Peter Poodle,
by William Henry Bradley
I. | THE TOY SHOP | |
II. | THE TOY LANGUAGE | |
III. | THE INN | |
IV. | A JOURNEY | |
V. | THE MESSENGER | |
VI. | THE CURLY ROAD | |
VII. | THE AMBUSH | |
VIII. | THE GREETING | |
IX. | THE WELCOME | |
X. | THE MUSICIANS | |
XI. | RED BEARD | |
XII. | THE BANQUET | |
XIII. | THE SAIL | |
XIV. | THE CHASE | |
XV. | THE BARLEY MILL | |
XVI. | THE ROSE WREATH | |
XVII. | THE GARDEN PARTY | |
XVIII. | A SURPRISE | |
XIX. | THE FOUNTAIN OF THE FROG | |
XX. | GOOD NIGHT | |
XXI. | JOY | |
CONCLUSION | ||
 | ||
“The BANQUET”
| Frontispiece | |
“The Toy Shop”
| Facing Page | 3 |
“The Song”
| ““ | 11 |
“The Sign of the Black Lion”
| ““ | 21 |
“The Gateway”
| ““ | 29 |
“The Capture”
| ““ | 35 |
“The Orchard”
| ““ | 41 |
“A Surprise”
| ““ | 49 |
“On to Toyville”
| ““ | 55 |
“The Arch of Welcome”
| ““ | 65 |
“Professor Wow Bow”
| ““ | 68 |
“The Musicians”
| ““ | 75 |
“Stop!”
| ““ | 76 |
“The Black Rover”
| ““ | 83 |
“The House Guards”
| ““ | 89 |
“The Artillery”
| ““ | 94 |
“Fire!”
| ““ | 99 |
“To the Rescue”
| ““ | 107 |
“The Miller of Dee”
| ““ | 113 |
“The Rose Wreath”
| ““ | 121 |
“In the Gardens”
| ““ | 129 |
“The Parley”
| ““ | 135 |
“The Ducking”
| ““ | 143 |
“The Royal Guard”
| ““ | 151 |
“The Toy Box”
| ““ | 157 |
“The Sign”
| ““ | 163 |
 | ||
The First Chapter.
In which is told of a little Lad that came from out the Hills. Also of Peter Poodle’s wonderful Toy Shop. And how Helen had a Playfellow.
OMMY stood with his little nose pressed flat against the pane. He was very tired, and also very hungry, for he had walked ever and ever so far. How far, he did not know. At first, he had thought it would take only a day to reach the city, and now, he could not remember how long it had taken. A good many days, of that he was certain.
Over hills and through fields and forests he had travelled, sleeping at night in the lee of some rick of hay, or on the soft moss beneath low hung fir boughs. Sometimes, a shepherd or a forester had shared with him his simple fare of bread and cheese. At other times, he ate berries, or such of the wild fruits as were then ripe, and once, or {4} twice, he had gone to sleep hungry. But here he was, at last, in the big city and before the most wonderful window into which a boy ever looked. It was evening, and the window, with its bright lights, seemed like a bit of fairyland, for in it were all manner of the finest games and toys imaginable.
Tommy did not know that this was Mr. Peter Poodle’s famous toy shop. He did not even know the toys were for sale. He had never been in a big city and knew nothing about stores. He thought this was merely somebody’s fine house, and when he lifted his eyes from the toys and saw a big card that hung beneath one of the lamps, he was more than ever filled with wonder.
“BOY WANTED!”
Those were the words on the card. Tommy spelled the letters twice to make sure; “I suppose the people inside must be lonely,” he thought “I will go in and visit them, and perhaps they will tell me how to find the King.”
Mr. Poodle, a kindly little man with gray hair and bright twinkling eyes, answered the rap at the door.
“Please sir,” said Tommy, “do you live here and are you lonely? Because, if you are, I can come in and play with you; but by and by, I must go and find the King. Please, can you tell me where the King lives? Because the kind lady, who took care of me when I was sick, is very poor. Did you know that once I was very sick? When I was sick the kind lady told me all about the Fairy King. I am well now, and I am going to find the Fairy King and get some gold and jewels for the kind lady. Would you like me to come in and play with you a little while? I am too tired to play very much, because I have been walking all day. {5} And tonight, when I came through a dark street, a bad, rough man chased me, and I ran so fast that it made me more tired. Don’t you think I am a fast runner to get away from the man? Please, shall we play games now? Perhaps you don’t want to play with a little boy that has such raggedy clothes. Would you rather have a little boy that has fine clothes and wears shoes and stockings? I am sorry you are lonesome. I think you are a nice man and I like you; but perhaps you don’t want such a raggedy boy.”
The twinkling laughter had left the little man’s eyes and the corners of his mouth twitched when he tried to speak. Then he quickly stooped and held out both arms. “I do want a raggedy boy” were the words that came from his trembling lips, and the next second, Tommy’s curly head was nestling on the little man’s shoulder.
“What game shall we play now?” asked Mr. Poodle.
“I don’t know,” said Tommy. “Sometimes, when I was sick and the kind lady gave me bread and milk, she said we were playing dinner party. That is the only game I know how to play. Please, sir, shall we play dinner party?”
The twinkle came back again into Mr. Poodle’s eyes. “Yes, my boy, we will play dinner party,” he said. “I think dinner party is a fine game.”
Mr. Poodle now spread the cloth on the table. “O me, O my,” said he; “this cloth has a hole right in the corner! O, well, that is soon mended.” Then, what did he do but tear right off the whole corner. “There!” said he; “now we have a cloth without any hole.”
“Here is a pitcher of milk,” he added, as he sat it on the table; “and, here are two mugs. O dear, O dear, why this mug has no handle! Now how could that handle ever {6} have jumped right off the mug and we not see it! The first thing tomorrow, I must get a new handle.”
“Please, sir,” said Tommy, “the handle is gone from the pitcher, too.”
“No, you don’t mean to tell me that that handle also is gone?” said Mr. Poodle, taking the pitcher. “Yes, it certainly has. Now, how could that have happened? Oh, I know. Those two handles were lonely the same as I was lonely, and the mug handle said to the pitcher handle: Mr. Pitcher handle, you can stay in this house if you wish, but as for me, why was I trimmed all up with colored paint and made so handsome, if it wasn’t for some little boy; and now, there is no boy in this house, so I am just going to leave! Of course, then the pitcher handle thought he would be very lonely without the mug handle, and so they went away together.”
Tommy laughed merrily. “You are a very funny man,” he said. “Handles couldn’t say all that, but it was just a fine story. Please tell it to me again.”
“Well, if I tell all that again,” said Mr. Poodle, “why then our roast turkey will be getting cold.”
Tommy laughed gaily. “You certainly are a very funny man,” he said. “This isn’t roast turkey, this is bread!”
“Let me see,” said Mr. Poodle. “Well, so it is. Now, how could I ever have made such a silly mistake.”
“Never mind, sir,” said the boy. “I am sure the bread is very nice, and I just love milk. Can we play now?”
“Yes indeed,” answered Mr. Poodle.
