The dumpies

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a es!









FRARIECS WER BEC
DISCOVERER:

ALBERT BIGELOW PAIRIEs
MISTORIAN



LONDON: MADGCECECXEVIIe

KEGAN PAUL*TRENCHsTRUBNER & CO-
PUBLISHERS:





PRINTED BY
TURNBULL AND SPEARS
EDINBURGH



CON aE Neds

INTRODUCTION

THE
THE
THE
THE
THE
THE
THE
THE
THE

COMING OF THE BEAR
COMING OF THE KING
ARRIVAL OF SIR ’POSSUM
BUILDING OF THE SNOW-MAN
ABDUCTION OF TIPSY-LOO
TRIAL OF JOLLY-BOY
TREACHERY OF COMMODORE
DUMPIES’ SKATING PARTY
RETURN OF THE RABBIT

CAPTURE OF THE GRIFFIN

PORTRAIT OF WIDE-OUT

vil

PAGE

Io

15

20



CONTENTS

THE COMING OF THE MATES
SIR ’POSSUM’S DISCOVERY
CONQUEST OF THE WHEEL
TAFFY-PULLING AND TREACHERY
STRANGE ADVENTURE OF WIDE-OUT
BRINGING IN OF THE TERRAPIN
RANSOM OF THE DUCK
SAWDUST AND SPANGLES
WELCOME OF THE DACHSHUND
HARMONY AND DISCORD
ROCKABYE RHYMES

POLITENESS OF THE PENGUIN
THE MAGIC MIRROR

WEDDING BELLS

Vill



PAGE

59
63
68

i
81

86
gI
95
99
105
109
113
117





RS




Discoverer

THE

LEGEND %2DUMPIES

THOS is the tale of the Dumpies— No one can tell where they came from,
Queer little people are they, But this is the story I hear:
Who dwell in The Land of Low Mountains, Whatever abides with the Dumpies,

Afar in the country of Kay. Grows shorter and shorter each year.



THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES

The duck once had legs like the heron,
The pug, like the greyhound, was tall,

But they went in the spring to the Dumpies,



And both of them waddled by fall.

The turtle was slim and majestic,
And airy the blithe crocodile ;
The gay hippopotamus sported

Care-free on the banks of the Nile;





THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES

But it happened to them and to others
Who oft with the Dumpies were found—

Their bodies got broader and broader,



And nearer and nearer the ground.

Beware of The Land of Low Mountains!

Beware of the Dumpies, I pray,

Who dwell in those wonderful valleys

Afar in the country of Kay,

Or you may become, ere you know it,

As broad and unwieldy as they!





“ For tt is written that whatsoever abideth with THE DUMPIES shall

become of a presence squat and manner unwieldy, even as they.”

THE KAYVRAN.







es

FAEDUSAPIES
SBS

< THE COMING OF THE BEAR

RS ss
NS

Gipey

Ue

) <= Dumpy people who dwell in The Land of Low Mountains, Country

Turse are the chronicles in prose and rhyme of the year of



Amenities, so called because of its being the period during which the

of Kay, made friendships with many wild birds and beasts.

It was in the first week of said year. The snow lay deep without,
and, because of prolonged Christmas festivities, there was dearth of sweets
within. The Dumpy people, who subsist almost entirely upon sweetmeats,
were in sore need.

Now in this crisis the snow-birds—long their faithful friends—remem-
bered a tree of honey which lay in the forest without ;

Discoverci

or, as the chronicles have it—

Came their faithful friends, the snow-birds, saying, ‘‘ We have found a tree
Filled with honey,” and the Dumpies straightway hurried forth to see.
Wide-out, Commodore and Waddle, Wiseacre and Tipsy-loo,
Jolly-boy, and many others. while ahead the snow-birds flew.

5





THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES

Thus they reached their destination, but their plans were still unmade,
When they heard a voice of thunder roaring through the forest's shade—

“What are you doing in my honey-tree ?”
And a chorus of smaller voices—
“Yes, what are you doing in our honey-tree ?”

Then the frightened snow-birds scattered, and the Dumpies in dismay
Wildly walked upon each other in their haste to get away ;

Fell and wallowed in the snow-drifts—ran till they could run no more—
When the angry voice behind them changed into a merry roar.

Then they paused to look and listen, and behold! what did they see

But a big old she-bear leaning back against their honey-tree ;

And a row of cubs beside her, and the cubs and mother, too,

Held their sides and shrieked with laughter while the Dumpies bolder grew.

“Come back here, you funny people!” called the she-bear, as soon as she could speak.
“Yes, come back here, you funny people!” called all the little bears, as soon as they could speak.
“T won't hurt you,” called the she-bear ; ‘come back!”
“No, we won’t hurt you,” called all the little bears, “come back !”
6



Wield, IGA EISINID) Ola Iss, WOME USS)

The Dumpies gathered from their hiding places and drew nearer.
“Come close, and we will sing you a song,” said the she-bear.
“Yes, come close, and we will sing you a song,” chorused all the little bears.

The Dumpies now gathered around in a circle, and the she-bear sang the first line of a ditty, while all
the little bears joined in, as follows—

Lhe Mother—Oh, I am the bear of the deep, deep woods ;
The Cubs—Yes, the bears of the woods are we.
The Mother— My power is great,
The Cubs— And we live in state
All— In a great big hollow tree.
In a great big hollow tree, yes, yes,
In a big old hollow tree.



The Mother—All things are mine in the deep, deep woods ;
The Cubs—Yes, ours, as you'll plainly see ;
The Mother— A\ll the herbs that grow,
The Cubs— And the berries, ho, ho !
AuU— And this is our honey-tree.
And this is our honey-tree, yes, yes,
7 Our big old honey-tree.



ISU, IOI EITINIG) OW Weis, IDO Mas)

‘‘ How in the world did you ever expect to get my honey, anyway?” asked the big bear, as they finished
their song.

“Yes, how in the world did you ever expect to get our honey, anyway?” chimed in all the little bears.

Wiseacre, the sage, explained at some length a plan which he had formed. At this the bears all laughed
again, and Wiseacre was about to depart offended, followed by all the Dumpy band.

“Don’t go off mad,” said the she-bear ; “I'll divide with you.” .

‘No, don’t go off mad,” said all the little bears ; ‘‘ we'll divide with you.”

The Dumpies returned eagerly. |

“This is very kind of you,” said Wiseacre; ‘and if you will come with us
to The Land of Low Mountains, we will show you many nice ways of prepar-
ing it. We have a particularly fine tart, which we make out of honey and
whipped cream.”

“Oh, how nice that sounds!” said the big bear.

“Oh, how nice that sounds!” repeated all the little bears; “let us start at once.”



Then the big bear, who in those days gracéful was and long of limb,
And the little cubs, who also then were very tall and slim,
Scaled the tree and got the honey, for the bees were numb with cold,
And the Dumpies gaily bore it safely to the Dumpy fold.

8



THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES

And they formed a long procession. Wiseacre marched on ahead ;
And, because of her great beauty, Tipsy-loo the she-bear led.
Merry-wink was perched upon her, likewise Sober-sides, his chum,
And behind them, bearing Dumpies, all the happy cubs did come.

Commodore and Jolly-boy, who were both smitten with the charms of Tipsy-loo, endeavoured to get
near her, and each begged her to take his place on the cub’s back, but she proudly preferred to walk
and lead the she-bear.

