The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-12-15
A NIGHT IN TOYLAND
BY NAN DAVIDSON.

| Jack Reid and his little sister Mar
jory had put all their toys into th'
nursery cupboard; and now the litu'
ones were fast asleep. The day nur'
sery was deserted. Nurse had gone
downstairs to talk to cock. so there
| was no one to hear the whispers whicf
came from the toy cupboard.
do let us go out tonight and have
d dance" said Julia. tho Dutch doll.
THAT would be lovely" answered
the French doll, Ninette.
But however can we get out Of this
dark PRISON." asked Punchinello. who
was quite strange to the place. This
was the first night he had been put
into the cupboard, and he felt rather
hurt about 1t.
We'll" said Ninette as she stepped
out of her crib, II mean to have a
dance. I think II we all got together
and gave one big push the door would
OPEN"
All the dolls crowded to the door
and gave one tremendous push--then
hey presto! they were all out in q
heap on the floor. Luckily none OF
them were hurt
Immediately the little tin soldiers
ranged themselves in order and march
ed up and down the nursery to the
music Of a mouth organ played by
Punchinello.
Aren't they smart?' whispered
Ninette to Julia Il love every one OF
them"
"They are fine looking" replied
Julia; but prefer Punchineilo. you
know; though, alas! he does not care
for me-
go all right soon No one could long
Just then the music stopped and
the soldiers threw themselves down
to rest.
Ladies and gentlemen" said Teddy
Bear, 81 propose q waltz"
Hear, hear,' shouted the others.
Jack Tar, the sailor doll. snatched
up the mouth organ and began
merry tune.
Punchinello went up to Einette.
MAY I have the pieasureT' he asked.
with a graceful bow.
'Oh. certainly" replied Ntnette,
taking his arm.
Julia looked on with sad express
sion on her face.
u
a dancer" asked Teddy Bear. bowling
before her.
"Of course will. Teddy" replied
Julia with a smile. and soon they.
too, were whiriing round the room
In short time Jack Tar threw
down the mouth organ.
"I'd like q dance, too" he said.
Yes, you must have one," said
Ninette. III make the music She
reached over and picked up the toy
piano which had just tumbled out of
the cupboard to see what all the noise
was about.
Il shall dance with the fair Julia, %
exclaimed Jack Tar.
mo you WON'T" bawled Punchi-
nello: "Julia Ia my partner"
Julia biushed when Punchinelio
claimed her SO openly. but as she
still felt rather hurt that he hadn't
chosen her first. she turned away
with a smile and said. "As Jack Tar
has not yet had a dance. think
I shall give him this one"
Punch.nello drew back without a
word, hut he sighed as Julia and Jack
Tar Joined the dancera
Then he went and stood beside
Ninette. but he did not say word
why SO sad. dear Punchlnello ?"
asked Nfnette k1noly.
Il am disappointed about Julia. :"
replied Punchinelio. Il thought sha
loved me, but she seems to prefer
Jack Tar"
do not worry. she does love you;
she told me so,'' exclaimed Ninette
cheer.ly. 'Why don't you let her
know you love her? She thinks you
don't care at ALL"
80 will. the very first chance
get. Now ] know she loves me ]
feel quite happy" said Puchinello.
Just at this moment the nursery
door flew open and big black beast
with eyes like balls Of fire. rushed in.
With crash the music stopped. s~A
the dancers made q dash for tho toy
cupboard.
Poor Julia tripped. and, just as
the monster smiled at her. Punchinello
looked round. In q tr!cs no darted
forward, and, enatching her up in
and slammed the door.
MY darling Julia" said Punchi-
nello. II hope you are not hurt.
was iust in time to save you from
being eaten alive"
Dear Punchin~llo. don't know
how to thank you," whispered Julia
shyly.
but know!" said Punch,nello
"Just tell iae you love me, and that
you will be my wife"
And there in corner OF the dark
cupboard Julia told Punchinello how
dearly she loved him, and promised to
marry him soon.
Outside in the dark nursery Tom,
the cooks tat. sat and unused. Now
I wonder" he said to himself. who
all these funny creatures are. and
where they ran Off to? did scare
them properly" And Tom settled him
self on the hearthrug. then peace
re'gned in the nursery.
The Misftfs.
MANY families count among their