When Tommy had eaten the bread and milk, Mr. Poodle took him in his arms to the big easy chair. “What shall we play now?” asked the toymaker. {7}
Tommy’s eyes were almost closed. “I don’t know,” he answered. “Please, sir, I am very sorry, because I wanted to play and make you happy, you are so kind to me, but I am pretty tired. If I could go to sleep for only a minute, then when I awake I would be all rested and could play some more. Please, may I go to sleep for only a minute?”
“Yes, indeed you may,” said the toymaker.
Tommy’s tired eyes looked timidly up into Mr. Poodle’s. “Please sir, may I kiss you for being so good to me?” he asked. {8}
Mr. Poodle bowed his head. “Good night, boy,” he said. “Good night, sir,” answered Tommy.
This was the manner in which Tommy Piper came to Peter Poodle’s toy shop. Who he was and from where he came, Mr. Poodle could not learn; only this much—that he had been found unconscious in the forest by a poor wood chopper, and tenderly nursed during a long illness by the wood chopper’s good wife.
As for Mr. Poodle, he was the kindest and jolliest little man you ever did see. His business was the making of toys for little girls and boys, and he had a fine big shop all littered with yellow, curly shavings, blocks of wood and bits of colored cloth. In this shop, the first thing the next morning, Tommy went to play.
He had on a nice new suit of clothes which Mr. Poodle had provided, and he was glad indeed to be dressed so finely, for right in the midst of the floor, sat a little girl.
“Good morning, Helen,” said Mr. Poodle.
“Good morning, Mr. Poodle,” Helen answered, and then turning to Tommy, she said: “Good morning, little boy.”
That was the beginning of good times in Peter Poodle’s work shop.
The Second Chapter.
Of how Peter Poodle taught Tommy & Helen the Toy Language. And of strange happenings in the Brick House at the Sign of the Black Lion.
ELEN lived in a fine big house around the corner on the next street, but each day she came to play in the curly shavings with Tommy, and together they watched Mr. Poodle make his toys.
Certainly those were fine toys Mr. Poodle made. Helen’s mamma said there never was such a fine toy maker anywhere as Mr. Poodle. She said that he loved to sit at his bench and make the toy people, and that he put every bit of his heart into his work; and of course, when he loved his work so much, why some of his heart and some of his love had to pop right out and jump into the toys. Helen’s mamma said that was why Peter {12} Poodle’s toys were the best in all the world, and moreover, they were not painted with cheap colors that would come off the minute you put them in your mouth, or stuck together with bad smelling glue that would never hold more than a day or two.
Sometimes when Mr. Poodle was making a toy he would be singing such a funny song that Tommy and Helen had to stop their play and have a good laugh. Then Mr. Poodle would look at them over the tops of his spectacles, and make believe he felt very cross because they laughed. But Tommy and Helen could see the twinkle that went jumping around in Mr. Poodle’s eyes, so they knew he wasn’t one bit cross; he wasn’t either, for he thought it fine to hear little boys and girls laugh. Why, sometimes he would be so glad that he would take his brush and paint a smile right on the face of one of the toys he was making, and the smile would always stay there, so the toy could be very happy as long as it lived. That was the kind of a man Mr. Poodle was.
Of course, Mr. Poodle’s toys were not the common everyday sort. No, indeed! why some of them looked as if they could truly walk and talk like real people. Mr. Poodle said that really and truly toys could walk and talk.
Tommy and Helen laughed when Mr Poodle spoke that way, and Tommy said: “Why, Mr. Poodle, toys can’t talk, they haven’t any tongues.” Then you should have heard Mr. Poodle laugh. “Prut,” he said, “didn’t you know toys don’t have to have tongues to talk? Now you listen and I will ask Master Rolie Polie to sing for you.” Master Rolie Polie was the name of a little clown. Mr. Poodle had a name for every one of his toys; he said boys and girls {13} wouldn’t like to go through the world without names, and neither did toys; and moreover, having names made them much more sociable. Then Mr. Poodle introduced the clown to Helen and Tommy: “Master Rolie Polie,” he said, “this lady and gentleman would like to have you sing them a song. Let it be something funny, something jolly.”
Tommy and Helen now listened very quietly, and Mr. Poodle tilted back his chair and beat time with his finger while he hummed the words of a little song, just as if he were repeating them after the clown. When he finished, he nodded his head approvingly and said: “Very good! Very good, indeed! Thank you, Master Rolie Polie; that was a fine song and no mistake.”
Helen and Tommy laughed at the funny song, and thanked Mr. Poodle. “We liked the song very much,” said Tommy. “But I think, Mr. Poodle, we never would have heard one single word if you had not been singing also.”
Mr. Poodle then patted both of them on the head very kindly and said: “Never mind, it certainly is a little hard in the beginning to hear what the toy people say, because not having any tongues they cannot talk plainly. But by and by, if you only try to learn and are patient, you will get to know the toy language, and then you can understand every bit as well as I do.”
Helen and Tommy thought that would be fine, and said they were sure they could be patient.
After that, Mr. Poodle had two little soldiers, Captain Hinkle Pinkle of the infantry and Captain Noddle Poddle of the cavalry, lead their armies in a wonderful battle.
During the excitement of this battle no one noticed the entrance of a stranger. Had Tommy looked, he would {14} have seen the man to be that same big ruffian who had chased him through the dark street the night he came to the toy shop. A sly look appeared in the man’s eyes as he caught sight of Tommy, and a wicked smile twisted the corners of his mouth. Then he turned to the door, and, lifting the latch, quickly left the toy shop.
Helen was glad when the war ended for it frightened her and besides she did not like battles, so she thought she would go home to her mamma. But Tommy said: “Don’t you be afraid Helen, I was holding your hand and I would not let any of the soldiers hurt you.” {15}
“Did the soldiers really and truly fight, Tommy?” Helen asked, when they were again seated in the pile of yellow, curly shavings. “Didn’t Mr. Poodle move them about with his hand, and wasn’t it he who blew upon the trumpet?”
“O, yes, the soldiers certainly were fighting,” said Tommy. “When Mr. Poodle moved them, he did only what the captains ordered. Didn’t you hear Captain Pinkle and Captain Poddle shouting their commands, Helen?”
“Yes, I think, I did,” said Helen. “Which captain do you think was the best fighter, Tommy?”
“I believe captain Poddle was the best fighter,” said Tommy. “Don’t you think Captain Poddle was the best, Helen?”
“I don’t know,” said Helen. “I think Captain Pinkle was a very brave fighter, too, and I wished he had a horse to ride, like Captain Poddle’s.”
“Yes,” said Tommy, “Captain Pinkle was a brave fighter. I think they were both brave fighters; don’t you think they were both brave fighters, Helen?”
When Mr. Poodle heard these words of the children, he said: “Well, well, well, you certainly are getting clever at learning the toy language. I think you must know it now nearly as well as I do. That is because you love the toy people and they love you. What do you say to our taking a trip tomorrow to Toyville?”
“Toyville?” asked Helen and Tommy. “Please, Mr. Poodle, where is Toyville?”
