The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-11-04

4 declare, Sir John, there's something
about you that makes me hungry when
ever i look ct you. ] don't remember nav
ing eaten any gingerbread since l was a
~boy--ahem!--I mean since I came TO rune
over the Isle OF Phreex. Ho there, my
guardsl Fetch me a knifel'
John was now trembling with terror
but Chick said to the kinglet:
Your Majesty forgets that you are to
have pancakes and maple syrup for tea.
What's the use OF spelling your appetite
when you know the gingerbread man will
keep good for weeks?"
Are you surep' asked the kinelet, anx-
iously. Are you sure he'll keep Won't
he get stale?'
-Of course not answered the child.
Hes the kind Of gingerbread that always
keeps good. And you mustn't forget he'll
be a credit to the Isle OF Phreex. for who
ever saw a live gingerbread man befcrep'
Nobody declared the kinglet. posi-
lively. You're right. my cherub; I'll save
the gingerbread man for another meal,
n in the meantime I can show him OF
before my people. We pride ourselves,
Sir John, on having a greater variety Of
queer percentages than any other kingdom
in existence"
Then you ought to 70 careful OF them
and not permit them to be eaten" said
John, still anxious.
But the kinglet did not seem to hear him.
Pancakes and maple syrupl" muttered
his Majesty, longingly. Dear me, Chick.
I wish tea were ready now
$50 do I" said Chick, laughing. for John
Dough was safe from being eaten just then,
whatever might be his future fate, and the
child had saved him by the mention OF the
cakes and syrup.
But now a sudden hubbub was heard at
the door n in rushed a number OF the
royal guard wheeling q big platform on
which was seated a woman 50 exceedingly
fat that she appeared to be much wider
than che was long.
aHerel what's the trouble with pebe
Celeste7" asked the kinglet, froYning.
sShe has lost two ounces, your Majesty
pulled n Of the guards, wiping the per-
spirstion from his forehead with his coat
sleeve.
two ouncesi' shouted the kinglet.
Nov, by the toga Of S~amson-by the way,
Nebbie, did Samson wear a toga?'
He punched the fat man so severely
that Nebbie gave a roar Of pain before he
answered.
-He wore several, your Majesty
Then, by the several togas Of Samson,
. Beb4 Celeste, how dare you come before
me two ounces shy?"
Il didn't come; 1 was brought" said the
fat woman, in a wheezy voice.
~She was weighed in the balance and
found wanting, /" said the guardsman.
What was she wanting?" asked the
kinglet.
tive ounces, your Majesty
The ruler rubbed his pug nose with n
finger, in a reflective manner
-Bebe," said he, you've been exercising
again. You're trying to reduce
Tn woman began to cry.
faint my fault, your royal giblet-'
"Kinglet, woman" said the fat man,
without opening his eyes.
Your royal kinglet, l didn't mean to lose
a single fiutter o. flesh. But my dog Duo
got to quarreiling with himself and l got
exercised in my mind"
"Oh, the loss is in your mind, is it," inter-
rupted the kinglet. i wouldn't mind the
loss If l had not forbidden you to exercise at
all, ever in your mind"
Il couldn't help it, your fudgesty-'
Majesty. woman!' said the fat man,
sleepily.
my dog Duo got to quarTelling-
Bring us the dog, ~vsrlets, churls and
vassals!" screeched the kinglet, in his shrill
voice.
The guards stumbled over each other to
obey, and presently they returned leading
such q curious animal hat John Dough
stared at it in Amusement.
1t was a dog, without doubt, or, rather, 1t
was a dogs body with a head and two legs
at either end of it. So that when one end
walked forward the other end had to walk
backward, and hat made the back end
growl angrily. But the same end was not
always the back end of the dog, for first one
head and then the other would prove strong
est and drag the curious animal forward.
When this double dog. which was named
Duo, was brought in, both heads were snarl-
ing and barking in a very noisy manner
But however much enraged they were, they
could never get together to do one another
mischief.
BE silent!' yelled the kinglet, annoyed at
the clamor.
But the dogs heads paid no attention to
the command.
Very well" said his Majesty, I'm put q
stop to your noise for good and ALI Here, |
you guards, fetch me the Royal Executioner!"
To be continued.
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