\^,J^\ m. MAGIC k9t ^^di TUT)OR JENK5 v«*A* Belon|s ux The Magic Wand ALTEMUS' MAGIC WAND SERIES THE MAGIC WAND BY TUDOR JENKS With Illustrations By JOHN R. NEILL PHILADELPHIA HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY 6 The Magic Wand Series Price Fifty Cents Each BY TUDOR JENKS The Magic Wand Romero and Julietta A Magician for One Day The Prince and the Dragons Timothy's Magical Afternoon The Rescue Syndicate Copyright 1905, by Henry Altemus The Magic Wand THE MAGIC WAND THE SULTAN'S VERSES THE BOY AND DRAGON Contents % The Magic Wand Illus- trations W^^^^^^Ai» 4^1 m^m m ffi^- JHbk m R^ ^sTU ^ 1 ■^BRP^^fl^y' I^ ILLUSTRATIONS THE MAGIC WAND Frontispiece ' 'Reginald wants it' " ' The telephone bell rang " ' Ran as if he wore roller-skates " ' A fat, but kindly elephant" '*Mor'n three times as big as papa!'" ' The cows sprouted out greatwings " ' ' You shall fly, too ' " 'Blew up with a tremendous explosion " lo The Magic " Had fallen fast asleep " *' Hannah Maria lost her temper " THE SULTAN'S VERSES Frontispiece — " He arrived at his capital " *' Becoming clothes " *' Your will is the people's law " *' His turban fell off" *' The page on duty " "The old Vizier wore a broad grin" *' I prefer to remain Treasurer " *' The Minister of Justice " *' ' Have you been there all day? ' " " Appointed the page his Chief Councillor " THE BOY AND DRAGON Frontispiece — " I noticed an adver- tisement " *' ' I'm not a mister ' " " ' Lend me a quarter, will you ? ' " *' We walked along together " • Illus- trations Wand ** ' How is the ice-cream to-day ' " *' You help me the first week ' " "Two dozen swans were set afloat" *' They were drawing him in triumph " " ' I have brought you her photo- graph ' " II i Illus- trations The Magic Wand The Magic Wand 15 The Bell Rang HILE the King and the Magi- cian were talk- ing very ear- nestly together about a big giant who was reported to be coming from the sea-coast, the telephone-bell rang. " Excuse me for one mo- ment," remarked the King, get- ting up so quickly that he almost dropped his crown, " but that is my ring." He stepped to the telephone, and the Magician heard him say: "Yes. The Palace. Yes. I'm the King— the King. No ; not ring. King— monarch. Yes. The Magician? He is here yet." Then the King A Messai^e i6 The Magic Magician seemed to be listening intently, Wanted and suddenly his face put on a scared expression. *'My good- ness, gracious me!" he ex- claimed ; and, turning to the Magician, he said hurriedly, " You are wanted at home, and at once. >> the Anything wrong?' Magician asked. "Wrong? I should say so," the King replied, jump- ing up and down in his excitement. "Anybody sick — or dead?" "Sick? No-nordead. Not yet. But don't wait! Hurry! Run, ride— no, you're an en- chanter—fly !" " For pity's sake, what is it?" demanded the Magician, trot- ling along the palace corridor, Hurry! feV' Wand 17 with the King running along They Run beside him. "Why, it's your baby." " What can it be ?" exclaimed the Magician, who was now actually running. " What can't it be ?" groaned the King. "The baby has got your magic wand and they Baby Has It i8 The Magic Alas! for can't get it away from him, and the Nurse there's no telling what he may do with it. He has already changed his old nurse into an elephant, and— but hurry, man, hurry !" And the Magician ran as if he wore roller-skates. None knew so well as he what might happen before he could reach home. He ran so hard that he lost his breath, and was forced to halt on top of a hill, from which he could see the castle in which he lived. As he sank panting beside the road he saw one of the turrets of his castle go sailing up into the air and burst like a rocket. Too breathless to speak, the poor Magician rose to his feet and struggled on. Lively Times Wand 19 Half-way down the hill he was met by a fat but kindly elephant, whose face seemed strangely familiar. The words of the King came to the Ma- He Meets Her gician's mind, and he at once guessed this to be the nurse. As the nurse-elephant met her master she seized him with She Helps Him 20 The Magic Wand By her trunk, lifted him to a corn- Express fortable seat behind her ears, wheeled sharply around, and ran toward the castle. "Is it very bad, Hannah Maria ?" the Magician asked, as soon as he could speak. But the poor elephant could only groan as she charged onward. When they reached the gate of the courtyard the Magician could see for himself that it was very bad indeed. Near the middle of the great open space stood the Magician's son. He looked much as usual, ex- cept that instead of being the right size for a boy of four and one-half years — about as high as a table — he was now about twenty feet high. The Ma- gician learned afterward that A Giant Boy The Magic Wand 23 his son had wished to be "mor'n three times as big as papa!" and, having the magic wand in his hand, the wish had been granted. "Reginald!" exclaimed the Magician, "what does this mean?" " Oh," replied the giant-boy, Bigger' n Papa Such Fun 24 The Magic Look Out! "lam having such fun! Did you see what a splendid ele- phant Hannah Maria made ? What would you like to be, papa?" " Reginald, you are a naughty boy!" the poor Magician ex- claimed. *' Give me the wand." " Reginald wants it," said the baby, frowning. "Reginald