Mr. Poodle laughed when he heard that question. “O, dear,” he said, “the idea of any little boys or girls not knowing about Toyville! that really is most absurd. Why, Toyville is the finest and jolliest little city to be found {16} anywhere in the whole world. I thought everybody knew about Toyville.”
“Won’t you please tell us some more?” asked Helen and Tommy. “Is it very far away, Mr. Poodle? Can we really and truly go there?”
“Yes,” said Mr. Poodle, “we can really and truly go there. Toyville is only a little way beyond the Hills of Troubleland; it lies in the Vale of Joy, which, by some people is called the Valley of Happiness. Once upon a time, so long ago, indeed, that nobody living now can remember exactly how long, there wasn’t any Toyville. Then, one day, some of the Toy people made the perilous trip through the Hills of Troubleland, and upon coming into the Vale of Joy, found the land so beautiful that they at once set about the building of a little city. By and by, other Toy people came that way, and the city grew and grew until it covered all the valley.”
“Will Captain Pinkle, Captain Poddle and Rolie Polie go there to live some time?” asked Tommy.
“And will my dolly go there, too, Mr. Poodle?” asked Helen.
“Yes,” said Mr. Poodle, “all the Toy people go there sometime unless they get lost by the way, somewhere in the Hills of Troubleland. You see, first of all, the Toy people came into this world to live with little boys and girls to play with them and make them happy. Some of the Toy people go to one city, some to another, and some even go to live in the country. The Toy people never care to what house they go if there is only a boy or girl living there, but houses that are without children are much too lonesome. {17}
“Sometimes boys and girls get tired of playing with the Toy people, or they grow up and get so big feeling they think the games the Toy people play are silly. And sometimes boys and girls are rough with the Toy people, tossing them about until their joints get loose or even broken, and their heads battered. Then, the Toy people, knowing there is no longer a welcome for them, in those houses, feel sad and go off to hide in a drawer somewhere, and by and by, even get up in the attic hidden away behind boxes or trunks. They wait patiently for perhaps almost a year, hoping every day to hear the children call for them; but the children have forgotten all about their old playmates. Then, one day, when it is raining and nobody can go out of doors, somebody thinks about the Toy people and goes to search, first, in the drawer, then in the attic. Alas, it is too late! the Toy people have gone, gone for ever. Gone through the Hills of Troubleland into the Valley of Happiness, where they are now living peacefully in their beautiful city of Toyville.”
“Do the Toy people play and have fun in Toyville, Mr. Poodle?” asked Tommy.
“Fun!” How Mr. Poodle did laugh when he repeated that word. “Yes, indeed, they have fun,” he said. “Of course, the older people have work to do; like flower gardens to plant; and orchards and such things to tend; but the little Toy people have more fun than I can ever find words to tell about. Why, everybody can sing and laugh and have ever and ever so much sport. Nobody in Toyville cares one single mite how much noise is made. They all think it the finest kind of fun to see the little Toy people have a good time. If the little Toy people want to, {18} they can get down on their knees and play, and never wear out their stockings. If the little Toy people want to dig in the dirt and make mud pies, or build forts, or play grocery store, their clothes or their hands and faces never get at all soiled, because the dirt there is not one bit dirty. Yes indeed, Toyville is certainly a fine place in which to have fun.”
Mr. Poodle now looked at the clock. “O me, O my,” said he; “it is almost supper time, and here I am talking away as if we never had to bother about eating. Run along now, but come back early to-morrow and I will have everything ready for our journey to Toyville.”
That night when Helen’s mamma was tucking her up cosily in bed so she would have happy dreams, Helen said: “Mamma, to-morrow Mr. Poodle is going to take Tommy and me for a visit to Toyville.”
“That will be lovely,” said Helen’s mamma. “Toyville is a very fine place, indeed.” Then she kissed Helen good-night, and soon the little girl was fast asleep.
The Third Chapter.
The coming of two Strangers. And of the old Inn at the hanging Sign of the Black Lion. Also of the hurried Command given the Soldiers by Tommy.
ELEN was at the toymaker’s bright and early the next morning. She brought a little basket in which were some nice chicken sandwiches and two rosy red apples for herself and Tommy.
Helen told Tommy her mamma thought that on a trip to Toyville they would need some lunch. “And,” she continued, “Mamma said we might remain in Toyville all day if we wished, and Mr. Poodle is willing.”
Mr. Poodle’s eyes went twinkling again when he heard Helen talking to Tommy. Then he told Helen her mamma was very thoughtful and kind to prepare such a fine lunch, {22} and he said there was no telling what might happen on a trip of this kind, though he expected to find plenty of good things to eat in Toyville. “Everything is now ready,” said he. “I have sent a Messenger ahead to tell the Toy people we are coming, and I expect they will greet us with a royal welcome. The Mayor and his councillors, or, at least, a company of the Toyville Guards will probably meet us at the gates on the other side of the Hills of Troubleland.”
While Tommy was busily engaged packing the lunch into a little express wagon, Mr. Poodle left the work room to wait upon two customers who had just entered the shop. He did not at all like their looks and began to wonder what might be their errand, as they were certainly ruffians and could hardly have come to buy toys.
His first thought was a desire to be rid of them, and with this in mind, he made some apology about it being early and the shop not yet open for business.
At first, the men seemed somewhat ill at ease, but before Mr. Poodle could finish speaking, the smaller and coarser of the pair turned upon him roughly. “We will stay right here until we are through with you,” he said; “and don’t give us any more of your fine talk either. Do you hear?”
Meanwhile his companion had glanced into the back room and saw Tommy. “Leave this to me,” he whispered. “The boy is here and I have thought of a plan.” Then he turned to the toymaker. “You are right, sir,” he said, in a voice smooth and oily. “The day certainly is young. We beg your pardon for having disturbed you so early. You see, we are about to leave the city and would like {23} a few toys to take to the children at home; say this, and this, and that,” and throwing, as he spoke, a gold piece upon the counter. “Never mind the change. Perhaps you have a boy who will deliver these. Pray send him soon, as we depart in an hour. Send to the Inn at the sign of the Black Lion.” Then, without waiting for a reply, they opened the door and were gone.
Mr. Poodle looked at the gold piece: “A big price to pay for a few toys,” he thought. Then he looked at the toys. Captain Hinkle Pinkle, Captain Noddle Poddle and Rolie Polie were the ones the man bought. Mr. Poodle did not like to sell these, they were such friends of Tommy and Helen. But now it was too late, he had the money and there was nothing he could do except to put them in a box for Tommy to take to the Black Lion Inn.
Tommy was glad to help Mr. Poodle by going the errand and said he would hurry, so as not to delay the journey to Toyville. Then taking the box of toys he trudged off up the street and soon came in sight of the big Black Lion sign hanging over the door of an old brick and timbered house.