And thus it was that the bears came to dwell with the Dumpy people. For, after a time of feasting
without labour, as is the custom of the Dumpies, the legs of the big bear began to grow shorter, and

the legs of the little bears began to grow shorter, while
< the bodies of all got broader and heavier, and the tendency
& ,
In the country of the Dumpies «hy ia & £3
They remained for many a year,

Joining in their strange adventures, ef ues

And of these we soon shall hear. Rte

me

= BY

to active ee






THE COMING OF THE KING





ae Now, in writing stories of history, it is not thought proper to introduce kings and other
as. royalty in the first chapter. We have, therefore, made no mention of
= —“ Dumpling, the King of the Dumpies, and Dumpling-ee, his royal wife,
= until it could be done with due regard to custom; and besides, we
"4 didn’t think about it before, anyway.
/ People do not get to be kings and queens in The Land of Low Moun-
tains by inheritance, but just in the same manner that they get to be
Presidents of the United States; that is, by being ambitious and diligent. To be very fat
and very short is the chief aim in Dumpy Land. It is clear, therefore, that those who are
most successful in getting flesh at the expense of height should be rulers. The words Dumpling and
Dumpling-ee are not really names at all, but titles earned by years of industry, and worn only by those two
who have outdone all others in reaching a degree of fatness where breathing is difficult and walking a disgrace.
Thus you will see that, as is also the case with us, the humblest citizen may, by attending strictly to business,
aspire to the greatest seat in the land. Also that any little girl in Dumpy Land has a chance to become queen,
10



ChE cE GEND: Oh kit UME iE S

or Dumpling-ee, through diligence, and in this we might do well to imitate them. There was once a beautiful
ode written by Butterneg, Poet Omelette to the Dumpling, describing the toilsome way in which his sovereigns
had risen to the throne. It contained ninety-three stanzas, but has been shortened somewhat in the trans-

lation—

ODE TO THE DUMPEING AND DUMPLING-EE.

By La Crime BUTTERNEG,

. The Poet Omelette of The Land of Low Mountazns.

It was Dumpling, the King of the Dumpies,
And his beautiful Dumpling-ee,

And the way that they got to be Dumplings
Was wonderful to see.

In their earliest youth they began it,

For they fed on whipped cream every day,
Till it took a whole army of servants

To milk it and whip it, they say.

And then, as they daily grew older
They ate of plum-pudding and pie
And the Dumpies kept constantly busy

Renewing the hourly supply ;





tHe LEGEND OR Tit DUN EBES

Plum-pudding and turkey and stuffings, »
And crullers and candies and such, dM,
And the servants toiled harder and harder, 74 wg ee

But never could bring them too much ;

And the people came
aes ~ flocking to watch them,



At noontime and evening and dawn ;
And the animals out of the forest

“ds. ae
ae ae Climbed up on the fence to look on.



Till all through The Land of Low Mountains And at last came the feast of election,
It was whispered, ‘‘ they’re striving to be And the contest was frightful to see,
The King and Queen of the country— But our hero was chosen the Dumpling,

Our Dumpling and Dumpling-ee.” And our heroine Dumpling-ee.



THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES

For Wiseacre measured and weighed them
With scales and with tape-line and chalk,

And declared them of royal dimensions
And wholly unable to walk.



And then they were happily wedded
By Fat-and-contented, the priest,

And the animals out of the forest
Were given the scraps of the feast.



tie eG END Ok Eik DUNVIPRIES

This, of course, all happened before the animals came to dwell with the Dumpies in The Land of Low
Mountains, which lies in the far country of Kay. And in those days the bears had long legs, and the possum
had long legs, andthe gay hippopotamus. Likewise the duck, the crocodile, and the turtle; all except the snow-
birds, who had from time immemorial dwelt with the Dumpy people, and had already become “of a presence
squat and manner unwieldy, even as they.” The bear was first to follow them, as we have heard, and during
the year of Amenities came many others, and of these we shall learn later.

14



THE ARRIVAL OF SIR POSSUM

Now in the second week of the year of Amenities, when the bear family had become well pleased with the
Dumpy people and their surroundings, they bethought themselves of Sir Possum, who dwelt in the forests on
the extreme borders of the Country of Kay.

So they spoke of him as a good fellow to Dumpling, the King, who immediately sent the snow-
birds to invite him to The Land of Low
Mountains. The Dumpy annals have it as
follows—

To the woods the snow-birds fled,

And unto Sir ’Possum said,
‘“‘Come and see

Dumpy Land,” but he replied,

“T’m entirely satisfied

Where I be.”





CEE EE GEND: OR Gir Di MEIES

When their messengers returned To the spot they hastened then

And the news the Dumpies learned Where Sir ’Possum made his den
Of their quest, In a tree.

Off they started, two by two, And the she-bear led the way,

Wiseacre and Tipsy-loo While the merry cubs, they say,
And the rest. Skipped with glee.

The she-bear, being an old acquaintance, was allowed to speak first.

“Come out, Sir ’Possum,” she called ; ‘“we have new friends.”

“Yes, come out,” called all the little bears, “ we have new things to eat.”

No answer came from the tree, and the bears feared that the ’Possum’s home was deserted.

But Wiseacre, the sage, who even at that remote period had a cathode eye and a telephone voice,
focussed on the tree, and declared that Sir ’Possum was curled up asleep within.

“ Hello, Central!” he called.

‘“ Hello, who is it?” came the feeble reply.

‘Let me talk to him,” said Tipsy-loo, the polite and beautiful.

“We have heard of your captivating manner with chickens and other poultry, and we, the Dumpies, have
come to seek the honour of your presence in The Land of Low Mountains where we dwell,’ she warbled
winningly.

16



CEE Se G EN DORs ihrer DUAVIEES

‘‘Oh, dear! if they ask me like that I shall have to go,” thought Sir ‘Possum, ‘unless ;I can_ slip
out of here and escape.”

Our Wiseacre’s cathodic eyes
Now stood him in good stead ;
He saw the wary ’Possum rise

And softly leave his bed.



He saw him leap— ;
He watched him quit his nest of fur

his face grew pale— eae reais :
And slily upward slip— And calm his cathode eye ; a Sa
And lined his hand with sand-paper He grabbed Sir Possum by the tail on
To get a better grip. As he went sailing by.

And up and up Sir ’Possum climbed,
And out upon a limb,
While Wiseacre, all cocked and primed,
Below was waiting him.
B

But through his grasp Sir ’Possum slipped,
And fainted in despair.
“Oh, Wiseacre,” he cried, “ you've stripped
My tail of every hair!”
17



THELEN Ol ine OVE PT ES

At this, all the other Dumpies and the bears gathered about the two, and, sure enough, the sand-paper in
Wiseacre’s hand had left Sir ’Possum’s bushy tail perfectly bald. The poor fellow was in a dead faint, and
they threw snow in his face to revive him. When he recovered he looked sadly at his tail.

“Alas!” he said, “I shall never be able to face my old friends in this condition.”

“ All the more reason you should make new ones,” urged the bear.

“Yes, all the more reason you should make new ones,” echoed all the Dumpies and little bears in
a chorus.

“We will never refer to your condition,” said Wiseacre.

‘“No, never,” said the others.

DUNE CHORUS:
Air: “ Marching Through Georgia.”

Oh, yes—Oh, yes—to Dumpy Land we go,

In hap—piness—we march across the snow!

Sir ’Possum will go with us, and his legs will shorter grow.
Hurrah for Sir Possum and the Dum—pies !



18



THEE CEN DOr a= Dive Es

And thus it was the Possum went to dwell with the Dumpy people, and in time became fat of body and
short of limb. And he soon grew happy and contented, though the hair never grew again on his tail, and he
always had fainting spells when in trouble. By-and-by after long practice, he could hang by it from limbs,
and use it for dragging game into camp. The fainting spells also were useful, for sometimes when captured
by enemies they would believe him dead and go away. And after a while it was said that he could faint
whenever he chose, and often now, when people pretend to be asleep or dead, it is called ’possuming.





%,

&

Ss

og GEE if
le

GLP +



Ir was the week following the arrival of Sir Possum in the Dumpy country, and something more than two
weeks since the coming of the bear. Dumpling, the King, and Dumpling-ee, his royal spouse, were over-
joyed with their new-found friends.

