The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-09-27
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THE HEADS OF LANGwIDERE.

THE HEADS OF LANGWIDERE.
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 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 din-ner-pail."
I She placed it in his right hand at
once. and the copper fingers closed
firmly 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,
they began to shout their wild cries
and rolled swiftly toward the little
group, as If 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 it's
head with the queer weapon. Per-
haps it did not hurt very much, but
it made great noise, and the Wheeler
uttered a howl and tumbIed over upon
its side. The next minute it scram-
bled to its wheels and rolled away as
fast as it could go, screening with
fear at the same time.
II told you they were harmless, -
began Tiktok; but before he could
say more another Wheeler was upon
them. Crack! went the dinnerpail
against its head, knocking its straw
hat a 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 whirI.
The yellow hen gave a cackle of
delight, and flying to a perch upon
Tiktok's shoulder, 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
Wheelers rolled from the forest. and
relying upon their numbers to con-
quer, they advanced fiercely upon Tx
tok. Dorothy grabbed Billina in her
arms and held her tight. and the ma
chine embraced the form of the little
girl with his left arm, the better to
protect her. Then the Wheelers were
upon them.
Rattlety, bang, bangi went the din
ner-pail in every direction, and it
the heads of the Wheelers that they
were much more frightened than hurt
and fled in a great panic. All, that is,
except their leader. This Wheeler
had stumbled against another and
fallen flat upon his back. and before
he could get his wheels under him to
rise again, Tiktok had fastened his
copper fingers into the neck of 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
lated to give this order, so Tiktok
shook him as a terrier dog does a rat.
until the Wheelers teeth ratified to-
gether with Il noise like hailstones on
4 window pane. Then, as soon as the
creature could get it's breath. it shout
ed to the others to roll away, which
they Immediately did.
NOW" said Tiktok, you shall come
with us and tell me what I want to
know"
you'll be sorry for treating me in
this way" whined the Wheeler. I'm
a terribly fierce person"
~ 'As for that" answered Tiktok, "I
am only a machine, and cannot feel