbled -along he was shaking his head with an air of -anxiety, thinking no doubt about the safety of the -children, left to the mercy of a witch on the side of -the mountain.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Mercy!' exclaimed 'Aunt Twaddles' with a -deep, weary sigh, 'we will take a good rest before -we go on, for that was a hard climb.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"And now while 'Aunt Twaddles' and the two -children are resting under the shade of a tree on -the side of the mountain, we will rest for a moment, -and I will thank you for a fresh drink of water -before I go on with my story."</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch04' class='c006'>CHAPTER IV <br /> <br /> <span class='small'>THE CAVE IN THE MOUNTAIN</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c012'>As the "Prince of the Highway" finished the -first part of his story and asked for a fresh drink -of water before continuing, there was a wild, scampering -foot-race between the two largest boys as -they hastened away to the well, straining every -muscle and nerve in the struggle to see who might -have the pleasure of honoring the wanderer with -a drink.</p> - -<p class='c013'>All the children that were seated upon the grass -about the Vagabond, began working closer and -closer toward him, forgetful now of the cool and -almost unkind manner in which they had turned a -deaf ear to his request for a drink when first he -paused in the centre of the hot, dusty road. The -little girls took off their bright colored sun-bonnets -in order that they might not lose a single word that -fell from the lips of the dust-covered story-teller.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Mercy!" exclaimed one of the boys, as if just -awakening from the scene that fancy had painted -in his little brain. "Mercy!" again he exclaimed. -"What a terrible climb! Isn't it a wonder that -the two children could hold on so long?"</p> - -<p class='c013'>As the words fell from the lips of the little -speaker, the assembled children seemed to breathe -a sigh of relief, for they well remembered that the -two children were safe on the side of the mountain.</p> - -<p class='c013'>Back over the lawn came the two boys bearing -the water; and after the thirsty Vagabond had refreshed -himself, he blinked his little black eyes and -smacked his dry lips with evident delight, as thus -he continued his story:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Aunt Twaddles' and the children, by this -time, were well rested; and rising from the ground -she took them by the hands and went slowly up -through the mountain woodland.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The effort was not nearly so tiresome as the -long struggle on the face of the cliff had been, and -for some time they made rapid progress; for the -mountain rose in a gentle slope and the way was -closely shaded by tall trees, that some weeks before -had unfolded their bright foliage to the blue -sky of spring.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"If nothing greater was to be expected, the -journey was a delight in itself; and it was fully an -hour before they paused in a merry group on the -very top of the mountain.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"As their feet reached the level soil of the -mountain crown, 'Aunt Twaddles' dropped her -big bag of herbs for a moment of rest, and turning -to the children, she exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'There, darlings, at last! Now gaze about you -on the great underworld and see if this isn't worth -all the trouble and toil that we had on the face of -the cliff?'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Almost dumb with surprise, the children turned -about to gaze upon the world that lay far beneath -them.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"For some time they stood looking upon familiar -scenes, dwarfed now by the distance. The two -children, both seeming to think of this fact, were -wondering in their little minds how they would -ever get down the side of the mountain, for they -were really so high that it made them quite dizzy -to look below.</p> - -<div id='illus059' class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/illus059.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p><span class='small'><i>"Almost dumb with surprise, the children turned about to gaze upon the world that lay far beneath them."</i></span></p> -</div> -</div> -<p class='c013'>"Way down in the deep valley, like the houses -of so many pygmies, nestled the village of Harpers -Ferry, where the foot-bridge appeared like a narrow -strand of dark tape, stretching across a snow-white -stream.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Far to the westward, the long winding path -of the Potomac River glistened in the bright sunlight -like a spotless streamer of snow-white ribbon, -sweeping with many a graceful curve far away into -a narrow trail.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Nearer by, dashing with loud, rumbling roar -against the foot of the Blue Ridge mountains on -the very top of which they were standing, the -foaming, frolicking Shenandoah could be seen here -and there, leaping between the tall rocky cliffs with -merry, gamboling shout that arose like a song to -their ears.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Green wheat-fields, like so many squares of -bright velvet carpet that good farmers had laid out -in the sunlight to air, were plainly in view up the -broad valley; and the blossoming peach-trees on -the far distant hillsides, that stood bathing in the -full glory of the day, looked to them like so many -tiny rose bushes just bursting into full bloom.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Nearer by on the mountain ridge, a stray -mocking-bird sat in a tree top, testing his ruffled -throat by bursting forth in a wild, beautiful chant, -but changing the notes every moment or so to -mock the sweet song of some one of his feathered -acquaintances.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Now sweet and low he was singing the song of -the linnet and calling them all about him from -their busy labor of nest building. Now he was -causing the blue bird to flutter forth in jealous -anger by softly coaxing away its mate. Then, -uttering a loud shrill whistle, he sank into silence, -waiting a reply to his eloquent call from some -greatly deceived 'Bob White' that was eating its -dinner far off in a bramble of mountain shrubs.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Now sweet and low, he sang a song all his -own; so sweet that the linnet and thrush grew -silent; so tremulous and low that it called back -his faithless mate from its wanderings. Then -growing bold and defiant, with frantic effort, he -carolled forth music wild and shrill, as if challenging -the rest of the song birds to a relentless -vocal war.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"A gray squirrel barked high up in the top of -the tall chestnut tree under which they were standing, -and far down in a deep, cool hollow below, -they heard a plumed pheasant drumming his battle -tune unchallenged upon a log.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Come, children,' exclaimed 'Aunt Twaddles,' -'let us go!'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"They followed the ridge of the mountain for -some time; but the journey was made so delightful -and charming by the wonderful scenes beneath -them that the two children did not seem to notice -just how far they had travelled, although they had -gone a great distance and everything about and -beneath them seemed new and changed.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Suddenly they turned to the left from the -mountain ridge and passed down into a dark ravine, -the sides of which were so very high that 'Aunt -Twaddles' said the sun never shone anywhere -within its dark bounds, not even during the noon -hours of midsummer.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"It was a dark and gloomy place indeed, filled -with great pitfalls of slimy, green liquid, from -which arose an unpleasant odor; while there was -barely enough light for them to see that the steep -sides of the ravine were covered with a damp -mould.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"With a feeling of relief they emerged from -this horrible place to find themselves entering a -beautiful and heavily wooded glen.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Aunt Twaddles' informed them that the -gloomy ravine through which they just passed -was called 'The Valley of Dry Bones,' for the reason, -as she said, that the bird or animal once entering -it scarcely ever came out alive, and that what -few did escape death were mere skeletons.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'And how is it that we are not skeletons, Aunt -Twaddles, now that we have passed through the -valley?' exclaimed Arthur, with an inquiring -glance.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Because we have used the power of reason, -my dear, which no bird or animal except man possesses,' -she replied. Then, pausing to glance back, -she continued: 'Knowing the dangers of the valley, -I used the power of reason and laid my course. -If you do not use the power of reason, my boy, you -will often find yourself in the Valley of Dry Bones -as you journey along through life.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Arthur would have questioned 'Aunt Twaddles' -further, but they were now in a beautiful -glen; and as they journeyed along he turned about -to behold the lovely creations of nature that lay on -every hand.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The glen was not very wide, and the leafy -branches of the tall, overhanging trees were so -mingled together that the bright sunlight could -not break through, while the beautiful wild flowers -seemed striving to outdo each other in spreading -their perfume about on the balmy air. Yet -search as they might, there was not a spray of pennyroyal -anywhere to be seen.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"A second glance over the glen proved it to be a -most picturesque spot indeed; for the rocks that -arose here and there from the flower-covered soil -were not dark and weather-stained like those along -the Shenandoah River, and the wild ferns and perfumed -flowers tempted the observing children to -stay their steps.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Now,' exclaimed 'Aunt Twaddles,' as they -walked slowly along, 'this beautiful glen, my darlings, -is called Temporary Delight, which means -short pleasures; for, as you see, we are near its -end.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Looking up, the children were surprised to -behold in front of them a mountain of solid stone.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"They had not met with a greater surprise during -their entire journey than this towering cliff of -rock that now barred their way; and little Maud, -suddenly hushed, dropped her flowers upon the -ground and turned with a troubled look to 'Aunt -Twaddles' as she said in a trembling voice:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Aunt Twaddles, the flowers are beautiful, but, -see, they fade as quickly as they are plucked, and -are not worth carrying. Besides, I do not see any -pennyroyal. How shall we ever get beyond this -great mountain?'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Aunt Twaddles' was standing on the top of -a rock, the summit of which she had reached with -a mighty bound; and as she noticed the troubled -look on the faces of the children, she laughed until -her fat sides fairly shook, when she said to little -Maud in reply:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'The pleasures of life, like these flowers, are -never very lasting, my dear. Never mind, you -shall have your pennyroyal. Just learn to wait -and be patient, for all things require time.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"She made an effort to whistle, but her fat -cheeks refused to make other than a low hissing -sound.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"It was enough. There was an answering -warble from far off in the woodland, then a sudden -flutter of swift crimson wings among the near-by -branches. In another second a beautiful Red Bird -came sailing down the dark glen and, greatly to -the surprise of the two children, lighted upon one -of 'Aunt Twaddles'' shoulders where it began to -sing a most beautiful song.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"In the excitement of the moment, Arthur dropped -the handful of withered flowers he had gathered -for his little sister, and with hands half raised, -shouted for her to turn quickly that she might -behold the wonderful bird; but the startling cry -of the boy was hushed as he beheld the Red Bird -drop from its slender claw a bright golden key -into the outstretched hand of 'Aunt Twaddles', and -then sail away into the woodland.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Aunt Twaddles' stepped toward the cliff and, -turning to the surprised children, she waved the -golden key in the air, as she said in her usually -kind way.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Now, children, listen. I know the old one-legged -miser who keeps the Inn at the Ferry and -have known him ever since he was an ill-tempered -boy who respected not the will of his -parents. I knew your brave father, too, let me -say, many years before he marched gallantly away -to the war from which he never returned. Often -have I given your sweet mother a bite of my candy, -long, long before she went to live with the angels. -And now, for the love of yourselves, as well as for -the memory and respect that I bear your dear, -dead parents, I am going to give you that moment -of peace and joy that the cross old miser so begrudges -you down at the Inn.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"With that she faced the mountain and placed -the golden key in a deep crevice of the rock, at the -same time repeating some strange and mysterious -words.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"There was a deep, rumbling roar within, that -sounded like the angry roll of distant thunder and -greatly frightened the children; when, with a tearing -crash, the tall mountain parted at the centre.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Pieces of bursting rock went flying through -the air in every direction.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Great columns of smoke rose upward and -spread over the entire sky like a mighty cloud.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The severed cliff rolled away to the side and -there before them stood the entrance to a deep, -dark cave that looked gloomy and filled with -danger.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"At first, little Arthur and Maud drew back in -affright and stood ready to fly up the glen for their -lives; but 'Aunt Twaddles,' turning toward them, -exclaimed in calm, easy tones:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Fear not, my children! Fear not, for I am -your friend!'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Then without another word she entered the -mouth of the dark cave and at the chiming sound -of a deep-toned bell, the cavern became filled in a -second with a million bright and glowing lights, -the like of which no mortal eye had ever beheld.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The two little children, now overcome with -amazement, stood for the moment speechless and -motionless in the presence of the strange scene -that lay before them.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The great flood of light that poured from the -cavern illumined the scene with a strange beauty, -that, falling upon the clear, crystal-like rocks of -the glen, seemed to make them glow with sparkling -radiance like so many diamonds; and the -wild flowers of the woodland and the foliage of the -trees hung trembling beneath the magic glare -that the flood of fire cast upon them from the -mouth of the enchanted cave.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Both Arthur and Maud seemed enchanted too. -They could have remained upon the spot perfectly -contented, for a long time, had not 'Aunt Twaddles' -broken the spell by calling them. Taking -each by the hand, she led them into the -cavern.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Instead of the rough, rude, unpolished walls of -dark stone that the two children had expected -to find, they were surprised to see the beautiful -crystallized formations that hung everywhere from -the roof of the cavern. The whole place seemed to -be one living blaze of light. The floor was as -smooth as a piece of glass and so polished that it -might have answered the purpose of a mirror.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"They stood gazing about the great cave for -some time, when 'Aunt Twaddles' hurried them -on their journey, exclaiming:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Come, children, for we have far to go!'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"They walked rapidly on through the cavern -for some distance, not failing, however, to take -time to explore its most interesting parts.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"It was not long before they came to a broad -river that, with its swift current, dashed through -the great cave with mighty roar. 