likes the wand. It does such funny things ! See the cows ! Reginald can make them fly. Fly, cows, fly !" At once the cows in the meadow all sprouted out great wings, and, flapping them with a noise like a thousand pigeons, they flew up into the air and away they went. "Reginald," said the Ma- gician, " you are doing very A Reproof Wand 25 wrong. What will mamma say Mamma when she comes home ?" Defied " Little mamma won't say anything at all to a great big boy like me !" replied Reginald, laughing. "You don't know Papa Derided 26 The Magic Crafty what a little papa you are ! Idea Why, you look like a little, teeny-weeny silly mousie!" Then the Magician had an idea. "Can you make yourself small too?" he asked. " Course I can," the baby answered. " I can do what- ever I like." " Let papa see you make yourself small— like a mousie," said the Magician. "All right." Reginald said the words, " I wish I was small, like a mousie," and at once his wish came true. The Magician lost sight of the baby now, for they had been standing far apart ; but he went forward, hoping to reach the child in time to take the Where Is He? Wand 27 wand from him ; but just as he came near enough to find the little boy, the small creature disappeared entirely. The Magician stopped in dis- may. "Where are you, my son?" he called in a sweet tone. "Here I am, papa!" came the reply from over his head, and, looking up, he saw his son flying about in the form of a fairy. " I thought I'd be a fairy. Don't you like me to be a fairy ?" The Magician didn't know what to do. So long as the baby was good-humored there was little danger of his doing any harm, but if the little fellow should lose his temper there was no knowing what he might Found Again Caution Necessary 28 The Magic Wand Papa's do. The best thing the father Plan could think of was to keep the child amused and busy, in the hope that he might be led to give up the wand or might for- get it. " Reginald," he said, " papa can't fly. I wish you would come down here where we can play together." " No," said Reginald, shak- ing his head as he flew gently about. " Reginald doesn't like to come down. But I'll tell you, papa, what will be just splendid fun. You shall fly, too— only not so fast as I can." The Magician tried in vain to say no, but in an instant he was fluttering in the air with his son, also turned into a fairy- like creature. It Doesn't Work The Magic Wand 31 "Isn't this good fun?" ex- A Flying claimed Reginald. "Come, Trip papa, let's take a fly over the trees." Not daring to let the child out of his sight or to anger him by a refusal, the Magician was forced to go with him. Away both went through the air until they had left the castle far be- hind them and were out in the open country. " Reginald," said the Ma- gician at last, " papa is tired. Don't you want to go home now? And papa will tell you a nice story about choo-choo cars, and then you can go to sleep all nicey." But Reginald was not tempted. No, papa; Reginald isn't Toys at Will n 32 The Magic Engines sleepy. And 'sides, Reginald to Order can have real choo-choos right here I See!" The child waved the wand, and behold, there were three railroads in the fields below them, along which locomotives went with a great pufFing of steam and clanging of bells. " Nice ?" said Reginald, smil- ing very joyously. " Reginald likes papa's magic stick ! Now see choos all go smash !" Before the Magician could say a word all the locomotives went crashing into one another, and their boilers blew up with a tremendous explosion. Reginald was so startled that he dropped the wand. The Magician made a dive for it, but, not being able to fly so fast No, You Don't Wand 33 as Reginald, he did not succeed What in securing the prize. Next? Reginald laughed when the wand was once more in his hand. " I'm tired of playing fairies," said he. " I wish we were—" An Ostrich 34 LeVs Go Home The Magic "Reginald!" shouted his father in an agony of fear. "Do be careful, my son !" "I am, papa," he said. "What do you like to be ! Shall Reginald make papa a real pretty ostrich?" "Goodness, no! Please don't!" exclaimed the Ma- gician. "And, Reginald, we must go home. Papa is so tired of flying. Let us go home." "AH right," said Reginald. " I wish we were home right now !" And they were ; so quickly that the Magician's breath left him again. They found them- selves in Reginald's nursery, where his Noah's-ark animals were scattered over the floor. As soon as Reginald saw the A Menagerie Wand 35 wooden animals he had a new Danger idea. Ahead! "Oh, papa! Wouldn't it be nice if they were all alive?" "But, Reginald," cried the poor Magician, "what could we do with them all? Just think, there are lions and tigers and — and alligators — " "Well, I won't," said Regi- nald, with a sigh. " But I want to play something nice !" " But we can't play anything while we are so little," said the father. "Won't you wish we are ourselves once more ? I don't like to be a fairy." "All right," Reginald an- swered. " I wish we were just ourselves!" It was much pleasanter to be themselves, and the Magician Sly Papa! 36 The Magic A Drum began to think he might recover his wand now that Reginald was once more a little boy and that he was a full-sized man. "Reginald," said he, "while you have papa's magic stick why don't you wish for some- thing amusing to play with? Wouldn't you like a drum?" " Drum makes a big noise," answered the baby. " Does papa want to be a drummer?" " No, no !" said the Magician hastily. " Papa doesn't care for drums ; papa would rather see Reginald drum. You wish for a drum, and then while you play, papa will hold the magic stick." " No !" said Reginald, frown- ing. " Reginald wants the stick ; papa can't have it." A Perverse Boy Wand 37 " Very well," answered the puzzled Magician. " But please be very careful." "Reginald will be careful," A Caution said the child, nodding his head. "Where's Hannah Maria?" "You changed her into an Where's Hannah ? 