“We must do something to celebrate our good fortune,” said Dumpling. “The coming of the bear and
Sir Possum has been a rare blessing. For has not the former supplied us with a store of honey, and the latter
with choice fowls as well as much wisdom concerning their selection and capture ?”

“True,” said the Dumpling-ee. ‘Let us at once send for Wiseacre, the sage.”

20



TES EEGEND. OF EEE DWN Ss

Wiseacre, being summoned, came hastily, and, after reflecting deeply for some moments, spoke thus—

“ The snow is getting sticky, Sire, To join a revel in the snow,
Upon the level mead ; And Tipsy-loo the fair.”
I think a man of snow would be “Tis well,” the Dumpling then replied ;
About the thing we need. ‘““ Now let the bugles blow,

The Dumpies all will come, I know, For all the Dumpy folk to come

Sir Possum and the bear, : And build a man of snow.”




21



DHE LEGEND: OF wats DU MENES

So the heralds went forth blowing their trumpets and declaring the Dumpling’s purpose, and the Dumpy
people gathered thickly. Also came the she-bear and her cubs, and Sir’ Possum, who, after only a week’s stay,
had already become heavier of body and shorter of limb. Tipsy-loo came between Commodore and Jolly-boy,
her adorers. Wide-out dragged her little brother Flat-top and carried him over deep places. The work was
begun with great eagerness.

They hastened gaily to and fro— But still, in spite of all their toil,
With many funny falls ; ' He did not seem to grow.

They sported with the heavy snow oe aK They piled and plastered snow on him,
And rolled it into balls ; fos Aa He

And Commodore and Jolly-boy

But could not make it stay,
For though the day was cold enough

Continually tried It seemed to melt away.



To linger close to Tipsy-loo Then suddenly to Wiseacre

And labour by her side. The she-bear slyly came,
And hard and harder laboured they And whispered something in his ear—
To build a man of snow, ; The small bears did the same.

22



Mighs; JEISAaINID) ll. {Hsls, ID OMIeINsS

“IT am sure it is the fault of Jolly-boy,” whispered the she-bear.
“Yes, we are sure it is the fault of Jolly-boy,” whispered all the little bears.
‘‘ His affection for Tipsy-loo is too warm,” said the big bear.

“Too warm entirely,” echoed all the little bears.

“It melts the snow faster than we can bring it,” declared the big bear.

“Yes, a good deal faster,” chorused the little bears.

Then Wiseacre, the Dumpy sage,
Was very much perplexed,

And as he watched the Snow-man melt
His soul was sorely vexed.

He called Sir ’Possum and the bears
And all the Dumpies round,

And formed of them an audience,
All seated on the ground.

And then he called poor Jolly-boy,
Whose features were aglow

From keeping up with Tipsy-loo
And toiling in the snow ;

NOS
wo



And Wiseacre severely looked
At Jolly-boy, and felt
His pulse, and said, ‘‘ Your ardour, sir,
Has caused the snow to melt.
Our man of snow has failed to grow,
And quite refused to freeze—
Hereafter you'll devote yourself
To Wide-out if you please.”



i we GaN OL Wi DiON EE ES

Then laughed Sir ’Possum and the bears, The Snow-man prospered rapidly
And all the rest agreed— And soon was finished quite ;
Alas, alas! for Jolly-boy, The Dumplings gave a royal ball
His heart was sore indeed ! To celebrate that night.
And soon within his little breast Sir Possum schottisched with the bear ;
It cold and colder grew, The Dumpies all were glad
While Commodore, his rival, skipped But Jolly-boy refused to smile,
Away with Tipsy-loo. For he alone was sad.

Still cold and colder grew his heart—
The air began to freeze—

The temperature in Dumpy Land
Was lowered ten degrees.



24



THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES

JOEY BOYS lA\iEeNds

Oh, Tipsy-loo, what shall I do, You'll always be the maid for me,
What means shall I employ, The apple of my eye.

To win you back? Alas, alack,
Oh, Tipsy-loo, my heart is true,

But vanished is my joy
Oh, Tipsy-loo, my love for you Till you appear again to cheer
Will never, never die! The heart of Jolly-boy!

For your poor Jolly-boy!





sy

Tae ca
ss a. ‘
hs, s rR
x S
wr Qe"
i
en > Reo. Seas hag





Alas, alas, poor Jolly-boy!
His Tipsy-loo is gone!
No more his heart will wake with joy
To greet the early dawn.
With Commodore she went before,
And now the Snow-man, too,
My tipsy-loodle-oodle-oodle,
Tipsy-loodle-loo.
26

Ir was in the beginning of the second month of.the year of Amenities, and when
the Snow-man had acquired a week’s chilly experience, that one sunny morning,
before the Dumpy people were fully awakened, they heard the plaintive voice of
Jolly-boy pouring forth a wailing song to the snow-clad landscape.

Through many happy moons I strove
To waddle by her side,

But now she’s thrown away my love
To be the Snow-man’s bride.

I sing farewell to Dumpy belle—
Alas! what shall we do ?

For Tipsy-loodle-oodle-oodle,
Tipsy-loodle-loo.



PEE seEG END) Or aie Die VEE S

Hurrying forth, the Dumpies found that poor Jolly-boy’s song was only too true. Where the Snow-man
had stood there was absence, and in the home of Tipsy-loo there was vacancy. The bears and the ’Possum
also came hurriedly, and the Dumpling and the Dumpling-ee were notified.

‘“Tipsy-loo was abducted,” ventured the ’Possum, after reflecting deeply.

‘She would never have left us of her own accord,” said the She-bear.

‘No, she would never have left us of her own accord,” echoed the small bears.

Here word was brought from the Dumpling to set forth at once upon an expedition of search and
recovery. The order was obeyed forthwith.

Out of the portals they passed—Dumpies and bears and Sir ’Possum,

Picking their way where the snow had melted and walking was easy.

Long they continued their search, but never a glimpse of the Snow-thief,
Never the sign of his trail—never a tip of their Tipsy.

Then from the forest a voice rumbled across to them, saying :

“What are you doing out there—out in the glare of the sunshine ?

Why don’t you take to the woods, where cool are the shadows and darksome ?
What do you think you will find—out on the dazzling prairies?”



27



LET LEGEND. OR? REET DUMPIES

‘Oh, that is my friend the Owl,” said the She-bear. He is the only bird with ears, and being able to
hear all things, is very wise.”

‘Yes, that is our friend the Owl,” said all the small bears and Sir ’Possum together; “let us get his
help at once.”

“What funny people you are!” said the Owl when they approached him. ‘ Because the walking is
bad in the woods you hunt for a Snow-man out in the open sunshine, where no Snow-man of ordinary
intelligence would ever think of going!”





THE LEGCENDTOER BEVEaDU NEES

“ Oh, wise Owl, come and aid us!” cried Jolly-boy and Wiseacre in chorus.

“Why should I?” replied the Owl. “The Snow-man is my friend. Besides, the bright sun on the
melting snow is blinding, and my eyes are already weak from over-study.”

“We will take you back with us to Dumpy Land,” said Sir ’Possum persuasively.

‘“Humph! and what then?” grunted the Owl.

“You will have nothing to do but eat and sleep,” said the She-bear.

“No, we have nothing to do but eat and sleep,” chorused all the small bears.

‘“Your manner certainly shows it,” said the Owl, who at that time was very tall and slim. Then, after a
brief battle with his better nature, he fell. ‘I will go with you,” he said.

Thus may even the wisest, through their appetites, become traitors to their friends.

‘“You bears and ’Possum search in haste The Dumpies did as they were bid,
Throughout the woods,” said he ; The others did the same,
‘©The Dumpy folk will wait upon And very soon from out the woods
The sunny plain with me, The hunted Snow-thief came,
And when the Snow-man comes our way The bears and ’Possum close behind,
We'll chase him round and round, The Dumpies joined the chase ;,
Until he vanishes and leaves And Tipsy-loo was in his arms—
His burden on the ground.” They saw her frightened face.