'Aunt Twaddles,' -realizing that in order to proceed upon their journey -they had to cross this stream in some manner, -paused with the two children on the shore. They -stood at the edge of the water, gazing far out over -the tide and wondering what they were going to -do, when, at a wave of command from 'Aunt -Twaddles,' a water sprite rose slowly from the tide -and in another instant stood bowing and scraping -before them.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"He was a most curious-looking creature indeed; -and, although bearing little or no resemblance to -the people of the earth, he was not at all bad to -look upon.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"His face beamed constantly with a broad smile, -that spread his wide mouth with its thin lips almost -from ear to ear; while, in addition to a good pair -of arms, and hands with long, bony but webbed -fingers, he had, on either side of his shoulder -blades, broad fins like a fish, which, no doubt, he -used in his progress through the water.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"His head ran up to a very sharp point on the -top—not a bad feature at all for diving, as it was -sharp like a boat. His eyes, instead of setting -crosswise in his head, as the eyes of most everything -do, set straight up and down with an eyebrow -running along on either side of his nose, the -sight of which caused little Arthur almost to laugh -in his face.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"As he thus stood smiling and bowing before -them, 'Aunt Twaddles' turned to the two children -and said:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'I left a boat here on this side of the river but -this mischievous creature has taken it away. We -had him sent to this underground river because -one night he cut off the beautiful hair of a mermaid -and made it into a wig for himself. I wish -you could have seen him when he appeared the -next day with his false golden locks and dark skin. -He really looked as ridiculous as some of those -women who have yellow hair and black eyebrows.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"With that she made a movement of the hand -and the sprite leaped straight upward into the air, -almost as high as the roof of the cavern; then, turning -a somersault in mid air, he landed head first in -the water with a splash and was gone.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"It was not long before a big boat came swiftly -across the stream. No one was in it, no one was -pushing it, and no one was pulling it, so far as anyone -could see. It came rapidly on and landed -with great care directly in front of 'Aunt Twaddles' -and the children, and without visible aid, -bore them swiftly across the stream and landed -them safely on the other side of the river, where -they resumed their journey.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"As they walked slowly along under the glaring -light, the children beheld long rows of shelves -covering one entire side of the cavern. When -Arthur inquired of 'Aunt Twaddles' what they -might be, they paused for a moment while she informed -them that this great cavern was the Store -House for the seeds of all the flowers and fruits -that grew in 'Beauty Valley.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Although Arthur wanted to inquire further -about 'Beauty Valley,' for he had never heard its -name mentioned before, his inquisitive nature was -silenced; for, scarcely had 'Aunt Twaddles' -finished telling about the wonderful places to be -found in the enchanted cave, when they came to -its end and found themselves stopped by the presence -of a great stone door.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"For a moment, 'Aunt Twaddles' stood before -this door, waving her fat arms in a strange, frantic -manner, as if she had entirely gone out of her -mind. In a low tone she uttered many strange -words, which the children did not understand; and -you can imagine their surprise as they beheld the -stone door move quickly but silently to one side, -and a flood of golden sunlight sweep into the cave.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"They were now very anxious indeed to know -what new wonder might lie before them.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"As the stone door rolled away, the enchanted -cavern again became dark and the children wanted -to hasten out into the sunshine at once; but the -voice and hand of 'Aunt Twaddles' caused them -to stay their steps, as in earnest tones she exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Wait, darlings! We must wait until the Red -Bird comes back with a message before we dare -step upon this sacred soil.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"And before she had finished speaking, a beautiful -Red Bird flew into the mouth of the cavern -and lighted upon 'Aunt Twaddles' shoulder. She -whispered some strange words into its ear and it -darted rapidly away.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"And now while 'Aunt Twaddles' and the -children are waiting the return of the magical Red -Bird in the mouth of the great cave, we will wait -here for a moment of rest while the boys bring -some fresh water from the well, for I know some -of you are quite thirsty."</p> - -<p class='c013'>And the Vagabond, wiping the perspiration from -his dusty brow, sank into silence and began fanning -himself with his tattered black hat.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch05' class='c006'>CHAPTER V <br /> <br /> <span class='small'>THE VILLAGE OF HIDE AND SEEK</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c012'>As the Vagabond ceased speaking, a murmur -passed completely around the party, and it was -easily seen that the children were delighted with -the story so far as it had gone.</p> - -<p class='c013'>Three of the boys arose, and bidding their near-by -companions hold their places in the charmed -circle, dashed away to the well for water. The -rest of the children closed in about the now smiling -wanderer and sat silently gazing upon him, thinking, -no doubt, how fortunate they were in having -given him a drink of water when he first paused in -the roadway.</p> - -<p class='c013'>By this time they were almost willing to give -him the well itself if he desired it.</p> - -<p class='c013'>The three boys hastened back with the water, -and the Vagabond, having passed it around to the -children, dampened his brow with the remainder, -and wiping it dry on his coat sleeve, waited for the -boys to be seated.</p> - -<p class='c013'>A robin came from far across the field and lighted -in the top of the tree under which they were seated, -as if it, too, wanted to hear a part of the story. -Turning his eye for a second upon the red-breasted -songster, the Vagabond continued his tale.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"A little time soon passes away like the song of -that robin above us; and it was not long before the -Red Bird returned with a noisy flutter of its crimson -wings, while the clang of deep-toned bells -sounded within the cavern. As the great stone -door moved slowly into place, 'Aunt Twaddles' -and the children stepped from the mouth of the -cave with a merry bound into the sunlight.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Before them lay a broad, beautiful, green valley, -that, at a first glance, seemed to be shut in by tall -mountains on all sides; while in the centre of a -blue-grass lawn rose a village of tiny play-houses, -each as perfectly and as carefully built as the home -of some boasted citizen of wealth and fame.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Each house was ornamented with a vine-covered -porch and green window shutters, while -through the open windows and doorways floated a -balmy, midsummer atmosphere, laden with mingled -perfume of wild honeysuckle, orange blossoms and -roses,—so charming that I, a poor vagabond, am at -a loss for suitable words to describe it.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The village itself was laid out in wide, well-paved -streets with a great public square in the -centre, where arose a most beautiful building of -white marble, ornamented here and there with -figures of doll babies carved from the solid stone.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The streets stretched away from the public -square in every direction for considerably more -than a mile and so charmed and bewildered were -the children by this unexpected sight that, for a -long time, they stood looking at it, fairly trembling -with delight.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"From the side of a cliff that formed part of a -mountain near where they were standing, a great -rock projected far over their heads like a rugged -shelf, to which a winding staircase of pure onyx -gave easy access. A golden throne stood far out -on this rocky shelf from which all parts of the village, -as well as of the valley, could be seen with a -sweeping glance.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Before the children had time to make any inquiry, -'Aunt Twaddles' took them by their hands -and led them up this glistening stairway to the -golden throne, where they stood looking about -over the wonderful surroundings.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Make yourselves at home,' said 'Aunt Twaddles,' -as she sank back with a sigh of relief into a -golden chair; but when little Maud turned to -thank her politely, she found her little heart so full -of gratitude and joy she was unable to speak a -single word.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Down in the village of tiny play-houses, bright, -happy-faced dolls were playing upon the clean -streets and out on the lawn of the public square; -while hundreds of dolls were streaming in and out -of the beautiful building around which lay the -miniature village.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"They were laughing and talking, chatting and -romping, until the air fairly echoed with the sound -of their merry voices. Many, separated from the -rest in groups, were playing all sorts of games; -and so firmly were the bright eyes of the children -riveted upon the gamboling, playful beauties that -nothing seemed able to draw their attention away.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Over the village hung an unclouded arch of -bright, blue sky, while scattered everywhere on the -green lay toys and playthings of every known -kind that might either amuse or instruct the doll -babies.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Some dolls were busily engaged in running -toy steam engines. Others were spinning their -tops on the streets of the village. Still others were -sending up crimson and yellow and blue balloons -and watching them pass out of sight or burst in -mid-air.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Off in a vacant place a number of boy dolls -were flying their kites, and others were playing -baseball and tennis; while marbles in millions lay -scattered all over the ground. Little Arthur, eyeing -them enviously, turned to his sister and said:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Mercy! Wouldn't I like to have some of -those beautiful toys down in Harpers Ferry.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Maud's only reply to her delighted brother was -a long-drawn sigh, on the very breath of which she -exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Oh, Arthur! Look at the beautiful dolls!'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"For a long time the children watched the dolls -as they romped upon the clean streets and green -playgrounds. Finally, little Maud looked up at -'Aunt Twaddles' and inquired with a serious air -and softened voice:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Aunt Twaddles, is this Heaven?'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"A sudden smile spread over 'Aunt Twaddles'' -big fat face. Leaning forward toward the edge of -the golden throne, she placed her head between the -two children, and pointing to the village with a -clumsy, awkward hand, she said:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'This beautiful spot, my dear children, is the -Village of Hide and Seek. You might truthfully -call it a heaven for the dolls, for they never have -any trouble or sorrow here.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Little Maud breathed a deep sigh as she turned -again to her friend and exclaimed in breathless -surprise:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'The Village of Hide and Seek! What a -beautiful place! And I never heard of it before!'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"She sank into silence when she saw a little -doll bowing very politely, as it introduced one -little doll to another whom they happened to meet -on a side street of the village.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The question asked by his little sister and so -beautifully answered by 'Aunt Twaddles,' paved -the way for Arthur to ask some questions himself. -Turning to 'Aunt Twaddles' he said:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Aunt Twaddles, what is that beautiful white -building with the tower of gold standing in the -very centre of the public square? See! The dolls -are hurrying to it from every direction!'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"When the boy had finished speaking, 'Aunt -Twaddles' took one sweeping glance over the village -and replied:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'That fine building, my darlings, is the -Temple of Music. When the clock in its tower -strikes twelve all the dolls will come out of the -Temple, and, gathering on the green about the -band stand, they will all begin to sing.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Arthur and Maud glanced away toward the -clock that stood just beneath the golden dome in the -tower of the Temple of Music. It was five minutes -to the hour; yet the dolls were forsaking their -playthings all over the village and rapidly hastening -to the Temple. In a moment more the streets -of the village were deserted.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"There lay their thousands of fine toys with no -one to molest them. There stood their play-houses -with wide-open windows and doors and no one to -touch the fine furniture within; while beyond lay -the broad, green, but now idle playground.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The hands of the clock in the tower closed -slowly, one upon the other, as if in loving embrace.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"One, two, three, came the sound of the -chime in the belfry, and thus it continued until -the last stroke of twelve, when, from the wide-open -doors of the Temple of Music, the dolls -filed out into the public square and formed -themselves in circling rows around the band -stand.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"In glittering raiment of silver and gold lace, -the Doll-Baby Brass-Band of fully five hundred -pieces appeared on the scene and took its place in -the band stand.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"A marshall, or music master, climbed to his -place on a pedestal.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"There was a loud tap of his gold baton and the -instruments went up to the lips of the happy-faced -players. Then came a firm wave of command; -and one grand, wild burst of sweet melody fell upon -the ears of the delighted children, so overcome by -the sight and sound they had to lean upon the side -of the golden throne, as all the dolls in the village -thus began to sing:</p> -<div class='lg-container-b c014'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"'Oh come to the Village of Hide and Seek,</div> - <div class='line in3'>For Little Boy Blue, and Little Bo-Peep,</div> - <div class='line in1'>With Hi-Diddle-Diddle, the Cat and the Fiddle,</div> - <div class='line in3'>Are coming to visit us soon.</div> - <div class='line in1'>Old Mother Goose will be sweeping the sky,</div> - <div class='line in1'>And poor Simple Simon will bring us a pie;</div> - <div class='line in1'>While Little Jack Horner will milk on the corner</div> - <div class='line in1'>The Cow that Jumped over the Moon.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in15'><i>Chorus.</i></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"'We are glad that you came, so please tell us your name</div> - <div class='line in1'>And join us a while in our favorite game.</div> - <div class='line in1'>You should dwell in the Village of Hide and Seek,</div> - <div class='line in1'>For it's Saturday here every Day in the week,—</div> - <div class='line in1'>It is Saturday, Saturday all of the week.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"'Now Jack from his Bean Stalk will jump to the ground.</div> - <div class='line in3'>The Black Birds will leave the King's pie with a bound.</div> - <div class='line in1'>While Old Mother Hubbard will open her cupboard</div> - <div class='line in3'>And search it again for a bone.</div> - <div class='line in1'>The Dish will come back with the Spoon that it stole,</div> - <div class='line in3'>And Dickery Dock bring the mouse from its hole,</div> - <div class='line in1'>While we will go hunting for Bye Baby Bunting,</div> - <div class='line in3'>And bring her poor Daddy back home.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in15'><i>Chorus.