“Why this is the street where the man chased me,” he thought, “and this is the house where I first saw him. I will be glad when I get back again to Mr. Poodle’s toy shop.” Just then a company of soldiers came galloping around a corner further down the street. Tommy turned to lift the latch, but before he could do this, the door swung open and a hand grabbed him roughly and pulled him over the threshold, while the door was quickly closed and barred. The big room in which he now found himself, was lit only by one sputtering candle which winked and {24} blinked upon the wall like the eye of some evil monster. By this dim light he could make out four rough men.
Tommy was now thoroughly frightened. His heart was beating very loud. He did not like to seem to be a coward, but he felt sure those rough men meant to harm him. “I will drop the basket and run,” he thought. Then he remembered about the door being locked.
“Ha, ha, ha!” laughed one of the men. “So my little bird would spread his wings and fly, would he? Well, we must clip those wings then.” As he spoke, he clutched Tommy roughly by the shoulder.
Now whether the man pulled Tommy off his feet, or whether the little fellow’s trembling knees would no {25} longer support him, I do not know. But in a moment he was lying on the floor with his head against the edge of the toy box.
His head felt very numb, and he was very sleepy, and he wondered why the men were binding him with such a heavy cord. Then he wondered why there were so many horses galloping out in the street, and why there was such loud beating on the door. He thought he heard someone call to him, but by some other name he had heard long ago. At last he went to sleep.
CRASH!
What was that? Tommy opened wide his eyes. There were confused voices in his ear; then he heard a whisper. “Be quiet, be brave; we will help you. I am Rolie Polie. Captain Hinkle Pinkle and Captain Noddle Poddle are with me. We will rescue you.”
“Can you fight? Can you save me? Why how can you save me?” asked Tommy. “You are only toys?”
“Hush!” said Rolie Polie. “Don’t speak, or they will hear you. Get on your feet and follow us.”
Tommy wasn’t long in obeying. Hinkle Pinkle and Noddle Poddle had swords drawn and led the way. Out through the back rooms they went, into the kitchen then on into the back yard. From the yard to a side street and off to the toy shop, they hurried with all possible speed.
“Is everything ready for the journey?” Tommy called, the minute he saw Mr. Poodle.
“Yes, everything is ready,” answered the toymaker.
“Then we must hurry,” said Tommy. “The ruffians are after us.” {26}
“All right,” said Mr. Poodle, “give the order and we will start.”
Tommy assisted Helen to mount to the back of her beautiful horse, called Snow White. And, after mounting Coal Black, his own fine charger, he gave the order:
The Fourth Chapter.
Telling of how a Little Company departs on a long Journey through the Hills. Also of the Tale told by Mr. Poodle. And of the Guards at the Gate.
N quick response to Tommy’s command, the whole company started. First, of all, walked Mr. Poodle; next, came Tommy and Helen riding their beautiful horses; then, Captain Noddle Poddle, who rode at the head of his company of cavalry; and after him, came Captain Hinkle Pinkle leading his brave command of infantry. Next, in line, was the express wagon; and last of all rode Rolie Polie, sitting astride a funny little donkey.
At first, Mr. Poodle hesitated about having the little clown accompanying them; he thought Rolie Polie was such a tricky fellow he would be sure to get into no end of mischief. But he finally yielded to the wishes of Helen and Tommy, much to their delight. {30}
Presently, Mr. Poodle spoke earnestly with Captain Pinkle and Captain Poddle, cautioning them to keep their soldiers near at hand and be ready in case of any attack from pirates, or bandits, or ruffians.
Tommy jumped when Mr. Poodle said that. “Why, Mr. Poodle,” he asked, “are there pirates and bandits in Toyville?”
“Well,” said Mr. Poodle, “I don’t think we will find any in Toyville, but there may be some lurking in the hills by the way. The crusty King of Grumbletown does not like the people of Toyville very well; he is always threatening to make war on them and keeps his ruffians and bandits spying around to see what is happening in Toyville. I suppose when he hears that visitors are on the road, he will be more angry than ever, for he will not want a boy and girl to go to Toyville and teach the Toy people new tricks.”
“Is Grumbletown near Toyville, Mr. Poodle?” inquired Tommy.
“Oh yes,” said Mr. Poodle, “Toyville is at the lower end of the valley, and Grumbletown is at the other end, but the valley bends about a big hill which lies between the two realms.”
“I do not think Grumbletown is a pretty name,” said Helen. “Why is it called Grumbletown, Mr. Poodle?”
“Well dear,” said Mr. Poodle, “the name came about in this way: one time it fell to the luck of some toys to go and live with boys and girls who were always complaining or fault finding, and who never were contented and happy. Of course, when this happened, the toys were sure to learn all manner of disagreeable ways, and became {31} ill behaved and grumbly. Then, by and by, they ran away to the Hills of Troubleland, and in place of going on to the happy and prosperous city of Toyville, went further up the valley and founded a new realm, which, because of all its subjects being grumble toys was given the name of Grumbletown.”
“Are there many people living in Grumbletown, Mr. Poodle?” asked Tommy.
“Yes, there are,” said Mr. Poodle, “I am sorry to say it is quite a large realm and is constantly growing larger, because the toys of children who complain and find fault always go to Grumbletown in place of Toyville. The King of Grumbletown is a sly and crafty old pirate, called Red Beard, and sometime, if he becomes too powerful, he will make war on the peaceful, contented Toy people.”
It was a long, long way the happy little company now travelled; through winding valleys they went and over towering hills until at last, after crossing one high hill, there spread before them, all at once, the broad walls and beautiful gate at the entrance to the Valley of Happiness. On the gate there was painted a black rooster, and standing on guard at each side, was a brave little soldier.
As soon as Mr. Poodle and his company came in sight, the two soldiers saluted, then holding their muskets at present arms, waited for the visitors to approach.
When Mr. Poodle reached the gate, he lifted the heavy knocker and gave three loud raps. At the third rap the gate swung open, and there they were right on the edge of the Kingdom of Toyville, with the sounds of the city coming faintly through the hills from far down in the little Valley of Happiness. {32}
Mr. Poodle now seemed very much surprised and the look in his eyes showed that he was also a little worried.
“What is the matter, Mr. Poodle?” asked Tommy, kindly. “Haven’t we come the right way?”
“Oh, yes,” said Mr. Poodle, “this is the right road to Toyville; but I am very much surprised that none of the Toy people are waiting to meet us. I expected to find a company of cavalry at this gate and even thought the Mayor and some of the Nobles would come to escort us to the city. It is certainly most strange that no one is here, for I sent a Messenger to tell them we were coming. It is not at all like the Toy people to treat guests in this way. I hope the Messenger has not been captured by the bold brigands or bandits.”
When Mr. Poodle stopped speaking, Tommy and Helen thought they heard someone laughing behind a clump of bushes not far away; but as Mr. Poodle either did not hear it, or if he heard, he paid no attention, they said nothing about the matter, but followed him through the gate and into the new land.
The Fifth Chapter.
How Three wait upon the Highway. And of the Adventure that befel Peter Poodle’s Messenger. Also of how the Messenger departs in much Joy.
OW we must leave the little company, for one chapter, and tell of what happened to that little Messenger Peter Poodle had sent on ahead to Toyville.