29



EE CoN Ds OR eve) Ovi ES



And when the Snow-man saw the Owl,
He cried, “ What hope is mine?”
And suddenly he seemed to go
Into a swift decline.
He vanished like a. morning mist,
And all the Dumpies found
Was Tipsy-loo beside a pool
7 Upon the moistened ground.

“ Hurrah! Hurrah!” cried Jolly-boy—

“ Hurrah!” the others cried,

And then they proudly bore her home
With Jolly by her side.

And with a bandage o’er his eyes
The feathered traitor went,

And never since has seen by day—
A bitter punishment.



ii EEGEN DOr Ete DUMP EES

It was a happy home-coming for all except the poor blinded Owl. But after a time he became somewhat
accustomed to his blindness, and, being able to see only (A4U by night, he got into the habit
of sleeping by day. He grew solemn and reflective as a
sleep and rich food his legs disappeared almost en-
once been a rich baritone, became a dismal bass, and
down to one monotonous note of sorrow.

high esteem by the Dumpies, and this was get
ke BY

64 Al
a Uo

years passed, and with so much
tirely. His voice, which had
his graceful songs dwindled



His wisdom was always held in
his one comfort.





x Now, in the Fat-book, which is the Code of Land of Low Mountains, there are written
many curious laws.

There is one which forbids the eating of mince-pie and chocolate caramel at an earlier hour than six
a.m. or later than 10 p.m. This is known as the “Law of Six and Ten.” There is another that makes
it an offence for any Dumpy to be of a girth less than twice his height, and this is called the “ Law of
Two to One.” It was between these two laws that Jolly-boy got into trouble. It will be remembered
that Jolly-boy had been deprived of the companionship of Tipsy-loo, first by Commodore and then by the
Snow-man. During this time he grew thin, and even after Tipsy-loo the beautiful was brought back to
him he did not at once recover his squatty proportions, and Commodore, his rival, in a spite of revenge,
complained of him to the King.

Came Commodore the plaintiff, then, Till once around his waist, they say,
And to the King, said he, Is less than twice his height.”
‘Our Jolly-boy of late has been
Too thin, it seems to me. _ Then Jolly-boy was summoned there,
He came with Tipsy-loo,
‘He does not eat enough by day, The Owl, the ’Possum, and the Bear,
And lies awake by night, And all the others, too.



BD



Wishes IBIAGISINIO) Ove Aisle, IDIOMS)

The Owl defended Jolly-boy, And then arose the Owl and said,
The Bear was for the State ; ‘““Your Dumplingship,” said he,

Poor Jolly quite forgot his joy ‘Full many cases have I pled,
In thinking of his fate. But none so sad to me.

And when they spanned his waist, they found ‘““T pray your Dumplingship to mark
The charges made were true ; How well the facts are known,

His height would more than reach around That Jolly stuffed from dawn till dark
When multiplied by two. And yet has thinner grown.

But when they placed him on the stand, “And when his Tipsy-loo the fair
Most earnestly he vowed Was gone with Commodore,

He'd stuffed himself to beat the band In order to dispel despair
Whene'er the law allowed. He gorged himself the more.

And then the Bear this grievous case “Yet ever thin and thinner grew,
Before the King did lay, With anguish, as you see.

And woe was on Poor Jolly’s face, I pray, your Dumplingship, that you
While Commodore was gay. Will set poor Jolly free.”

C 30



EE eG ENDO iat = DW iVER hss

At this point the Bear, whose friendship for Jolly-boy overcame his sense of public duty as Public
Prosecutor, arose and asked also that the prisoner be set free.

“Oh, yes, set Jolly-boy free,” pleaded all the little bears and Sir Possum together.

The Dumpling reflected long and deeply. Then he spoke—





THE EG EN DOL ashi DUA ie EES

‘Now hearken to my royal will “T choose between two ancient laws,
The law of ‘Six and Ten’ The pride of Dumpy Land,
Shall hereby be repealed until And in the glory of our cause

Our Jolly’s plump again. The ‘Two to One’ must stand.”




the court, and Jolly-boy and Tipsy-loo
two of the bear cubs.

Then there was a great cheer in
were borne out on the shoulders of




Commodore, and that evening he apolo-
gised to Jolly-boy in the course of an all-night feast which they decided to
have right along while the law remained a repealed. And they all liked it so well
that the law stayed repealed ever after, and the Dumpies from that time ate night and day, or when they
chose, and became fatter and fatter.

Everybody was happy except



THE TREACHERY OF COMMODORE



| St Varentine'’s Day was not far off. Jolly-boy was waxing fatter daily. Commodore, who still regarded
him with great envy, one morning went to the fence that separated Dumpy Land from the outer forest,
and stood leaning over, thinking. A Rabbit crept out from under a brush-heap and sat up straight,

In those days the Rabbit’s ears were somewhat shorter, and all four of his legs were quite
It served

regarding him.
long. He also wore then a wise look, which did not belong to him and has since disappeared.

to deceive Commodore, however, who explained his sorrow and sought the Rabbit's advice.
“Tf you will help me to win Tipsy-loo,” said he, “ you can come and live with us forever.”
But the Rabbit was timid and suspicious, and at first fled hastily back into the brush.
Then, being very curious, he presently came out again.
““I—P'Il tell you, Commodore,” he said nervously ; “send her a valentine.”
“Oh, but Jolly-boy will do that too,” was the sad reply.
“Sure enough!” said the silly Rabbit, scratching his head; “sure enough!”
Then, for the first time in his life, a brilliant idea struck him,



causing him to turn a backward somersault.
36



Woe, OeGIeINID) Ole Wise, IDOMUES

“ How will Jolly-boy send his valentine?” he asked eagerly.

‘Why, by one of the little bears, of course.”

‘Good! You write one too, and sign it ‘Jolly-boy,’ then meet the cub and give him a bag of candy.
He will ask you to hold his letter while he eats it. Slip it out of sight, and give him back yours. See?”
And the Rabbit did a gay dance, while Commodore laughed loudly.

“Come right to my palace, and we'll fix it up together,” he cried.



The valentine that Jolly-boy really wrote—

Oh, Tipsy-loo, the fattest flower Now in this valentine I send
And fairest ever grew My heart so plump and true,
Was never, never half so fat And all my love and sugar-plums

‘Nor half so fair as you. I’m saving up for you.
Not half so fat as you, T. L., For you, for you, for you, T. L.,
Nor half so fair as you. For evermore for you.



Wiss, (LIB(EAS! NID) OJ2 Wiss, ID OMGPIES

The valentine that Tipsy-loo received—

Oh, Tipsy-loo, ’tis sad to tell There was a time I loved you well,
But plain it is to see, As all could clearly see,

That you are not quite fat enough
Nor fair enough for me.

Not fat enough for me, T. L.,
Nor fair enough for me.

But now I scorn your fading charms—
They will not do for me. .

They will not do for me, T. L.,
No, nevermore for me.



Tipsy-loo the beautiful was furious, and walked the floor in anguish. Then she seized her pen and
wrote, :

Tipsy-loo’s reply to Jolly-boy— -,



THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES

Oh, cruel, cruel Jolly-boy ! Brave Commodore will gladly seek
Why did you ever win The hand of Tipsy-loo,

The tender heart that always stood While Wide-out may prove fat enough
By you through thick and thin, And fair enough for you.

That always stood by you, J. B., And fair enough for you, J. B.,
Through thick as well as thin ? And fat enough for you.

