The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-16

They seemed TO be quite comfortapte, anu
the girl was pleased to see that they had put
enough provisions and fresh water into the
boat to last them during q long voyage.
The man, although little, was strong. and
pulled sturdily at the oars and the woman
steered the boat in the right direction.
Our Princess was very glad to see these
sights, and to know Para Brnin was safe,
n that her dear parents had escaped the
fieros Mifkets. In company with her friend
Chick and the gingerbread man.. she wan-
dered through the palace during all that
afternoon. seeing many wonderful things
that the Fairy Beavers had provided for
the comfort and amusement OF their COM
munity. II was, indeed. a little world by
itself, placed under lane and water. where
no mortal could guess its existence.
In the early evening the King escorted
them to a splendid banquet hall. where a
long, low table was set In the centre OF the
room. The dishes were all Of sparkling
out glass and the eatsbles proved to be very
delicious foods made from vegetables
that grew at the bottom OF the river. to-
gether with fish and HOLSTERS and oysters
and rare sweetmeats that could only have
been created by fairy magic.
Around the long table were rows OF rilken
cushions, but when the children and the
gingerbread man entered, the room seemed
deserted by all save themselves and the
King.
His Majesty the King OF the Fairies sat
upon a cushion at the head OF the table
and graciously placed the Princess and
Chick close TO his right hand and John
Dough at his left. Then he blew softly
upon a silver whistle and at once before
the eyes OF his guests appeared rows OF
Fairy Beavers. occupying the cushions
beside the low table.
They were all pretty to look upon, having
silvery fur as soft as satin n large dark
eyes that regarded the strangers pleasantly
and without fear. From the neck OF each
was suspended by means Of silken cords
a richly embroidered cloak, exquisitely
woven from a material unknown to the
Princess and blazoned with an emblem
denoting the rank or degree OF the wearer.
Also zach OF the Fairy Beavers wore a
jeweIled circlet upon the brow; but none
Of these was so magnificent as the diadem
OF their King.
While our friends gazed wonderingly
upon the Fairy Beavers the King introduced
them. saying:
This is a little mortal Princess named
Jacauelin, whom l have protected because
her heart il as fresh and innocent as the
daisies that grow in the fields.
This is Chick, known also as the Cherub,
an Incubator Baby without relatives but
who is not lacking in friends. And this
is John Dough. a strange creature, having
the form OF a man. made out OF ginger
bread.
Az = - .-oaNlwr - fofEu hnk Huna
! through the magic Of a fairy compound
known as the Great Elixir and is there
fore not responsible for being alive and is
liable to perish before he has grown very
| old. Each OF these guests is, l believe,
| worthy of our friendship and protection,
and 1 trust that my people will join me
in welcoming them to our palace
Answering the Kings speech, all the
Beaver Fairies gracefully arose from their
| cushions and bowed thrice-once TO the
| Princess and once TO Chick and once to
| John Dough. Then they all rcseated them
selves and drank the health OF their guests
from dainty tumblers no bigger than hare
! bells, which contained water as pure as
crystal.
Then, while the feast began, a chorus OF
black beavers entered and chanted a pretty
song. and afterward other beavers, 30 small
hat the Princess thought that they were
quite young entered and danced a minuet
for the amusement of the entire company.
Chick and the Princess Jacquelin were
really hungry, and although the children
at first feared the food placed before them
was not such as they could enjoy they
tasted some OF the dishes and found them
10 delicious that both ended by eating
heartily and afterward decided they had
never enjoyed a meal 30 much.
w course, John Dough missed the pleas
ure OF eating, hut he had a good time listen
ing to the music and watching the dancers
40 he was quite content. Later he amused
the by telling the story OF his
adventures since he had come to life in the
bakeshop.
He spoke in the beaver language. 30 thai
| all understood him, and even the Princess
could understand most Of his speech, for
the portion OF gingerbread she had eater
had conveyed to her sons share OF the
powers OF the Great Elixir. The Fairy
Beavers were much interested and loudly
applauded the recital.
After dinner the girl was escorted by si'
prettv Beaver Fairies to a oosey little roon
decorated with PINK anu "hibo siols' "hSi
were polished smooth as glass. There wal
no regular bed in the ROOM, but the beavers
heaped many Of the soft cushions into
corner and upon thess the Princess lay dow
and slept very peacefully until the mex
morning.
Chick had n room of blue and gold, ir
the four corners OF which perfumed foun
tains shot their sprays into the aiN Tn
tinkling sound OF these fountains nigh
have soothed any child to sleep. yet Chicl
could have slept az soundly in the opeE
forest az within this luxurious room.
John Dough also was supplied with
room in the palace; but as he did not slee
he had no need to lie down and 50 amuse
himself during the night by looking at tn
beautiful pictures that decorated h wal
and ceiling. Most OF these depicted III
work Of beavers engaged in building dam
and houses; John found them very interest,"
ing and therefore passed a pleasant night.
Soon after daybreak h Beaver Kin
came to John and escovted him TO the oh
~servation room, where he found Chick an
the Princess-who had already risen an
finished their breakfasts-gazing earnest
through the window Of the black box.