THE PATCHWORK GIRL OF OZ

by L FRANK BAUM

Affectionately Dedicated to my young friend Sumner Hamilton Britton of Chicago

Prologue

kindness of Dorothy Gale of Kansas, afterward Princess Dorothy of Oz, an humble writer United States of America was once appointed Royal Historian of Oz, privilege of writing the chronicle wonderful fairyland But after making six books adventures interesting but queer people who live Land of Oz, the Historian learned with sorrow that by an edict Supreme Ruler, Ozma of Oz, her country would thereafter be rendered invisible to all who lived outside its borders all communication with Oz would, , be cut off

The children who had learned to look books about Oz and who loved the stories gay and happy people inhabiting that favored country, were as sorry as their Historian that there no more books of Oz stories They wrote many letters asking Historian know of some adventures to write had happened Land of Oz was shut out from all the rest world But know of any Finally children inquired why we couldn't hear from Princess Dorothy by wireless telegraph, which would enable her to communicate Historian whatever happened far-off Land of Oz without his seeing her, or even knowing just where Oz is

That seemed good idea; so the Historian rigged up high tower back yard, and took lessons in wireless telegraphy until he understood it, and then began "Princess Dorothy of Oz" by sending messages air

Now, it wasn't likely that Dorothy looking for wireless messages or would heed the call; but the Historian was sure of, the powerful Sorceress, Glinda, would know what doing he desired to communicate with Dorothy For Glinda has big book in recorded every event that takes place anywhere , just the moment happens, and so the book would tell her wireless message

way Dorothy heard Historian wanted with her, and Shaggy Man Land of Oz who knew how to telegraph wireless reply The result the Historian begged so hard told the latest news of Oz, write it down children to read, that Dorothy asked permission of Ozma and Ozma graciously consented

why, after two long years of waiting, another Oz story is now presented children of America This possible some clever man invented the "wireless" and an equally clever child suggested the idea of reaching the mysterious Land of Oz by its means

L Frank Baum

"OZCOT" at Hollywood in California

LIST OF CHAPTERS
1 - Ojo and Unc Nunkie
2 - The Crooked Magician
3 - The Patchwork Girl
4 - The Glass Cat
5 - Terrible Accident
6 - The Journey
7 - The Troublesome Phonograph
8 - The Foolish Owl Wise Donkey
9 - They Meet the Woozy
10 - Shaggy Man Rescue
11 - Good Friend
12 - The Giant Porcupine
13 - Scraps Scarecrow
14 - Ojo Breaks the Law
15 - Ozma's Prisoner
16 - Princess Dorothy
17 - Ozma and Her Friends
18 - Ojo is Forgiven
19 - Trouble Tottenhots
20 - The Captive Yoop
21 - Hip Hopper the Champion
22 - The Joking Horners
23 - Peace is Declared
24 - Ojo Finds the Dark Well
25 - They Bribe the Lazy Quadling
26 - The Trick River
27 - The Tin Woodman Objects
28 - The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

The Patchwork Girl of Oz

Chapter One

Ojo and Unc Nunkie

"Where's the butter, Unc Nunkie ? " asked Ojo

Unc looked window and stroked his long beard Then he turned Munchkin boy and shook his head

"Isn't," said he

"Isn't any butter ? That's too bad, Unc Where's the jam then ? " inquired Ojo, standing on stool so look through all the shelves cupboard But Unc Nunkie shook his head again

"Gone,"

"No jam, either ? And no cake--no jelly--no apples--nothing but bread ? "

"All," said Unc, again stroking his beard as he gazed window

The little boy brought the stool and sat beside his uncle, munching the dry bread slowly and seeming in deep thought

"Nothing grows yard but the bread tree," he mused, "and only two more loaves tree; 're not ripe yet Tell me, Unc; why are we so poor ? "

The old Munchkin turned and looked at Ojo He had kindly eyes, but he hadn't smiled or laughed in boy had forgotten that Unc Nunkie could look way than solemn And Unc never spoke any more words than obliged to, so his little nephew, who lived alone , had learned to understand great deal from one word