</i></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"'Mary Contrary will pay us a call,</div> - <div class='line in3'>And fat Humpty Dumpty will tumble and fall,</div> - <div class='line in1'>While poor Jack and Jill, who fell down the hill,</div> - <div class='line in3'>Will gambol about on the green.</div> - <div class='line in1'>The Old Woman and children that lived in a Shoe,</div> - <div class='line in3'>With the Piper and Tom and the Pig, will come too—</div> - <div class='line in1'>And bring Mrs. Jack Sprat with a mouth full of fat,</div> - <div class='line in3'>And Jack with a mouth full of lean.'</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in15'><i>Chorus.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c012'>"The singing was over; and, as the last notes -died on the air, the children seemed to waken as if -from a trance, for their eyes had been riveted upon -the singing dolls in one long, unbroken stare.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Such singing!' cried little Maud, as she -turned toward her still dazed brother.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Such a band!' he exclaimed, merrily clapping -his hands as he glanced from his sister to 'Aunt -Twaddles;' while down in the Village of Hide -and Seek the dolls were filing back into the -Temple of Music.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Look!' exclaimed 'Aunt Twaddles,' as she -pointed away toward the village. 'The dolls are -going back into the Temple to practise and the -streets of the village will now be deserted for at -least an hour.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The happy children turned about just in time -to see the last of the great army of dolls as they -entered the doors of the Temple. All now throughout -the village lay quiet and still.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Off in the far end of the valley flowed a golden -stream. It was quite wide indeed and its current, -as yellow as any gold that was ever made into a -finger ring, rippled at a surprisingly rapid rate.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The banks on this side were clear of bushes -and nothing grew to hide any of the swift-flowing -river from view. On the opposite side, and close -to the edge of the tide, arose tall buildings surrounded -by huge piles of well-seasoned lumber, -from which came a buzzing sound as if this might -be a factory of some kind.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Farther down on the edge of the stream stood -several long sheds filled with bolts of silk and -ribbon, satins and laces in great piles without -number; while standing well up in the sky and -high over all, as if suspended from the arched -heavens above, hung a tall, golden sign with shining -letters that glistened in the dazzling sun light.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"For a long time the strange sign greatly -puzzled the children, for the letters seemed to be -put up backward and failed to spell anything in -particular; while through the open spaces between -them they could just see the outlines of a herd of -reindeer feeding afar in a field of spotless snow.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Arthur's inquisitive nature could permit no -such puzzle to remain long unsolved, and turning -to 'Aunt Twaddles' he excitedly asked:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Aunt Twaddles, what are those tall buildings -with the strange sign over them?'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Aunt Twaddles' looked up with a smile and -almost shouted with a merry laugh, 'Strange -sign?' But as she glanced in the direction of -the golden stream, she burst forth in an astonished, -serious tone and said:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Mercy upon us! The wind has turned the -sign completely around.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"She touched a small pearl button inlaid in -the arm of her golden chair, and all at once a -gentle breeze swept down the valley, rustling the -leaves and tilting the tops of the trees that stood -in its way. Slowly the great sign turned upon its -centre with a loud, squeaking sound.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Again 'Aunt Twaddles' touched the pearl -button. The breeze ceased blowing; the leaves -became silent. Both Arthur and Maud nearly -fainted; for now before their very eyes they read -in large letters of pure, burnished gold.</p> - -<p class='c013'><span class='large'>"'WORK SHOPS AND FACTORIES OF -SANTA CLAUS. Established A. D. <span class='small'>1</span>.'</span></p> - -<p class='c013'>"No wonder that piles of seasoned lumber -towered sky high! No wonder great sheds filled -with silk lined the bank of the stream!</p> - -<p class='c013'>"There, surely enough, were his reindeer feeding -far off in the snow-fields; and as the ever -good-natured Santa Claus himself appeared on -the roof of his factory and waved them a hearty -welcome, the children, awed by the sight of this -great man, sank into the stout arms of 'Aunt -Twaddles' in a spasm of silent joy.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Well!' exclaimed 'Aunt Twaddles' after a -time. 'I am so glad you saw Santa, for he seldom -allows even the dolls to see him except about -Christmas time; and now if you will be patient for -a moment, we shall see what this button will -bring forth.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"She touched a blue button inlaid among many -in the arm of her golden chair.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Instantly, far off in the mountain, the -children heard singing. Not the sweet singing of -childish voices that had come from the multitude -of dolls in the village, but a wild, musical chant -that seemed to set the very air in motion and to -waken a thrill in their hearts such as they had -never known before.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Closer and closer it came until the merry -voices could be heard quite plainly. Nearer and -nearer, until the words fell upon their delighted -ears, as if spoken by someone upon the very throne -at their side.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"All the dolls came pouring out of the Temple -of Music through every door of the building, and -forming themselves into line behind a soldierly -looking little leader, they separated into companies -and regiments and commenced a marching drill, as -thus the voices sang:</p> -<div class='lg-container-b c014'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"'The Ice Cream is so delicious,</div> - <div class='line in1'>And the Cake so soft and fine.</div> - <div class='line in1'>Come on, Brownies, bring the dishes,</div> - <div class='line in1'>And Doll Babies fall in line;</div> - <div class='line in1'>Tell the boy dolls and the ladies</div> - <div class='line in1'>To give every tot a spoon,</div> - <div class='line in1'>And put bibs upon the babies,</div> - <div class='line in1'>For we're coming with it soon.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in1'>'Down the hill, down the hill,</div> - <div class='line in1'>Not at all like Jack and Jill,</div> - <div class='line in1'>For the cream we never spill,</div> - <div class='line in1'>While our voices loud and shrill</div> - <div class='line in1'>Echo back from hill to hill.'</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c012'>"Louder and louder came the chant from the -mountain; when lo! as they gazed in the direction -of the music, they were surprised to behold dwarf -after dwarf marching down the mountain-side, each -singing with all his might.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"At some distance behind them, scurrying helter -skelter and pell mell, were a group of acrobatic -brownies, turning somersaults and handsprings, -flip flaps and cart wheels. Some were sliding -down the steep on one ear, while others paused for -a moment to stand straight up in the air on the -tips of their noses. Some were walking along on -their hands; but all moved with merry, joyous -shout onward toward the village, juggling their -dishes in the air as they came.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The voices of the singers were in perfect unison, -from the little pot-bellied brownie in the rear, who -sang bass, to the flat-faced pygmy in the centre, -whose high tenor notes echoed and re-echoed -among the surrounding mountains. Thus gaily -they came onward, while 'Aunt Twaddles' and -the children stood watching them from the -throne.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Down in the Village of Hide and Seek all -now was silent. The Doll-General had scattered -his forces and marched them away in a quiet, -orderly manner to long tables methodically grouped -on the lawn. All the dolls seemed to be listening -to the sweet music.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Louder and louder came the song from the -band of musical midgets. As they drew nearer, -Arthur and Maud noticed that each dwarf carried a -large tray before him and that the trays were -loaded with good things to eat, piled so high that a -strong wide strap encircled the neck of each dwarf -and helped support the tray at its sides.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Down the line the army of tumbling pygmies -came whirling along, each bearing a tower of snow-white -china dishes; and, strange as it may seem, -not a dish was broken in the rocky journey.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The dwarfs were not long in spreading their -fine feast before the dolls. They had scarcely -begun to pass around the cake when two sturdy-looking -dwarfs staggered up the onyx steps of the -throne, bearing two heavily laden trays.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"They were followed by four funny-faced little -brownies who spread a table before the children, -and, winking and blinking and smiling, went merrily -about their work.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"When the table was all prepared, the dwarfs -placed before each of the children a big turkey-dish -piled two feet high with vanilla, strawberry -and chocolate ice cream. The four brownies then -stepped between them and sat down a wash tub -filled with rich chocolate layer cake. Then, with -a wild shout of hilarious joy, they slid head first -down the golden balustrade and landed upon the -grass, turning somersault after somersault as they -rolled along on the velvety lawn.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"And such ice cream it was! You could fairly -see the rich, yellow cream oozing out of it. Little -Maud declared, as she looked at her brother with a -delighted smile, that it surely must have been -sweetened with honey.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'My!' she exclaimed, as she tasted it again -and again, 'What glorious cream! I could die -eating it, but we must save some to take home.' -And she tasted it again, with a loud smack of her -pretty lips.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Aunt Twaddles' leaned far back in her golden -chair and, seeming to have overheard little Maud, -she straightened up as she exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Eat plenty of it, my darling! Eat plenty of -it! For I have a whole valley full lying over between -the mountains.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Instantly the children, startled at the very -thought, looked up from their delightful repast.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'A whole valley full!' exclaimed Arthur, but -he could say no more, for he had to stop eating to -think about it.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"He picked up a piece of cake and tasted it.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Oh, Maud,' he cried, 'try some quick! Just -try some! This is the grandest cake you ever ate.' -And as the children were feasting upon the cake, -Arthur added in a half-whisper, glancing down at -the wash tub piled full:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'But we must not eat it all, Maud, we must -save some to take home.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Eat plenty, my darlings, eat plenty!' came -from the lips of 'Aunt Twaddles.' 'I have a tall -mountain of it standing just across the valley -before you.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The excited children again looked up from -their feast and there, sure enough, just across the -green valley and standing directly in front of -them, towered a tall golden-colored mountain, that -reached almost to the sky.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"And to think that it was all cake!</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The children were so surprised they could -make no reply. Between every mouthful they -raised their sparkling eyes to look at Cake Mountain; -and, as there seemed to be no need of saving -any of the cake or ice cream, they started in to do -full justice to their repast, for they were truly -hungry after the long journey from Harpers Ferry -to the village of Hide and Seek.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"And now while little Arthur and Maud are -enjoying themselves, and swallowing great spoonfuls -of delicious ice cream, we will pause in the -story for a moment while some of you swallow -another drink of that nice cool water, if the boys -will kindly bring it to us from the well."</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch06' class='c006'>CHAPTER VI <br /> <br /> <span class='small'>THE QUEEN OF THE DOLLS</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c012'>The hot sun was now standing directly over -the tops of the trees, and, as the moving shade had -left the Vagabond with a part of his circle of -children out in its broiling rays, he was glad indeed -to pause with his story while they all rose at -his request and formed a new circle farther in -under the sheltering branches. Four of the boys -leaped from the ground and scampered away to -bring the water as the Vagabond had requested.</p> - -<p class='c013'>When the new circle was formed, one of the -little girls,—a sweet-faced darling of not more -than five years, pushed herself away from the -others, and with a feeling of pride, took a seat by -the side of the Vagabond, where she sat looking -into his face quite anxious for him to go on with -his story.</p> - -<p class='c013'>The boys were not slow in returning from the -well; and in order to assure themselves that the -water would reach the parched lips of their companions -fresh and cool, they had unbound the old -oaken bucket from the well pole and were bearing -it along, dripping full, between them. The water -soon arrived, and by order of the Vagabond it was -passed around, he not even forgetting to first -wait upon the little lady who, so honored, sat -proudly by his side. When they were all comfortably -seated in the shade at last, it was thus he -continued his interesting tale:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"After the two children had eaten all they -possibly could, just as many of you drank all the -water you possibly could, the dwarfs and brownies -came hurrying up the stairs and were not long in -removing the dishes and table. The brownies, in -a most winning manner, insisted upon their eating -more, for there was enough left to feed a dozen -hungry children, but they were forced to reluctantly -decline.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The sun-tanned brownie, who removed the -dishes from in front of Maud, looked too funny for -anything with his long-peaked cap set aslant on -his little round head and roguishly pushed over to -one side. On his face appeared a broad grin as he -took the dishes under his arm, and gazing intently -toward little Maud, said in a shy, half-whisper -though sufficiently loud for her to hear: "Pretty -girl!"</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Then without waiting a reply, he made one -wild, hilarious plunge, dishes and all, down the -balustrade. Nor did he stop when he struck the -ground, but hurried away toward the mountain, -halting only for a second when half way up its -steep side to wave her an affectionate adieu with -his funny round cap. Thus waving he passed -from sight under the sheltering trees that grew -along the mountain way, while the children turned -to view other parts of the beautiful valley.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'What broad, golden stream is that, Aunt -Twaddles?' inquired little Arthur, as he pointed -toward the Work Shops of Santa Claus.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Aunt Twaddles' glanced up as he spoke and -looking in the direction of the golden stream, she -replied.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'That, my darlings, is Taffy River.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Taffy River!' exclaimed the children in one -breath. Then Arthur, in an excited tone, continued: -'You don't mean to tell us, Aunt -Twaddles, that taffy flows in a river like that!'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The children stood anxiously awaiting her -reply.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Yes, darlings! Oh, yes!' she replied. -'Taffy River gets its start up at Honey Springs in -the lower end of Ice Cream Valley and flows, as -you see, down between Ginger Bread Hills and -Cake Mountain, then on past the Work Shops of -Santa Claus and empties into Lake Fudge, over -beyond the Pop-Corn Fields where you see the -reindeer.