The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-10-28
copvrtOht. 1909. bv L. FranE Baum
DOUGH BEGINS HIS ADVENTURE

1OHH DOOon oESA40 mas
Now, when John Dough left Nine.
c~rogrande's shop and wandered up the
atreet he was reeking with the delightful
odor OF fresh gingerbread. Indeed, he was
attn so hot from the oven that l am positive
you could not have held your hand against
him for more than a second.
The Great Elixir had brought him to life
and given him q certain standing in the
world; but during the first half hour OF his
existenoc John Dough was very hot headed.
Also he was hot foot d, for he discovered
that by walking fast the contact with the
freeh morning air drew the heat from his
body and made him feel much more COM
Portable.
One virtue lent by the Great Elixir was
knowledge, and while John Dough felt
that he possessed unlimited knowledge
having had an overdose Of the Elixir he
could not very well apply it to his surround
inRs. because he lacked experience with the
world, which alone renders knowledge OF
any value to mankind.
John Dough could speak all languages,
modern and classic. He had a logical and
clear mind, what is called a level head, you
know. and this was coupled with good
sense, fair Judgment and a tangled mass OF
wisdom that had been dumped into him in a
haphazard fashion.
But these rare qualities were as yet OF no
use 10 our man because he had acquired no
experience. II was like putting tools into
a pupils hand and asking him to make
q watch. John Dough might accomplish
wonders in time if he did not grow stale
and crur1ble; but just now he was the fresh
est individual that ever came out OF a bake
room,
Il was still early morning and most folks
were in bed. A providing dog smelled the
gingerbread and came trotting up with the
intention Of having a bite Of it; but John
Dough raised his candy cane and hit the
dog a clip on the end Of its nose that sent
the animal in another direction with Its tail
between its legs.
Then. whistling merrily, the ginger
bread man walked on. He knew no tune
whatever, but he could whistle, and so he
managed to express an erratio mixture OF
notes that would have made Herr wagner
very proud.
His flesh Tor bread, rather was cooling
of be ltifully now. He was growing
hard and crisp and felt much more SUBJ
stantial than at first.
The baker had made him light and the
Elixir had made him strong and vigorous.
KT6dG uJlIO a DOACAO
Il no accident happened to him.
Presently some one said -Hellol'
John stopped short, for in front OF aim
stood a bright eyed boy with a piece OF
lighted punk in one hand and a bunch OF
firecrackers in the other. 1t was Ned
Robbins, who had been up since daybreak
celebrating the glorious Fourth.
You skeered me at first, said the boy
18th a look of amazement that he tried to
cover with a laugh.
Il beg your pardon, I'm sure returned
John Dough. politely.
-Been to a masqucrade?' asked Ned,
staring hard at the gingerbread man.
No., indeed replied the other. i am
not disguised. I assure you. You see me
as / am"
-G'wan!' exclaimed Ned.
But he could smell the gingerbread
and he began to grow frightened. So he
touched the punk to the fuse Of his biggest
frecracker, dropped it on the ground at
the feet of John Dough and then turned
and soampered up an alley as fast as ne
could go.
The gingerbread man stood still anc
looked after Ned until the cracker suddenly
exploded with a bang that caused john
candy teeth to chatter. His whole body
was terribly Jared and he nearly fell back
ward in the shock OF surprise.
Then he also started to run. IL was
not foar, so much as ignorance OF wha'
might happen next, that caused him u
fee from the spot; but he ran with a spec
that was simply wonderful, considering
that his limbs we're Of gingerbread. Truly
that Elixir was a marvellous thing!
Bang, He had run plump into another
I--.l.sn~ NUA ~ fh am nEA
before they could get out Of his way. Hi
efIk hat was damned over his eyes and tn
candy cane struck the wheel Of a toy can
NON and broke of a good two inches from
its end.
As he pulled OF his bat he heard a shot
and saw the boys all scrambling for tn
broken end OF the candy cane. One @
them grabbed it and ran away, and tn
others followed in a mad chase and weT
soon out Of sight.
John Dough looked after them wonder
InRly. Then he drew himself up, pulle
down his fine vest, sighed at discoverin
n sliRht crack in his shirt front. ard wake
slowly along the street again. His fin
experience Of life was not altogether pleas
ant.
Good gracious" said a voice.
He paused. and saw a woman leanin
over q gate beside him and glaring at hi
In mingled surprise and terror. She he
a broom in her hand. for she had bee
sweeping the walk. John lifted his hi
politely.
Good morning, Madam" aid he.
-Why, it's really alive!' gasped tn
woman.
lis a live person so very unusual7' ask'
John, curiOusly.
surely, when he's made Of cake!' Al
Swered the Woman, still staring as il 81
could not believe her eyes.
pardon me; / am not cake, but ginge
bread he answered, in a rather diginih'
way.
Its all the same" she answered. -Y'
haven't right to be alive. There's
excuse for it,
'e:s how can / help it?' he asked, som
what puzzled by this remark.
ooh, l don't suppose it's your fault. B
Il isn't right, you know. Who made you
Jules Grogrande, the baker" he sal
for he had read the lame over the door.