"Why are we so poor, Unc ? " repeated the boy

"Not," said the old Munchkin

" ," declared Ojo "What have we got ? "

"House," said Unc Nunkie

" ; but everyone Land of Oz has place to live What else, Unc ? "

"Bread "

"I'm eating the last loaf that's ripe There; I've put aside your share, Unc It's table, so eat it get hungry But is gone, what shall we eat, Unc ? "

The old man shifted chair but merely shook his head

" ," said Ojo, who was obliged because his uncle , "no one starves Land of Oz, either plenty for everyone, ; only, isn't just where you happen , go where "

The aged Munchkin wriggled again and stared at his small nephew disturbed by his argument

"By to-morrow morning," the boy went on, " go where something to eat, or grow very hungry and become very unhappy "

"Where ? " asked Unc

"Where shall we go ? I don't know, I'm sure," replied Ojo "But know, Unc traveled, in your time, because you're so old I don't remember it, because remember anything we've lived right here lonesome, round house, with little garden back of it thick woods all around All I've ever seen great Land of Oz, Unc dear, view mountain over south, where they say the Hammerheads live--who won't let anybody go -- mountain north, where they say nobody lives "

"One," declared Unc, correcting him

"Oh, yes; one family lives there, I've heard That's the Crooked Magician, named Dr Pipt, wife Margolotte One year you told me ; it took you whole year, Unc, as I've just said Crooked Magician wife They live high up mountain, good Munchkin Country, where the fruits and flowers grow, is just the other side It's funny you and live here all alone, middle forest, isn't it ? "

"Yes," said Unc

"Then let's go away and visit the Munchkin Country and its jolly, good-natured people I'd love sight of something besides woods, Unc Nunkie "

"Too little," said Unc

"Why, I'm not so little as I used ," answered the boy earnestly " walk as far and as fast woods , Unc And now that nothing grows back yard good to eat, go where food "

Unc Nunkie made no reply for time Then he shut down the window and turned his chair the room, sun was sinking behind the tree-tops and growing cool

By and by Ojo lighted the fire logs blazed freely broad fireplace The two sat firelight --the old, white- bearded Munchkin little boy Both were thinking When it grew quite dark outside, Ojo said:

"Eat your bread, Unc, and then go to bed "

But Unc Nunkie eat the bread; neither did he go directly to bed Long after his little nephew was sound asleep corner room the old man sat fire, thinking

Chapter Two

The Crooked Magician

Just at dawn next morning Unc Nunkie laid his hand tenderly on Ojo's head and awakened him

"Come,"

Ojo dressed He wore blue silk stockings, blue knee pants with gold buckles, blue ruffled waist and jacket of bright blue braided with gold His shoes were of blue leather and turned up toes, which were pointed His hat had peaked crown and flat brim, and around the brim was row of tiny golden bells that tinkled when he moved the native costume who inhabited the Munchkin Country Land of Oz, so Unc Nunkie's dress was much like that nephew Instead of shoes, the old man wore boots with turnover tops blue coat had wide cuffs of gold braid

The boy noticed that his uncle eaten the bread, and supposed the old man hungry Ojo was hungry, though; so he divided the piece of bread table and ate his half for breakfast, washing it down with fresh, cool water brook Unc put the other piece of bread jacket pocket, after which he again said, as he walked out doorway: "Come "

Ojo was well pleased dreadfully tired of living all alone woods and wanted to travel people he had wished to explore the beautiful Land of Oz they lived were outside, Unc simply latched the door and started up the path No one would disturb their little house, even if anyone came thick forest while they were gone

foot mountain that separated the Country Munchkins Country Gillikins, the path divided led left other right--straight up the mountain Unc Nunkie took this right-hand path and Ojo followed without asking why it would take them house Crooked Magician, whom he had never seen but who was their nearest neighbor

All the morning they trudged up the mountain path and at noon Unc and Ojo sat on fallen tree-trunk and ate the last bread which the old Munchkin had placed pocket Then they started on again and two hours later came in sight house of Dr Pipt