33 The Magic Hannah elephant," said his father, "and Arrives she can't cook your supper." "I can change her back again," said Reginald, "and I will. I wish she was changed back, and was here !" Hannah Maria appeared in the room, about as angry as she could be. Without a word, she came rushing in at the door, descended upon the small boy, seized the wand and threw it to the other side of the room. In an instant the Magician had it in his hands and once more felt safe. It took all the rest of the afternoon to restore things to their usual condition, and meanwhile Reginald, tired out by his busy day, had fallen fast asleep. He was too little to be Setting to Rights Wand 39 punished for the mischief he had done, and so no more was said about it. But the magic wand was thereafter kept out of his reach. Reginald often begged for "papa's magic stick," but it was thought best not to let him have it. Altogether it was a fortunate thing that Hannah Maria lost her temper just when she did. Never Again All Ends Well The Sultan's Verses The Sultan's Verses 43 One Sul- ^ ^f^"g ^>]N a land so far tan Dies ^^ ^M ^o ^^e east that ^ it is very warm when the sun rises and quite chilly at sun- set, a great Sultan died. His successor happened to be a nephew v/ho lived at some distance— so far away, even from that distant land, that he v/asn't at all inti- mate with the late Sultan. In fact, they had met only half a dozen times, at Thanksgiving dinners or similar occasions; and consequently the new Sul- tan shed no tears to quench his joy upon coming to the throne. He decided to rule wisely and justly, and therefore was Another Succeeds 44 The Sultan's Verses First eager to choose the most trust- Steps worthy advisers. When he arrived at his capi- tal he was conducted at once to the palace, and spent the first day or two in resting from his journey, and malting the acquaintance of his courtiers, and buying becoming clothes. Among these courtiers was the Vizier of the late Sultan, a very gentlemanly old fellow, whose turban and beard were nevermore impressive than on first meeting. "When the Sultan arose late on the third day, he had de- cided to begin his reign. So he sent for the old Vizier, to have a private conversation with him in the throne-room. Both sat down cross-legged, The Powwow <i The Sultan's Verses 47 in an attitude that would give How it American citizens the cramps, Began and the Sultan opened the little powwow thus : _Q ( h (( Silleh ben Rifraf, I think it is high time that I— that is, we — began our reign." "Wisdom is heard," replied Rifraf is Cautious 48 The Sultan's His Own Rifraf, with the ease and indif- Way ference of an old courtier. " And it strikes me— us," the Sultan went on, "that it is an excellent opportunity for me to have our own way about sev- eral little matters that have long been in my mind." "Your will is the people's law," was Rifraf 's safe answer, as he bowed like a china image. "So I understand," the Sul- tan assented. " Of course we shall for a while carry on busi- ness upon the usual lines, so far as public affairs are con- cerned. But it is not to public business that we are referring just now." "Why, indeed?" remarked Rifraf, a little vaguely, as the Sultan paused, for he was Rifraf Wanders Verses 49 thinking of something else. A Feeler But so was the young Suhan. "So I say," the Sultan re- plied. " Now, so far as my own private affairs are con- cerned, I mean to have my own way about them." "Yes?" " Yes. For instance, I have long desired to be a poet," said the Sultan, looking aimlessly at the ceiling. The Vizier started so abruptly that his turban fell off, and then he, too, looked at the ceiling, until the Suhan should choose to go on. It was a very embarrassing situation. In all the Vizier's experience nothing just like this had ever presented itself. The old Sultan had been a Poetry Threatened 50 The Sultan's A Long very sensible man, according Pause to the Vizier's opinion, and had considered poetry— well, he hadn't considered it at all. There was a silence that lasted until the bulbul in the blue room had finished a long ditty. Then the Vizier saw it v/as his move, so to speak, and he took refuge in a proverb — the first that occurred to him : '"Cheerfulness is perfectly consistent with piety,' " he said, shaking his head thoughtfully. " So we think," said the Sul- tan, " and we shall therefore allow you to conduct the realm about as usual for a short time, while we devote ourselves to poetry." " Ugh ! " exclaimed the Viz- ier, for he couldn't help it. An Inter- jection Verses 51 "Excuse me?" said the Sultan, inquiringly. "'Every