" true," answered the little Wizard; "therefore pleasure to explain my connection with your country first place, tell you that born in Omaha, and my father, who was politician, named me Oscar Zoroaster Phadrig Isaac Norman Henkle Emmannuel Ambroise Diggs, Diggs being the last name because think of no more before it Taken altogether, dreadfully long name to weigh down poor innocent child, and hardest lessons I ever learned was to remember my own name When I grew up I just called myself O Z , because the other initials were P-I-N-H-E-A-D; spelled 'pinhead,' reflection on my intelligence "

"Surely no one could blame you for cutting short," said Ozma, sympathetically "But didn't you cut it almost too short ? "

"Perhaps so," replied the Wizard "When young man I ran away from home and joined circus I used myself Wizard, and do tricks of ventriloquism "

"What does that mean ? " asked the Princess

"Throwing my voice into any object I pleased, it appear object was speaking instead of me Also I began balloon ascensions On my balloon and on all the other articles I used circus I painted the two initials: 'O Z ', to show things belonged

"One day my balloon ran away with me and brought me across the deserts beautiful country people saw me come sky they naturally thought me some superior creature, and bowed down before me them Wizard, and showed them some easy tricks that amazed them; and saw the initials painted balloon they called me Oz "

"Now I begin to understand," said the Princess, smiling

" ," continued the Wizard, busily eating his soup while talking, "there were four separate countries Land, each four being ruled by Witch But the people thought my power was greater than that Witches; and perhaps the Witches thought so too, for they never dared oppose me I ordered the Emerald City built just where the four countries cornered together, and when completed I announced myself the Ruler Land of Oz, which included all the four countries Munchkins, the Gillikins, the Winkies Quadlings Over this Land I ruled in peace for many years, until I grew old and longed my native city once again So when Dorothy was first blown place by cyclone I arranged away with her in balloon; but the balloon escaped too soon and carried me back alone After many adventures I reached Omaha, only that all my old friends were dead or had moved away So, having nothing else , I joined circus again, and made my balloon ascensions until the earthquake caught me "

" quite history," said Ozma; "but little more history Land of Oz that seem to understand--perhaps reason that no one ever told it you Many years came here this Land was united under one Ruler, now, Ruler's name was always 'Oz,' language 'Great and Good'; or, Ruler happened woman, her name was always 'Ozma ' But once upon time four Witches leagued together to depose the king and rule the four parts kingdom themselves; so Ruler, my grandfather, was hunting one day, one Wicked Witch named Mombi stole him and carried him away, keeping him close prisoner Then the Witches divided up the kingdom, and ruled the four parts of it until you came here That was why the people were so you, and why they thought from your initials that you were their rightful ruler "

"But, ," said the Wizard, thoughtfully, "there were two Good Witches and two Wicked Witches ruling land "

"Yes," replied Ozma, "because good Witch had conquered Mombi North and Glinda the Good had conquered the evil Witch South But Mombi was still my grandfather's jailor, and afterward my father's jailor When born she transformed me into boy, hoping that no one would ever recognize me and know that I rightful Princess Land of Oz But I escaped from her and am now the Ruler people "

" ," said the Wizard, "and consider me one of your most faithful and devoted subjects "

"We owe great deal Wonderful Wizard," continued the Princess, "for you who built this splendid Emerald City "

"Your people built it," he answered "I only bossed the job, say in Omaha "

"But you ruled it wisely and well for many years," said she, "and made the people proud of your magical art So, now too old to wander abroad and work in circus, I offer you home here as long live You shall be the Official Wizard kingdom, and be treated with every respect and consideration "

"I accept your kind offer with gratitude, gracious Princess," the little man said, in soft voice, and all see that tear-drops were standing keen old eyes It meant to him to secure home like this

"He's only humbug Wizard, though," said Dorothy, smiling at him

"And safest kind of Wizard ," replied Ozma, promptly

"Oz can do some good tricks, humbug or no humbug," announced Zeb, who was now feeling more at ease

"He shall amuse us tricks tomorrow," said the Princess " sent messengers to summon all of Dorothy's old friends to meet her and give her welcome, ought to arrive , now "

Indeed, the dinner was no sooner finished than in rushed the Scarecrow, to hug Dorothy padded arms and tell her how glad her again The Wizard was also most heartily welcomed straw man, who was an important personage Land of Oz

"How are your brains ? " enquired the little humbug, as he grasped the soft, stuffed hands old friend

"Working finely," answered the Scarecrow "I'm very certain, Oz, that me the best brains , for think day and night, when all other brains are fast asleep "

"How long did you rule the Emerald City, after I left here ? " next question

"Quite awhile, until conquered by girl named General Jinjur But Ozma soon conquered her, help of Glinda the Good, and I went to live with Nick Chopper, the Tin Woodman "

Just then loud cackling was heard outside; and, when servant threw open the door with low bow, yellow hen strutted in Dorothy sprang forward and caught the fluffy fowl in her arms, uttering same time glad cry

"Oh, Billina ! " she said; "how fat and sleek you've grown "

"Why shouldn't I ? " asked the hen, in sharp, clear voice "I live fat land--don't I, Ozma ? "

" everything you wish for," said the Princess

Around Billina's neck was string of beautiful pearls, and on her legs were bracelets of emeralds She nestled herself comfortably in Dorothy's lap until the kitten gave snarl of jealous anger and leaped up with sharp claw fiercely bared to strike Billina blow But the little girl gave the angry kitten such severe cuff jumped down again without daring to scratch

"How horrid of you, Eureka ! " cried Dorothy "Is way to treat my friends ? "

" queer friends, seems ," replied the kitten, in surly tone

"Seems the same way," said Billina, scornfully, " beastly cat is "

"Look here ! " said Dorothy, sternly "I won't have any quarrelling Land of Oz, tell you ! Everybody lives in peace here, and loves everybody else; and unless you two, Billina and Eureka, make up and be friends, I'll take my Magic Belt and wish you both home again, IMMEJITLY So, there ! "

They were both much frightened threat, and promised meekly good But never noticed became very warm friends, for all

And now the Tin Woodman arrived, his body most beautifully nickle-plated, so shone splendidly brilliant light room The Tin Woodman loved Dorothy most tenderly, and welcomed with joy the return little old Wizard

"Sir," said he latter, "I never can enough excellent heart you once It me many friends, I assure you, and it beats as kindly and lovingly today as it every did "

"I'm that," said the Wizard " afraid it would get moldy tin body of yours "

"Not at all," returned Nick Chopper "It keeps finely, being preserved in my air-tight chest "

Zeb was little shy when first introduced queer people; but they were so friendly and sincere that he soon grew to admire them , even finding some good qualities yellow hen But he became nervous again next visitor was announced

"This," said Princess Ozma, "is my friend Mr H M Woggle-Bug, T E , who assisted me when in great distress, now the Dean Royal College of Athletic Science "

"Ah," said the Wizard; "I'm pleased to meet so distinguished personage "

"H M ," said the Woggle-Bug, pompously, "means Highly Magnified; and T E means Thoroughly Educated , in reality, very big bug, and doubtless the most intelligent being in all this broad domain "

"How well you disguise it," said the Wizard "But I don't doubt your word least "

"Nobody doubts it, sir," replied the Woggle-Bug, and drawing book from its pocket the strange insect turned its back company and sat down in corner to read

Nobody minded this rudeness, which seemed more impolite in one less thoroughly educated; so they straightway forgot him and joined in merry conversation that kept them well amused until bed-time arrived

16 Jim, The Cab-Horse