Dot and Tot of Merryland Read online

  Produced by Michael Gray

  Books for ChildrenbyL. Frank BaumIllustrated by W. W. Denslow

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  The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

  Uniform with Dot and Tot. 275 pages. 24 full page inserts in eightcolors and over 150 colored text illustrations.

  Price $1.50

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  Father Goose: His Book

  Large Quarto, printed in four colors, ornamental boards.

  Price $1.25

  The most successful juvenile book of the age.

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  The Songs of Father Goose

  With Music by Alberta N. Hall. Large Quarto, ornamental boards.

  Price $1.00

  Dot and Tot of Merryland

  By L. Frank Baum

  Pictures by W. W. Denslow

  Geo M. Hill Co.Chicago New YorkPublishers1901

  Copyright 1901By L. Frank BaumAnd W. W. Denslow

  AUTHOR'S NOTE

  The success achieved last year by "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz"--abook that not only ran through many large editions, but brought theauthor hundreds of letters from interested little folks--has inducedme to follow that tale with another, herein presented.

  Should "Dot and Tot of Merryland" win the approval of my youngfriends, I shall be pleased and contented.

  In any event Mr. Denslow's quaint and merry pictures, which, in thisbook excel all his previous work, will be sure to induce happiness inthe heart of every beholder.

  L. FRANK BAUM.Chicago, July 1, 1901.

  DEDICATION.

  To ev'ry laughter-loving Tot-- Whether your name be Dot or not; And may you find a Merryland Forever lying close at hand.

  CHAPTER LIST

  I.--Roselawn II.--Tot III.--The Boat IV.--Under the Cliffs V.--The Watch-Dog of Merryland VI.--The First Valley VII.--The Clown Country VIII.--The Second Valley IX.--The Third Valley X.--The Queen of Merryland XI.--The Palace of Wonders XII.--Prince Tot and Princess Dot XIII.--The Revolt of the Dolls XIV.--The Queen's Fairy Wand XV.--The Valley of Pussycats XVI.--The Busy Mr. Split XVII.--The Animals that Wound Up XVIII.--The Valley of Lost Things XIX.--The Lost Crowns XX.--The Voyage Ends

  CHAPTER 1 ROSELAWN

  You should have seen Dot as she nestled among the cushions of thecarriage on her way to the railway station with her father andgoverness, Miss Bombien. Her dainty white gown was covered with tucksand puffings and embroideries, as became the dress of the daughter ofthe wealthy banker who sat smilingly beside her. Her soft, braidedwhite hat had a wide brim that drooped languidly over the pale littleface beneath, and broad, white ribbons drew down the brim until allthe yellow curls were hidden away. Indeed, the only bits of colorabout Dot that showed were her deep blue eyes and rosy lips. Eventhese last were not so rosy as they should have been, for Dot was notin her usual good health, having been confined to the big city houseduring a long winter and a chill, uncomfortable spring.

  But, now that the flowers were blooming and the birds singing in thenew-leaved trees, she was going, in charge of her governess, to passthe summer at Roselawn, a beautiful country home her father hadrecently purchased.

  "You must try not to be lonely, dear," said her father, as he heldher little hand in his big, strong one. "I have told Miss Bombien tolet you run and romp to your heart's content, so the roses may morequickly return to your pale cheeks."

  Dot's eyes brightened. To run and romp as she pleased would indeed bea new experience to her, and she was happy even to think of suchdelight.

  "You will have no one but Miss Bombien for company," continued herfather; "but there are plenty of servants, and I am told the groundsare in beautiful condition. In a few days, at most, Sweetheart, Ishall run down to see you, and then you can tell me how you like yournew home. In the meanwhile, Miss Bombien will simply look after yourcomfort; there will be no lessons to bother you. All you must do iseat and sleep and play, and to grow strong and rosy-cheeked again."

  Dot listened to al this with much pleasure, and decided she was aboutto have a fine holiday. Her real name, by the way, was EvangelineJosephine Freeland; but mamma and papa had always called her "Dot"from the day she was born, so sometimes she almost forgot she hadsuch a beautiful name as Evangeline Josephine.

  Dot's mamma was an invalid, and had been taken by her father--Dot'sgrandfather, you know--for a trip to Europe, in search of betterhealth, and so she had been forced to leave her little daughter tothe watchful care of Miss Bombien. Mr. Freeland, although he lovedDot dearly, was a very busy man and could devote but little time tohis child. "So, Sweetheart," he told her, "you will be Queen ofRoselawn this summer, and I will come down once in a while to bowbefore your Majesty's throne."

  What he really feared was that Dot might grow up weak and delicate asher mother was; but he did not tell the child this. He resolved,however, that if fresh air and healthy surroundings could give hislittle girl strength and health, they should be at her command, andtherefore he had purchased Roselawn almost entirely on Dot's account.

  Before she realized it, Dot found herself at the railway station andaboard a parlor car, where her father gave her a long and lovingfarewell kiss. Then Mr. Freeland stood upon the platform and wavedhis hand to his daughter, while the train slowly glided out from thestation and began its journey into the sweet, fresh country.

  Roselawn won the girl's heart at first sight. The cool but sun-kissedmansion seemed delightful after the stuffy, formal city house. It wasbuilt in a quaint yet pretty fashion, with many wings and gables andbroad verandas on every side. Before it were acres and acres ofvelvety green lawn, sprinkled with shrubbery and dotted with beds ofbright flowers. In every direction were winding paths, covered withwhite gravel, which led to all parts of the grounds, looking for allthe world like a map, Dot thought.

  From the first day of her arrival, Dot was all eagerness and joy.Miss Bombien fully obeyed her instructions to let the child run. Dotentered the house only to eat her meals, which she did with growingappetite, and then away she would romp to chase butterflies, visitthe stables or poultry yard, or sit near the river bank and watch thedriftwood float by. Sometimes a boat danced over the broad, bluewaters, and then Dot would jump up and down and clap her hands inecstasy at the pretty sight. The river soon became her favoriteresort, for the green banks and terraces before the house ran down tothe water's edge.

  Miss Bombien passed her days in hammock swung under a side porch,where she read a great many books and enjoyed herself in her own way.She did not bother to watch Dot, thinking the child could get into nomischief beyond a torn frock or a soiled lace.

  One morning, having finished her breakfast and scampered out upon thelawn, as usual, Dot chanced to notice a tiny path that led through asmall opening in a high and thick hedge. She had never been in thisdirection before, and although she had often seen the hedge, she hadnot thought there was a way to pass through it. So a spirit ofadventure came over her.

  "I'll explore," said Dot to herself.

  Pat, pat, patter went the little feet on the gravel, and soon thebusy hedge was reached and the opening passed.

  Then Dot stopped suddenly and looked around. A cozy littlevine-covered cottage nearly surrounded by blooming posies, was beforeher. From the doorway, however, a path led to Dot's feet, and sittingin the middle of this path, slowly piling pebbles into hisbroad-brimmed straw hat, was a little boy.