The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-05-13
Copyrighted by l. Frank Baum for the
George Matthew Adams Service)

Copyrighted by L. Frank Baum for the
George Matthew Adams Service)
suppose every reader Of this story
knows what a sCarecrow is; but Jack
Pumpkinhesd, never having seen such
a creation, vas more surprised at
meeting the remarkable King Of the
Emerald City than by any other one
experience OF his brief life,
His Majesty the Scarecrow was
dressed In a suit OF faded blue clothes,
and his. head was merely a small sack
stuffed with straw, upon which eyes,
ears, a nose and a mouth had been
rudely painted to represent a face.
The clothes were also stuffed with
straw, and that so unevenly or care
Heemed more bumpy than was neces-
sary. Upon his hands were gloves with
long fingers, and these were padded
with cotton. Wisps OF straw stuck out
from the monarch's coat and also from
his neck and boot tops, Upon his head
thick with sparkling jewels, and the
weight OF this crown caused his brow
to sag in wrinkles, giving a thoughtful
expression to his painted face, Indeed,
the crown alone hetokened majesty; IN
all else the Soarecrow King was but
a simple scarecrow-flimsy, awkward
and unsubstantial,
But IL the strange appearance OF
His Majesty the Scarecrow seemed
startling TO Jack, no less wonderful
was the form Of the Pumpkinhead TO
the Scarecrow. The purple trousers and
pink walstcoat and red shirt hung
loosely over the wooden joints Tip had
manufactured. and the face on the
pumpkin grinned perpetually, as II it's
wearer considered life the %tolliest thing
imaginable.
At first, indeed, His Majesty thought
his queer visitor was laughing at him
and was inclined to resent such a lib
erty; but 1t was not without reason
that the Scarecrow had attained the
reputation OF being the wisest person
age In the Land Of or. He made a
more careful examination OF his via
itor and soon discovered that Jacks
features were carved into n smile and
that he could not look grave II he
wished to.
The King was the first to speak,
After regarding Jack for some min
utes he said, In a tone OF wonder;
Where on earth did you come from,
and how do you happen TO be alive %
IL beg Your Majesty's pardon re-
turned the Pumpkinhead, but | dc
not understand you
What don't you understand" asked
the Scareorow,
why, l don't understand your Ian.
guage, You see, ] came from the Coun.
try OF the Gillikins, 40 that ! am &
foreigner"
"Ah. to he sure exclaimed tn,
Scarecrow. Il myself speak the Ian,
guaEe Of the Munchkins. which is ais,
the language OF the Emerald City, Blu
YOU, ] suppose, speak the language o.
the Pun pkinheadsG"
Exactly SO. Your Majesty" replied
the other. bowling, 80 It win be i'm.
possible for us to understand one an
other
THAT is unfortunate, certainly" sal,
the Scareerow, thoushtfully, I'VE mus
have an interpreter"
What is an interpreter" asked
Jack,
"A person who understands both m,
language and your own, When | SAY
anything, the interpreter can tell yol
! what l mean; and when you say any
thing the Interpreter can tell me wha
you mean. For the interpreter car
speak both languages as well as under
stand them"
. THAT is certainly clever said Jack
greatly pleased at finding so simple
way out OF the difficulty.
80 the Scarecrcw commanded tn,
soldier with the Greer Whiskers Il
search amona HIS people until he fount
n who understood the language o
! the Gillikins as well as the ~laneuaE
= OF the Emerald City. and to bring tina
3 person to him at once.
When the Soldier had departed tn
Scarecyop said.