It would have been as well for Peter Poodle and his happy company to have searched a little in the bushes, before travelling further on their journey. Had this been done, it is more than probable it would have led to a surprising discovery.
When Mr. Poodle told Tommy and Helen that the King of Grumbletown had ruffians and bandits lurking about, spying in the hills, he spoke what was certainly true, but {36} he told only one half of the story. He did not know that Red Beard had sent not only his bandits, but also his three bold and crafty Buccaneers, who, having recently returned from a pirate cruise, were anxious for a little fighting and plundering on land.
Now, as oft happens in this world, a body sometimes has Luck tripping along for his wayfellow, and sometimes it is Ill Luck that goes kicking up the dust at his side. Ill Luck was the fellow that went travelling with the Messenger Peter Poodle had sent to Toyville, and this is what happened: No sooner had the three Buccaneers entered the Hills of Troubleland than they saw coming down the road, the little Messenger.
“Oh, ho!” cried Big Bill, the captain, “here is our chance to take a captive!” Then he ordered his men to advance, and the next minute the messenger was captured and Big Bill had found the message to the Mayor of Toyville.
The captain of the three Buccaneers was not much at spelling out letters, so it took him a long while to get to the end of the message. But finally, after reading it all, he laughed long and loudly.
“Ha, ha, ha! my hearties,” said he (which is the way a Buccaneer captain always speaks to his men when there is something of importance afoot). “Ha, ha, ha! Here is a fine kettle of fish for sure and certain, and all ready to be cooked! I guess we are the fellows to do the cooking, too! Listen, my hearties: Peter Poodle, that little toymaker from over the hills, is going to visit Toyville. Here is a message he sends to the Mayor, and it says he is going to bring a boy and a girl with him. What do you think our King in Grumbletown would say to that?” {37}
The two Buccaneers looked at Big Bill, their captain, and neither one knew what to answer.
“I will tell you, my hearties, what our King would say. He would say, ‘We don’t want any boy and girl going to Toyville to teach the Toy people new tricks, so Bill, you must capture them.’ That is what the king would say. Now, what I want to ask, my hearties, is this: how are we going to make the capture?”
The two Buccaneers again looked at Big Bill, and again neither one could answer.
Big Bill thrust his two hands into his pockets and walked to and fro in deep thought. Finally a bright idea came to him. “I have it now, my hearties,” he said. “We must find a good place to hide by the roadside, and make an ambush; then when they pass by, most likely this boy and girl will be lagging along behind, looking at the sights, and we can spring out and take them by surprise; after that we will carry them captive to Grumbletown.”
The two Buccaneers looked at each other with eyes almost bulging out of their heads. “My, oh my, Bill, but you certainly are a fine one at making plans!” they said. Then taking hold of Big Bill’s hands the three began to dance and skip about like crazy people.
Big Bill now unfastened the bonds of the Messenger, and bowing politely to him, said he was very sorry they had treated him so harshly. “You see,” said he, “there are so many ruffians and bandits lurking about in the hills, we have to be careful whom we allow to pass. We hope you will forgive us, and that you will accept our invitation to have something to eat before travelling any further along the road to the city of Toyville.” {38}
Big Bill spoke to the Messenger, just the politest that could be, for he wanted to get rid of him without his being suspicious, and yet he wanted to delay the delivery of the message until its arrival would be too late for the Mayor to send anyone to meet Mr. Poodle.
The Messenger said he certainly would be glad to have something to eat with Big Bill and his companions, and as for blaming them for handling him so roughly, he could never think of doing that, because he knew it must be important to have such good guards in Toyville to protect the city from the wicked ruffians of Grumbletown.
The two Buccaneers expected Big Bill would give the Messenger a good drubbing for speaking that way, but though their captain looked a little glum, he did no more than order them to build a camp fire and prepare a good dinner. After eating a hearty meal, the Messenger thanked Big Bill for the entertainment and again took up his journey down the road to Toyville.
Big Bill and one of his men set out to find a good place for the ambush, the other Buccaneer was left behind at the gate to watch for the expected visitors so he could warn Big Bill of their approach. His laughing was the sound that Helen and Tommy heard when Mr. Poodle expressed the hope that his little Messenger had not been captured by bandits.
The Sixth Chapter.
Here something is told of the fine Sights seen on a Wonderful Hillside. Here, too, Helen & Tommy find new Delights, and Rolie Polie finds Trouble.
O sooner had Helen and Tommy walked through the gateway than a peculiar shivery feeling went running up and down their backs, and even to the tips of their fingers and toes. This lasted only for a second or two, and its cause they could not guess. Indeed, there was no time to give the matter any thought before something very strange happened. When Captain Pinkle, Captain Poddle and the others passed through the Toyville gateway, quick as a wink, every one of them grew to be as big as Tommy and Helen. At first Tommy and Helen thought it was themselves that had become as small as the Toy people, but after looking around a little, {42} it could easily be seen that their companions were really the ones who had changed.
“Duck your heads, everybody!” cried Mr. Poodle; “here comes a cloud that will knock your hats off!” And sure enough, there was a great fleecy white cloud, like a big ball of thistle down, rolling and tumbling across the sky, and so close to their heads that Tommy and Helen could almost touch it by stretching out their hands.
“This must be a very high hill,” said Tommy.
“Yes, indeed,” answered Mr. Poodle. “Why it is nearly as high as the sky.” Then he asked Tommy to line up the soldiers, and said he would fire a salute so the Toyville people would know of their arrival.
After the salute had been fired, the company resumed their journey, and as there was no longer any danger of losing the way, Mr. Poodle bade the soldiers take the lead. Tommy and Helen were sure that they had again heard someone laughing in the bushes, but as Mr. Poodle paid no attention, the matter was soon forgotten. A funny curly road ran down over the hillside, twisting and turning and bobbing here and there, just as if it wanted to get into as many nooks and corners as possible, which was not a bit of wonder either, for nowhere in all the world could be found a hillside as beautiful.
“We must now travel down this long curly road,” said Mr. Poodle. Then he asked Helen and Tommy if they were glad they had come on the journey and if they were getting at all tired.
“Yes, indeed, we are glad, Mr. Poodle,” said Helen and Tommy, both speaking at once. “And we are not the least tiny bit tired, either.” {43}
“That is good,” said the little toymaker. “It is a long walk down the hill to the city of Toyville, but I think you will not mind that, for there are so many new sights to be seen.”
At first the road wound through a grove of beautiful trees thickly covered with sweet blossoms of every color of which a body might think. Then it entered a wonderful orchard, where were rows and rows of trees all loaded with ripe fruit. Fruit? Well, that is what it was called in Toyville, but over across the hills, back where Helen and Tommy lived, it would be called candy. There were bonbons, all of cream and chocolate; there were lovely fat white marshmallows, luscious and ripe, which hung in big juicy clusters, waiting to be picked; there were sugar plums, the finest and biggest that grow on trees anywhere in the land. Not a single tree in the whole orchard but what had this fine fruit all bursting ripe, and so much on every branch and twig that they were almost breaking off and tumbling to the ground.