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Arthur was so bewildered he did not know -what to say; while little Maud stood with her -mouth open in such a manner that she was quite -amusing to look upon. Suddenly she exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Mercy, Aunt Twaddles! Is that white field -pop corn? Why I thought it was snow!'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'No! no! my children!' smilingly exclaimed -the good lady. 'That field is all pop corn. You -see,' she continued, 'we never have either rain or -snow here. Not a particle of water is ever permitted -to fall in this enchanted valley, not even a -drop of dew; for if it should, though it was only a -tear, something dreadful would surely happen. -This is not our will, but the will of Heaven; and -if you watch, you will see for yourselves.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Aunt Twaddles' touched another button in -the arm of her golden chair and gazed calmly over -the valley.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"While they were waiting for something -unusual to happen, little Maud roused from a spell -of deep thought and inquired:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Aunt Twaddles, does any of Taffy River ever -empty into the Shenandoah?' And her eyes -sparkled at the thought.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Ah, no, darling,' replied the generous old -woman with a knowing smile. 'When the children -of the earth are good, Santa Claus takes -most of it on his journey at Christmas time; but -when they are naughty it overflows Lake Fudge -and is wasted among the surrounding hills.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Aunt Twaddles' seemed somewhat impatient -and again pressing the button with a firm hand, -the children were greatly surprised to behold a -heavy, dark cloud rising in the west. Leaping -upward it came flying angrily over the summit -of Ginger Bread Hills; then dashing furiously -against the tall sides of Cake Mountain it rolled -upward with the sound of deep, muttering thunder -and spread over the entire sky.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The wind came howling bitterly down the -beautiful valley with a sudden dash and roar, and -again turned the sign above the factory of Santa -Claus out of reasonable position.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Strong trees bent low before the breath of the -on-coming storm, while the entire end of Beauty -Valley grew suddenly dark. All the dolls of the -village hastened into their play-houses as fast as -their little legs could carry them. Santa Claus -came out of his factory and, arching his eyebrows -with the palms of his wide-open hands, cast a -sweeping glance over the threatening sky and then -disappeared within.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The doors throughout this great factory were -suddenly closed. Windows came down with a -bang. Louder and louder the shrill wind howled -with a wintry wail and in a few moments a blinding -snowstorm of pop corn buried the distant -field in a spotless coverlet of white.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Aunt Twaddles' touched another button in -the arm of her chair. Suddenly the clouds melted -away into a veil of thin mist and again the sun -poured down its wealth of golden glory.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Up went the windows in the factory of Santa -Claus. The dolls rushed out of their play-houses -and danced once more upon the green, while a -mighty host of brownies rushed from the factories -into the field and began to gather basket after -basket of pop corn to be made into pop-corn balls -on the banks of Taffy River.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Aunt Twaddles' sat back in her chair, smiling -silently, for she had watched the expressions -upon the faces of the children during the wonderful -storm.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The scene was indeed most marvelous and it -was a long time before either of the children ventured -to say a word, for the wonderful workings of -nature, all under control of the little, shining buttons, -mystified them beyond utterance.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Suddenly they beheld a little brownie hurrying -from the factory toward the throne. 'Aunt -Twaddles' arose when she saw him coming.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Here comes a messenger,' she said, 'and -something must be wrong.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"In another second he bounded up the onyx -steps and soon afterward stood tremblingly before -them.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'What is it, Spit?' inquired 'Aunt Twaddles' -as she gazed down upon him.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Spit,' for that was the name of the brownie, -looked up into her face as he stood awed by her -presence.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Twaddles!' he exclaimed, 'during the storm -the lightning struck a wooden doll in the village -and hurt it mighty badly.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"As this sad bit of news fell on the ears of 'Aunt -Twaddles,' she dismissed the brownie with a wave -of her hand and sank back in her chair, and the -children could see that she was much distressed.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Come! come!' she said to herself at last, -'we must not grieve so much over accidents, for -they are often the will of Heaven.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"She arose and greeted the children with a glad -smile.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Aunt Twaddles,' inquired Arthur, 'does -Santa Claus always live here?'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Instantly, 'Aunt Twaddles' stepped back from -the children and paused. She stood near the -steps of the golden throne, her hand resting upon -the white polished onyx post that ornamented the -end of the beautiful balustrade, and turning to -them, she said:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Yes, children, Santa Claus always lives here -and I am his sister.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"As she spoke the last word, a magical change -came over her entire features.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Instead of the fat, flabby, emotionless countenance -the children had long known and loved, -each careworn line withered instantly away, and -in place came the bloom and smile of eternal -youth and beauty; while the ungainly and ponderous -weight that had so encumbered her journeys, -disappeared all in a moment, until she now -looked more like a beautiful fairy than the dear, -good 'Aunt Twaddles' of old.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"All the odd, ill-fitting garments, with the long, -heavy skirt to which they had so firmly clung for -their lives while climbing the face of the cliff, -were changed before their very eyes into raiments -of rich lace and gold; and she stood before them -in her true character, no longer 'Aunt Twaddles,' -the herb woman, but the fairy sister of Santa -Claus, more lovely by far than any doll they had -ever beheld.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'You see me now, darlings, as no mortal eye -has ever beheld me. Amid the common walks of -life, when gathering wintergreen, spices, and herbs -on the mountain, with which to flavor the candy -for Santa Claus, I am awkward and ugly, fat, and -ungainly, and I care not; for the rarest of -womanly beauty on earth lies not in the looks, but -the heart. But here, in this haven of blissful -repose, you now behold me as I truly am;—not -Aunt Twaddles, the herb woman, but <i>Twaddles, -the Queen of the Dolls</i>, and the ruler who reigns -over the Village of Hide and Seek.'</p> - -<div id='illus115' class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/illus115.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p><span class='small'><i>"All the odd, ill-fitting garments were changed into raiments of gold."</i></span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c013'>"Awed beyond measure and wrapt in admiring -silence, the poor children stood trembling in the -presence of the queen. Nor could they reconcile -themselves to the sudden change, for 'Aunt Twaddles,' -the herb woman, had always been so good -and kind to them.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Little Maud suddenly sank to her knees on -the throne, and cried aloud in a pitiful voice:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Oh, dear queen, how beautiful you are! But -please be your dear self again, for I love the -Aunt Twaddles who has always been so good to -me.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Before she could finish her heart-rending plea, -the beautiful Doll Queen folded her to her bosom -and covered the face of the child with sweet, motherly -caresses.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Come! come!' she said softly, at last. 'We -will make a tour of Beauty Valley, or, as the dolls -of the village all love to call it, 'The Land of -Santa Claus.' And she unclasped Maud from her -arms.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The Queen touched a bell on a silver stand and -at the faint sound a beautiful white-winged dove, -with a pale blue ribbon about its snowy neck, came -flying from a near-by olive tree and lit upon the -edge of the throne before them.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The children, much interested in the unusual -sight, drew back toward the opposite side of the -throne as if fearing they might frighten the bird -away; but the Queen, smiling so sweetly that they -felt like falling to their knees and worshipping -her, turned to them as she exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Have no fear, my darlings, for you cannot -frighten it away. This bird is my private messenger -that always finds Kimbo when I want him.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The Queen waved her hands with a graceful, -easy motion, and the dove rose in the air on its -snowy wings. Three times it circled above the -throne, and then took its course toward the buildings -of Santa Claus and passed out of sight. The -Queen stepped lightly beside them and said:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Let us wait now, my darlings, for the arrival -of Kimbo.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"And now while we leave the beautiful Queen -standing with the children upon the golden throne -and waiting for Kimbo, whoever he is, I will wait -here by the side of this little queen, seated upon -God's Throne, the green grass, until some of the -boys bring us more water; for the day is sultry -and warm and Miss Lady, so sweet at my side, -must be kept like a fresh cut flower, shaded and -cool."</p> - -<p class='c013'>The Vagabond ceased with that part of his -story.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch07' class='c006'>CHAPTER VII <br /> <br /> <span class='small'>"KIMBO, THE GIANT"</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c012'>"The Queen of the Dolls!" cried all the children -with delight.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"My, how I should like to meet her!" exclaimed -one flaxen-haired little maiden, who formed a part -of the circle.</p> - -<p class='c013'>The little girl beside the Vagabond declared she -would have her mamma write to the Queen that -night and ask Santa Claus to take the letter to her -the next time he came around.</p> - -<p class='c013'>There was a loud outburst of merry laughter -that was joined in by His Highness the Vagabond -himself.</p> - -<p class='c013'>The mirth soon subsided, and before they had -hardly time to engage in much general talk about -the "Queen of the Dolls," five of the boys came -hurrying from the well, bearing the old oaken -bucket, dripping and cool. When the general -thirst was quenched, the Vagabond cast a smile -upon the upturned face of his sweet little friend, -who so honored his side by her presence, as he -thus went on with his tale.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The white-winged dove had scarcely passed -out of sight before the two children beheld a strange -object moving up and down along the distant -horizon; and so rapid was its approach that it was -not long before they could distinguish the outlines -of a gigantic personage.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"He seemed to be leaping over great fields, fully -a mile at a stride, in his frantic effort to get to the -throne. Turning to watch the approaching figure, -the Queen cried aloud:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Oh, children, look quickly! Kimbo the Giant -is coming with all his might!'</p> - -<div id='illus123' class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/illus123.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p><span class='small'><i>"He seemed to be leaping over great fields fully a mile at a stride."</i></span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c013'>"And before the amazed children could say a -word, the wondrous Kimbo cleared the factories of -Santa Claus and Taffy River with a mighty bound, -and in another instant stood before them.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The giant was so tall that his ponderous chin -was level with the floor of the golden throne; and -you can well imagine their surprise, not a little of -which was tinged with fear, when they saw his -massive features.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The children sank back in affright; but when -the Queen assured them that the Giant was as -kind as any doll down in the village, they ventured -to turn with a shudder and look into his partly -opened mouth. It appeared to them like a hole in -the mountain near Harpers Ferry where the people -once dug out coal.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"As he uttered a few words of respect to the -Queen, accompanied with a low bow, the sound -which came from his partly opened lips was like -the deep, growling rumble of distant thunder and -shook the very throne on which they were standing.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"His eyes were larger than saucers; and the -great veins in his glaring eye-balls seemed like -blood-red cords swollen and ready to burst. His -ears, each ornamented with an earring as big as a -wagon-tire, were as long as Maud's little arm; -and never a pumpkin grew longer or larger than -Kimbo's great nose.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"His neck was as thick as the trunk of the -largest tree that grew down by the Shenandoah -River, and just about as wrinkled and rough as its -bark; while his broad shoulders were far wider -than the entire throne of the Queen.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"His eyebrows resembled great patches of grass -more than eyebrows, and his massive jaws, supporting -a wrinkled chin, looked as if they might -take a bite out of the very rock in the side of the -mountain and not mind it in the least.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"On the top of his head he wore a peculiar kind -of rig intended no doubt for a hat, which was bound -firmly in place by strands of his coarse black hair, -as thick and perhaps as strong as a hawser. On -closer inspection, however, this hat proved to be a -kind of settee, for its entire side was an upholstered -seat with strong arms and deep cushions.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The Queen stepped toward the edge of the -throne and invited the children for a ride on the -Giant's head.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"As they were all ready to get aboard, the Giant -lowered his head until the settee was level with -the floor of the throne and they were not tardy in -getting comfortably seated. In another moment -they were off on the journey.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"They started away at such a rapid pace that -the children could hardly breathe; so the Queen -cautioned the Giant to go more slowly, and he -slackened his pace to the speed of a railroad train. -The Queen informed them that he was then only -walking, and that they need not be alarmed in the -least as the Giant was sure-footed and would not -stumble or fall.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Onward they went like the wind, past the foot -of Cake Mountain with its towering sides and -dome of rich, brown crusted cake; on up through -the Ice Cream Valley, where, with a mighty roar, -the Honey Springs gushed from the ground. -Thence over the Ginger Bread Hills and past -field after field filled with pie plants, in which an -army of brownies were gathering hot pies and -sprinkling them with sugar.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"They passed through great groves of cocoanut -trees from the tops of which shouting bands of -wild monkeys threw cocoanut shells after them; -thence through vineyards of ripening grapes and -orchards of oranges and lemons, and arrived at -last at the border of a most beautiful lake that, -with its wild, wonderful surroundings, presented -the grandest scene they had ever beheld.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The great Kimbo backed cautiously up to a -towering rock, one side of which presented a -straight cliff toward the lake; and when they had -stepped from their high perch on the Giant's head -to the smooth level top of the great rock, the Queen -bade them pause for a moment to look about over -the beautiful scene that now lay beneath and -before them.