Breakfast ended, they passed village side opposite that they had entered, the brown servant-donkey guiding them maze of scattered houses the road again, leading far away unknown country beyond

"King Kik-a-bray says not forget his invitation," said the brown donkey, passed opening wall

"I shan't," promised Dorothy

Perhaps no one ever beheld more strangely assorted group one which now walked along the road, through pretty green fields and past groves of feathery pepper-trees and fragrant mimosa Polychrome, her beautiful gauzy robes floating around her like rainbow cloud, went first, dancing back and forth and darting now here to pluck wild-flower or there to watch beetle crawl across the path Toto ran after her at times, barking joyously the while, only sober again and trot along at Dorothy's heels The little Kansas girl walked holding Button-Bright's hand clasped in her own, wee boy fox head covered sailor hat presented an odd appeaance Strangest of all, perhaps, shaggy man, shaggy donkey head, who shuffled along rear hands thrust deep big pockets

party was really unhappy All were straying in an unknown land and had suffered more or less annoyance and discomfort; but they realized they were having fairy adventure in fairy country, and were much interested in finding out what would happen next

8 The Musicker

middle forenoon they began up long hill By-and- hill suddenly dropped down into pretty valley, where the travelers saw, surprise, small house standing road-side

It first house they had seen, hastened valley to discover who lived there No one was in sight approached, but began nearer the house they heard queer sounds coming make these out at first, but became louder our friends thought they heard sort of music like that made by wheezy hand-organ; the music fell upon their ears :

Tiddle-widdle-iddle oom pom-pom ! Oom, pom-pom ! oom, pom-pom ! Tiddle-tiddle-tiddle oom pom-pom ! Oom, pom-pom--pah !

" it, band or mouth-organ ? " asked Dorothy

"Don't know," said Button-Bright

"Sounds like played-out phonograph," said the shaggy man, lifting his enormous ears to listen

"Oh, there just COULDN'T be funnygraf in Fairyland ! " cried Dorothy

"It's rather pretty, isn't it ? " asked Polychrome, trying to dance strains

Tiddle-widdle-iddle, oom pom-pom, Oom pom-pom; oom pom-pom !

came the music ears, more distinctly drew nearer the house Presently, they saw little fat man sitting on bench door He wore red, braided jacket that reached waist, blue waistcoat, and white trousers with gold stripes down the sides bald head was perched little, round, red cap held in place by rubber elastic underneath his chin His face was round, his eyes faded blue, and he wore white cotton gloves The man leaned on stout gold-headed cane, bending forward seat to watch his visitors approach

Singularly enough, the musical sounds they had heard seemed inside fat man himself; for playing no instrument nor was any seen near him

They came up and stood in row, staring at him, and he stared back while the queer sounds came as before:

Tiddle-iddle-iddle, oom pom-pom, Oom, pom-pom; oom pom-pom ! Tiddle-widdle-iddle, oom pom-pom, Oom, pom-pom--pah !

Why, he's reg'lar musicker ! " said Button-Bright

"What's musicker ? " asked Dorothy

"Him ! " said the boy

Hearing this, the fat man sat up little stiffer than before, he had received compliment, and still came the sounds:

Tiddle-widdle-iddle, oom pom-pom, Oom pom-pom, oom--

"Stop it ! " cried the shaggy man, earnestly "Stop that dreadful noise "

The fat man looked at him sadly and began his reply When he spoke the music changed words seemed to accompany the notes --or rather sang:

It isn't noise that you hear, But Music, harmonic and clear My breath makes me play Like an organ, all day-- That bass note is in my left ear

"How funny ! " exclaimed Dorothy; " his breath makes the music "

"That's all nonsense," declared the shaggy man; but now the music began again, all listened carefully

My lungs are full of reeds like those In organs, therefore I suppose, If I breathe in or out my nose, The reeds are bound to play

So as I breathe to live, , I squeeze out music as I go; I'm very sorry so-- Forgive my piping, pray !