Poor Jolly-boy was heart-broken when he received this reply to his tender valentine, and ate three
dishes of vanilla ice-cream to drown his sorrow. Commodore, who had copied Jolly’s valentine and sent
it as his own, was happy as a king. The Rabbit, who had been presented to the Dumpling early in the
afternoon, was also happy. A grand festival was given that night, and, on the stroke of twelve, they all
joined hands in a line and danced in honour of the Rabbit’s coming. Only Jolly-boy and Tipsy-loo were
sad, and they pretended to be happy too.

Written that night by Jolly-boy in his diary—
“ Tf she be not fat for me,

What care I how fat she be!” .
39



Siete ts Gay NG ©) elles) DG) MelessioesS

In Commodore’s diary —
‘“‘ My heart is running o’er with joy —
I’ve got the best of Jolly-boy.”

In Tipsy-loo’s diary—
‘‘ How strange, alas! it seems to me

That one so fat and false can be !””





Ti IDWAALPEE



IT was near the end of the second month of the year of Amenities. Snows had come and gone in the Land
of Low Mountains, and the Dumpies believed that winter was nigh over. One night, however, there came a
sudden freeze, and early the next morning his Highness the Royal Dumpling issued an order for the last
skating-party of the season. Jolly-boy and Tipsy-loo, who were still bowed low with the sorrow of their
separation, were both glad of some diversion, while Commodore was happy in the prospect of skating side by
side with fair Tipsy. The Bears, Sir Possum, the Owl, and the Rabbit were all eager to try the new sport,
and Wiseacre marshalled his followers on the big lake near the Dumpling’s castle.

Over the surface of crystal Dumpies on sleds that Sir Possum
Glided the Dumpies in pairs ; Dragged with his flexible tail ;
Dumpies alone and in trios, And the Owl was the steed of the Dumplings,
Dumpies with juvenile bears ; And spread out his wings for a sail.

41



THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES





And Jolly-boy skated with Wide-out,
\ Though little of pleasure he knew,
} For Commodore, proud and presuming,
| Was linked with the fair Tipsy-loo.

But Jolly-boy’s turn was approaching : For Commodore, cutting a flourish,
The crystal in places was weak ; . Had slipped on a spot that was thin ;
And the crowd in the midst of its pleasures And Tipsy-loo, skating beside him,
Was stunned by a terrible shriek. Went sprawling, and both tumbled in.

42



THE LEGEND OF THE: DUMPIES



Then Jolly the gallant came flying,

{”

“ Oh, Tipsy, my Tipsy!” cried he,
‘J will not allow you to perish,
Though you were so cruel to me.”

And Commodore cried out in anguish,
“Qh, Jolly, forgive me, I pray ;

*T was I and that treacherous Rabbit
That stole her affections away.

“Oh, Jolly-boy, Jolly-boy, save me,
And if I get safely to shore,

I'll turn my attention to Wide-out,
And bring you to grief nevermore.”

And Jolly-boy beamed with forgiveness,
When he heard how his rival had sinned ;
But the cowardly Rabbit, in terror,
Fled over the hills like the wind;

While the Dumpies all ran to the rescue,
And saved them with neatness and skill,

As the heels of the Rabbit flew skyward
And twinkled from sight o’er the hill.



THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES

Then Commodore made his confession
To Fat-and-Contented the priest,

While Jolly and Tipsy in triumph,
Were borne to a wonderful feast.



It was many days before they saw anything more of the Rabbit, though Jolly-boy was ready to forgive
him, and sent him word by the Snow-birds to come back. The Rabbit was very anxious to return, too,
for he remembered the good times and good things to eat, but, being very timid and conscience-stricken, .
he was afraid.

Only his fore-legs had grown shorter in Dumpy Land. His hind-legs,
from being always ready to spring, had remained long and ungainly, while
his ears, from constant listening, had become very long indeed. Often now
he crept near to Dumpy Land, and sometimes at evening the Dumpy people
saw his listening ears above the hill-top against the setting sun.



44



| cE [EZ BK RETURN
ie Now, after Commodore had confessed and repented of his treachery
| pais to Jolly-boy, he often went forth alone into the woods to meditate, and some-
times found his way to the banks of a small lake, where the Rabbit, who
had been his accomplice, came to meet him.
s One morning, as they sat there, talking, and the Rabbit had asked Com-
modore for the eighth time, if he thought Jolly-boy would serve him up for stew or only cripple him for JA
life if he returned, there was a sudden cry just over their heads, A
and he almost fell into the lake with fright. A moment later _& SF
a tall white fowl stood before them. ee)







“Oh,” said the Rabbit, recovering, “it is only the
Goose. I thought it was Jolly-boy.”

“ Humph! and what then?” asked the Goose good-
naturedly.

45



Wiss, ILGIe IND) Ow Ass, iO) O WEISS)

Commodore told the story. The Rabbit wept. The Goose was much interested, and reflected deeply.

‘Tam on my way North for the summer,” he said at last, “and merely stopped here for a little swim.
It seems a pleasant neighbourhood, though, and I am impressed with the Dumpy custom of twenty-four
meals a-day. By the way, I saw as I came along a large grove of cooky-nut and sugar-plum trees about
which I think your Dumpling might wish to learn.”

At this the Rabbit danced and stood on his head with joy.

“Oh!” he cried, “if you will let me carry news like that to Jolly-boy and the Dumpling, I am sure
they will forgive me entirely, and I shall not be afraid.”

The Goose then stroked his upper lip, And long he watched with listening ears,
«« Why, certainly,” said he, And long did hesitate,
« And mention to his Dumplingship, Before he overcame his fears
That he might send for me.” And ventured through the gate.
Oh, swiftly, then, through field and wood And when at last he got inside
The hopeful Rabbit flew, His heart began to whack,
But when before the gates he stood Then stopped dead still, for someone cried,
He trembled through and through ; ‘Why, here’s the Rabbit back !”

46



Wels JES) ON Anais, IOUS

Then round about the Dumpies swarmed— And there once more, upon his knees,
They came from far and near— His eloquence broke loose—

The timid Rabbit, much alarmed, He told his tale of cooky-trees,
Was quivering with fear ; And also of the Goose.

And when brave Jolly-boy did come, - The Dumpling every accent caught,
He cried, on bended knees, Then shouted forth in glee—

“ T’ve brought you news of sugar-plum “This is the grove we long have sought!
And groves of cooky-trees.” Come to my arms!” said he.

The Dumpies laughed with all their might, And then the Dumpies raised a din
Till field and wood did ring, To celebrate the truce,

Then caught the Rabbit left and right While Commodore came walking in,
And dragged him to the King. And with him was the Goose.

And everyone went wild with joy,
The Bears and ’Possum too.

The Owl, the Goose, and Jolly-boy-—:
And likewise Tipsy-loo.

47





LE Ses Gi) sO keeduite a) OVENS

And thus the Rabbit returned to the Dumpies, and the Goose arrived in the Land of Low Mountains.
The Dumpling gave immediate orders that an expedition to the sugar grove should be planned at an early
date, and of this adventure we shall hear later.





> —os SER SS RF
SS EES

AS ES MESS

one ,

48



IM, iis LI (rile Tuts is the tale of the stone Griffin that in
Aras? the Land of Low Mountains surmounts the palace
oe DUFF OR

of Dumpling the King.
It will be remembered that the arrival of the Goose and the return of the
Rabbit to the Dumpies brought also to them the joyful news of a long-sought forest of sugar-plum and
cooky-nut trees which had been discovered by the Goose; also that Dumpling the King had given orders
for an expedition to set forth at once and take possession of this forest.



g

SeaG

Forth they marched—a grand procession— All that bright spring day they travelled,

Of that grove to take possession, While the Goose the way unravelled,

And his Dumplingship commanded, , And at eve their camp-fires brightened
And the royal Dumpling-ee ; "Neath the fragrant cooky trees ;

And the Bear-cubs proudly bore them, But at very early morning,

And the Goose marched on before them, Came without a word of warning

And, behind, the rest were banded Such a sound that all were frightened
As a Dumpy host should be. Till they fell upon their knees.