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Stretching away in the distance, almost as far -as the eye could see, lay a marvellous lake that, in -its fitful, frolicsome mood, resembled some rolling -sea of crimson and gold and piled its great -billows, glistening in the sunlight, with a resounding -crash upon the pebbly shore.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Far off to the right, and many thousands of -feet higher than the rock on which they were -standing, a stream came tumbling down from the -crown of a tall mountain, and churning its waters -into endless foam, fell into a deep and distant -valley.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Pointing away with her pretty hand, the Queen -said to the children:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Behold, darlings, the famous Butter-milk -Falls of which you have heard so much! The -stream, as you see, does not enter into this lake, -but falls from the top of Cheese Mountain and -then wanders away through a sandy valley where -it sinks into the ground.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"For a moment the children gazed upon it; then -Arthur exclaimed with some satisfaction:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"I'm glad it doesn't empty here for I never did -like butter-milk.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The Queen and the children laughed heartily -at the very thought.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"As they stood laughing upon the rock, they -beheld at no great distance a wild, noisy cataract, -where a beautiful, wide, golden stream leaped from -a high rock, and whirling its never-ceasing torrent -into endless eddies of a thousand different dyes, -plunged into the lake that lay before them.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Look, Maud!' exclaimed Arthur. 'Look! -Look! The beautiful falls!'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The children asked of the Queen its name and -she replied:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'That, my darlings, is the end of Taffy River -and those are the Stick Candy Falls. Here Taffy -River pours its delicious stream over the rocks -into Lake Fudge that you see lying before you. -Now,' she continued, 'we will walk over and -inspect Stick Candy Falls, after which we will -return to this rock, for I consider this the finest -viewpoint anywhere along the shore of the lake.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The Queen did not have to assist the children -in their descent from the rock. With a merry -bound they ran down the path ahead of her, delighted -with the prospect of visiting the Falls -which appeared so beautiful.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Around them on all sides, grew sweet-scented -flowers that, at any other time, might have caused -the children to stay their steps, for they were fond -of wild flowers indeed; but on this particular -occasion all the blossoms of the woodland would -not have tempted them, for the sound of the roaring -cataract grew louder and louder as they drew -near.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The path descended into a little glen, the -rocky sides of which hid the cataract from view; -and the children stopped to look back upon the -spot from which they had just come. There -towered the tall rock with its one steep side facing -the lake. The great Giant, Kimbo, sat on the -ground at its base leaning against the cliff, his -head drooped heavily forward almost between his -drawn up knees.</p> - -<div id='illus133' class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/illus133.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p><span class='small'><i>"The children stopped to look back upon the spot from which they had just come."</i></span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c013'>"As they drew near to where the angry river -made its desperate leap, the children were frightened, -for the wind caused by the cataract came -roaring about their ears, bearing mist and spray -that for a time almost blinded them. They passed -around this danger point and came to a more -sheltered spot, where they paused to view the falls.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"As they stood there they noticed that a path -led far in behind the falling stream, and that the -ledge over which this wonder of nature poured its -wealth of golden beauty was a peculiar rock -crystal, quite similar to that which ornamented -the beautiful glen through which they had passed -before entering the Enchanted Cave.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Arthur's inquisitive nature was awake and -ready. He proceeded to test the tall ledge with -the blade of his pen knife, when, as he placed a -shattered bit of the rock to his lips, he shouted -aloud to his sister:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Oh, Maudie, this ledge of rock is Rock -Candy!' Then placing the remaining piece in -his mouth, he rushed into the arms of the Queen -to tell her of his surprising discovery.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Long formations of varying sizes and color -were hanging everywhere; and the children understood -at a glance that this was the place where -Santa Claus gets all the stick candy with which -he is so generous at Christmas time. The sticks -hung wherever a crevice or crack appeared in the -ledge, and no sooner was one broken off than -another began to form in its place at once.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"As they stepped forward to get a better view -behind the falling torrent, they could see dozens -of busy brownies breaking off the sticks and carefully -packing them in long paper boxes, which -others were carrying to the store house that stood -on the towering brink above.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The Queen led them beyond the group of -busy workers, when, looking up at the ledge over -which the cataract hung like a graceful veil, they -saw the following lines carved deep in the rock far -above their heads. They paused and with some -difficulty, read these lines.</p> -<div class='lg-container-b c015'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"'Sweet Taffy River, with its eddies wild,</div> - <div class='line in1'>Comes dancing onward like a playful child,</div> - <div class='line in1'>Till from this towering ledge, with face aglow,</div> - <div class='line in1'>It bounds, delighted, to Lake Fudge below.'</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c012'>"They returned then to the high rock, and the -children were surprised to see a great army of -dolls moving rapidly toward the lake. The dolls -were romping and chatting as they hurried along, -but all seemed to have the same purpose in view -for they were headed toward a certain point on the -shore.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Both Arthur and Maud were nearly crazy to -join them, but the Queen wanted to go up on the -high rock again, and, as the will of the Queen -was the law of the land, up the high rock they -went.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"They paused for a moment to look down on the -great Kimbo, and laughed merrily when they saw -he was still fast asleep.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Don't disturb him,' said the Queen in a low -tone, as she assisted the children up the path to -the top of the rock.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Shout after shout arose from the crowd of dolls -gathered upon the shore; and as their merry -voices shook the air and resounded far over the -lake, Maud inquired of the Queen the cause of -their presence and the unusual tumult they were -raising.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The Queen was standing still, looking far over -the lake. It was some moments before she replied, -for the commotion seemed somewhat unusual. -Glancing toward Maud, she said, sweetly:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'These, darlings, are all the dolls from the -Village of Hide and Seek. They have come down -to the shore and are anxiously waiting to be taken -over in their ferry-boat to the Island of Dreams -that lies in the centre of this beautiful lake.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Pointing toward the location of the strange -island, she continued:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Wait a few moments and you will see!' she -said, casting another hasty glance far over the tide.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The children peered in the direction toward -which the Queen pointed, and beheld far in the -distance the dim outlines of an island low down on -the very edge of the horizon. As they stood there -they felt a drowsy sensation creep over them and, -like the great Kimbo, they too would have fallen -asleep had it not been for the sudden appearance -of a strange-looking boat that was coming rapidly -across the foam toward the shore.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"As it drew into plain view the tumult of the -dolls on the strand ceased. The children noticed, -to their great amazement, that twelve dolphins -were swimming in tandem through the tide and -drawing the barque after them; while astride the -back of each dolphin sat a beautiful mermaid to -guide their course through the foam. With much -skill as well as grace, they swang their magnificent -craft to a carefully selected landing on the -shore of the lake, while all the dolls scampered -clamorously aboard, and the boat was soon away -on its journey.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Little Maud danced up and down on the big -rock in a perfect spasm of delight, at the same -time exclaiming as loud as she could:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Oh, Queen, can't we go, too? Can't we go, -too?'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Little Arthur looked up at the Queen disappointed -when he saw that the barque was leaving -the shore without taking them along.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Well, darlings,' said the Queen, 'if you wish, -you too may go to the Island of Dreams.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"She looked down upon them with a sweet, winning -smile.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Nothing in the world could have pleased them -so well, for they hoped to meet all the dolls from -the village over there. The Queen blew a little -gold whistle that hung from a chain about her -neck, and the massive head of the great Kimbo -instantly appeared above the level of the rock, and -he stood rubbing his sleepy eyes with the back of -his hand, that seemed larger than the prize ham -of a county fair.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Kimbo, my boy,' said the Queen, 'tell the -mermaids to send a boat for us.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Then she turned to watch the doll boat that -was fast disappearing in the distance.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"A broad smile swept over the Giant's good-natured -face. He stamped his great foot on the -ground, and woe to the rocks that were beneath it. -The drowsiness left his leg, that, like himself, had -fallen asleep, and as his foot came down with a -mighty bang the earth all around the big rock -trembled as if from an earthquake.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Glancing into the faces of the children, he -winked his big, sleepy eye with a sound like the -clapping of hands that caused both of the children -to laugh in his face. Then he turned slowly about -and repeated the Queen's request in thunderous -tones.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"There was an instant pause of the dolphins in -the distance; then a bright gleam of sunlight -flashed from their tails as they lifted them from the -lake in sportive glee. The shrill voice of an -answering mermaid came from far over the waves; -then they continued their journey and were soon -lost to sight.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The Queen turned to the children with a -bright smile upon her pretty face and, giving each -of them a sweet kiss, she said softly:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'It won't take them long, dear ones. It won't -take them long. We shall have to wait but a few -moments.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"So now, while the beautiful Queen with the -children are waiting on top of the rock for a boat -to come for them, we will wait here under this tree -for a fresh drink of water, that the dear ones -gathered about me may keep comfortable and -cool."</p> - -<p class='c013'>The Vagabond cast a smile over the excited and -anxious faces in the circle, as he brushed the -sweat from his brow and ceased speaking.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch08' class='c006'>CHAPTER VIII <br /> <br /> <span class='small'>THE ISLAND OF DREAMS</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c012'>"I wonder if my papa knows Kimbo, the -Giant?" exclaimed the little one who was seated -at the Vagabond's side. "He knows everybody. -He knows Santa Claus, and Rip Van Winkle; -and I heard him say that he once ate dinner with -Jack the Giant Killer."</p> - -<p class='c013'>She paused and with a sweet smile looked up -into the Vagabond's face.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Your father must be quite a traveller himself!" -he exclaimed in reply; to which the little -girl quickly responded:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"He is."</p> - -<p class='c013'>Then she pushed herself over and without invitation -climbed on to the Vagabond's knee, which -he carefully brushed with his old hat to receive -her.</p> - -<p class='c013'>The merry group gathered closer and closer, and -the circle gradually became smaller and smaller -until now it was an all around squeeze; when one -of the little girls somewhat relieved the crowded -condition by pushing herself out from the rest and -taking the place at the Vagabond's side that had -just been vacated by the little maiden for the preferable -seat on his knee. Half a dozen of the -boys arose, took up the old oaken bucket and hurried -away to the well.</p> - -<p class='c013'>All the children were in great haste for the -story to continue, and it did not take long for the -boys to return with the water. The sun was shining -down red hot, although it was quite comfortable -under the tree; and after the water had been -passed around the circle and the faithful water -carriers were seated in their respective places, the -Vagabond went on with his story.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"In much less time than it has taken to refresh -ourselves here under the tree, the two children beheld -a beautiful barque bearing rapidly down upon -them from far across the foam; and, as it approached, -they noticed it was drawn by a pair of -blue dolphins, guided by two mermaids who far exceeded -in beauty any that accompanied the craft of -the dolls.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The Queen summoned Kimbo, and by the -time he had lifted them down from the top of the -tall rock, and they had dismounted from his hand -upon the shore, the boat was ready to receive them.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The Queen assisted the children on board, -and they proceeded to examine the boat. Arthur -said he had never beheld a real mermaid before, -while little Maud declared that the closest she had -ever been to one was in a picture-book. They -kept their eyes turning from one mermaid to the -other as the Queen said, by way of explanation:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'You will notice that one of the mermaids has -beautiful, long, golden hair that you might liken -to sunlight, while that of the other is as black and -glossy as the wing of a raven. Now, you see, it is -no trouble to tell them apart, although it is a matter -of mere taste as to which is the more beautiful. -This one,' she continued, 'we call Day, and that -one Night.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Day and Night gathered up their long golden -reins as if ready to start, and the dolphins rolled -impatiently in the tide.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"A word of command came from the lips of each -mermaid, then a wild, spasmodic splash of the dolphins' -tails, followed by a quick, forward motion of -the boat, and they were away on their journey.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"They sped rapidly along, and the children -could not help marvelling, as they sank into the -soft-cushioned seats of the boat. Seeming to -notice their appreciation of its beauty, the Queen -said:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'This barque, my darlings, though not nearly -so large as the one on which the dolls from the -village embarked, is much more swift, and is never -used by anyone except myself and Santa Claus.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"While she was speaking, the Island of Dreams -came into full view. The ride was simply delightful. -The dolphins lunged forward at such a rapid -pace that a cool, soft breeze sprang up and fanned -them. As they journeyed rapidly toward the -island, they glanced up occasionally to admire its -charming outlines.