condition sits well Safe Play upon a wise man,' " remarked Rifraf, who was fond of proverbs, especially when he didn't care to commit himself. Sultan Puzzled 52 The Sultan's An Offer "But, though that is all plain Made sailing," the Sultan went on again, after trying a moment in vain to see what the proverb had to do with the subject, "there, is yet some difficulty. That is, to find a competent critic who will show me my faults and point out any little errors that may creep into my hasty lines. Now, if you your- self, Ben Rifraf, should prefer to undertake this responsible post, you can do so." " My sovereign master," said Rifraf hastily, " I am an old man. Let me care for the realm, for that trade I have long studied. I would prefer that another should become your Critic and Poetical Ad- viser — a younger man." And Declined Verses 53 " So be it," answered the young Sultan ; " but let me at least read to you one set of verses which I happen to find in my caftan. I would like your judgment upon these lines be- fore you betake yourself to your proper duties. Shall it be so?" The Vizier saw by the look in the Sultan's eye that the re- quest was a command, and he replied in Oriental phrase that he was most honored by the Sultan's condescension. So the young Sultan drew out a roll of manuscript, and read as follows : Who Could Refuse ? *' Youth is the season for hope ; Hope befitteth the young. Youth has the vigor to cope With the woes that the singers have sung. The Poem 54 The Sultan's A Critic " Youth has the sparkle of mirth ; Wanted Laughter delighteth the soul ; Spring is the youth of the earth. Merrily let carols roll ! " The Sultan rolled up his manuscript, and looked expect- antly at Ben Rifraf. "What do you think of that?" asked the Sultan. "Give me your candid opinion — as one private gentleman might to another." Now, the Vizier thought the lines were very poor indeed ; but he had often heard that poets were sensitive, and he, therefore, believed he was doing a very wise thing when he replied : " Oh, your Highness, what thought! what music! How exquisite your rhymes ! Soul and roll — why, it's a perfect A Whopper Verses 55 rhyme! I think you have chosen wisely indeed, if I may be permitted to praise without the suspicion of flattery." " Then you really like the little lines?" asked the Sultan, with a smile— a peculiar smile. "Like them? Why, they The Sultan Smiles A True Poet 56 The SultarCs Verses Rifraf should be embroidered with Goes Out gold thread on silken scarfs ! Your Highness is right. You are a Poet. Let me attend to the petty business of govern- ing, and you can give yourself entirely to the sublime art of composition." " So be it," said the Sultan. " Until I notify you to the con- trary, I will leave the reins in your hands. Now, as you will have plenty to attend to, will you kindly summon the Chief Treasurer as you go out? Thank you. Good morning! " The Vizier salaamed, and vanished through the curtained doorway ; and the page on duty outside noticed that the old Vizier wore a broad grin as he walked down the arched cor- ridor. Enter the Treasurer m::^^:^^^=s:^ T The Sultan's Verses 59 In a few minutes the Sultan heard the jingling of the golden curtain-rings, and beheld the face of the Chief Treasurer, a sedate and dignified man of middle age. " Enter Adhem el Shekels," said the Sultan kindly, " and be seated. I would confer with you." "My lord, the treasury is well supplied, and the accounts straight — " " No doubt," interrupted the Sultan; "but I have more im- portant matters — " "More important — " the Treasurer began, so amazed that he forgot his manners. "Verily," said the Sultan, overlooking the little breach of etiquette. "As the Vizier A Good Official More Poetry 6o The Sultan's Caution has no doubt informed you, I of Shekels intend to devote my own time, for the present, to poetry. He told you so, did he not?" " Something of the sort, your Highness," replied El Shekels uneasily, hoping that the Sul- tan wouldn't ask him to repeat the Vizier's joking remarks. In fact, the Vizier had hinted that the young Sultan thought him- self a genius. "I suspected as much," said the Sultan. "And you were surprised, perhaps?" "Your Highness is the ruler," responded the Trea- surer politely ; " but I was sur- prised, I admit. And, to tell the truth, if you will pardon me for saying so, I must say that, as a rule, there isn't much No Money in Poetry Verses 6i money to be made in poetry. I speak simply as a treasurer, your Highness, not as a critic." " But I wish your opinion as a critic," the Sultan answered. "The question of providing funds I shall leave to you, for the present, unless I should ap- point you to the new office I mean to create— that of Chief Critic and Poetical Adviser." The face of El Shekels had brightened when the new office was mentioned, but the bright- ness faded as the sentence ended. " Your Highness is most gra- cious ; but, if it be your will, I prefer to remain Treasurer." " As you please," the Sul- tan replied. " But meanwhile I happen to have in my caftan a A New Office The Poem Again The Sultan's Bored copy of verses that I have just completed. If you can spare the time, we shall be glad to have your opinion of them." "Most certainly, gracious sovereign," was the