Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-07-26
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VI @ adhI HL Frank Baum fHhm @ II
The Heads of LangWidere

Thy walked slowly down the path
between the rocks. Tiktok going first,
Dorothy following him. and the yellow
hen trotting along last of all.
At the foot of the path the copper
man leaned down and tossed aside
with ease the rocks that numbered the
way. Then he turned to Dorothy and
said:
Let me carry your dinner pail"
She placed II in his right hand at
once, and the copper fingers closed
hrmly over the stout handle.
Then the little procession marched
out upon the level sands
As soon as the three Wheelers who
were guarding the mound saw them,
and rolled swiftly toward the little
gcrup. as II to capture them or bar
thelr way. But when the foremost had
approached near enough. Tiktok
swung the tin dinner pail and struck
the Wheeler a sharp blow over its
head with the queer weapon. Per-
haps ii did not hurt very much, but it
made a great noise, and the Wheeler
uttered howl and tumbled over
upon its side. The next minute II
away as fast as it could go, screech-
ing with fear at the same time.
I told You they were harmless
began Tiktok; but before he could say
them Crack! went the dinnerpail
against its head. knocking its straw
hat dozen feet away: and that was
enough for this Wheeler. also. 1t
rolled away after the first one, and
the third did not wait to be pounded
with the pail, but Joined its fellows as
quickly as its wheels would whirl.
The yellow hen gave cackle of
delight. and flying to a perch upon
Tiktok,s shoulder, she said. -,
and wisely thought Of. too. Now We
are free from those ugly creatures"
But just then a large band OF
Wheclers rolled from the forest and
relying upon thefg numbers to con-
quer, they advanced fiercely upon
Tiktok. Dorothy grabbed Billina in
her arms and held her tight. and the
machine embraced the form of the
little girl with his left arm. the bet
ter to protect her. Then the Wheelers
Rattlety. bang! bang! went the
dinner pail in every direction. and 1t
made SO much clatter humping
against the heads OF the Wheelers
that they were much more frightened
than hurt and fed in great panic.
All. that is, except their leader. This
Wheeler had stumbled against anoth-
er and fallen fat upon his back and
before he could get his wheels under
him to rise again. Tiktok had fasten-
the gorgeous jacket of his foe and
held him fast.
Tell your people to go away,
commanded the machine.
The leader of the Wheelers hest
tated to give this order so Tiktok
shcok him as a terrier dog does rat
until the Wheeler's teeth ratified to-
gether with noise like hailstones on
a window pane. Then, as soon as the
creature could get its breath, II shout
ed to the others to roll away, which
they Immediately did.
Now" said Tiktok. you shall
come with us and tell me what want
tc know"
You'll be sorry for treating me in
this way" whined the Wheeler. m
a terribly fierce person"
"As for that" answered Tiktok. 81
am only a machine. and cannot feel
SORROW or joy, no matter what hap
pens. But you are wrong to think
Yourself TERRIBLE or fierce"
why so?" asked the Wheeler.
"Be-cause no one else thinks as you
do. Your wheels make you helpless
to in-jure any one. For you have no