D 49



THE EECENDEOER EEE DUNrnnS

With it they were unacquainted, When from out the woods a-sniffin
And Sir ’Possum duly fainted, Came a stylish-looking Griffin,
While the Rabbit writhed and wriggled And audaciously he giggled

In an agony of fright ; When he saw the Dumpies’ plight.




‘‘So you came to get my cookies
Said the Griffin, as he took his
Eye-glass calmly from his pocket

And surveyed the Dumpy band.
“ Aw—well, then, why don’t you take them ? |
All-you have to do is shake them ;
That’s the next thing on the docket,
I presume you understand.”



Wisks; ILie(GasNjiQ) 1p

Then says Wiseacre, assuming
Courage, “‘ We were not presuming
To lay claim to any treasure

That is yours by royal right” ;
Whilst most earnestly he eyes him,
Thinking, “ Now I'll hypnotise him,

And we'll gather at our leisure

Cooky-nuts from morn till night.”



EEE DU Vis

Then the saucy Griffin, feeling
Something gently o’er him stealing,
Lashed his tail, with frightful roaring,
While the Dumpies fled alarmed ;
But brave Wiseacre remaining—
His hypnotic glance sustaining,
Soon had Mr Griffin snoring
By his magic vision charmed.

And the Dumpy host, returning,

Found the saucy Griffin learning

Sundry tricks from brave Wiseacre
In a most obedient way ;

And they quickly had him prancing

Up the cooky trees, and dancing

On the limbs—a jolly shaker,
While they gathered all the day.



Wale, JLJ2GdsINID) OVS AslB, IDOE aS)

Till at last, with treasure laden,
Bird and beast and youth and maiden
Formed again in long procession
And returned to Dumpy Land;
And the Griffin, at their pleasure,
Led the way and carried treasure,
Also, with a meek expression,
Many members of the band.



52

Thus it was they civilised him,
After they had hypnotised him,
And he oft in scrape and scrimmage
Victory to them did bring ;

Till, to keep him, ’tis asserted
Wiseacre at last converted

Him into a graven image

_ For the palace of the King.

There he sits all day in glory

On the very topmost storey—

Dumpies far beneath him thronging—
And, within the distance, sees

That sweet grove of sugared treasures—

Scene of early years and pleasures—

And he views with stony longing
Sugar-plum and cooky trees.



Ae es GND s Orsay) ON iatelieLS





It was not until the Griffin had grown very old and cross and inclined
to wander away that Wiseacre converted him, through hypnotism, into
a stone image. He had grown fat and short of limb meantime, and
the Dumpy people were very proud of him. Other stone Griffins
have since been made in imitation of him all over the world.



¢> PORTRAIT
ey (DE OWT



OnE morning Commodore, who had of late been very attentive to Wide-out, asked her for a
picture of herself to place in the parlour of his palace. Wide-out, who felt pleased and honoured .
by the request, hastened at once to Add-a-pose, Painter-in-eminence to his Royal Highness
the Dumpling, and sat for her portrait. But when it came home she was greatly displeased, and
returned it to the artist forthwith. She declared that it was by no means as plump as herself,
and that it did her much injustice in other ways. Late in the day the Dumpies and their animal friends went
to Add-a-pose’s studio, for they had a curiosity to see for themselves the picture that had brought discontent
to the heart of the gentle Wide-out. The results of this visit have been recorded by the Poet Omelette in



rhyme—
54



TEE IEE CoN Oia a sD) OVS

Now came the merry Dumpy band,
And gaily with them, hand in hand,
Each bird and quadruped.
They reached the painter’s, side by side ;
They found the doorway open wide,
But Add-a-pose had fled.



Fair Wide-out’s picture soon they saw,
And gazed at it in silent awe,
Till Waddle did declare
That he could beat that work himself,
And took some crayons from a shelf
And tried it, then and there.



S10)



MiGs, ICs) Ole Wels, IDOMIRISS,

And gentle Wide-out burst in tears
At Waddle’s work, and boxed his ears,
And grabbed some crayons, too ;
And then she hastily began,
And of that very fresh young man
A frightful picture drew.

And then the Dumpy band entire
Was seized with fierce artistic fire,

And each, with chalks and pad,
Soon worked away right busily
At pictures wonderful to see,



And mostly very bad.

The Rabbit drew Sir ’Possum’s face,
Sir ’Possum, with his tail, did trace =
The features of the Owl ;
The little Bears sat side by side,
And gazed upon the Goose and tried
To draw that noble fowl.
56



alte:

And Sober-sides drew Merry-wink,

And Merry paid him off, I think,
When Sober’s face he drew ;

While Jolly-boy and Commodore

Were drawn together o’er and o’er
By lovely Tipsy-loo.

Till by-and-by they all got mad

Because the pictures were so bad,
And ended in a fight ;

Oh, such a row as then occurred

In Dumpy Land was never heard
Or witnessed since that night!

And soon the Lord High Sheriff came,

And, calling everyone by name,
He marched them to the King.



IEIBS BIND) (OP “INES, IDUIMUPUES)

All bruised and bandaged then they went ;
The ’Possum’s noble tail was bent—
The Goose had sprained a wing.

And when, with many a grievous moan,
They stood before the Dumpling’s throne,
They were a sorry sight ;
And when the Dumpling looked them o’er
He burst into a merry roar
To see their wretched plight ;

And, for a punishment, he vowed

That Add-a-pose should draw the crowd,
With bandages and all;

And ever since, in Dumpy Land,

This shameful picture of the band
Has graced the Dumpling’s hall.



10sh8, Le GISINID) OM Wels WMS)

The picture of Wide-out was touched up and returned to her next day by the polite and forgiving
“Add-a-pose. Upon second thoughts she decided that it was a very good portrait of her indeed, and
Commodore has it in his palace to this day.

Add-a- pose” RAS







THE COMING OF THE MATES

Now when it was near the end of the third month of the Year of Amenities, and many birds and beasts
had made their home with the Dumpy People, there came a time when the snow had. gone away from
the hills, and winter was hiding only in dark hollows here and there, making ready to depart. A tinge of
green began to show on the maple-buds and in clumps of grass that grew on the sunny side of the
fence that separated the Land of Low Mountains from the outer world. For some
days past the Dumpy people had noticed that their two and four-footed
friends had been irritable and discontented with their lot. Even oe Le
\ | o



the Goose, who was not very particular, complained of the candied
almonds which Sugar-lumps, Chief Confectioner, had prepared in
his best possible manner. One morning they were awakened at
early daybreak by the wailing of the little Bears.
“What is the trouble?” said Wiseacre, grees iescia and hurrying forth.
‘*Oh, our m-m-mother has gone and left us,” they all moaned in chorus.



59



rE SE GEN DVO} arb DUMPS

Wiseacre soon found that this was true. The She-bear was gone. Then a hasty search revealed that
with her had also departed all of their other new friends. All were gone except ]
the Griffin, whom Wiseacre had under a hypnotic spell, and the little Bears.



Then loud excitement reigned supreme
Among the Dumpy folk ;

The Dumpling from a sugared dream
All shivering awoke.

He rolled in terror from his bed
And roused the Dumpling-ee.

“ Our friends have fled! Arise,” he said.
** Go after them,” said she.

Then all the band was formed in line

And bravely they pursued their way,

And valiantly set forth.
They started on the stroke of nine ;
Their course was headed north.
60

And circled ’round and ’round,
And pitched their camp at close of day,
All seated on the ground;



THE LEGEND OF

Then trudged along the next day through,
And all returned at last

To Dumpy Land in spirits blue,
And very much downcast.

But lo! next morn the She-bear’s voice
The Dumpies recognised—

Then heard the little Bears rejoice
And hurried forth, surprised.