"Poor man," said Polychrome; " 't help it What great misfortune ! "

"Yes," replied the shaggy man; " only obliged to hear this music short time, until we leave him and go away; but the poor fellow must listen to himself as long as he lives, is enough to drive him crazy Don't so ? "

"Don't know," said Button-Bright Toto said, "Bow-wow ! " others laughed

"Perhaps that's why he lives all alone," suggested Dorothy

"Yes; if he had neighbors, do him an injury," responded the shaggy man

All this while the little fat musicker was breathing the notes:

Tiddle-tiddle-iddle, oom, pom-pom,

had loud to hear themselves The shaggy man said:

"Who , sir ? "

The reply came shape sing-song:

I'm Allegro da Capo, very famous man; Just find another, high or low, to match me Some people try, but can't, to play to practice every day; But I've been musical always, since first my life began

"Why, I b'lieve he's proud of it," exclaimed Dorothy; "and seems I've heard worse music than he makes "

"Where ? " asked Button-Bright

"I've forgotten, just now But Mr Da Capo is certainly strange person--isn't he ? --and p'r'aps he's the kind in all the world "

This praise seemed the little fat musicker, for he swelled out his chest, looked important and sang as follows:

I wear no band around me, And yet band ! strain my strains But, other hand, My toot is always destitute Of flats or other errors; sharp and be natural are but minor terrors

"I don't quite understand that," said Polychrome, with puzzled look; "but perhaps it's because I'm accustomed only music spheres "

"What's that ? " asked Button-Bright

"Oh, Polly means the atmosphere and hemisphere, I s'pose," explained Dorothy

"Oh," said Button-Bright

"Bow-wow ! " said Toto

But the musicker was still breathing his constant

Oom, pom-pom; Oom pom-pom--

and it seemed to jar shaggy man's nerves

"Stop it, can't you ? " he cried angrily; "or breathe in whisper; or put clothes-pin nose Do something, anyhow ! "

But the fat one, with sad look, sang this answer:

Music hath charms, and it may Soothe even the savage, they say; So if savage you feel Just list to my reel, For sooth that's the real way

The shaggy man had to laugh , and when he laughed he stretched his donkey mouth wide open Said Dorothy:

"I don't know how good his poetry is, but it seems to fit the notes, 's all 'xpected "

"I like it," said Button-Bright, who was staring hard musicker, his little legs spread wide apart surprise companions, the boy asked this long question:

"If I swallowed mouth-organ, what would I be ? "

"An organette," said the shaggy man "But come, my dears; the best thing do is journey before Button-Bright swallows anything try that Land of Oz, "

Hearing this speech the musicker sang, quickly:

go Land of Oz Please take me along, because On Ozma's birthday I'm anxious to play The loveliest song ever was

"No ," said Dorothy; "we prefer to travel alone But if Ozma I'll tell her to her birthday party "

"Let's be going," urged the shaggy man, anxiously

Polly was already dancing along the road, far in advance, others turned her Toto like the fat musicker and made grab chubby leg Dorothy quickly caught up the growling little dog and hurried after her companions, who were walking faster than usual out of hearing They had to climb hill, and until they got top escape the musicker's monotonous piping:

Oom, pom-pom; oom, pom-pom; Tiddle-iddle-widdle, oom, pom-pom; Oom, pom-pom--pah !

passed the brow hill, however, and descended other side, the sounds gradually died away, whereat they all felt much relieved

"I'm glad I don't have to live organ-man; aren't you, Polly ? " said Dorothy

"Yes indeed," answered the Rainbow's Daughter

"He's nice," declared Button-Bright, soberly

" your Princess Ozma won't invite him to her birthday celebration," remarked the shaggy man; " fellow's music would drive her guests all crazy You've given me an idea, Button-Bright; I believe the musicker swallowed an accordeon youth "

"What's 'cordeon ? " asked the boy

"It's kind of pleating," explained Dorothy, putting down the dog

"Bow-wow ! " said Toto, and ran away at mad gallop to chase bumble-bee

9 Facing the Scoodlers

The country wasn't so pretty now travelers appeared rocky plain covered with hills grew nothing green They were nearing some low mountains, too, road, which before smooth and pleasant to walk upon, grew rough and uneven

Button-Bright's little feet stumbled more than once, and Polychrome ceased her dancing because the walking was now so difficult that she had no trouble warm

It had become afternoon, yet there wasn't thing for their luncheon except two apples which the shaggy man had taken breakfast table He divided these into four pieces and gave portion to each companions Dorothy and Button-Bright were glad theirs; but Polly was satisfied with small bite, and Toto like apples

" ," asked the Rainbow's Daughter, "if right road Emerald City ? "

"No, I don't," replied Dorothy, "but it's the only road part country, so go end of it "

"It looks now it might end pretty soon," remarked the shaggy man; "and what shall does ? "

"Don't know," said Button-Bright

"If I had my Magic Belt," replied Dorothy, thoughtfully, "it could do us lot of good just now "

" your Magic Belt ? " asked Polychrome