TIK-TOK OF OZ

by L FRANK BAUM

To Louis F Gottschalk, whose sweet and dainty melodies breathe the true spirit of fairyland, this book is affectionately dedicated

To My Readers

The very marked success last year's fairy book, "The Patchwork Girl of Oz," convinces me that my readers like the Oz stories "best of all," as one little girl wrote me So here, my dears, is new Oz story in introduced Ann Soforth, the Queen of Oogaboo, whom Tik-Tok assisted in conquering our old acquaintance, the Nome King It also tells of Betsy Bobbin and how, after many adventures, she finally reached the marvelous Land of Oz

play called "The Tik-Tok Man of Oz," but like this story of "Tik-Tok of Oz," although adventures recorded book, in Oz books, are included play Those seen the play and those read the other Oz books story lot of strange characters and adventures that never heard of before

letters I receive from children an urgent appeal to write story take Trot and Cap'n Bill Land of Oz, where meet Dorothy and Ozma Also Button-Bright ought acquainted with Ojo the Lucky , obliged these matters over with Dorothy "wireless," for only way communicate Land of Oz When I asked her idea, she replied: "Why, haven't you heard ? " "No " "Well," came the message over the wireless, "I'll tell you all , by and by, and then book story children to read "

So, if Dorothy keeps her word and permitted to write another Oz book, probably discover how all these characters came together famous Emerald City Meantime, all my little friends--whose numbers are increasing by many thousands every year--that very grateful favor shown my books and delightful little letters constantly receiving almost sure that friends children of America as any story writer alive; and this, , makes me very proud and happy

L Frank Baum

"OZCOT" at HOLLYWOOD in CALIFORNIA, 1914

LIST OF CHAPTERS 1 - Ann's Army 2 - Out of Oogaboo 3 - Magic Mystifies the Marchers 4 - Betsy Braves the Bellows 5 - The Roses Repulse the Refugees 6 - Shaggy Seeks His Stray Brother 7 - Polychrome's Pitiful Plight 8 - Tik-Tok Tackles Tough Task 9 - Ruggedo's Rage is Rash and Reckless 10 - Terrible Tumble Through Tube 11 - The Famous Fellowship of Fairies 12 - The Lovely Lady of Light 13 - The Jinjin's Just Judgment 14 - The Long-Eared Hearer Learns by Listening 15 - The Dragon Defies Danger 16 - The Naughty Nome 17 - Tragic Transformation 18 - Clever Conquest 19 - King Kaliko 20 - Quox Quietly Quits 21 - Bashful Brother 22 - Kindly Kisses 23 - Ruggedo Reforms 24 - Dorothy is Delighted 25 - The Land of Love

TIK-TOK of OZ

Chapter One

Ann's Army

"I won't ! " cried Ann; "I won't sweep the floor beneath my dignity "

"Some one must sweep it," replied Ann's younger sister, Salye; "else soon be wading in dust And the eldest, head family "

"I'm Queen of Oogaboo," said Ann, proudly "But," she added with sigh, "my kingdom smallest poorest in all the Land of Oz "

quite true Away up mountains, in far corner beautiful fairyland of Oz, lies small valley named Oogaboo, and valley lived few people who were usually happy and contented and never cared to wander over the mountain pass more settled parts land They knew that all of Oz, including their own territory, was ruled by beautiful Princess named Ozma, who lived splendid Emerald City; yet the simple folk of Oogaboo never visited Ozma They had royal family own--not especially to rule over them, but just as matter of pride Ozma permitted the various parts of her country their Kings and Queens and Emperors like, but all were ruled over lovely girl Queen Emerald City

The King of Oogaboo used man named Jol Jemkiph Soforth, who for many years did all the drudgery of deciding disputes and telling his people when to plant cabbages and pickle onions But the King's wife had sharp tongue and small respect King, her husband; therefore one night King Jol crept over the pass Land of Oz and disappeared from Oogaboo for good and all The Queen waited few years for him to return and then started in search of him, leaving her eldest daughter, Ann Soforth, to act as Queen

Now, Ann forgotten when her birthday came, meant party and feasting and dancing, but she had quite forgotten years the birthdays marked In land where people live always, considered cause for regret, so justly say that Queen Ann of Oogaboo was old enough jelly--and let it go