And when the wondrous facts they learned,
Their joy was doubly great—

Behold the She-bear had returned,
And with her was her mate.

And close behind Sir ’Possum came,
And with him Lady ’P.,
And all the rest had done the same
And brought their mates, you see.
61

ASUS, INU UES)

The Rabbit begged, with trembling knees,
His wife to introduce ;

And then, “ My husband, if you please,”
Said haughty Mistress Goose.

Then came the Owl, with stately tread,
And blindly blinking eye ;

“ Behold my honoured mate!” he said ;
“ She’s taller now than I.”

Then shouted all the Dumpy band
With wonder and delight ;

The finest feast of Dumpy Land
They held that happy night.

His Dumplingship was filled with pride,
The little Bears were gay ;

“ We've nothing now to fear,” they cried,
‘Our folks have come to stay!”



ieee N De OhekEie Ollie hE S

Thus it was that, in the early spring, the new friends of the Dumpies came with their mates and made
their home for good in the Land of Low Mountains. It was quite funny to see them at first, for those who
had come earliest were much shorter and heavier of body than their mates who now came to dwell with
them ; but this difference became less and less, and soon disappeared entirely.





SIR ’POSSUM’S DISCOVERY

A weEK had gone merrily by since the friends of the Dumpy people had
brought their mates to the Land of Low Mountains.

One morning Sir ‘Possum had a slight tiff with Lady P., and sallied forth to reflect upon the fact
that she had called him a bare-tailed, faint-hearted runaway, and several other things more or less personal.

As he drew near the outer gates he overtook the Rabbit, who also had a downcast look. He ex-
plained to Sir ’Possum that, it being wash-day at home, he had found it less frosty in the open air,
although, for an April morning, it was quite cold. Together they went into the deep forest. Suddenly
Sir Possum gave a cry of joy. The timid Rabbit looked startled.

“Oh! what is it?” he exclaimed.

“Look! Just above your head!” cried the Possum. “A bag of honey .

Sure enough, hanging to the limb of a tree by a slender support was what appeared to be a large,
grey, honey-combed bag—a hornet’s nest, though the friends did not know it.
63



Nie



{HBOS IUIREISWIO Ol2 Wishes, IBN eINSS

“Oh, let’s carry it to the Dumpling!” shouted the Rabbit. “He will confer honour upon us for
bringing in a prize, and our wives will be proud of us.”
The record drops into poetry at this point.

“« The very thing!” Sir Possum laughed, “To make it safe,” the Rabbit said,
Then deftly climbed the tree, “T’'ll tie it to your tail.”
And gaily brought the treasure down, .





EB a No sooner said than done, and then

es NS ma A They started side by side ;

“ To please the Dumpling and our wives 2 = Ms The treasure to Sir ’Possum’s tail
I’m sure we cannot fail.” | Was most securely tied.

doy
PF

‘A royal prize,” quoth he.

S

But an argument soon arose as to who was entitled to the most praise from the King.

“T saw it first,” said the Possum; “‘ don’t forget that.”

“ But I thought about carrying it to the Dumpling first,” argued the Rabbit.

“Yes,” returned the ’Possum, “‘ but I climbed the tree.”

“ But I said, to tie it to your tail.”

“Yes, but it was my tail, and I’m carrying it, which is more than you could do,” and the ’Possum flung
a scornful glance at the bunch of cotton that the Rabbit wore instead of a tail.

64



TSS, IISEIEINID) Ol INS, IDWS

‘“‘B—but II tied it on,” cried the Rabbit, who felt that he was getting the worst of it; ‘“and I—I wouldn't
say much a—about tails, either, if I were you.”

“Shut up!” cried the Possum, and with a dexterous swing he landed his burden with such a whack
against the Rabbit that it sent him sprawling.

Meantime the sun had warmed up the bag, and when it struck the Rabbit something happened.




Oh, then from out their honied prize They reached the gates and tumbled through
There buzzed a fierce complaint— Into a Dumpy crowd—
The Rabbit uttered startled cries— While still above them thickly flew
Sir ’P. forgot to faint. The fierce and stinging cloud.
ae
50 eae
To drop his load he wildly tried, ae ae yl %

But found it was no use;
Too well the Rabbit’s knot was tied,
He could not shake it loose.




SSS

SSS

SS

And then a countless stinging band And when the Dumpies saw them come,
Came pouring from the nest. They fled in wild dismay ;

The friends set out for Dumpy Land— And when the She-bear heard the nen
The hornets did the rest. She also went away.

E 65



ili Tele loy anole Gal NPD) ©) Eee Uistes see) 16) Vales

While chasing them, the hornets stung
At everything in sight.

The loud Disaster bells were rung
In Dumpy Land that night.

And when with dark the pests had flown,
The Rabbit and Sir ’P.



Were dragged before the Dumpling’s throne,
A mournful sight to see.

And when the Dumpling heard the tale
Quoth he, “ Now, by my crown,
I'll give them twenty days in jail
To get the swelling down.
66



THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES

“It is all your fault,” groaned the Rabbit, as they were led away ; “you saw it first, you know.”

“Oh, yes,” was the sarcastic reply, “and you said to bring it home, you remember, so that our wives would
be proud of us,”

‘But you carried it,” retorted the Rabbit miserably.

“ Of course, when you tied it to my tail,” snarled Sir Possum.

At this the Rabbit almost forgot his sorrow.

“But it was your tail, you know,” he grinned; “and I did a good job, too, didn’t 1?”



67



Ir is not yet generally known, perhaps, that The Dumpy people
owned and rode the Bicycle long before it became known to us.

; In fact, our idea of making a wheel stand upright came first from
the Hoop- mae who got it from the Owl, who had it from the First Wheel itself, which the Dumpy
people captured during the fourth month of the Year of Amenities and brought to the Land of Low
Mountains, which lies in the far country of Kay. This is the tale as told by Butterneg—



The dewy morn had chased away How far they went has not been told
The April night and brought the day, When first Sir Possum did behold
When for adventures of the spring Against a mighty dough-nut tree
The Dumpy band went wandering. A wondrous curiosity ;

68






ie ee CEN DEORE ew VERTIS

But, thinking of the hornet’s nest,
Concluded silence was the best,

Until the Dumpies nearer drew,

And then the others saw it too.

A wondrous thing it was, indeed ;

It seemed to them a silent steed,
Composed of wheels—one large, one small,

No legs or wings—and very tall.



At first they paused and stood apart,
As no one wished to make the start.
Till Waddle asked it for a ride—
aR All right, climb on,” the thing replied.
&* So Waddle from the She-bear’s back
Climbed to the seat—Alas! alack !

It reared and pitched, and with a whack

Once more he found the She-bear’s back.



AOEUS 1EACAa IN ID)

Then Tipsy-loo, the fair and brave,
Declared, “‘ With me ’twill not behave
So rudely, I am sure” ; but, oh!

She wasn’t sure at all, you know.

For off she flew, with all her charms,
And landed right in Waddle’s arms,
Which angered Jolly-boy, who just
Declared he’d ride that thing or “ bust.”

OF

ah Dw NEES

Till all who watched him try, agree
That Jolly was a sight to see.

And then the Rabbit tried, but lo!

It tossed him forty feet or so,

And bent his ear and lamed his knee,
Which made Sir ’Possum howl with glee.

Then up he climbed, and down he came,
And up again, and still the same,

And all the while it gaily chaffed
The Dumpy band, and loudly laughed
_ To see them try it, one by one,
And limp away when they were done.

And then they altogether tried

To hold it for the Goose to ride.
But in a minute more they found
Themselves in sorrow on the ground.



2 sates Wa Me



THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES



SSG

Then gentle Wide-out came ; says she,
“ Perhaps it might behave with me.”
“Oh, Wide-out ! Wide-out! for my sake,’
Cried Commodore, “ don’t undertake



To ride that thing, I beg of you—
Remember lovely Tipsy-loo !”