Two funny little men were seen gathering the fruit in a great wooden tray with long handles. “Pick all you want,” they said to Tommy and Helen. “Eat all you want, too. It will not make you a bit ill, as city candy would, and for every one we pick, two grow in its place.”
The men did not have to say those words twice. Indeed, they hardly had time to say them even once, before Helen and Tommy were under the trees and stuffing their pockets bursting full; what they couldn’t put in theirs they stuffed in Rolie Polie’s, which were very big and held almost as much as a quart. The grass that grew between the trees of the orchard was nearly as soft as velvet, and {44} when any of the ripe fruit fell to the ground, it didn’t get at all broken. There were some shade trees growing in the orchard, too. Mr. Poodle said they were planted there to keep the warm sun from shining on the fruit daytimes, because the sun might make the fruit melt.
“These fleecy white clouds also help to keep the sun off,” said Mr. Poodle. “That is why they are so big.”
“I thought clouds made it rain,” said Tommy. “Don’t the clouds make it rain, Mr. Poodle?”
“Oh yes,” said Mr. Poodle, “of course that is the way it is back in our land, but here it never rains. You see the Toy people do not like to be out in the wet; it would spoil their games and all their fun, so here it is always sunshiny.”
“And can the Toy people play out of doors all the time?” asked Helen. “Don’t they ever need to go in the house, Mr. Poodle?”
“Not on account of rain, dear,” answered Mr. Poodle. “Of course people go in their houses to sleep at night, but the Toy boys and girls are never called in to go to bed at half past seven, just when they are having the most fun; their mothers allow them to stay up until almost nine o’clock, or at least until eight.”
Tommy and Helen thought that it would be fine to live in that kind of a city, and told Mr. Poodle they know the Toy children must be very happy.
“You are right,” said Mr. Poodle. “I am sure the Toy children are happy; everyone in Toyville is happy.”
While Tommy and Helen were talking in this way with Mr. Poodle, the road went on twisting about a bend and presently brought them into a rolling bit of pasture land, strewn with buttercups and daisies. But that was not all {45} the pasture contained. No, for, feeding beside a red pump was a pink barley pig, also some barley cows, and sheep, and at the far end of the pasture were two tame barley deer. A barley rabbit, startled by the approaching footsteps, went skipping across the road, almost under the very toes of Rolie Polie. My, but Rolie Polie was scared, and stopped so quickly that he almost tumbled and tucked his nose in the dust before he could get his balance.
The little clown then began to laugh and the next minute away he went over the hedge and through the pasture, chasing the rabbit as fast as ever his legs could carry him, with never a thought for danger.
Now Rolie Polie was dressed in his clown’s suit of red and white; and no sooner did he enter the pasture than one of the animals lifted its head and gave a great bellow. {46}
“Oh, the bull, the barley bull!” yelled Mr. Poodle. “Look out, Rolie Polie! Run for a tree, or the bull will catch you!”
But Rolie Polie was thinking only of the rabbit and squirrel, and never once heard the barley bull until it was almost upon him. Mr. Poodle now knew that one of two things would surely happen: either Rolie Polie would be overtaken by the bull, or, in trying to escape, he would be forced to the edge of the cliff and tumble over.
“We must hurry to the rescue!” cried the little toymaker, and with one bound he went through the hedge, quickly followed by Tommy. Helen stood and watched them from the roadway. She would have gone to the rescue too, but really, barley bulls are very scary animals, and as Helen had on her red dress, she thought it best not to get too near.
The bull was now only a few yards behind Rolie Polie, and all the shouting of Mr. Poodle and Tommy made not the least bit of difference to its mad gallop. It saw only the bright colors of the little clown’s costume, and madly bellowing, it never slackened its speed one tiny particle. Indeed, the shouting may have made it run even faster.
What then happened to the little clown must be told in the next chapter, for now we are at the end of this one.
The Seventh Chapter.
Of the three Buccaneers. Also of the Fear that fell upon Mr. Poodle, and what fell upon the Ambush.
HILE Rolie Polie chased the barley rabbit, and in turn was being chased by the barley bull, Big Bill and his two Buccaneers were lying in ambush further down the road. The one who had been left up the hill at the gate, had hidden behind some bushes, and when the company came through and Mr. Poodle spoke of the strangeness of their not being met by any of the Toy people, he chuckled so loudly, that it was a wonder the noise did not lead to his being discovered. After the salute had been fired and the company started on their downward journey, the Buccaneer, when he saw how the soldiers were sent on ahead, leaving Helen and Tommy {50} no greater protection than that afforded by the little old toymaker and Rolie Polie, again laughed out loud; and it was only when the company passed from sight that the Buccaneer left his hiding place and set forth by a short cut, which soon brought him to the ambush and his waiting companions.
When Big Bill heard how the company had been divided, he said: “Didn’t I tell you so? Didn’t I say that that boy and girl would have to be lagging along behind to see the sights? I tell you, I know a thing or two. They can’t fool Big Bill. Come, my hearties, we must get ready! Every man see to the loading and priming of his pistols! We won’t need to fire any shots; the sight of our swords and pistols will be enough to frighten them. Like as not, at the first glimpse of us, Peter Poodle and that little clown will run; then we can capture the boy and girl.”
The tramp of men and horses was now heard coming around the bend further up the road. “We must lay low,” said Big Bill, “and keep out of sight until these soldiers pass; then, we can poke out the muzzles of our pistols and be ready for the others.”
Hardly had Big Bill finished speaking when to their ears came the startling sound of a great roaring bellow. One of the Buccaneers jumped to his feet, his legs shook and trembled while his face went white as chalk. “It is the barley bull,” he whispered between his chattering teeth. Again they heard the bellow, this time nearer than before. “Listen! listen!” cried the frightened Buccaneer, his voice no more than a hoarse croak; “listen, Big Bill, it is the barley bull; the barley bull is after us!” Then his legs giving way, he fell in a heap on the ground. {51}
Big Bill jumped to his feet. “Are you crazy?” he cried. “The barley bull can’t hurt you. He is in the pasture up the hill.”
Presently, the bellow came again, and now so near that even Big Bill trembled and turned pale, and shaking and shivering he drew his pistol, while his two men, their faces blanched with fear, fell on their knees, and frantically clasped their arms about his knees.
The bellowing of the barley bull now came to them again and roared in their ears like rolling thunder. “He will get us, he will get us!” cried the three. “We must run for our lives!” Then they heard a crash in the bushes above them and the next second something landed right on the head of Big Bill, tumbling him and his companions over and leaving them sprawling on the ground.
The breath was knocked out of Big Bill. He could not speak even in a whisper. “He has us, he has us; the barley bull has us!” was what he tried to say, but never a single word came over his parched lips. Then with the last ounce of strength that remained in their bodies, Big Bill and his two men got on their feet and started to run as fast as ever their shaking legs could carry them. Never once did any of them stop for even a second to look back, and I very much doubt if they heard the shouts of Captain Pinkle and Captain Poddle and their soldiers, or even heard the reports of the musket shots that were being fired. No, they thought the barley bull had come through the bushes tearing after them; which was too much for the bravery of these three bold Buccaneers.
