" But little misery, at times, makes one appreciate happiness more Tell me, Phony, what record like, which you say on tap ? "

"It's popular song, sir In all civilized lands the common people wild over it "

"Makes civilized folks wild folks, eh ? Then it's dangerous "

"Wild with joy, I mean," explained the phonograph "Listen This song will prove rare treat , It made the author rich--for an author called 'My Lulu '"

Then the phonograph began to play strain of odd, jerky sounds was followed words, sung by man through his nose with great vigor of expression:

"Ah wants mah Lulu, mah coal-black Lulu; Ah wants mah loo-loo, loo-loo, loo-loo, Lu ! Ah loves mah Lulu, mah coal-black Lulu, There ain't nobody else loves loo-loo, Lu ! "

"Here--shut that off ! " cried the Shaggy Man, springing feet "What by such impertinence ? "

"It's the latest popular song," declared the phonograph, speaking in sulky tone of voice

"A popular song ? "

"Yes One feeble-minded can remember the words of and those ignorant of music can whistle or sing That makes popular song popular, time is coming when place of all other songs "

" won't come , just yet," said the Shaggy Man, sternly: "I'm something of singer myself, and I don't intend throttled by any Lulus like your coal-black one take you all apart, Mr Phony, and scatter your pieces far and wide over the country, as matter of kindness people meet if allowed to run around loose Having performed this painful duty --"

But before he more the phonograph turned and dashed up the road as fast as its four table-legs could carry it, and soon it had entirely disappeared from their view

The Shaggy Man sat down again and seemed well pleased "Some one else will save me the trouble of scattering that phonograph," said he; "for possible that such music-maker can last long Land of Oz rested, friends, go way "

During the afternoon the travelers found themselves in lonely and uninhabited part country Even the fields were no longer cultivated country began to resemble wilderness The road of yellow bricks seemed neglected and became uneven and more difficult to walk upon Scrubby under-brush grew on either side way, while huge rocks were scattered around in abundance

But deter Ojo friends from trudging on, beguiled the journey with jokes and cheerful conversation Toward evening they reached crystal spring which gushed from tall rock roadside and near this spring stood deserted cabin Said the Shaggy Man, halting here:

" pass the night here, where shelter heads and good water to drink Road beyond pretty bad; worst to travel; so let's wait until morning before we tackle it "

They agreed and Ojo found some brushwood cabin and made fire hearth The fire delighted Scraps, who danced before it until Ojo warned her she might set fire to herself and burn up the Patchwork Girl kept at respectful distance darting flames, but the Woozy lay down fire like big dog and seemed to enjoy its warmth

For supper the Shaggy Man ate one tablets, but Ojo stuck bread and cheese most satisfying food He also gave portion Woozy

When darkness came on sat in circle cabin floor, facing the firelight--there being no furniture of any sort place--Ojo said Shaggy Man:

"Won't you tell us story ? "

"I'm not good at stories," reply; "but I sing like bird "

"Raven, or crow ? " asked the Glass Cat

"Like song bird I'll prove it I'll sing song I composed myself Don't tell anyone I'm poet; want me to write book Don't tell 'em sing, or they'd want me records awful phonograph Haven't time public benefactor, so I'll just sing you this little song for your own amusement "

They were glad enough entertained, and listened with interest while the Shaggy Man chanted the following verses to tune that was not unpleasant:

"I'll sing song of Ozland, where wondrous creatures dwell And fruits and flowers and shady bowers abound in every dell, Where magic is science and where no one shows surprise If some amazing thing takes place before his very eyes

Our Ruler's bewitching girl whom fairies love ; She's always kept her magic sceptre to enforce decrees her people happy, for her heart is kind and true And to aid the needy and distressed is what she longs

And then there's Princess Dorothy, as sweet as any rose, lass from Kansas, where they don't grow fairies, I suppose; And there's the brainy Scarecrow, with body stuffed with straw, Who utters words of wisdom rare that fill us all with awe

I'll not forget Nick Chopper, the Woodman made of Tin, Whose tender heart thinks killing time is quite dreadful sin, Nor old Professor Woggle-Bug, who's highly magnified And looks so big to everyone that filled with pride

