The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-11-05
THE GIANTS E b
by TUDOR JENKs.

o~S
where the king and queen and their little
royal highnesses were holding a reception
| with all their best crowns and. other things
on.
Don't you know you mustn's stutter be-
fore their royal h%ighnesses!' said the mas
ter of ceremonies, angrily.
"G-goodness mel" gasped the keeper;
"this gentleman is a gi-gi-giant!"
"a giant" exclaimed all the little royal
highnesses; chow delightful" and they
all rushed from the throneroom to see the
show.
AT this the keeper promptly tainted, and
the royal reception came to an end because
the whole roomful of court ladies were
struggling to see which could get first to
ahs keeper with a bottle of smelling salts.
Presently one of the little princes came
running into the room in high glee.
ooh, papa!" he cried to the king, sits
a tremendous, real, truly giant, and he has
come to see you'll"
"Show him in, somebody" said the king.
At this the little prince began to laugh.
why, papa, he couldn't get one foot in
side the door,"
As there seemed nothing better to do,
the king took his son by the hand and went
out to the courtyard. As soon as he reached
the doorway he saw the giant-a really re-
markable giant. This was no circus giant
of seven or eight feet in height, but. a real
tower Of a man whose head was higher than
roof. Yet he seemed gentle, and was laugh
ing and trying to hear what the children
in the courtyard were shouting to him.
The king called out: "Who and what
are you?"
The giant leaned downward toward the
doorway, and said: Are you the king?"
yes"
"Well, I'm John E. Normous, and | have
lust arrived from Giant Land"
81 didn't know there was such a place."
answered the king.
Every likely not" answered the giant.
1--WE don't often go visiting"
"Well, it's very kind of you to call upon
us" said the king, at the top of his voice.
Not so very," replied the giant. I'm
one of the visiting committee"
"Ah, l see," said the king; "and You
come to" Then he paused, hoping the
giant would go on.
well, we giants on the visiting commit
tee are sent around to different countries
now and then to see how they are getting
along"
"Of course, of course" was the kings re-
mark. "We shall be very glad to have
you look about and make yourself acquaint-
ed with our land. No doubt it will be
rather difficult to provide for you, but
Don't trouble yourselves about that"
the giant replied; 1--WE always carry our
own provisions" and he tapped a haver-
sack which he wore slung at his side. 81
sha'n't make any trouble of that kind, but
you may not find my visit a very agreeable
one. In short, | wish to see how the bust
ness is carried on-whether justice is done,
things fairly distributed, and everything
properly attended to. / shall settle down
keep a sharp lookout for all the rascals in
high or low places; and at the end of the
week-well at that time, l will show yor
what l came for" Here the giant exam
ined the club he carried-the trunk Of 6
great pine tree, like a ships mast. Then
he went on. ~ shall take up my residence
near the mountain, over there, and l shall
be glad to see any of the people who care
to call, especially the children"
The giant bowed politely, took two OF
three steps, and was far way.
The king returned slowly and thoughtful
ly to the throneroom, where he found the
queen sitting alone.
They looked at each other in silence fol
a moment, and then he spoke:
"Where shall we go, my love?'
Go? What do you mean?'
"Why, we must be miles and miles away
from here by next week." replied the king
"'You heard what the brute said?"
Gar you afraid of the %giant?" asked the
queen.
81 think it would be wiser to take nc
risks" the king replied at last. Come, lei
us see to packing the trunks"
Next day the court physician announced
that their majesties must have sea air, ant
in three days the court was in a fast eN
press train and on it's way to the coast
So eager were all the great officials of thu
court to attend their majesties that onl.
those stayed who were positively command
ed by the king to remain in the capital
So the time passed, and at length came
the day for the giants return. just a!
the sun rose, he was seen in the distance
coming down toward the city with gian
strides. AS he approached, a few scurry
ing figures departed at full speed-on horse
back, in carriages, and in a few trains tina
had been specially kept in waiting.
The giant strobe up to the castle from
and called to the keeper:
"Where is the king?"
"Gone, Mr.. Normous."
"Where?"
81 can't say. He left no address,"
"Well, is, there anybody of importanc'
! left?"
"No, sir; nobody in particular. Let m
see Oh, yes, there's the third assistan
treasurer"
, "Call him."
Here he is" said the keeper, pointing
to a quiet-looking little gentleman in
rusty suit of clothes.
Are you the highest officer that didn'
run away?" asked the giant.
> II believe so, Mr.. Normous," the thir,
: assistant treasurer replied.
! Every WELL" replied the giant; 'the'
f 1 will just ask you to post this little notice.
The giant handed over a roll of pape
containing. the following:
; To the Good Citizens Who Remained t
; Welcome Me:
Greeting: This is to thank you for al
, your kind attention and friendly calls, AM
I to leave word that | have enjoyed my lit
I tie visit very much; in fact, so much tina
3 may return at any time without previou
: notice.