But it wasn’t the barley bull that had tumbled the three Buccaneers to the ground; it was a no more harmful {52} creature that had come crashing through the trees, to land on their broad backs, than the little clown, Rolie Polie. If Big Bill and his two fellows had seen Rolie Polie sitting on the ground and laughing at their hasty retreat, it certainly would have made them more angry than they were now scared.
Meanwhile, having seen Rolie Polie jump, Mr. Poodle and Tommy hurried back to the roadway, and, followed by Helen, ran hurriedly down and around the bend.
“Have you found Rolie Polie? Is he hurt? Has he any joints broken?” called Mr. Poodle the moment he came in sight of the soldiers.
“No,” answered Captain Pinkle, “Rolie Polie is not hurt and he certainly has served us well this day, by saving Miss Helen and Master Tommy from the Grumbletown Buccaneers.”
When Mr. Poodle looked at the ambush, and realized how near Helen and Tommy had come to being captured, he was very thankful for such a lucky escape. “We must keep together the rest of the journey,” he said to the two captains. “These Buccaneers will get over their fright by and by, and you may be sure they won’t give up trying to capture Helen and Tommy; so we must be continually on the lookout for another attack.”
Finding that Rolie Polie was not at all hurt by his tumble, and that the jolly little fellow was well able to travel, the company formed in line and again started down the road towards the City of Toyville.
The Eighth Chapter.
How the Little Company meets with a Joyous Greeting. And how a sly Stranger listens to the Words of the Mayor and watches the Departure.
HEN the little Messenger from Peter Poodle arrived in Toyville, he went at once to the residence of the Mayor.
“You have a message from Mr. Poodle,” said the Mayor, as soon as he had shaken hands with the Messenger. “You are most welcome to our city; and we are glad, indeed, to receive any word our good friend Mr. Poodle has to send us.”
While the Mayor was reading the message he grew very excited. “You must excuse me,” he said to the Messenger. “Just make yourself comfortable, and at home. This is a very important word you have brought me, and I must {56} assemble my councillors. Our city will be greatly honored by a visit from such a renowned toymaker as Mr. Poodle. And, at the same time, to have a visit from the boy and girl who are accompanying Mr. Poodle, that, dear sir, is an occurrence of the utmost importance, and one for which, I am sure, my councillors and the Lords and Ladies of the realm will wish to prepare an exceptional welcome.”
There was now much excitement in the council room, and soon the Heralds were sent speeding here and there throughout the city to warn the people of the approaching visitors. The lack of time to make plans did not prevent their being made thoroughly. What these plans were, we shall see presently.
As for Mr. Poodle and his little companions, when their journey had brought them about half way down the curly road, they came to a place where there was a little lane, or grassy opening in the trees. {57}
Mr. Poodle said: “Run down this lane and take a peep out through the trees over the edge of the hill.”
Helen and Tommy did as Mr. Poodle had suggested and soon reached the end of the lane, where a look-out could be had over the brow of the hill. Never before had they seen such a wonderful sight, for below in the valley lay as handsome a little city as was to be found in all the world.
In the foreground could be seen a beautiful lake, and sailing on its crystal waters were all manner of lovely boats with pennants waving and flags flying. Entering the lake, at its upper end, hidden here and there by overhanging trees, was a curly, twisting river. At the lower end of the lake there tumbled a dashing, foaming waterfall, beside which rumbled the wheel of a quaint little mill. {58}
Mr. Poodle, who now stood back of Helen and Tommy, said that in the quaint little mill there lived the jolly little Miller of Dee, who all day long ground barley corn to feed the barley animals they had seen in the pasture up on the hillside. Helen and Tommy could hear the wheel mumbling very plainly and could even hear the mill grinding. “Look,” said Mr. Poodle, “there is the little Miller of Dee!” And sure enough, there he stood in the doorway, the long smock upon his back, and the cap upon his head, powdered thickly with barley dust.
All about the edge of the lake there was a turned over marble rim, and every little way along this rim, were pots and vases in which grew flowering shrubs and plants, laden with beautiful blossoms. Here and there had been built wide stairways, leading down to the very edge of the water, and in one place there was a long pier standing on carved and turned posts painted in pretty colors. On a gate, at the entrance to this pier, were letters which Helen and Tommy could see, and with much difficulty spell into words: these read—“Royal Boat Landing.”
Back of the lake the land was rolling and wavy, like little hills. On these hills there were some fine houses, all set about with trees, and each one having at its side, or in the front, or back, a beautiful flower garden. There were so many of these gardens everywhere, that it was easy to see that the people were very fond of pretty flowers and delighted in having them about their homes.
Precisely in the center of the city was one little hill higher than all the rest, on the tip top of which loomed a beautiful castle, circled all about with high walls and topped with crimson towers. {59}
People could be seen hurrying to and fro in the streets. They were all as nice looking people as one would ever wish to see; in fact they seemed just like toys, only much bigger; as big indeed, as Helen and Tommy. All of the houses, the boats and even the fine castle on the hill looked like toys too, only ever and ever so much larger.
“How do you like this sight?” asked the little toymaker. Helen and Tommy were so excited and so full of wonder that they were unable to find a single word to put on their tongues so they could answer.
Mr. Poodle was not a bit fooled by their silence, though, for being a very clever man, when he looked into their eyes, he could see them brimming full of joy, so much, that it was almost bubbling out and running over. That made it easy enough, then, for a clever man like him to see that they thought everything just fine.
Of course Helen and Tommy could have said those words to Mr. Poodle, only they wanted to find bigger ones. But Mr. Poodle was not even one tiny mite provoked at their not answering his question, for he thought it much nicer to read such a happy answer in their eyes. “Come,” said Mr. Poodle, “it is time to be going! We have passed through the Hills of Troubleland and entered the Vale of Joy and the Valley of Happiness; we are now almost in Toyville.”
“Toyville! Toyville!” cried Helen and Tommy, dancing with joy. “Hurrah for Toyville!”
Then from the roadway came the happy cry of Captain Pinkle and Captain Poddle and all their soldiers.
“HURRAH FOR TOYVILLE!”
The last of the cheer had hardly finished echoing in the hills when there came an answering cheer from down the road, and presently, turning a bend in the road, the little company came into a beautiful park at the foot of the hill and found it thronged with the happy Toy people.
The Mayor quickly stepped forward and shook hands most cordially with Mr. Poodle. He said the Toy people were delighted and much honored in having such a famous toymaker come to visit them. After greeting Helen and Tommy and presenting Helen with a bouquet of beautiful roses, he introduced them to the Lords, Nobles and fine Ladies and Gentlemen that had come riding up on their prancing steeds, or in their handsome coaches.
As Helen and Tommy were talking busily with their new acquaintances, the Mayor stood a little to one side and eyed them critically. There was a happy, pleased expression on his face, and once or twice he nodded his head as if in profound approval of something. Then, in a low tone, so low that hardly anyone could hear him, he said: “We certainly acted wisely and have made a good choice; luck has come to us to-day, and if I am not much mistaken, it means ill luck to our enemy—the King of Grumbletown.”