answer of El Shekels, while his face as- sumed a weary expression, and he began to do sums in mental arithmetic. So, drawing forth the pre- cious manuscript, the Sultan began, " Youth is the season for hope," and on he went, reading in a fine declamatory voice, as if trying to bring out the best points in the verses. When he concluded he looked at the Chief Treasurer. Your Highness, the lines A Sly Reply (( Verses 63 are above praise," said the Treasurer. " I hardly know which part to praise most." (And that was true, for he Another Whopper hadn't paid very close atten- tion.) "But I am sure your wisdom has led you aright. Your talents are far beyond No, Thank You 64 The Sultan's Next! my poor criticism. Let another be your Chief Critic; I am content to remain Treasurer." " It shall be as you say," the Sultan agreed ; " at least, for the present. And, as you go out, will you be kind enough to send us the — ah, what officer comes next to you in rank?" "The Minister of Justice," answered the Treasurer ; " yes, I will see that he comes at once." "Well," remarked the page at the door, "the new Sultan certainly makes the officers happy ! How they do grin when they come back ! " Later in the afternoon the page had reason to repeat this remark with added emphasis; for meanwhile he had admitted Why Do They Smile? Verses 65 the greatest officers of the A Grand realm, and all, as they came Official from their interview with the young sovereign, were adorned by the same self-satisfied grim- ace. Stronger and stronger be- The Secret 66 The Sultan's How to came the page's curiosity to Please know what it was that made all the courtiers so well satisfied with themselves. For after the first two or three had explained to the rest that "the young Sul- tan thinks he's a genius in the poetry line, and all you've got to do is to praise his verses and you're sure to keep your place," it was as easy as roll- ing off a log to go in, hear the verses and express your rap- tures, and come out in clover. But no one told the page about all this, and his curiosity about the interviews became very keen. He thought there must be something worth see- ing in the throne-room, for, not long after each great official entered, he could hear a mur- Shrewd Critics Verses 67 mur of voices, and then such The Last expressions as "Exquisite! Page Beau-ti-ful ! " or, "Perfect— couldn't be better!" "Well, well, I never did ! " " Never was anything like it ! " Strangely enough, the page's curiosity was gratified most unexpectedly. It was getting late, and the Sultan had seen all the promi- nent officials of the palace. At length he came to the doorway, and found the page sitting in attendance on rather a thin and hard cushion. "Why, my boy," said the Sultan kindly, " you must be worn out. Have you been there all day?" " All day, your Majesty," the page replied respectfully; A Kindly Sovereign 68 The Sultan's Verses A Page " and since your Majesty asks Surprised me— I am a little tired." " Come in," said the Sultan, holding aside the curtain. "You shall rest awhile." " What ! —with your Majesty, in the throne-room?" the boy exclaimed in amazement. "Certainly. No one need know," answered the Sultan kindly. "Are you afraid of me?" " No, your Majesty," said the page, for the Sultan smiled very cordially ; and the page entered the throne-room. " Be seated," said the Sultan ; " I command it! " he added, as the boy hesitated. So the page sat down upon a soft silk cushion. " I have been writing some The Poem Again The Sultan's Verses )> verses,' said the Sultan, as he bade the boy help himself to the delicious fruits and ices, " and while you refresh your- self I should like to read them to you." " Your Majesty is very kind," said the page. " But suppose some one should come?" " No one will come," said the Sultan decidedly, and he clapped his hands, summoned a slave, and bade him stand sentinel to keep out all intrud- ers. So, while the boy enjoyed the fruits and ices, the Sultan, for the twentieth time at least, read aloud his precious Hnes on youth. "When he had finished, he turned to the page, saying: In Clover A Request 72 The Sultan's Pray Excuse Me! A Desperate Resolution " Now I should like your opin- ion of the poem." "But, your Highness, I am too young to criticize your verses," replied the page un- easily. "All nonsense," answered the Sultan, but pleasantly enough. " I see you have an opinion. I desire you to ex- press it freely. Nay, more than that, I command you to do so." "I must obey, then," said the page, looking very serious. " But if I should incur your Majesty's displeasure, may I beg that you will visit your wrath upon me alone? I have a mother and sister who are dependent upon me — " They shall be cared for," (4 Verses 73 said the Sultan in a solemn tone, " if the need arises. But you make me suspect that my lines do not meet with your approval." "On your own head be it, Commander of the Faithful! " exclaimed the unhappy page. "By the Prophet, as I prom- ised my mother that I would tell truth, the lines are the veriest bosh and nonsense! They mean nothing. They do not even sound sensible. They are as unmusical as the bray- ing of a lost donkey! There! I have said the truth. A man dies but once ! Remember, then, your words." "Allah be praised!" cried the