Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1888-07-26

were so clear that they did NOT even
throw hack a reflection. On either
hank were The hnts of the Patagons,
which eonsisted ofnothing more or
less than the trunks of gigantic trees
followed ont and provided with
doors and windows. On the summit
of n small hill was the palace OF "
wba-ta-faik. 1t was built OF bricks
of solid gold. and immense diamonds
served as windows. IL was the only
building constructed of these ma
| terials.
John Henry and Juan, Jose, Mig
mel and Henrico sat down to await
the return of the prime minister,
and the natives watched them with
undisguised interest as they passed a
dark-complexioned bottle, from
mouth to mouth.
The natives look as most savages
look. They were dark, unkempt, I'M
tutored. wore few clothes and couldn't
speak English. John Henry DIS
covered the latter fact when he held
up the bottle and asked the nearest
native: "Take a swig?" The man
never stirred.
There was one peculiar feature about
the sayages, and that was the size OF
their feet. So large were these use
full members that they left tracks Ike
to those of a snow7shoe club.
"Well, III be darned If this lsn t the
uueerest place ever struck.
Isl. senor," replied Juan.
"And their queen is looking for a
husband; well, / don't wonder no.
body wants her if her feet are as large
as those of her subjects. just think
of feet like those ON cold winter s
night"
Juau and Jose and Henrico and
Miguel said nothing, but they shivered
at the thought which Henry had
conjured up.
At this juncture the prime minister
reappeared. an. IN
follow me; the Others will remain
where they are. These are the com
mands of O-wha-ta-faik, the mighty
aueen,' was his announcement.
81 wonder how the mighty female
monarch of this benighted region
came to find out my name, unused
John Henry, as he followed theprime
minister. s'And | wonder what she
wants of me. Great Donneily! Can
it be that she wants me for husband?
For the first time in his life a sense
of fear possessed the dauntless
American.
While he was yet musing on his
probable fate, the palace suddenly
doomed up directly in his path. The
prime minister rapidly advanced,
raped three times upon the golden
gates, spoke some unintelllgible
words and bowed low before the en-
trance.
The gates swung open, and a
brawny voice shouted from within:
advance, John Smith"
John Henry entered and found
himself in a chamber whose dazzling
luxuriance rivalled in brilliancy that
of a first-class bar-room. Cut-glass
windows ana magnificent paintings
adorned the walls. Richly uphols-
tered couches and diyans and sofas
invited to luxurious repose. The
floor was earpeted with richly-colored
textures that were as soft and yield
ing as sealskin to the touch.
Armed guards, immoyable as
craven statues, were stationed
about. From an inner chamber,
hidded by portieres that seemed as
fleecy as clouds and yet completely
shut out all view, came strains of
wierd, wild, unearthly music, seduc-
tive as a sirens song, in which the
flute like MARBLE of the hand organ
and the senerous trumpeting of
the German band were blended into
perfect harmony.
The music ceased; a soft light that
seemed to come from nowhere, yet
was everywhere, iilumined tile great
chamber; the curtains parted, and a
woman stood revealed.
The guards FRUSTRATED themselves
and the prime minister bowed low.
John Henry stood like ono paral-
wed. He had read of feminine love
illness in the weekly story paper; but
he had never before seen anything
to equal the vision of loveliness
that now held him spell-bound.
That's what he saw: Great, glori-
Gus dark eyes, fringed with, long curl
ing lashes, in whose wonderous
depths there shone lustrous light
that changed with every thought;
half parted, rosy lips revealing teeth
that cleaned and sparkled with
pearly irridescence: a perfect face from
whose low, broad brow, great waves
of shining black hairrose in sweeping
curves to fall again upon a pair of
shoulders such as Venus would have
envied; form whose every graceful
curve was in itselfa poem. But this
vision of beauty had large feet. John
Henry noticed it at once, and it gave
him pain.
what seek you in the hand of o.
wha-ta-faik," spoke the queer in
silvery, flute-like tones, clear yetsoft,
like moonlight changed to sound.
Great queen, but moment ago
had but one purpose in mind--to go
home; yet now it seems to me that
could tarry here content 70 over. Are
you Observation-Disclosures
band?"
The queen smiled; she saw that she
made an impression,
THAT is the meaning of nv name:
perchanee you think it strange that
such as should be compelled to seek
a spouse, and yet tits true; for know
that in my country beauty's meas
ure is the understandings size, and
mine, You see, is small, at least COM
paratively SO, and none there is in
my domain who'd link his fate with
mine, because, alasl my feet are far
to small"
"You don't say" remarked John
Henry, who knew not what else to
remark. "Why don't you advertise
for a husband?"
Advertise? and what, pray tell.
is that? You speak to me in riddles p
"Oh yes, i forgot where l was; of
course you don't know what news
papers are"
Come sit beside me on my throne;
| rather like yourlooks--who can tell:
perchance the goal is nearer than
thought.
John Henry complied with alacrity.
lie had never experienced the sensa-
ton of sitting on the throne by the
side of a beautiful woman. At assign
from the queen the guards withdrew,
leaving the prime minister only to
witness the further proceedings.
How did YOU know my name?"
asked John Henry as soon as he was
comfortably seated.
II know the name of every one
who comes to my domain-not only
that but nver,.f hincr n bout him.