Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-09-05

poor children. WITH Bobby Bouncer,
Jacks rubber ball, they set out for
the ball. On the icay they meet
IsubsIle- -Marie, Janet's fornser doll,
toy solder. Mr. Pieman takes them
to yaok Frost, ,oho fits them out
soifh fine porty clothes.
CHAPTER
At the Ball
TACK and Janet felt very happy in
- the fine party clothes Jack Frost
had dressed them In for the Toyyile
flmy rs fairy lace, while Jack looked
like an Easter bunny in his suit Of
snowy fur.
Isabelle Marie, the doll, was beau
tiful lady in her shimmery ball gown,
and Captain Brave, the toy soldier. was
more splendid than ever in his bright,
fresh paint.
Mr.. Pieman, who had brought them
to Jack Frost to get clothes for the
party, gazed at them In approval.
"Humph - he grunted. Now you
sre Just as nice looking as any of the
grand folks who will be at tho Toyville
ball"
Hurry! Hurry! Hurry" urged
was bounding up and down in bis eager
ness tn start for the ball. Hurry!
hear the music playing for the grand
march"
THAT sounds like the hand organ the
italian organ grinder was playing on
our street yesterday" cried Jack, as
the whole party hurried after Mr.. Pie
man through the twisting, turning paths
of tho mysterious garden.
"Oh, hope it is the hand organ, and
that Pietro, the funny little monkey. is
still with it," answered Janet.
They turned a sharp corner and there
before them was a smooth lawn bor-
dcred by blooming plants. trim bushes
and overhanging trees. In the center
was a fountain-the water sparkling
light Of the smiling moon. Among the
shadows Of the bushes and trees were
tiny flashing lamps-fireflies shut up in
lantern like cages.
Dancing jOycusly upon the lawn were
dozens of odd creatures.
''Why, it is n masquerade cried
Janet. So 1t seemed. for there were
Jumping Jacks, Elephants, Teddy
Bears, Alphabet Letters, Woolly Sheep,
Rabbits, Clowns, Horses, Kewpies,
Donkcys. Pgs. Toy Soldiers and Dolls
of all sorts-Girl Dolls. Boy Dolls, In
dian Dolls, Rag Dolls, Chinese Dolls.
The party looked like a circus.
"Ho! Ho! Ho! laughed Bobby
This is the Toyville ball. Every one
here is a toy except you and Jack"
Many of the creatures had seemed
familiar to Jack and Janet at first
sight. and now they began to recognize
old friends they had played with many
a time. There was Janet's Teddy Bear,
which gave her friendly bug; the
Wooden Elephant and Jointed Mule
from Jacks circus set, Betty Browns
Indian Doll, Willie Hopper's China Pig
Bank, and a lot of others they knew.
They felt less like strangers, but il was
queer being tiny and playing with live
toys.
The music grew faster and gayer.
Then Jack and Janet saw the music
really was made by a hand organ, and
the organ grinder was none other than
Pietro, The monkey, who was grinding
making faces and dancing, all at the
same time.
Take your partners for the grand
march !" screeched Pietro shrilly.
The Wooden Elephant stopped before
Janet and saluted her. "Will you be
my partner" he asked Janet was sur
prised, but politely bowed her head.
''Hce -haw! Will you he my part
ner?" said the Jointed Mule to Jack.
eyes" said Jack.
Tho Wooden Elephant and Jointed
Mule reared on their hind legs, and
Janet and Jack marched happily with
them.
(The grand march leads them into n
peculiar adventure about which you will
be told tomorrow