Sultan, " I have found a pearl ! And all the men of my The Truth at Last An Honest Man 74 The Sultan's Reward of Honesty court declared the lines perfect, beyond praise ! Now have I found the honest man I sought." " But, your Majesty," stam- mered the astonished page, " I am no more than a boy ! " " Enough ! " said the Sultan. " The years will find you wis- dom as well as age ; but hon- esty comes not even with long ages if the seed be not already planted. Say not a word." The Sultan clapped his hands, directed all the court- iers to be summoned, and in their presence appointed the page Chief Councillor and Grand High Vizier of the Realm for life, at the same time investing him with the order of the Golden Sunburst of the East, and a whole row A Full Court Verses 75 of smaller decorations of dif- ferent colors. When this ceremony was over, Silleh ben Rifraf pros- trated himself before the throne. "Speak, Ben Rifraf," said the Sultan. Would your Majesty deign Deco- rated (( Explanation Desired 76 The Sultan's ^"^ to inform his humble slaves Sultan s what has caused the merited Answer elevation of his favorite?" Ben Rifraf inquired. " Most willingly," responded the Sultan. " I read my verses to this youth, and he has given upon them the wisest judgment of you all." " But words cannot say more than we said," Ben Rifraf ven- tured to say. " Did we not praise your Highness's gen- ius?" "Of a truth you did," re- plied the Sultan. " Yet were the verses the veriest trash, as ye well knew." " Most true, O Sultan," came the chorus from the whole court, for they saw the tide had turned. The Truth is Mighty Verses 77 (( And courage to tell this True truth was found only in my Courage page, whom I have made Chief Councillor. Enough! The audience is at an end ! " Then, just before the band struck up an inspiring march, the voice of Ben Rifraf was heard reciting a well-known proverb, which in its original Arabic looks like a procession of earthworms, but which means in plain English, " After- wit is everybody's wit." t A Proverb Again The Boy and Dragon The Boy and Dragon 8i An I^^S^^SSSI ^ ^^^ by the Accident ^^^ ^^^ merest acci- dent that I hap- pened to read that copy of the Daily Elec- triser. A small boy was flying a kite, and it caught in the telephone-wire that ran by my window. In trying to disentangle it, I noticed an advertisement head- ed: "Wanted, a young man of noble lineage to release a dis- tressed Princess who is now held captive by a medium- sized, but ferocious, dragon." "Johnny," I called to the small boy. " My name isn't Johnny," he replied ; " and I don't want to be called Johnny, mister." Not Johnny 82 The Boy Auburn His hair was red and he Hair seemed to have a quick temper. "I'm not a mister," I an- swered in kindly but dignified tones; "and I don't Hke the title. What is your name, my rosy-scalped friend?" He looked around for a stone to throw, but the street was paved with Belgian blocks, each weighing about ten pounds, and he made up his mind to be civil. " My nam.e's Roderick Adol- phus Peterson Stubbs, Jr.," he answered, putting on his cap and pulling it down hard. " Now, what's yours?" " I am the disinherited Duke of Marabout, Count of Mackin- tosh," I said. "Whe-e-ew!" he whistled. A Nobleman and Dragon 83 "Your name is as bad as mine!" "Your name is not bad," I said soothingly. (( Oh, isn't it?" he returned, with an up-and-down-stairs in- flection. "The boys call me Roddy, Reddy, and Raps. What do they call you?" Compli- ments Nick- names 84 The Boy Subject " They don't call me any- Changed thing," I replied affably. "But what I wanted, Roderick, was to inquire whether I may cut an advertisement out of this newspaper?" "What's it about? Rare stamps?" " No. About a Princess and a dragon." "All right, then. Cut it out and paste on another piece. But what are you going to do with it?" " I thought I would rescue the Princess from the dragon, and maybe marry her — if she is beautiful, good, economical, ana Rich?" inquired Roderick. "Oh, that doesn't matter," I said. " I have enough for both." Plenty for Two and Dragon 85 (( Say," remarked Roderick, An Idea after a short pause ; " lend me a quarter, will you?" "What for?" " Dues to our club," he answered. " I am the trea- surer, you know, and I keep the cash, and there was a circus in Hard Times 86 The Boy Sub- town last week—did you see it? traction —and I am a quarter short ! " " You're very welcome," I answered. So I threw him a quarter, cut out the advertise- ment, and shut my window. I found on reading the notice, that the Princess had been carried away some three months before, and that she was held in captivity in a cavern upon a lofty mountain-peak. I made up my mind that it was a worthy case of genuine dis- tress well suited to a modern knight-errant's enterprise. I consulted a time-table, and found that a train left for her native land at 7:45. I had just about time to pack my valise before the train started. Upon my way to the station, I met Quick Time and Dragon 87 Roderick A. P. Stubbs, Jr., ^ who was also carrying a small Meeting satchel. "Hullo! "he said. "Why, Roderick, where are you going?" I asked. "I've run away from home," he said with a mournful grin. "What for?" I asked in astonishment. " Because nobody loves me," he replied in a tone