The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-08-01

They 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 DOT 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 din-ner pail"
She placed II In his right hand at
once, n the copper fingers closed
firmly over the stout handle,
Their the little procession marched
out upon the level sands,
AS soon as the three Wheelers who
were guarding the mound saw them,
they began to shout their wild cries
and rolled swiftly toward the little
group, as II TO capture them or bar
their 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, Perhaps 1t did
not hurt very much, but It made a
great noise, and the Wheeler uttered
n howl and tumbled over upon its side.
The next minute 1t scrambled to its
wheels and rolled away as fast as 1t
could so, s%creeching with fear at the
same time.
II told you they were harmless" be-
gan Tiktok; but before he could say
more another Wheeler was upon them.
Crack went the dinner pail against Its
head, knocking its straw hat a dozen
feet away. and that vas enough for this
Wheeler, also, II 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 a cackle of de-
light. and flying to a perch upon Tiki
| tpk'S shoulders. she said,
"Bravely done, my copper friend! and
wisely thought Of, too. Now we are
free from those ugly creatures"
But just then a large band OF Wheel
ers rolled from the forest, and relying
upon their numbers to conquer, they
advanced fiercely upon Ttktok. 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 better to protect her, Their
the Wheelers were upon them,
Rattlety, bang bang went the dinner
pail In every direction. and II made SC
much clatter humping against the heads
OF the Wheelers that they were much
more frightened than hurt and fled II
n great panic, An, that Is, except theii
leader, This Wheeler had stumbled
against another and fallen flat upon his
back, and before he could get his wheel,
under him To rise again. TIktok haC
fastened his copper fingers into tn,
neck OF the gorgeous Jacket OF his 70,
and held him fast,
Tell your people to go away
commanded the machine.
The leader OF the Wheelers hesitateC
to give this order, so 'Tiktok shook hin
as a terrier dog does a rat, until tn,
Whcelcr's teeth ratified together witt
n noise like hailstones on a window
pane, Then, as soon as the creatur,
could get its breath, II shouted to tn,
others to roll away, which they imme
dlately did.
Now" said Tiktok, you shall com,
with us and tell me what | want t
know"
You'll he sorry for treating me Il
this way" whined the Wheeler. I'm
a terribly fierce person"
LAS for that" answered Tiktok, -"
am only a machine, and cannot fec
SORROW or joy, no mat-ter what hap
pens. But YOU are wrong to think your
self TERRIBLE or fierce"
why so ?" asked the Wheeler.
Because no one else thinks as yo
do. Your wheels make you help less I
' insure any one. For you have no fist
and a not scratch or even pull hail