Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-02

could be found such unusual creatures as
these Mfkets. Their heads had the ap-
pearance OF cocoanuts. and were covered
with coarse hair, clipped close and turn
ing upward until it ended in a sharp peak
at the very top. Their faces were like
putty, with small. beady eyes, that gilt
tered brightly, fiat noses and wide, grim
ming mouths The Mifkets' bodies were
shaped like pears, and their legs were
short and their arms long. For clothing
they. wore gay leaves of the forest plants,
twisted and woven together In quite
clever way; and, taken all together, they
We're as unlike any creatures that inhab bit
our part of the world can well be
imagined.
"Ah. these must be the beings called
Mifkets.' remarked John Dough- speaking
aloud in a language he had never used
before. but that seemed well fitted to such
creatures.
That's easy enough to guess" retorted
one of the group, coming nearer to the
gingerbread man and impudently thrust
ing forward it's putty-like face. which 1t
wrinkled and distorted in a disturbing man
ner. It's easy enough to tell we're Milf
kets: but what in the name of Juckletub
are you? And what strange child Of the
humans is this with your
I'm a gingerbread man." answered john
with dignity; land this is my friend Chick
I'VE know what man is: and We know
what a child is: but what's gingerbread?'
demanded another of the Mifkets.
I'm gingerbread" said John.
We'll take your word for it," growled
the third creature. And then it added:
What are you doing here?'
Standing still just now" said John,
gravely.
To his surprise all three began laughing
at this reply, and they seemed so greatly
amused that one hit the other merry cuff
upon the ear. which he, in turn, passed on
to the third. But the third-the growing
one-turned suddenly upon John Dough and
gave him such a sounding cuff upon the
side of his head that the blow dazed him
for a moment. At this Chick doubled
two fat fists and ran at the queer Mifkets
so fiercely that they were greatly aston
ished at the angry buffets they received
and fell back a few steps from the path.
Immediately John Dough recovered his
wits and aimed strong blow with the
candy cane at the wild people of the
forest. Much to his establishment, 1t sent
all three of them tumbling to the ground
one overturning the others. For great
was the energy and strength lent to his
gingerbread arm by the magic Elixir that
the Mifkets could not stand before it.
Chick laughed merrily at the howls of
their enemies. who quickly scrambled to
their feet and leaped into the leaves of
the giant plants. where they were hidden
from sight But the sound of their rapid
retreat could be heard until it died away
in the distance.
Then the rabbit stuck it's nose from the
hole in which it had been hidden and said:
"Bravely done. little one. Bravely done,
John Dough. Yet l warn you to beware
of these wicked Mifzets who will now con-
slider you both their enemies"
Il don't care said Chick. And I'm
not afraid" added John. who was quite
pleased to find himself so powerful.
well, let US continue our journey" sug
gested Pittypat; "for I want you to meet
our sweet princess. But 1 advise you,
whenever you meet with more of those
Mifkets, to try and be friendly with them.
There are hundreds Of them, you know,
and only two OF you"
THAT sounds like good advice" acknowl-
edged John.
Again they started along the path. and
presently 1t led them out of the forest to
another part Of the shore of the island.
where a rocky headland curved into the
sea in the shape of a new moon, forming
a pretty bay, on which floated a small
boat at anchor On the inner edge of
this headland and facing the bay stood
tall plant. whose broad colored leaves
were bent downward to form dome