The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-09

"ANho 10 u NOWh uHOh AVNh ohN HNON
to decide what TO do. Suddenly a low
rustic disturbed him, and he looked up TO
see the brown bear beside him.
Where's the Princess?" asked Para
Bruin.
Aren't you a good way from you noun
tainH" inquired John, instead Of answering
the question.
-Yes. l don't often stray so far, was the
reply, but had an idea Of calling on the
Princess. Where is she?"
She's sick to-day" said the ginger
bread man.
-That's bad" declared the bear, shaking
his head sadly. -She seems to be failing
every day. Poor little Princess
John moved uneasily, for every word
was a reproach to him.
How ere you getting on with the Mfr
kets?" ash Ell Para Bruin.
They made me a prisoner this morning,
and abused me shamefully,- said the GIN
gerbread man. See here" and he held
up the stump Of his left hand.
What has become Of your fngers?'
"A black Mifket named Ooboo bit them
of and ate them" was the answer.
That's curious" said the bear, rubbing
his nose t%houghtfully with one paw. DO
you know the Mifkets had an exciting time
an hour ago? | watched them from my
mountain, and saw everything.
Black Ooboo had a fight with the King
and knocked him of his rock. That's
really surprising, for Ooboo has always
before been a COW ard, and afraid OF the
King. But now he has declared he will
be King himself, and offers TO fight any
one who opposes him.
Isn't that funny? / don't know where
Bla k 0oboo got so much courage and
strength all Of a sudden. I'm sure"
Il know " said John. He got il from my
fingers, which he ate. My dough ia mixed
with the Great Elixir. you know which is
nothing less than concentrated energy
and strength and vitality and knowledge.
The fingers nave made Ooboo the most
pow erful Mifket in the island, 80 it il no
wonder he has become King
Para Bruin listened to this carefully, and
after a moment 5 thought, he said:
IF that is the case, John Dough, you
must feed some of yourself. 10 the Princess
to max her strong again"
That's hat thick says; but don't like
to q. it," said John.
You will do it, though said the bear;
for il you don't you are no friend OF mine,
or of any other honest person. I'm going
back to my mountain, and, II you don't
a the little Princess, I'll never speak
to you again.
AWAY stalkel Para Bruin, and John
Dough arose with a sigh and walked far into
the forest, trying TO make up hs Inlnd
what to do. lie came to the bank OF the
brook presently, and, seating himself upon
a fence beside the stream. gazed into the
rushing water in deep thought.
From the distance came the roar OF water
falling over the big dam, which the beavers
had built, and once or twice Mhk strayed
that way and looked curlously at the silent
figure Of the gingerbread man. But they
had orders from the arab and Ooboo not to
disturb him, so they crept away again ana
! oinei their fellows among the plants.
A long time John Dough sat there by the
stream, until suddenly he was aroused
from his musings by a shrek OF dlscordant
laughter behind him. .
"Ho, no, no! What an absurd thing!
Who'd ever nave thought it,
He turned around and saw a gorgeous
macaw standing on a log back OF him The
bird was all aglow with crimson and green
feathers, and its black eyes twinkled ms
ChieVously while continuous shouts OF
laughter came from its Tuffied throat.
Keep still, amt your" said John, in an
annoyed tone. What are yCu laughing
at, any way"
The bird pushed its head underneath a
wing, and shook with suppressed mirth.
-Oh. dear! It's too funny for anything
What a lark-hoo, hoo, hoo! What a lark
il isl"
It's voice was somewhat smothered by
the feathers, but John heard every word,
and il made him angry, -.
You're a rampsy, that's what you are
he cried. =.
There are two Of us-two of us-two Of
us!" shrieked the macaw, hopping around
and huttering its brilliant plumage. Hon
estly, my dear breakfast, ! never had 20
pn,,cb fun in my hfQ'N
John turned his head and looked at the
bird earnestly.
WHY do YOU call me your dear break
fast'?" he asked, with d d suspicion.
Because that's what you are, my poor
innocent! Ha, ha! Breakfast il ready"
The bird made a quick thrust with its
beak, and he next moment futtered around
in front of John with its mouth full OF gin
gerbread.
Our hero quickly stood up and put his
right hand behind him The baker had
made two little coat tails at the back OF his
waist. and as John felt for them he found
that the thieving macaw had eaten both Of
these coat tails entirely on while he sat
upon the log thinking.
How stupid | am! he exclaimed, with
real grief. Il might have given those coat
tails TO the Princess, and now this SILLY bird
has eaten them up"
Il said YOU were a chump'" remarked the
macaw, winking and then Laughing again,
L ne llltd VI Oui FiNNlhS ~ 49, t'NfNAE
me eat you | never had 30 much fun in
all my life"
just then a great Chattering reached his
ears, and looking around, he found that a
numerous band OF the Herce Mlfkets had
stolen upon him, and were now coming
forward, armed with huge clubs, which
thew had broken from the forest plants, and
which were as solid and heavy as the
branches of trees.
"~Surr ender!" cried the leader, knowing
that the gingerbread man understood
their language. King Ooboo wants you
for his luncheon, and Ali Dubh is also
hungry"
For a moment John Dough was most
frightened. It was not likely that his
strength would enable him TO escape from
so many of his enemies, and he almost gave
himself up for lost.
For before him was the stream OF water
almost as deadly TO him as the close ranks
OF the Mifkets behind him. The macaw
was strutting up and down beside him,
and at his look Of despair the bird said:
You're surely in a bad way, my friend;
but | believe I can save you When | fly
up, grab my feet. and I'll carry you away
TO your dwelling"
YOU" he exclaimed, gazing at the bird
in surprise. You are by no means big
enough to fy away with me"
90