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.And Dorothy looked wonderingly at this lively appearing person, whohad once assembled an army of women and driven the Scarecrow from thethrone of the Emerald City, and even fought a battle with the powerfularmy of Glinda the Sorceress."I've married a man who owns nine cows," said Jinjur to Ozma, "and nowI am happy and contented and willing to lead a quiet life and mind myown business.""Where is your husband?" asked Ozma."He is in the house, nursing a black eye," replied Jinjur, calmly."The foolish man would insist upon milking the red cow when I wantedhim to milk the white one; but he will know better next time, I am sure."Then the party moved on again, and after crossing a broad river on aferry and passing many fine farm houses that were dome shaped andpainted a pretty green color, they came in sight of a large buildingthat was covered with flags and bunting."I don't remember that building," said Dorothy."What is it?"Page 158ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html"That is the College of Art and Athletic Perfection," replied Ozma."I had it built quite recently, and the Woggle-Bug is it's president.It keeps him busy, and the young men who attend the college are noworse off than they were before.You see, in this country are anumber of youths who do not like to work, and the college is anexcellent place for them."And now they came in sight of the Emerald City, and the people flockedout to greet their lovely ruler.There were several bands and manyofficers and officials of the realm, and a crowd of citizens in theirholiday attire.Thus the beautiful Ozma was escorted by a brilliant procession to herroyal city, and so great was the cheering that she was obliged toconstantly bow to the right and left to acknowledge the greetings ofher subjects.That evening there was a grand reception in the royal palace, attendedby the most important persons of Oz, and Jack Pumpkinhead, who was alittle overripe but still active, read an address congratulating Ozmaof Oz upon the success of her generous mission to rescue the royalfamily of a neighboring kingdom.Then magnificent gold medals set with precious stones were presentedto each of the twenty-six officers; and the Tin Woodman was given anew axe studded with diamonds; and the Scarecrow received a silver jarof complexion powder.Dorothy was presented with a pretty coronet andmade a Princess of Oz, and Tiktok received two bracelets set witheight rows of very clear and sparkling emeralds.Page 159ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlAfterward they sat down to a splendid feast, and Ozma put Dorothy ather right and Billina at her left, where the hen sat upon a goldenroost and ate from a jeweled platter.Then were placed the Scarecrow,the Tin Woodman and Tiktok, with baskets of lovely flowers beforethem, because they did not require food.The twenty-six officers wereat the lower end of the table, and the Lion and the Tiger also hadseats, and were served on golden platters, that held a half a bushelat one time.The wealthiest and most important citizens of the Emerald City wereproud to wait upon these famous adventurers, and they were assisted bya sprightly little maid named Jellia Jamb, whom the Scarecrow pinchedupon her rosy cheeks and seemed to know very well.During the feast Ozma grew thoughtful, and suddenly she asked:"Where is the private?""Oh, he is sweeping out the barracks," replied one of the generals,who was busy eating a leg of a turkey."But I have ordered him a dishof bread and molasses to eat when his work is done.""Let him be sent for," said the girl ruler.While they waited for this command to be obeyed, she enquired:"Have we any other privates in the armies?""Oh, yes," replied the Tin Woodman, "I believe there arePage 160ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlthree, altogether."The private now entered, saluting his officers and the royal Ozmavery respectfully."What is your name, my man?" asked the girl."Omby Amby," answered the private."Then, Omby Amby," said she, "I promote you to be Captain General ofall the armies of my kingdom, and especially to be Commander of myBody Guard at the royal palace.""It is very expensive to hold so many offices," said the private,hesitating."I have no money with which to buy uniforms.""You shall be supplied from the royal treasury," said Ozma.Then the private was given a seat at the table, where the other officerswelcomed him cordially, and the feasting and merriment were resumed.Suddenly Jellia Jamb exclaimed:"There is nothing more to eat! The Hungry Tiger has consumed everything!""But that is not the worst of it," declared the Tiger, mournfully."Somewhere or somehow, I've actually lost my appetite!"Page 161ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html21.Dorothy's Magic BeltDorothy passed several very happy weeks in the Land of Oz as the guestof the royal Ozma, who delighted to please and interest the littleKansas girl.Many new acquaintances were formed and many old onesrenewed, and wherever she went Dorothy found herself among friends.One day, however, as she sat in Ozma's private room, she noticedhanging upon the wall a picture which constantly changed inappearance, at one time showing a meadow and at another time a forest,a lake or a village."How curious!" she exclaimed, after watching the shifting scenes for afew moments."Yes," said Ozma, "that is really a wonderful invention in magic.IfI wish to see any part of the world or any person living, I need onlyexpress the wish and it is shown in the picture.""May I use it?" asked Dorothy, eagerly."Of course, my dear.""Then I'd like to see the old Kansas farm, and Aunt Em," said the girl.Instantly the well remembered farmhouse appeared in the picture, andAunt Em could be seen quite plainly.She was engaged in washingdishes by the kitchen window and seemed quite well and contented.Thehired men and the teams were in the harvest fields behind the house,Page 162ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmland the corn and wheat seemed to the child to be in prime condition.On the side porch Dorothy's pet dog, Toto, was lying fast asleep inthe sun, and to her surprise old Speckles was running around with abrood of twelve new chickens trailing after her."Everything seems all right at home," said Dorothy, with a sigh ofrelief."Now I wonder what Uncle Henry is doing."The scene in the picture at once shifted to Australia, where, in apleasant room in Sydney, Uncle Henry was seated in an easy chair,solemnly smoking his briar pipe.He looked sad and lonely, and hishair was now quite white and his hands and face thin and wasted."Oh!" cried Dorothy, in an anxious voice, "I'm sure Uncle Henry isn'tgetting any better, and it's because he is worried about me.Ozma,dear, I must go to him at once!""How can you?" asked Ozma."I don't know," replied Dorothy; "but let us go to Glinda the Good.I'm sure she will help me, and advise me how to get to Uncle Henry [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]