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The entire shore of the island seemed lined -with tall, weeping willow trees, the long arms of -which, with longer tendrils, hung everywhere far -down to the ground, as if they, too, had partaken -of the drowsy influence of the place and were half -asleep. Not a breath of air stirred across the -broad island to disturb their slumbering repose.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"As they drew near the shore, the children -noticed that the surface of the lake was covered -with broad leaves of water-lilies, that grew upward -from deep down in the tide and held their yellow -and white blossoms aloft to be admired. These -water-lilies were so plentiful, that the dolphins -had some difficulty in working the boat through -them to the shore.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Arthur and his sister sat very still. They -were watching the graceful motions of the two -laboring dolphins, when suddenly the very -Heavens seemed to open far above them, and a -bright light overspread the entire surface of the -lake. Instantly the dolphins ceased from their -labor. The sound of rushing wings seemed to -come from high in the air; and, looking upward, -they were amazed to behold the open sky filled -with sweet-voiced angels, who, as they came down -from Heaven on fluttering pinions, sang to the -delighted children the following song of welcome.</p> -<div id='illus151' class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/illus151.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p><span class='small'><i>"Looking upward they were amazed to behold the open sky filled with sweet-voiced angels."</i></span></p> -</div> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c014'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in14'>THE ISLAND OF DREAMS.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"'In the midst of a lake that is crimson and gold,</div> - <div class='line in3'>Lies the magical Island of Dreams,</div> - <div class='line in1'>Where the flowers of fancy forever unfold,</div> - <div class='line in3'>And the sunlight of happiness gleams.</div> - <div class='line in1'>And no poor little girl, or no poor little boy</div> - <div class='line in1'>Need dread least some sorrow befall,</div> - <div class='line in1'>For the angels are near, when you're visiting here</div> - <div class='line in1'>And God fashioned this island for all.</div> - <div class='line in1'>The Island of Dreams, the Island of Dreams,</div> - <div class='line in1'>God fashioned this island for all.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line c003'>"'On the isle in the lake that is crimson and gold,</div> - <div class='line in1'>You forget every sorrow and care,</div> - <div class='line in1'>And wander about amid beauties untold,</div> - <div class='line in1'>As free as a breath of the air;</div> - <div class='line in1'>And no lord of estate puts a lock on the gate,</div> - <div class='line in1'>To deny you its fanciful scenes,</div> - <div class='line in1'>For the angels of God guard the ever-green sod</div> - <div class='line in1'>Of the beautiful Island of Dreams.</div> - <div class='line in1'>The Island of Dreams, the Island of Dreams,</div> - <div class='line in1'>Guard the ever-green Island of Dreams.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line c003'>"'When you visit the lake that is crimson and gold,</div> - <div class='line in1'>Bring poverty's tatters along.</div> - <div class='line in1'>Little care if your garments are ragged and old,</div> - <div class='line in1'>For your soul shall be clothed in a song.</div> - <div class='line in1'>Though a hovel alone, you may claim as a home,</div> - <div class='line in1'>Where the sunshine of life never gleams,</div> - <div class='line in1'>You may bask in its smile, as you journey awhile</div> - <div class='line in1'>In the beautiful Island of Dreams.</div> - <div class='line in1'>The Island of Dreams, the Island of Dreams,</div> - <div class='line in1'>As you stroll through the Island of Dreams.'</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c012'>"As the beautiful song of welcome ceased, the -angels disappeared in the sky, and the boat swang -gracefully toward the shore.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The Queen assisted the children to the beach, -and they started up a dark, cool and shady path -toward the centre of the island.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"As they journeyed slowly along, Arthur -noticed that the air was heavily laden with the -dreamy perfume of flowers; and he suggested to -the Queen that perhaps this was what made everything -so drowsy about the place, for he declared -that the odor made him sleepy.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"There were only a few of these flowers the -children had ever seen before.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Arthur recognized the tall, blooming magnolia -trees from the description of them he had once -read in a book; while the tuberose, the calla lily -and the lilies of the valley, both the children knew -well for they had often seen them in the gardens -at home. All the rest were strangers to them, and -for a long time they lingered to admire their wondrous -beauty.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"It was not long before they chanced to look up, -and seeing a group of dilapidated, half-fallen -houses in the hazy distance, moss-covered and -almost hidden from view by the long branches of -low-bending trees, the children turned to the -Queen and asked the name of the curious-looking -place.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"She informed them that the village was the -home of the Sand Man, and that the name of it -was 'Drowsy Town,' so named because everything -about the place was half asleep.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Often indeed had the children heard of the -Sand Man, but they never expected to visit his -home; so they hastened their steps and soon -entered the curious village.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The place contained but few houses, all of -which were badly neglected and sadly out of repair; -for who could stop to fix up houses in such -a sleepy place? Beside, what do people care about -the outside of a house when they are sleeping within -all the time?</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The fences were mostly fallen, save here and -there where a moss-covered stretch of old-fashioned -wooden pickets leaned half-heartedly against -their warped railings, while now and then a -gate hung over on one hinge as if, like everything -else, it was anxious to lie down in the dust -and sleep.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Long gray moss trailed from the eaves of the -old buildings right down to the very ground and -spread over the window casements like gray-green -curtains to keep out the light, which it most certainly -did.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"As the children passed the home of the Sand -Man, by far the most neglected in the village, and -to which the Queen pointed with evident pride, they -lingered on the corner for a moment to look about -the place.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"A cat came slowly out onto the old porch, -yawned, stretched and went in. A dog half arose, -as the sound of their noisy feet on the worn-out -pavement disturbed his slumber, and raising his -ears, glanced drowsily about, growled and then -sank down to sleep under a green vine that sheltered -one end of the porch.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"They moved slowly on, then stopped on the -opposite corner and looked far down the silent and -deserted street, where they saw a queer-looking -individual, staggering and stumbling toward them.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Now he would lunge forward head first into -the trunk of an old tree; then, rousing himself, -he would stagger onward only to fall over the curb -stone, or run pell mell into a post. He finally -tripped over a broken slab in the neglected walk -and fell flat upon his face, from which position he -seemed to arise with much difficulty.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Who is that staggering person' exclaimed -Arthur, 'reeling toward us like some drunken -man?'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The Queen looked down the street as the boy -spoke, and turning to the children with a smile -upon her face, she excitedly exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Why, children, here comes Mr. Sleepy Head -to greet us! The Sand Man has sent him, for -you know the Sand Man cannot leave his labors -just now.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"They stood waiting for him to draw near and -could not help but laugh outright, as he again -bumped squarely into a big tree.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Who is Mr. Sleepy Head?' inquired Arthur.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'I never heard of him!' exclaimed little Maud.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Oh yes, you have,' said the Queen, 'for many -a book has been printed about him and his wonderful -achievements. Some years ago,' she continued, -'he was quite a popular personage among the -children of the world, but many of them seem to -have forgotten him of late. His most popular -mention perhaps was in a jingle that began something -like this:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c016'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"'To bed, to bed,' said Sleepy Head,</div> - <div class='line in1'>'Let's wait a while,' said Slow.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c012'>"Little Maud declared she had often heard her -grandfather speak of him.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Yes,' said the Queen, 'he is always half asleep. -It is his duty to sing to the children while the -Sand Man sprinkles his sand in their eyes. He -is a most beautiful singer, but the poor, industrious -Sand Man has a very hard task in keeping him -awake.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"As the Queen finished her explanation, Mr. -Sleepy Head fell headlong into the gutter. He -arose, brushed the dust from his garments, and -with another sleepy, lazy lunge, stood bowing and -smiling before them.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"He was a curious-looking little man, with dull, -dreamy eyes, and carried before him a small harp, -securely bound to his person by a broad strap that -encircled his neck. The harp was a woeful sight -and was covered with dents and scars and cracks -where he had fallen with it against various objects -during his sleepy journeys.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The Queen said it was a wonder that music -could be produced from it at all, so little was the -care he gave it, and then turned to him with a request -for a song.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Mr. Sleepy Head looked up with a lazy smile -as he shook himself and then leaned with his back -against the decayed trunk of a tree, while he -yawned with outstretched arms. After stamping -the drowsiness from his lazy limbs, he gave the -old harp a nimble sweep with his dexterous fingers -that filled the air with enchanting music; and, -smiling again at the children, he proceeded to sing -the song of</p> -<div class='lg-container-b c014'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in12'>THE SAND MAN</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"'Always at evening and every day,</div> - <div class='line in1'>As the shades of the night come down;</div> - <div class='line in1'>The Sand Man calls good little children away</div> - <div class='line in1'>To the Village of Drowsy Town.</div> - <div class='line in1'>And no sorrow nor care ever entereth there,</div> - <div class='line in1'>But toiling with tireless hand,</div> - <div class='line in1'>He breathes o'er the slumbering children a prayer,</div> - <div class='line in1'>While sowing his sleepy sand.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in15'>Chorus.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"'When the shades of night come down</div> - <div class='line in1'>Over the Village of Drowsy Town,</div> - <div class='line in1'>Children gay drop their play,</div> - <div class='line in1'>And shake a day-day to their mammas:</div> - <div class='line in1'>Off through the meadow with little Bo-Peep,</div> - <div class='line in1'>Helping her gather her wayward sheep,</div> - <div class='line in1'>And praying the Lord their souls to keep,</div> - <div class='line in1'>While visiting Drowsy Town.'</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div id='illus163' class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/illus163.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p><span class='small'><i>"He gave the old harp a nimble sweep with his dexterous fingers that filled the air with enchanting music."</i></span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c012'>"When the singer had finished the chorus, he -was suddenly overtaken by a fit of sleepiness; -and, as his body slipped to one side, he reeled from -the tree and fell backward into the gutter with such -force that the children instantly sprang to his assistance, -for they were sure he was badly hurt. -But he managed to stagger again to his feet, and -excusing himself for the great impoliteness of falling -asleep in company, he again leaned his back -to the tree, ran his hand with a magical sweep over -the strings of his harp and thus continued his -song:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c016'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"'The rich and the poor have an equal share,</div> - <div class='line in1'>In the Village of Drowsy Town;</div> - <div class='line in1'>And the poor little orphan receiveth his care</div> - <div class='line in1'>As he maketh his nightly round.</div> - <div class='line in1'>With a sweep of his hand he goes sprinkling sand</div> - <div class='line in1'>As he wanders about through the street,</div> - <div class='line in1'>With a kiss and a smile for each dear little child,</div> - <div class='line in1'>As it falls fast asleep at his feet.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in15'>Chorus.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"'When the shades of night come down,</div> - <div class='line in1'>Over the Village of Drowsy Town,</div> - <div class='line in1'>Children gay, drop their play,</div> - <div class='line in1'>And shake a day-day to their mammas:</div> - <div class='line in1'>Off through the meadow with little Bo-Peep,</div> - <div class='line in1'>Helping her gather her wayward sheep,</div> - <div class='line in1'>And praying the Lord their souls to keep</div> - <div class='line in1'>While visiting Drowsy Town.'</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c012'>"As the last sound of the singer's voice died on -the air, his hands fell limply from the strings of -the harp and his eyelids closed with a last, long, -weary look. His head fell heavily forward upon -his breast, and as his knees gave way beneath -him, he slipped slowly to the ground with a loud -snore and rolled over on one side, where, with -harp in the gutter, Mr. Sleepy Head lay fast -asleep.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Well!' exclaimed Arthur, 'I've often heard -of such a thing but I never saw anyone really fall -asleep before.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The good Queen smiled at the bright remark.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Come,' she said. 'Don't disturb him.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"They tip-toed away from the slumberer and -continued on down the street.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"They had not gone very far before they saw a -little old man approaching in the distance. He -was stooped and bent from the weight of a bag that -hung about his neck. Every now and again he -would thrust his hand inside, then withdraw it and -swing it around as if scattering something over -the ground.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'There,' exclaimed the Queen, 'is the Sand -Man scattering his sand!'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The children watched the bent form of the Sand -Man busily engaged at his toil in the distance; -while the entire army of dolls were lying about on -the ground, fast asleep at his feet.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Both Arthur and Maud wanted to walk over -and shake hands with him, but the Queen, knowing -how dreadfully sleepy it would make them, -turned with a sweet smile as she said:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Do both my darlings want to fall asleep right -here in Drowsy Town when we have so many -things to see?'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Without a word of protest they started back -toward the landing, upon a different street, as the -Queen informed them, than the one on which the -home of the Sand Man was located.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Let us walk slowly and talk,' she said, as she -slackened her pace to an easy, ambling gait, 'for -we want to see the dolls get safely aboard their -boat and start for home.