of settled despair. " How do you know that?" I inquired. "They sent me away from the table at dinner to-day," he answered angrily. I saw that it was useless to argue with him in his present frame of mind, and so I asked : Where are you going?" An Exile n 88 The Boy Long " As far as sixty-seven cents Journey will take me," he answered, " and from there I'll walk until I wear out my Sunday shoes." "This, Roderick, is all wrong," I said seriously. " Let me persuade you to give up this foolish idea. Come with me, instead. I will telegraph to your family that you are safe, and will be back in two weeks. Then you can come with me, and help me to slay this dragon." He seemed moved by m.y appeal. " How do you know," he in- quired, "that we will be back in two weeks? " "That is the ordinary time," I replied, " for a medium-sized dragon. In fact, I have slain them in less." An Old Hand and Dragon 89 "How do you doit?" Rod- erick asked with curiosity. " Come with me and you Curiosity shall see," I suggested, smil- ing. " It's all right for you," said Roderick after a moment's re- flection, " for you will get the Caution go The Boy Rewards Princess and the reward. But what good will that do me?" " Very true," I replied. "You will deserve some reward also. How would you like a gold- plated bicycle? " "With a bell and a lantern?" he asked eagerly. " Certainly," I answered ; "with all the modern improve- ments." "I'll do it! "he said. We walked along together, and when I came to a telegraph- office, I sent a dispatch to Mr. and Mrs. Stubbs informing them that Roderick had agreed to spend two weeks with me on a dragon-hunt. Roderick seemed relieved when the mes- sage had gone. We caught the train, and, In Time and Dragon 91 after a pleasant journey, arrived At the in the land of the captive Prin- Palace cess. We went boldly up the front steps of the palace, and rang the bell. To the attendant who answered the summons, I explained my errand. He asked me to come in and sit down in the reception-room. After a few moments, the King came in. " I'm sorry to keep you wait- ing," he said pleasantly, "but I am just back from the funeral of the last dragon-fighter. He was the twelfth, so you are the thirteenth." " Don't mention it," I said politely. " We waited only a moment. Your Majesty, let me introduce my assistant, Mr. Stubbs — Rodolphus Aderick Peterson Stubbs ! " A Mix-up 92 The Boy Shocking! "Well, you have made a mix of it! " said Roderick with in- dignation. " Never mind," said his Ma- jesty. " I am happy to meet you, Mr. Stubbs. I hope you will succeed in your work." " Thank you, sir," said Rod- erick. "Won't you have some re- freshment ? " was his Majesty's next remark. " How is the ice-cream to- day ? " Roderick asked, with an ease that surprised me. "The vanilla is good," an- swered the King, " but the chocolate is a little flat." "The vanilla will do very well," said Roderick gra- ciously. So the King rang the bell, Refresh- ments and Dragon ordered a quart and a pint of vanilla, plain, and we discussed the terms of our bargain over the luncheon. Soon we were 93 Settling Terms agreed. It was arranged that I was to slay the dragon in two weeks, or be banished for forty years to a desert island : if I Quite a Risk 94 The Boy All slew him I was to marry the Settled Princess. Roderick was, in case of success, to have his bicycle; in case of failure, to learn by heart all the pieces of verse in the Fourth Reader. "There," said the King, "I'm glad it's settled. The Princess Amelia Ann is greatly missed at home, and the dragon is a public nuisance. He feeds on rocks ; flies over the city at night, rattling his scales, and wakes all the children ; turns all the milk sour with his roar- ings ; eats the pet swans in the public parks; and altogether makes himself as unpleasant as he can." "Why hasn't he been killed?" I asked. " The dozen who tried it have A Nuisance and Dragon 95 all failed, "his Majesty answered A Queer with a sigh. " He spouts fire, Creature has quills of pure steel like a porcupine, flies like an express- train, strikes like a pile-driver, has armor of solid iron a foot thick, and is difficult to talk to, as he understands only Arabic." " Does he ever fly by day ? " I asked. " Sometimes, but very rarely. Here he comes now ! " sud- denly shrieked the King, get- ting under the sofa. There was a clatter like that made by a truck-load of steel rails being carried over a cob- blestone pavement, a dark ob- ject whisked by the window, and the noise died away in the distance. The Dragon Passes 96 The Boy A " He's gone down to the sta- Blunder tion to get his mail," said the King, as he crawled out and dusted his robes. " Does he get letters ? " Rod- erick asked in amazement. "Oh, no," the King answered, smiling politely at the boy's mis- take. " I mean his coat of mail. He makes it out of steel rails. He chews them up, melts them in his fiery jaws, and adds a new coating every week or two. You must excuse me," he went on ; "I have business to attend to. Farewell. I trust you will succeed." We bowed ourselves out, and I went and secured the use of a modest set of apartments dur- ing our stay, and also leased a boiler-factory for two weeks. Making Ready and Dragon 97 (( There is no use in disguising Perplexed the fact," I said to