The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-07-09

THE QUEEN or PUDDiNGS.

anu W hat size saw.
would you like some of this queen
Of puddings dcaro' asked Mrs. Reed.
Queen of puddings.' replied Dora,
tossing her head: Its only common
brcad-pndding with ielley and frost
ing on top. don't like il. and don't
want any," Dora pushed back her chair
and started for the garden.
I'VE will excuse you, Dora" Mrs.
Reed spoke in tone of gentle reproof.
Dora was an only child. and had lately
been very i'll. Goth papa and mamma
made allowances" for her.
She swung in her hammock. watch
ing two busy ants running up and down
a balsam stalk.
1--WE are looking for yosi," said
voice.
The aunts had suddenly grown big
as She One stood on each side of her.
.'They are as black as-funcrals,"
thought Dora.
.The queen commands your pres
cnce," said an ant.
'.Dear me! What queen can it be?
1t must be Queen Victoria. | suppose
must be very polite and ask her how
the prince of Wales is getting along. l
ought to have a train
Its only a little way"
"A train to my dress. and fea theirs,
and fan. She'll think I'm not dressed
up much.'
The ants showed her the way to the
queens palace.
'.IIow funny it looks. It is made of
bread, and the doors and windows are
soda-crackers. never
The doors flew open as they came
near. The ants drew back. Dora was
SO interested in looking for what was
to come next she did not notice that
she was alone and standing right be.
fore the queen on her throne! The
queen was fat and round. just pin.
cushiony. Her skin was damp. a light
buff in color. She had raisins for eyes,
nose and mouth, and her scepter was a
stick of cinnamon tipped with Glove.
Her robe was bordered with raisins.
Her hair was the color Of currant Jelly,
and she wore white frothy-loolxing
cap, under n crown of raisiEs.
Dora saw all this before she hat
winlSed twice.
Don't wink at me little girl. You
ought to know better"
''Yes'm."
call RE Your Majesty"
"My-My Majesty" stammcrcd Dora
much scared.
| $50 you don't like me. lou think
am common. Look at me. DO lool
! common
The queens voice echoed loudl,
through her cracker halls.
II think You look very nice" fal
! tered Dora.
.'Nhat no, withouto" A procession
of queer little folks filed in. bowed low
+, to the queen and ranged themselves il
half-circlc behind her. They wcr
made of crnsts of bread: their jacket
bnttoned up to their chins with raisi,
buttons.
open your mouth" ordered tn,
queen. "Your teeth are good. VIII,
do You leave your crusts?"
Hhy?' demanded the funny. solemn
little men. all together.
Dora jumped as if they had fired
guns.
Your teeth must be sharpencd," de
clared Her Majesty.
"Hust?' exploded the manikin.
again. marching forward together, Gael
waving a saw made from a crust.
'Oh, I'll eat them. Indeed | will
Every one, every tecnty-tonty bit. Mrs
Queen! | mean, my my majesty"
Dora knelt on the step to the throne
almost crying.
Very well. Get up But you shall
he punished for turning up your nose a
me and calling me common
"lchaU'" burst out the crusts together
as before
'.She shall he put in a prison will
walls six feet thick, made of bread pud
ding. there to stay and starve Or eat he
way out"
Dora fell in faint. Then she heart
voice. Her mamma was SAVING
why, Dora you went to sleep and al
most rolled out of the hammock.
reached you just in time"
oh Dora rubbed her eyes. Their
were the ants on that same balsam
III never go with you again to Sc
such hateful, homcly queen.
w. Mitchell, in Our Little Ones.