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"And now while the Queen and the children are -walking slowly through the Village of Drowsy -Town, in no great hurry to reach the landing, we -will be in no great hurry to continue with the story, -but will wait while we refresh ourselves with some -more water from the well, and at the same time, -hear what some of you think of the magical Island -of Dreams."</p> - -<p class='c013'>With that the story-teller breathed a deep sigh -and sank into total silence.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch09' class='c006'>CHAPTER IX <br /> <br /> <span class='small'>THE SODA WATER FOUNTAIN</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c012'>"That was a beautiful song the angels sang!" -exclaimed one of the little girls as four small boys -struggled with three larger ones for possession of -the old oaken bucket, and the mossy accumulation -on its sides suffered somewhat from the effects of -the scramble.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"I like the song of Mr. Sleepy Head best!" -exclaimed several at once; and while they were -giving their various opinions about different parts -of the story, the boys hastened back from the well -and joined in the merry chatter.</p> - -<p class='c013'>As they hastily passed the water from one to -another, one little fellow exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Mercy! I can't get over the Valley of Ice -Cream and that Mountain of Cake. I just wish -we had some of it here!"</p> - -<p class='c013'>"How about the Rock Candy Falls?" asked -another.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"They were just grand! just grand!" exclaimed -several, almost in one voice. The children now -gathered closer than ever about the Vagabond. -The little girl on his knee sat holding his hat as -thus the "Knight of the Highway" continued:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"As the Queen and the children were walking -along on a back street of the village, they met Mr. -Sleepy Head again. His harp was hanging far -over to one side, and his head was resting heavily -upon his breast; while the sound of his loud snoring -told them he was fast asleep. Once in a while -he would snore so loudly that he wakened himself, -when he would again lunge on.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"He had not gone very far when he stumbled -head first into a tree with a bang that must have -hurt him badly; for as he came to with a sudden -start, they noticed he rubbed his head with his -hands and looked dazedly about as if he had lost his -way. Starting forward again, he changed his -course and journeyed on toward his master.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"As they passed out of the village, the children -were surprised to see a great stream of water, shooting -hundreds of feet into the air and tossing its -snowy spray about in a wickedly wasteful manner, -while the stream seemed to be coming straight up -out of the ground.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"As they stopped to look at it, Arthur said he -had often seen a waterfall falling down, but had -never seen one fall up before. The children were -more than delighted with this strange wonder of -nature.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The Queen smiled at Arthur's remark, and -turning to the children, said:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'You know, children, somewhere, way down in -the ground, there is a chemical laboratory, the -great chemist in charge of which is Mr. Nature. -There are not many places where he displays his -wonderful ability in such an unusual fashion, but -here he seems to have outdone all his other attempts. -This is Soda Water Fountain, where day -after day, and year after year, he sends forth his -exquisite drink to quench the thirst of all weary -travellers who visit the Island of Dreams.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Soda Water Fountain!' exclaimed little -Maud.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"And before they could half realize either the -immensity of its height or its volume, the Queen -led them to where they could drink to their hearts' -content.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"As they stood drinking and watching the tall -stream shoot high into the air, they could not help -but ask questions; and, turning to the Queen, -little Maud wanted to know what sent it up so -high.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'I believe the people of the world call such a -display a geyser,' said the Queen. 'Several of -them are to be found in various parts of the earth. -When you have had all you wish to drink, and -while we walk slowly back to the landing, I want -you to tell me, if you can, where they are located.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"They started slowly away on their journey, -the children wrapt in deep thought.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Little Arthur said he had never been to school -much since his mother died, for his old grandfather -didn't believe in schools, and perhaps that -was why he did not know more about such wonderful -things.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The Queen cast a look of pity upon him as she -softly said:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Schools are great things, and every little boy -and girl ought to learn the lessons well; for the -world is full of wonderful things, quite as strange -and curious, if you understand them, as any you -have seen since leaving Harpers Ferry. Every -year,' she continued, 'Santa Claus visits a great -geyser in Wyoming, located in a place called -Yellowstone Park; while in Iceland and New -Zealand there are very beautiful geysers indeed, -the waters of which are hot enough to cook an -egg.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"While the conversation continued, and the -Queen was instructing the children and showing -them why it was wise to learn their lessons well, -they came in sight of the spot where they first -landed upon the island.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"There was a loud commotion down on the -shore of the lake, and they were surprised to see -all the dolls climbing into their boat. Scarcely -had they stopped to view the wonderful and interesting -sight than the barque which had borne -them to the Island of Dreams appeared from a -near-by bay and was soon at the landing, awaiting -the commands of the Queen.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The mermaids in charge of the doll-boat had -driven their dolphins a short distance from the -shore where they lay as if waiting for a race with -the Queen's barque. It was not long before the -two boats were resting on the lake side by side.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Arthur expected every moment to see the waiting -dolphins leap forward in a wild effort to surpass -each other; but, as there seemed to be no -effort made to start them, he soon changed his -mind and sat looking upon the plump, round backs -of the dolphins as they lay motionless in the lake -before them.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"There was a sound of rushing wings high in -the air. Again the sky separated as before, and -the angels who first welcomed them to the Island -of Dreams came falling from the sky.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"In the barque of the dolls all was now quiet.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"There was a sudden outburst of celestial -music from a chime of rich-toned bells in the -heavens above, and as the angels hovered over the -boats, it was thus they sang a parting song:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c016'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"'Come again to the lake that is crimson and gold,</div> - <div class='line in1'>For the barques ever wait your command;</div> - <div class='line in1'>The mermaids are true and the dolphins are bold,</div> - <div class='line in1'>To pilot you safe to its strand.</div> - <div class='line in1'>Tell the children of earth that the Island of Mirth,</div> - <div class='line in1'>The one place where the sun ever gleams,</div> - <div class='line in1'>Like a story that's told that will never grow old,</div> - <div class='line in1'>Is the beautiful Island of Dreams.</div> - <div class='line in1'>The Island of Dreams, the Island of Dreams,</div> - <div class='line in1'>Ever gay is the Island of Dreams.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"'Come again to the lake that is crimson and gold,</div> - <div class='line in1'>Come again to our heavenly clime;</div> - <div class='line in1'>Though the ways of the world may be cruel and cold,</div> - <div class='line in1'>It is warm over here all the time.</div> - <div class='line in1'>When despairing and sad, with no heart to be glad,</div> - <div class='line in1'>And engulfed by the tears that you weep,</div> - <div class='line in1'>Bring your troubles a while to our magical isle,</div> - <div class='line in1'>And the Sand Man will rock them to sleep.</div> - <div class='line in1'>In the Island of Dreams, the Island of Dreams,</div> - <div class='line in1'>The Sand Man will rock them to sleep.'</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c012'>"No sooner had the angels ceased their beautiful -song than they disappeared as quickly as they had -come, and there was nothing to be seen but the -unbroken arch of the deep blue sky.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The dolphins shot forward across the lake and -bore the dolls away on their homeward journey. -As the barque containing the Queen and the children -passed leisurely along the shore, they could -plainly see the Sand Man, going home after his -daily toil with Mr. Sleepy Head stumbling and -staggering behind him.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"With a wave of their hands and a blessing -upon the wonderful Island of Dreams, the boat -turned out into the lake and moved rapidly toward -the high rock on the distant shore.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Kimbo the Giant did not bother them to alight, -but placing the palm of his big hand down by the -side of the boat, he bade them stand upon it; then, -in a trice, he lifted all three to the top of the high -rock for a last, long look on the lake.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The dolphins rolled playfully in the tide below. -The mermaids waved a bashful adieu; and then, -with a burst of speed, the barque swept like a -whirlwind across the lake and was soon lost to -sight.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The ride on top of the Giant's head back to -the throne of the Queen was just as delightful as -their former trip through the land of Santa Claus, -for Kimbo tried in every possible manner to offer -them amusement.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Now he would shout 'Hold tight!' as he -jumped over a tall hill. Then he would give them -some other warning, as he suddenly leaped from -the top of one hill to another, and sailed through -the air over the great valley below.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"It was thus he amused the Queen and the children -until, with one last mighty leap, he cleared -the tall factories of Santa Claus and Taffy River at -a single bound and landed them safely upon the -golden throne.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"By this time the children had become well -acquainted with the Giant, so much so that for -some time they stood talking with him. Little -Arthur thanked him for the kindness he had shown -to both himself and his sister, and as the Giant's -mouth opened for a merry laugh, they noticed that -his white snowy teeth resembled, in shape as well -as in size, the grave-stones that stood in the village -churchyard on the hill at Harpers Ferry. Nor -could they suppress their surprise as he raised his -enormous hand to bid them good-bye.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"It was so huge that little Maud could barely -clasp her two hands around its little finger. She -made a frantic effort to shake the hand up and -down, but there wasn't much shake about it. -With a merry smile, Kimbo backed away from the -throne, bowed low before his Queen, and, with one -mighty hop-skip-and-a-jump, he leaped high over -a tall mountain and was gone.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Come,' said the Queen, as she turned about -and placed her finger against a button on the side -of her golden chair, 'we will now have some refreshments -and then visit the Village of Hide and -Seek.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"So now, while the Queen and the children are -waiting to refresh themselves, let us once again -send to the well, that we, likewise, may be refreshed -before we go with them into the beautiful -village."</p> - -<p class='c013'>With that the Vagabond drew a long breath, for -he had been talking rapidly; and, as he sank into -silence, the happy children gazed upon him with a -feeling of pride that had slowly grown from dread -to friendship and almost to love.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch10' class='c006'>CHAPTER X <br /> <span class='small'>IN THE VILLAGE OF HIDE AND SEEK</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c012'>A general burst of applause greeted the ears -of the story-teller as he ceased speaking and sank -into silence. All the boys now rose with merry -faces and surrounding the old oaken bucket, -journeyed together to the old well, while the little -girls sat gazing intently upon the stranger, as if -he were the greatest man in the whole world.</p> - -<p class='c013'>One little girl whispered to another little girl -that some day he might be President of the United -States, but the other little girl gave it as her -honest opinion that he should have been long ago. -Many of the others were now almost as much interested -in the man as in his wonderful story.</p> - -<p class='c013'>A little girl asked him if Harpers Ferry was -very far from there; while another wanted to know -if he could call around the next day for she was -anxious to introduce him to her father and mother, -who, she declared, would be more than delighted -to meet him.</p> - -<p class='c013'>The Vagabond's only answer to all was a good-natured -smile. When the water arrived, and it had -been passed around to the children, the Vagabond -helped himself to his heart's content, after which -he proceeded to tell the last of his story.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The Queen did not have to wait long after -pressing the button, for it rang a bell that summoned -into her presence a finely liveried butler, -who, when he learned the wants of Her Royal -Highness, glided silently down the steps of the -throne. Presently two court attendants entered, -bearing a tray on which were a number of glasses -filled with a fluid referred to by the Queen as Nectar; -although, as Maud said, it was too good for -language to describe. Shortly after the refreshment -they started to visit the Village of Hide and -Seek.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"When they were part way down the steps some -little doll in the village spread the news of their -coming, and all the dolls, almost wild with joy, -dropped their playthings and flocked to meet -them.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The Queen and the children followed a beautiful, -pebbly path that led through an orchard lying -to the north of the village, for they wanted to enter -upon the main street; and as they went slowly -along they passed beneath boughs laden almost to -breaking with ripe, mellow chocolate drops, while -the path was lined on either side with bushes where -great, rich, juicy clusters of gum drops hung, ready -to fall to the ground.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"They were soon joined by the romping dolls, -and together they walked down the main street to -the public square and paused in front of the -beautiful Temple of Music.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Dolls with bright, rosy cheeks came running -as if almost wild to meet them. Some had azure -eyes and light golden hair: while others, with -dark piercing eyes and long raven locks might put -to blush the fairest picture ever drawn.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"They gathered around little Maud, and pulling -at the hem of her dress, begged to be taken into -her arms. At last she lifted a flaxen-haired beauty -from the ground, and with a sweet, satisfied smile -upon its face, it laid its head lovingly upon her -breast as it said in a contented half-whisper:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Please be my mamma, please be my mamma.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Then a thousand sweet doll-baby voices cried -out in chorus:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'No, she shall be my mamma. She shall be -my mamma.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"And they raised such a hue and cry and scrambled -so to get hold of her dress, that in order not to -be partial, she had to let the little beauty down -again on to the ground.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Amid the wild excitement of the dolls, Arthur -was not alone. He stood to one side watching a -little doll that was lying under a tree and talking -with some other little dolls standing near -by.