Johnny Dooit was present, and he proved do wonders way of eating, as in everything else that he undertook ; the Tin Woodman sang love song, joining chorus; wooden soldiers from Merryland gave an exhibition of lightning drill with their wooden muskets; the Ryls and Knooks danced the Fairy Circle; Rubber Bear bounced himself all around the room laughter and merriment on every side, and everybody was having royal Button-Bright was so excited and interested that he paid little attention fine dinner and great deal of attention queer companions; and perhaps wise to , because eat at time

The feasting and merrymaking continued until late evening, separated to meet again the next morning and take part birthday celebration, this royal banquet was merely the introduction

24 The Birthday Celebration

clear, perfect day, with gentle breeze and sunny sky, greeted Princess Ozma as she wakened next morning, the anniversary of her birth While yet early all the city was astir and crowds of people came from all parts Land of Oz to witness the festivities in honor girl Ruler's birthday

The noted visitors from foreign countries, who had all been transported Emerald City Magic Belt, were show Ozites as were their own familiar celebrities, streets leading royal palace jeweled gates were thronged with men, women, and children the procession as it passed out green fields where the ceremonies were place

And what great procession !

First came thousand young girls--the prettiest land--dressed in white muslin, with green sashes and hair ribbons, bearing green baskets of red roses walked they scattered these flowers marble pavements, so way was carpeted thick with roses procession to walk upon

Then came the Rulers four Kingdoms of Oz: the Emperor Winkies, the Monarch Munchkins, the King Quadlings Sovereign Gillikins, each wearing long chain of emeralds around his neck to show that vassal Ruler Emerald City

Next marched the Emerald City Cornet Band, clothed in green-and-gold uniforms and playing the "Ozma Two-Step " The Royal Army of Oz followed, consisting of twenty-seven officers, Captain-General down Lieutenants There were no privates in Ozma's Army because soldiers needed to fight battles, but only to look important, and an officer always looks more imposing than private

While the people cheered and waved their hats and handkerchiefs, there came walking the Royal Princess Ozma, looking so pretty and sweet no wonder her people love her so dearly She had decided not ride in her chariot that day, as she preferred to walk procession with her favored subjects and her guests Just in front of her trotted the living Blue Bear Rug owned by old Dyna, which wobbled clumsily on its four feet because nothing but the skin to support them, with stuffed head at one end and stubby tail other But whenever Ozma paused in her walk the Bear Rug would flop down flat ground princess to stand upon until she resumed her progress

Following the Princess stalked her two enormous beasts, the Cowardly Lion Hungry Tiger, and even Army there these two powerful enough to guard their mistress from any harm

Next marched the invited guests, who were loudly cheered people of Oz along the road, and were therefore obliged to bow to right and left almost every step way First was Santa Claus, who, because fat and not used to walking, rode the wonderful Saw-Horse The merry old gentleman had basket of small toys , and he tossed the toys one by one children as he passed by His Ryls and Knooks marched close behind him

Queen Zixi of Ix came after; then John Dough Cherub, rubber bear named Para Bruin strutting on its hind legs; then the Queen of Merryland, escorted by her wooden soldiers; then King Bud of Noland sister, the Princess Fluff; then the Queen of Ev and her ten royal children; then the Braided Man Candy Man, side by side; then King Dox of Foxville and King Kik-a-bray of Dunkiton, who had become good friends; and finally Johnny Dooit, leather apron, smoking his long pipe

These wonderful personages more heartily cheered people than were those who followed after them procession Dorothy was general favorite, and she walked arm in arm Scarecrow, who was beloved by all Then came Polychrome and Button-Bright, people loved the Rainbow's pretty Daughter beautiful blue-eyed boy they saw them The shaggy man shaggy new suit attracted much attention because such novelty With regular steps tramped the machine-man Tik-tok, and more cheering Wizard of Oz followed procession The Woggle-Bug and Jack Pumpkinhead were next, and behind them Glinda the Sorceress Good Witch North Finally came Billina, with her brood of chickens she clucked anxiously them together and to hasten them along so not delay the procession

Another band followed, the Tin Band Emperor Winkies, playing beautiful march called, "There's No Plate Like Tin " Then came the servants Royal Palace, in long line, and behind them all the people joined the procession and marched away emerald gates and out broad green

Here erected splendid pavilion, with grandstand big enough to seat all the royal party and those who had taken part procession Over the pavilion, of green silk and cloth of gold, countless banners waved breeze Just in front , and connected with it by runway built broad platform, all the spectators plainly the entertainment provided

The Wizard now became Master of Ceremonies, as Ozma had placed the conduct performance hands people had all congregated platform royal party visitors were seated grandstand, the Wizard skillfully performed some feats of juggling glass balls and lighted candles He tossed dozen or so high air and caught them one by one came down, without missing any

Then he introduced the Scarecrow, who did sword-swallowing act that aroused much interest the Tin Woodman gave an exhibition of Swinging the Axe, which to whirl around him so rapidly eye could scarcely follow the motion gleaming blade Glinda the Sorceress then stepped platform, and by her magic made big tree grow middle space, made blossoms appear tree, and made the blossoms become delicious fruit called tamornas, and so great quantity of fruit produced that servants climbed the tree and tossed it down crowd, enough to satisfy every person present

Para Bruin, the rubber bear, climbed to limb big tree, rolled himself into ball, and dropped platform, whence he bounded up again limb He repeated this bouncing act , great delight of all the children present After he had finished, and bowed, and returned seat, Glinda waved her wand tree disappeared; but its fruit still remained eaten

The Good Witch North amused the people by transforming ten stones into ten birds, the ten birds into ten lambs, ten lambs into ten little girls, who gave pretty dance and were then transformed into ten stones again, just were beginning

Johnny Dooit next came platform tool-chest, and built great flying machine; then put his chest machine whole thing flew away together--Johnny and all--after he had bid good-bye present and thanked the Princess for her hospitality

The Wizard then announced the last act of all, considered really wonderful He had invented machine to blow huge soap-bubbles, as big as balloons, and this machine was hidden under the platform only the rim big clay pipe the bubbles showed above the flooring The tank of soapsuds, air-pumps to inflate the bubbles, were out of sight beneath, bubbles began to grow floor platform it really seemed like magic people of Oz, who knew nothing about even the common soap-bubbles children blow with penny clay pipe and basin of soap-and-water

The Wizard had invented another thing Usually, soap-bubbles are frail and burst easily, lasting only float air; but the Wizard added sort of glue soapsuds, which made his bubbles tough; and, glue dried rapidly when exposed air, the Wizard's bubbles were strong enough to float for hours without breaking

He began by blowing-- machinery and air-pumps--several large bubbles which he allowed to float upward sky, where the sunshine fell upon them and gave them iridescent hues that were most beautiful This aroused much wonder and delight because new amusement to present--except perhaps Dorothy and Button-Bright, and even they had never seen such big, strong bubbles before

The Wizard then blew bunch of small bubbles and afterward blew big bubble around them so they were left center of it; then he allowed the whole mass of pretty globes to float air and disappear far distant sky

" really fine ! " declared Santa Claus, who loved toys and pretty things " , Mr Wizard, you blow bubble around me; then float away home the country spread out beneath me as I travel There isn't spot on earth that I haven't visited, but I usually go night-time, riding behind my swift reindeer good chance to observe the country by daylight, while riding slowly and at my ease "

" to guide the bubble ? " asked the Wizard

"Oh yes; enough magic to ," replied Santa Claus "You blow the bubble, with me inside of it, and I'll home in safety "

"Please send me home in bubble, too ! " begged the Queen of Merryland