But she didn't make jelly, or do any more housework than help She was an ambitious woman and constantly resented the fact that her kingdom was so tiny and her people so stupid and unenterprising Often she wondered what had become of her father and mother, out beyond the pass, wonderful Land of Oz, fact that return to Oogaboo led Ann to suspect had found better place to live So, when Salye refused to sweep the floor living room palace, and Ann sweep it, either, she said to her sister:

"I'm going away This absurd Kingdom of Oogaboo tires me "

"Go, to," answered Salye; "but very foolish to leave this place "

"Why ? " asked Ann

"Because Land of Oz, Ozma's country, nobody, while here Queen "

"Oh, yes ! Queen over eighteen men, twenty-seven women and forty-four children ! " returned Ann bitterly

"Well, certainly more people than that great Land of Oz," laughed Salye "Why don't you raise an army and conquer them, and be Queen of all Oz ? " she asked, trying to taunt Ann and so to anger her Then she made face at her sister and went back yard to swing hammock

Her jeering words, however, had given Queen Ann an idea She reflected that Oz was reported peaceful country and Ozma mere girl who ruled with gentleness to all and was obeyed because her people loved her Even in Oogaboo the story was told that Ozma's sole army consisted of twenty- seven fine officers, who wore beautiful uniforms but carried no weapons, because no one to fight Once there private soldier, besides the officers, but Ozma had made him Captain-General and taken away his gun for fear it might accidentally hurt some one

The more Ann thought the more she was convinced it easy to conquer the Land of Oz and set herself up as Ruler in Ozma's place, if she but had an Army with Afterward go out world and conquer other lands, and then perhaps find way moon, and conquer that She had warlike spirit that preferred trouble to idleness

It all depended on an Army, Ann decided She carefully counted in her mind all the men of her kingdom Yes; there were exactly eighteen , all told not make very big Army, but by surprising Ozma's unarmed officers her men might easily subdue them "Gentle people are always afraid that bluster," Ann told herself "I don't wish to shed any blood, for shock my nerves and faint; but threaten and flash our weapons the people of Oz will fall upon their knees before me and surrender "

This argument, which she repeated to herself more than once, finally determined the Queen of Oogaboo to undertake the audacious venture

"Whatever happens," she reflected, "can make me no more unhappy than my staying shut up miserable valley and sweeping floors and quarreling with Sister Salye; so venture all, and win what "

That very day she started out to organize her Army

The first man she came to was Jo Apple, so called because he had an apple orchard

"Jo," said Ann, " going to conquer the world, and you to join my Army "

"Don't ask me such fool thing, for politely refuse Your Majesty," said Jo Apple "

" no intention of asking you command you, as Queen of Oogaboo, to join," said Ann

" case, I suppose obey," the man remarked, in sad voice "But I pray you to consider that citizen, and reason am entitled to an office of high rank "

"You shall be General," promised Ann

"With gold epaulets and sword ? " he asked

" ," said the Queen

Then she went next man, whose name was Jo Bunn, as he owned an orchard where graham-buns and wheat-buns, in great variety, both hot and cold, grew trees

"Jo," said Ann, " going to conquer the world, and I command you to join my Army "

"Impossible ! " he exclaimed "The bun crop be picked "

"Let your wife and children picking," said Ann

"But I'm man of great importance, Your Majesty," he protested

" reason you shall be one Generals, and wear cocked hat with gold braid, and curl your mustaches and clank long sword," she promised

So he consented, although sorely against his will, Queen walked on next cottage Here lived Jo Cone, so called because the trees orchard bore crops of excellent ice-cream cones

"Jo," said Ann, " going to conquer the world, and join my Army "

"Excuse me, please," said Jo Cone " bad fighter My good wife conquered me , for fight better than I Take her, Your Majesty, instead of me, and I'll bless you favor "

"This an army of men--fierce, ferocious warriors," declared Ann, looking sternly mild little man

"And leave my wife here in Oogaboo ? " he asked

"Yes; and make you General "

"I'll go," said Jo Cone, and Ann went on cottage of Jo Clock, who had an orchard of clock-trees This man at first insisted that join the army, but Queen Ann's promise him General finally won his consent

" Generals are there in your army ? " he asked

"Four, ," replied Ann

"And how big will the army be ? " was his next question

"I intend eighteen men in Oogaboo join it," she said