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Its eyelids were wide-open, yet its eyes had an -unnatural expression. For a long time he regarded -her pityingly when he saw that the doll -was blind. A strange manly-looking doll walked -up to him, and, peering into his face, exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Seeing you are a stranger, sir, in the village -of Hide and Seek, and noting your apparent -sympathy for the blind doll lying yonder under -the tree, allow me to tell you the life story of her -who has so touched your emotions. Arthur bowed -politely and expressed a desire to hear what the -strange doll might have to say. The little fellow -continued:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Perhaps you have noticed by my long hair -and studious demeanor that I am both a gentleman -and a scholar; and right here let me say, I am the -Village Poet. I can converse much more easily -in verse than in prose; so if you will kindly listen -to me for a moment, I will relate a little circumstance -which occurred some time ago, and will tell -you the plain, unvarnished truth about the blind -doll.'</p> - -<div id='illus191' class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/illus191.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p><span class='small'><i>"Perhaps you have noticed by my long hair and studious demeanor that I am both a gentleman and a scholar."</i></span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c013'>"Resting for a moment, for he did not appear to -be very strong, he breathed a long sigh as he -began:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c016'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"'Once on a time a Baboon came across yon mountain crown.</div> - <div class='line in1'>He sailed down in a big balloon and landed near the town;</div> - <div class='line in1'>And seeing, as he walked along, this blind doll lying near,</div> - <div class='line in1'>He paused to say a kindly word, or shed a gentle tear.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"'Why is it, little doll?' he asked, 'you lie here all the day,</div> - <div class='line in1'>Instead of romping on the green, like other dolls at play?</div> - <div class='line in1'>And why avoid the jolly crowd, pray tell me if you will,</div> - <div class='line in1'>Is it that you thus like to be, or is it you are ill?'</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"'Oh, sir,' the little doll replied, 'you're surely more than kind,</div> - <div class='line in1'>But look at me and you will see that I, alas, am blind;</div> - <div class='line in1'>And thus all day I keep away, nor venture near the throng,</div> - <div class='line in1'>For not a friend a hand will lend to guide my feet along.'</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"'The Baboon picked the blind doll up and stared with all his might.</div> - <div class='line in1'>'Pray, tell me Dolly,' he inquired, 'how did you lose your sight?'</div> - <div class='line in1'>'Alas, kind sir, my sightless eyes, I strained them in a fog,</div> - <div class='line in1'>A-looking for a Christmas gift from Mother Hubbard's dog.'</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"'Then up spoke Simple Simon, and with utterance unkind</div> - <div class='line in1'>He cried, 'This doll who falsifies is lazy and not blind.</div> - <div class='line in1'>I'll prove my words,' but ere he could, to everyone's surprise,</div> - <div class='line in1'>The Baboon pulled his anchor up and sailed off through the skies.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"'Poor Simple Simon, he was right. This doll is only blind</div> - <div class='line in1'>When lying flat upon its back, or partly so inclined;</div> - <div class='line in1'>But if you make it sit up straight, you'll find his words are true,</div> - <div class='line in1'>For then the sleepy-headed Doll can see as well as you.'</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c012'>"Little Arthur walked over to the doll and lifted -it into a sitting position. It opened its eyes at -once and looked squarely into his own. Uttering -a word of surprise to his poet friend, they walked -away from the blind doll together and passed down -the street.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"When they had nearly crossed the square, the -Poet Doll bade him 'Good day' and entered a house -on the corner which Arthur concluded to be the -Poet's home. He found himself standing near a -curious, round-faced boy-doll, who was looking on -the gathering in silence. His head was so close -shaven that he was almost bald, except for a long -queue extending far down his back like a pig-tail, -while his little black almond-shaped eyes sat well -aslant on his head.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Arthur thought he would speak first; and, -turning to the little fellow, he said:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Excuse me, my little man, this is a most -lovely village. Do you live here?'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"There was a moment's pause and a look of -bashfulness upon the boy-doll's face, as, with a -courteous bow and the politeness of a prince, it said -in reply:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'I humbly beg your honorable pardon, sir, but, -as my education in foreign languages was sadly -neglected, I most heartily deplore the deficiency -and am quite sorry to inform you that I do not -speak your honorable language as I understand -nothing but Chinese.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Arthur, seeing his mistake, retired with a most -polite bow and went over to another little doll that -spoke English.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Come,' exclaimed this new found acquaintance -in a quite familiar manner, 'let us play a -game of hide and seek. I know a dandy place to -hide.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'All right, sir,' said Arthur, joyfully; 'but -first let me tell my sister about it for she dearly -loves to play.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"And the two walked hand in hand to where -Maud stood surrounded by a multitude of little -dolls.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"As Arthur watched and listened, waiting to -get an audience with his sister, he overheard one -little doll say to her:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'When did you come here?'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'To-day,' replied Maud, then added, 'but if I -had only known the way, I would have been here -long ago. I am so sorry that I must soon leave.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Where are you going?' another doll shyly -inquired.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Going home,' replied Maud, with a deep sigh.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"All the little beauties looked up into her face -as if greatly bewildered.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'What does she mean?' asked one of the dolls -of her companions. 'What is home?' And it -arose on tip-toes to look into her face.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'My home,' replied little Maud, 'is down in -Harpers Ferry on the Shenandoah River.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'River!' a doll repeated. 'Harpers Ferry!' -And it turned a bewildered look upon the rest of -the assembled dolls standing in questioning silence -before her.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Maud soon realized that the dolls failed to -understand her, and, wishing to make herself understood, -she gazed wistfully over the gathering of -bright faces, as she said:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'I live in one of the most beautiful places in -the world.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Before she could finish what she wished to say, -however, one little doll way back in the multitude -spoke up, saying:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'World, did she say? Why, I have often heard -Santa Claus speak of that place.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"All the dolls turned their attention from Maud -to the little speaker. They assisted their little -companion up on to the bottom of an inverted tin -sand pail that she might be seen as well as heard; -when with a bashful bow, she said:</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'The world, playmates, is the place where -mothers die and leave their little children all alone.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"With a leap from the sand pail, the little -speaker disappeared in the assemblage of dolls. -Instantly all turned to Maud with an inquiring -look. There was an expression of doubt upon -their little faces and they were now more than -anxious for her to speak.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Yes,' she replied, 'alas! That is only too true.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"And she breathed a sorrowful sigh as she -thought of her mamma who had been dead for two -long years, and of how she had nestled close in her -loving arms waiting for Santa Claus to come, only -three nights before she passed away.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"She glanced into the sad face of her orphan -brother standing near, and down in her little heart -there came a sad longing for the sound of that -sweet mother's gentle voice, with its tender words -of love and nightly prayer.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Again the happy days, now gone forever, came -back to her childish memory; and the soft song of -her mother stole into her soul with a charming -lullaby. Again she felt the warm, fervent kiss on -her cheek, as in fancy she heard her mother whisper -a last 'Good night.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"A sob burst from her sweet lips. A tear rose -to her eye and stood trembling upon the long -black lashes. Another followed and crowded it -from its place to the ground.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The Queen drew back horror-struck, for the -Heaven-forbidden drop of water had at last fallen -upon Beauty Valley.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"A sudden chorus of wild screams rent the air. -There was a terrible shock, an upheaval, as if from -an earthquake. The very ground trembled as if -in a fit of convulsions. Sharp, darting pains struck -the children mercilessly down into a state of insensibility. -All then grew silent as death and -pitch dark.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"In a few moments the shrill whistle of a train -resounded through the Shenandoah Valley, as it -dashed out of the tunnel in the mountain and -on over the great steel bridge into Harpers -Ferry.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Little Maud, wakened by the echoing tumult, -gazed in a bewildered manner about her. There -lay her brother asleep upon the green mound, -under the same tree where they had first met -'Aunt Twaddles.' She placed her hand tenderly -upon him, and he awoke with a sudden start.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Oh, Maudie!' he exclaimed, 'what happened -that it grew dark so suddenly?'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"The boy half arose as he received only a sob -in reply, and you can well imagine his surprise as -he gazed about; for there at his side lay a huge -pile of freshly picked pennyroyal on the very top -of which was a snow-white card. The card was -most beautifully embossed with a picture of the -Village of Hide and Seek, and, in the handwriting -of 'Aunt Twaddles,' it bore the following inscription:</p> -<div class='lg-container-b c014'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in2'><i>"To my darling Children:</i></div> - <div class='line in9'><i>Remember always that, as you saw a tear</i></div> - <div class='line'><i>destroy a realm of joy, so can a spirit of discontent destroy a life of</i></div> - <div class='line'><i>useful happiness.</i></div> - <div class='line in7'><i>Yours very lovingly,</i></div> - <div class='line in10'><i>'Twaddles, the Queen of the Dolls</i>.'</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c012'>"'Oh, Arthur!' exclaimed Maud, 'hurry and -don't think of it any more.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"And the two children gathered up as much of -the pennyroyal as each could possibly carry and -hurried across the long foot-bridge into the village.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Men, women and children ran to greet them -with tears of joy in their eyes. With strong arms -they bore them and their pennyroyal into the Inn, -where the stern, scolding, old inn-keeper stood -ready to whip them, but the sight of the pennyroyal -caused him to relent.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"On the afternoon of the following day, Arthur -and his little sister were seated all alone on the -bank of the Shenandoah, looking far across upon -the steep path that led straight up the face of the -mountain. Their little elbows were planted firmly -upon their knees, their chins sunk deeply into the -palms of their wide-open hands. For a long time -they sat motionless, thinking no doubt of their -wonderful journey. Little Arthur finally broke -the silence.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Maud!' he exclaimed, in a tone deeply -touched with emotion.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'What is it, Arthur?' she replied, with a sob.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"'Maud,' he repeated, 'I was just wishing that -that big mountain over yonder, right under Taffy -River, would spring a leak.'</p> - -<p class='c013'>"For a long time they sat weeping and thinking -of it; nor is there any doubt that they wept over -it until far into the night, when they fell asleep -and forgot about it.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"This then is the story, my children, of the -strange path on the side of the mountain that lies -like a scar on the face of the cliff; and many are -the old settlers thereabout who will vouch for the -truth of my tale.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"It is needless to prove true what is true; still -if there is any feeling of doubt in your hearts, just -stand on the banks of the fair Shenandoah almost -any warm morning in springtime, and no doubt -you will see 'Aunt Twaddles' slowly ascending the -path with her big bag of herbs.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"But if you should happen to miss her, and still -want some proof of these facts, just keep a close -watch on the strangers who step from the trains -when they stop at the little stone station. If you -see them wiping their eyes with a handkerchief -and gazing about on the surrounding mountains, -you may be sure they have once eaten some of -'Aunt Twaddles' candy and are wiping the tears -from their eyes and crying like children for more.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"At the same time you will see them looking -about on the cliffs, and searching for the steep -path that leads up to the Village of Hide and Seek, -quite firmly resolved at some future day to return -and go up with 'Aunt Twaddles.' But for the -present, (poor things), their only hope is to go -back into the cars and cry until they forget about -it.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"There are many more wonderful things I might -tell you of the Village of Hide and Seek, and -likewise to the everlasting glory of 'Aunt Twaddles'' -candy as well, but the very thought of it -makes me feel sad; for now as I talk, I feel tears -coming to my eyes and find I must either talk on -and cry on, or quit talking and forget about it.</p> - -<p class='c013'>"Excuse me, dear children, won't you, while I -weep?"</p> - -<p class='c013'>As the Vagabond ceased speaking the tears -flowed down his cheeks in a perfect torrent; and -although the children were delighted with his -story, they too wept in sympathy with him. The -very loudest of all was the dear little tot who had -occupied the place of honor on his knee.</p> - -<p class='c013'>While the group of children sat weeping in -sympathy under the tree, the Vagabond arose. -Bidding them all farewell, he placed his old, worn-out -hat on his head, shouldered his crooked staff, -waved a parting blessing toward the well on the -lawn, and still weeping, passed out of sight along -the dusty highway.</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div>THE END.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> - <ul class='ul_1 c002'> - <li>Transcriber's Notes: - <ul class='ul_2'> - <li>Punctuation has been standardized. - </li> - <li>For illustrations which had no caption in the book, a descriptive phrase was added. - For example: [Illustration: Decoration] - </li> - <li>Unbalanced quotation marks were left as the author intended. - </li> - <li>Typographical errors were silently corrected. - </li> - <li>Spelling and hyphenation were made consistent when a predominant form was found in - this book. - </li> - </ul> - </li> - </ul> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Village of Hide and Seek, by -Bingham Thoburn Wilson - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE VILLAGE OF HIDE AND SEEK *** - -***** This file should be named 55214-h.htm or 55214-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/2/1/55214/ - -Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Barry Abrahamsen and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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