my assistant, Mr. Stubbs, " that this is rather a difficult dragon to overcome. It is my first experience with a steel-clad dragon ; and I have been told that they are not easy to manage. Still, I think I see my way clear in this case." " What are you going to do ?" asked Roderick. "I thought I would make a knight out of iron, put a phono- graph in him, set him up some- where near the cavern where the Princess is, make him defy the dragon, have him loaded up with dynamite, and then when the dragon comes down on him, there will be an explo- sion — and away will go knight, dynamite and all. "What do you think of my plan?" An Idea 98 The Boy The Plan " I^'s too much trouble, and Con- costs too much," said Roderick demned promptly. I was hurt. The boy was too forward. " Do you think you can do any better?" I asked irritably. " Why, of course I can, "said Roderick. "And I'll tell you what I'll do. You help me the first week, and if I don't suc- ceed, I'll help you the second week." Really, the boy's self-con- fidence was amazing. I made up my mind to let him have his own way, merely to cure him of self-confidence. "Very well," I said. "It shall be as you say." "All right," said Roderick. The next day, by his direc- Confidence of Youth and Dragon 99 tion, we bought hundreds of bales of cotton batting, and en- gaged a lot of men to make it up in the shape of swans. Be- Stubbs's Plan low each swan was fastened a light board. About two dozen of these swans were set afloat each day for four or five days. Swan Decoys lOO The Boy and Dragon Where Strange to say, they all disap- Did They peared during the night. Go? Then a terrible roaring was heard from the distant moun- tain where the dragon dwelt. The next night Roderick bought a great number of elec- tric lights in glass bulbs, and after a consultation with the court interpreter went into the boiler-factory and climbed up to its roof. He arranged the lights on the roof in a curious pattern, and then came home and slept soundly. During the next day, Rod- erick rigged himself up in a long robe, a high hat, a large pair of spectacles without glass, and a cotton batting wig and beard ; and when evening came he went to spend the night on the roof of the boiler-factory. A Strange Costume f The Boy and Dragon 103 There was a terrible rattle and clatter and roar that night, that woke all the children for miles around. Next morning Roderick was nowhere to be found. " I thought so," I said bitterly to myself. " This comes of let- ting a foolish boy have his own way! Evidently, the dragon has made mince-meatof that un- fortunate Roderick Adolphus Peterson Stubbs, Jr., with all his tomfool costumes ! " Then I sat down to compose a fitting telegram to the Stubbses. I had written as far as : " Roderick missing. Prob- ably dragon has " when there was a sound of cheering in the street, and I ran to the window. Roderick is Gone A Joyful Sound I04 The Boy and Dragon The Con- I saw Roderick, dressed in a qiiering magnificent court suit three Hero sizes too large for him, being escorted to our lodgings by an enthusiastic crowd of citizens. They had taken the horses from the royal coach and were draw- ing him in triumph amid wild cries of: " Stubbs, the Dragon Doc- tor I" "Stubbs forever!" "Stubbs, the saver of princesses ! " and similar ex- pressions. Soon he entered the room. " Roderick, my dear boy," I asked, " explain the scene, will you?" " It's easy enough to explain it," said Roderick. " I rescued the Princess." Success ! k The Boy and Dragon 107 "What! You res— " Modest " I rescued the Princess," he Merit repeated. " And how did you do it?" " The Dragon ate the cotton batting swans." "Yes." " They made him sick." To be Sure! io8 The Boy All is Ex- plained "Yes." " I put up a sign in electric lights on top of the factory." "Yes." "The court interpreter helped me, and I put it up in Arabic saying ' dragon doctor.' Then when the dragon read it, I fixed myself up like an old doctor, and he carried me off to prescribe for him." "And you prescribed — " "I prescribed an entire change of scene and air. I ad- vised and ordered him to go to the North Pole. I offered to take care of the Princess while he was away. He went early this morning, and I brought the Princess home before dinner." " You did wonderfully well!" I said heartily. " And was the Princess beautiful?" Is She Beautiful ? and Dragon 109 " I have brought you her Her photograph," and Roderick Portrait drew the portrait from his pocket and handed it to me. I looked at it eagerly, and turned to Roderick. " Let us go home ! " I said. A Sudden Resolve no The Boy and Dragon No " All right ! " he answered. Beauty " Amelia Ann may be lovely in character," I observed, as we hurried toward the station, " but I wonder the dragon ever survived the sight of her face ! " As we parted at the gate lead- ing to Roderick's house, I said: " Farewell. You are young, but in time you'll do good work in dragon-slaying." " Farewell," said Roderick ; " then you'll send the bicycle ?" "I will," I said. Then, as I grasped his hand in parting, I added: "Never mind that quarter. You can keep it." But when the dragon gets back from the North Pole there's going to be trouble. What Then? T^ UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY g AA FACILITY 000 334 807