Jack Pumpkinhead's dear old chum called chump, But won renown by riding round upon magic Gump; The Sawhorse is splendid steed and though he's made of wood thrilling stunts as any meat horse could

And now I'll introduce beast that ev'ryone adores-- The Cowardly Lion shakes with fear 'most ev'ry time he roars, And yet the bravest things that any lion might, Because that cowardice considered right

There's Tik-Tok--he's clockwork man and quite funny sight-- He talks and walks mechanically, when he's wound up tight; And we've Hungry Tiger babies love to eat But never does because we feed him other kinds of meat

It's hard to name all freaks this noble Land's acquired; 'Twould make my song so very long that soon be tired; But give attention while I mention one wise Yellow Hen And Nine fine Tiny Piglets living in golden pen

Just search the whole world over--sail the seas from coast to coast-- No other nation in creation queerer folk can boast; And now our rare museum will include Cat of Glass, Woozy, and--last but not least--a crazy Patchwork Lass "

Ojo was so pleased song that he applauded the singer by clapping his hands, and Scraps followed suit by clapping her padded fingers together, although they made no noise The cat pounded floor with her glass paws--gently, so as not to break them-- Woozy, which asleep, woke ask what the row was about

"I seldom sing in public, for fear want me to start an opera company," remarked the Shaggy Man, who was pleased his effort was appreciated "Voice, just now, is little out of training; rusty, perhaps "

"Tell me," said the Patchwork Girl earnestly, "do all those queer people you mention really live Land of Oz ? "

" of 'em I even forgot : Dorothy's Pink Kitten "

"For goodness sake ! " exclaimed Bungle, sitting up and looking interested "A Pink Kitten ? How absurd ! glass ? "

"No; just ordinary kitten "

"Then it can't amount to much pink brains, and you 'em work "

"Dorothy's kitten is all pink--brains and all-- except blue eyes Name's Eureka Great favorite royal palace," said the Shaggy Man, yawning

The Glass Cat seemed annoyed

" pink kitten--common meat--is as pretty as ? " she asked

"Can't say Tastes differ, ," replied the Shaggy Man, yawning again "But here's pointer of service : make friends with Eureka and you'll be solid palace "

"I'm solid now; solid glass "

"You don't understand," rejoined the Shaggy Man, sleepily "Anyhow, make friends Pink Kitten and you'll be all right Pink Kitten despises you, look out for breakers "

"Would anyone royal palace break Glass Cat ? "

"Might You never can tell Advise you to purr soft and look humble-- And now I'm going to bed "

Bungle considered the Shaggy Man's advice so carefully that her pink brains were busy long others party were fast asleep

Chapter Twelve

The Giant Porcupine

Next morning they started out bright and early the road of yellow bricks toward the Emerald City The little Munchkin boy was beginning tired long walk, and he had things of and consider besides the events journey wonderful Emerald City, which presently reach, were strange and curious people that half afraid of meeting them and wondered prove friendly and kind Above all else, drive mind the important errand he had come, and determined to devote every energy to finding the things that were necessary the magic recipe He believed that until dear Unc Nunkie was restored to life feel no joy in anything, and often that Unc , all the astonishing things Ojo was seeing But alas Unc Nunkie was now marble statue house Crooked Magician and Ojo must not falter efforts to save him

The country through which they were passing was still rocky and deserted, with here and there bush or tree to break the dreary landscape Ojo noticed one tree, especially, because it had such long, silky leaves and was so beautiful in shape As he approached it he studied the tree earnestly, wondering if any fruit grew or bore pretty flowers

Suddenly he became aware that he looking tree -- for five minutes--and it had remained same position, although the boy had continued to walk steadily on So he stopped short and when he stopped, the tree and all the landscape, as his companions, moved on before him and left him far behind

Ojo uttered such cry of astonishment aroused the Shaggy Man, who also halted The others then stopped, too, and walked back boy

"What's wrong ? " asked the Shaggy Man

"Why, we're not moving forward bit, no matter how fast we walk," declared Ojo "Now that stopped, moving backward ! Can't ? Just notice that rock "

Scraps looked down at her feet and said: "The yellow bricks moving "

"But the whole road is," answered Ojo

"True; quite true," agreed the Shaggy Man " all tricks road, but thinking of something else and didn't realize where we were "