Although the Mayor had mumbled these words barely above a whisper, there were two in that gathering who heard what was said, and not only heard the words but understood what they meant.
The first of these two was Mr. Poodle. Of course it was all right for Mr. Poodle to hear what the Mayor said, and the twinkle that jumped about in his eyes showed that he thought a fine surprise awaited Helen and Tommy. {61}
The other one who heard was a tall man, wearing a broad brimmed hat with a long plume. People called him Long Jim, but did not know him to be the most clever courtier in all of Grumbletown and the craftiest spy that King Redbeard had ever sent to Toyville. Not only did this man understand what the Mayor had said, but by his sly ways he managed to ask of Peter Poodle’s people a question here and another there, until finally he had {62} a complete account of what had happened to the three Buccaneers. A cunning smile then twisted up the corners of Long Jim’s mouth, for he thought: “These people think they have made fine plans to get ahead of the King of Grumbletown, but they have reckoned without Long Jim. I will show them a thing or two that will knock their plans topsy turvy.”
There was now so much noise that Coal Black and Snow White began to get quite wild and skittish. The two noble steeds danced about and showed their fine mettle; but Helen and Tommy sat so firmly in the saddle, that all the people gave them a long cheer for such a fine exhibition of riding.
The Mayor looked at this performance with wonder, and said to Mr. Poodle that he did not think the equal of that riding could be found in all Toyville, even among the most skilled soldiers at the barracks of the cavalry. Then he invited the toymaker to ride in his carriage, and, bidding Captain Ten Pin of the police to clear the way, the procession started for the city.
One remained behind, however, and went hurrying up the road in search of the three Buccaneers. This was the man with the big hat, the crafty courtier, Long Jim.
The Ninth Chapter.
Of a Royal Welcome. Also of a Most Marvelous and Extraordinarily Wonderful Entertainment.
O great was the joy of the Toy people lined along the way that cheer upon cheer greeted Tommy and Helen as they drew towards the city.
At the entrance to Toyville there was another gate, similar in design to the one at the top of the hill, only quite a little larger and flanked with tall red capped towers in which were windows and portholes, quite the same as in a fortress. On each side of the gate were huge brass cannons. The Toy people did not really expect any enemy to attack their city on this side, fearing only the King of Grumbletown, whose realm lay {66} beyond the hills at the far end of the valley, but they built the gate with towers in such a formidable way, thinking to thus make a more impressive entrance to their city.
The procession now approached the center of the city by a long avenue which terminated at a beautiful park.
Around the other edge of the park were ranged line after line of soldiers, both infantry and cavalry, in uniforms of scarlet and gold, and black and gold, with officers all in white and gold; the bridles and saddles of their chargers being richly studded in silver and colored enamels.
At the entrance to the park there stood a great arch of wonderful design. Across the top of this arch in tall letters of black, with great curly capitals of red, was painted: “Welcome to the King and Queen.”
As Tommy and Helen rode their dancing, prancing horses beneath the Arch of Welcome, there was a mighty blast by the buglers followed by roar upon roar from a great firing of cannon. Then the officers waved their swords and the soldiers and people broke into one wild glad cheer, while from all over the city could be heard the joyous peals of ringing bells.
Presently a Herald rode forward and blew three mighty blasts upon his bugle. Then he cried: “O, ye people of Toyville, give ear and hear the words that have been written for ye in the great parchment!”
As soon as the Herald had said this, there stepped up two Pages, bearing between them a great scroll of parchment, from which hung many red ribbons and seals. Behind the two Pages there came a man dressed in a coat of scarlet, with a long sword at his belt, and a tall hat upon his head. {67}
The Pages now unrolled the scroll; on it were many letters of black and red and gold. The man in red put on his big spectacles and in a loud voice he read:
“Know all men by these presents, that whereas the Realm of Toyville has been many years without a ruler, it is decreed that there shall be appointed and crowned, a King and Queen. Therefore, be it now known to all men, that the people will have no other to rule over them than he who across the big hills is called Tommy, and the maid who bears him company and is called Helen. These words were here written down, and signed and sealed by the High Council of the Realm of Toyville.”
Then the man read the long list of names that were signed to the parchment, and fine and high sounding names they were, too.
When he had finished, he turned to the people, and in a loud voice cried out: “Hail to King Tommy! Hail to Queen Helen!”
“Hail to King Tommy! Hail to Queen Helen!” the people repeated; and then together in chorus they shouted: “Long reign King Tommy and Queen Helen!”
At the completion of this impressive ceremony and when the people had ceased their glad cheering, the Mayor stepped forward, and, bowing with much courtesy and grace, informed their Majesties that if they would be pleased to dismount, it would be his pleasure to conduct them to the Royal Seats, which had been prepared at the other side of the park.
When the Mayor had finished speaking, two Pages approached and held the bridles of Coal Black and Snow White while the King and Queen dismounted. {68}
The Mayor now walked with their Majesties across the park to directly opposite the Arch of Welcome, where had been erected a high platform, beautifully decorated with garlands of laurel leaves, intertwined with beautiful flowers, and on which was the Royal Seat.
The Mayor again bowed most courteously.
“Your Majesties,” he said, “we have prepared for your special pleasure and enjoyment, and as a slight token of welcome, some of the fine games and sports for which our people of Toyville are so famous.”
“We thank you for the honor you have shown us,” responded King Tommy. “My gracious Queen and myself will be pleased indeed to watch the games of our beloved subjects.”
The Mayor was exceedingly happy at these words of the King; he quickly turned to the waiting Herald and waved his staff, this being the sign that the entertainment might begin.
The Herald now blew three mighty blasts upon a bugle and cried: “Let the games commence!”
Of course, Tommy and Helen were greatly surprised at being made King and Queen. Mr. Poodle was not surprised, though, and he said that the people were certainly fortunate in having made such a wise choice. He was sure too, that Tommy and Helen would make a splendid King and Queen, and he predicted that their reign would prove a happy one.
“Yes,” said the Mayor, “it certainly will if trouble does not come from the people of Grumbletown.”
Tommy could see that the Mayor seemed quite a little worried about what might be done by the Grumbletown {70} King, and was going to ask him if he feared any immediate trouble. Before he had time to do this, however, the games began, and proved so interesting that both Queen Helen and he had to spend every minute watching them, and could think of nothing else.
From the first number on the program, which was a grand parade, consisting of a long procession of elephants, camels, lions, tigers and nearly every animal of which one could think, led by a fine band and followed by numerous gaily plumed horses and chariots, up to the last when the Master of Ceremonies introduced Professor Wow Bow and his marvellously trained dogs, the entertainment proved one long delight. There was bareback riding, then came feats of tumblings, performing Jacks, funny Clowns, and every other act of which one might think.
The little man with a funny pig made Tommy and Helen laugh so much that they almost had to cry; or at least, they had to wipe tears out of their eyes. {71}