But Wide-out bravely shook her head
And, going up to it instead—

‘TI know you'll let me ride,” said she,
“You never could be bad with me.”
Then up she gently climbed, while all
The Dumpies watched to see her fall ;
But when she gained the seat, they found
That steed stood up—the wheels turned round ;
And back and forth, and in and out,

She blithely rode, and all about,

And then she proudly led the band

In triumph back to Dumpy Land. -



IsU8, ILIGEISINUD) Ole Wigs, IDUNVEUES

And this is the first mention of the Bicycle in history. Also of how it was overcome by gentleness
rather than force. It was a long time before the others had mastered it, and once it fell into disgrace, the
story of which will be told later. But by-
things in Dumpy Land, it became much
called it a “safety”—and so it is called all

and-by, when it had grown shorter, as do all
more docile and trustworthy. Then they
over the world to this day.



72





One morning Wiseacre came before the Dumpling with a long face. ‘‘ What
troubles my good Wiseacre?” inquired the monarch anxiously.
‘I fear, your Majesty, that our people are dissatisfied,” was the grave reply.
Being further questioned, he said there was much complaint among the Dumpies and their new
friends about their food—that they had grown very tired of hav-
. ing the same things over and over again, and that even ice-cream
and cocoanut-pie had been served out to them so often that the
very sight of these dainties was likely at any time to cause a war.
So Sugar-lumps, the Royal Caterer, was at once summoned,
and, after reflecting deeply, advised a taffy-pull as affording a
new and pleasant diversion as well as a fresh and wholesome

article of diet.
“This is excellent!” said the Dumpling. ‘Let it be
ordered for to-night.”



NT
os



WIENS IECAaIN ID) OIE ISIS, DOMMES

Early that afternoon the Rabbit and Sir ’Possum took a long walk together. What came of it has
been related by the Poet Omelette—

“ And put it out to cool, you know,
And then is when we'll nab it.

‘Of course, ’twill cause a lot of fuss,
And when we've safely hid it,

If they should blame it on to us,
We'll vow the Bear-cubs did it.



‘“‘ And when they have all gone to bed
We'll eat it at our leisure.”

These rascals planned full long indeed, “ Ah, yes,” the smiling Possum said,
In dim and quiet places, ‘Tl join that feast with pleasure.”
_ With eager looks of cunning greed
Upon their smiling faces. The hours went by—the evening came—
The Dumpies met together ;
‘“They boil the stuff an hour or so,” The taffy bubbled on the flame,
At last remarked the Rabbit, And it was April weather.

74



ree ND Ol st Lea illite

And then they poured it into pans
And set it out to harden,

And while they waited, all joined hands
And danced the Dolly Varden.

Sir Possum giggled. ‘* Now’s our chance!”
He whispered to the Rabbit,

And slipping from the merry dance,
They hurried forth to grab it.

Alas! the trades of knave and fool
Should never go together—
The taffy was not nearly cool,
For it was April weather.

And when they seized, with eager haste,

The mass of sticky sweetness,
In sugared limbo they were placed
With great despatch and neatness.



At first they hauled it round and round,
Then pulled which way and t’other,

But, lo! that sticky mass, they found
Stayed with them like a brother!

And soon the Dumpies heard the fuss
And hastened from their pleasure,
To gaze upon the frightful muss
And mourn their wasted treasure.

And all did view the sinful two,
Sir ’Possum and the Rabbit,
And said, ‘‘ Alas! what shall we do
To break them of their habit ?”

And when the King beheld the mess,
He cried, “A thorough scrubbing

Those two shall have, and then, I guess,
A still more thorough drubbing.”



THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES

At this the Rabbit howled dismally, while Sir ’Possum, seeing there was nothing else to do, fainted,
and even when they were deluged first with warm water and then with cold, and scrubbed vigorously with
mops and brooms, he did not recover. When they were fairly clean again they looked so forlorn that
the Dumpling stopped further punishment out of pity. Then the Possum came out of his faint at once.

“ That was the most sweetly unpleasant affair I ever got mixed up in,” he said to the Rabbit as they stole

away together.





STOLD NX
VCe4

CST RANI eC
NED ase ae GED (a) ase






ae NZ Ir will be remembered that, after all the other Dumpies and their friends had tried and
WT < eo failed, it was the gentle Wide-out who finally subdued the Bicycle and rode it into camp.
Via, Every morning for a week thereafter the animals and people gathered in the court of the
vies Mage Dumpling’s palace to watch how gracefully and obediently the new steed bore its little
mistress. One bright morning, when both the Dumpling and Dumpling-ee had ordered
their thrones dragged out into the court that they might enjoy the spectacle, and Wide-out had ridden a great
many times around and around and around, it was noticed that the wheel suddenly appeared to be acting
strangely. A second later it had plunged through the open space which was always to be found between Jolly-

boy and Commodore, and was scorching away toward the outer gates with Wide-out on its back holding on for
dear life.

Onward plunged the Cycle straightway, As he saw it swiftly glide out,

Through the massive outer gateway, With the Dumpy people cried out,

Dashing forward in a great way ; “ Wide-out! Wide-out! Gentle Wide-out—
While poor Commodore, Gone for evermore!”

77



ait eG END Ok

Then Sir ’Possum and the Rabbit
(Secretly, as was their habit)
Made a plan by which to nab it,
And away they flew ;
While, behind, the horns were blowing,
And the wild excitement growing
Of the Dumpies, who were going
Promptly to pursue.



78

ite Deve nES

And the Cycle, who had been a
Prey to Wide-out’s charms so many,
Sped on gaily, laughing, when a
Rabbit crossed its track ;
“Ah!” it cried, “that means disaster !
From my back I ought to cast her.”
But it only hurried faster—
Never turning back.

While the Rabbit, ever keeping

In advance, continued leaping

Back and forth before the weeping
Wide-out as she came;

Till the Cycle, badly frightened

Wildly wabbled in its flight, and

Vainly turned to left and right, and
Found it still the same.



TiESE GENS OR hie DUNIP IES

The fleet-footed Rabbit and Sir ’Possum, knowing the roads and by-paths, had planned all this, and the
Wheel little by little turned back toward Dumpy Land, and in the direction of a spot where the wary but
slower-footed Possum was lying in wait. He had pondered for sometime as to how he should rescue Wide-
out as she came by, and had at last climbed a tree that overhung a steep hill which the Wheel would
be obliged to climb slowly.

The panting Cycle up the hill

Soon climbed to where Sir P. was clinging —
He waited silently until

*T was just beneath, then, downward swinging,

He seized fair Wide-out in his arms
And lifted her with grace and neatness—
The Wheel was filled with wild alarm,
And, lightened, fled with added fleetness.

And then, as sly Sir ’ Possum planned,
It gained the top, and o’er a ditchway,
It plunged into the Dumpy band,
Who rolled and tumbled every which way.





THE LEGEND-OF THE DUMPIES

“Oh, Cycle base,” the Dumpies cried,
“Where have you left our dainty blossom ?”

“What ho!” the Rabbit cried; “You see
We're not as black as we are painted.”

‘ Behold our triumph!” cried Sir P.,
And in the Rabbit’s arms he fainted.

When coming down the hill they spied
The Rabbit, Wide-out, and Sir Possum.



Ever since the affairs of the hornets’ nest and the stolen taffy, the Rabbit and Sir ’Possum had been in
disgrace, though pardoned by the Dumpling. Now, however, they were in high feather, and were escorted
home in triumph. The Bicycle, humble and in disgrace, went slowly and sorrowfully along. Wide-out walked
with the Rabbit, while Sir Possum, who kept up his faint long enough to arouse pity, was carried on a stretcher
between Commodore and Jolly-boy.





LOIOUWICEOWWIGe = OY)
) GD Tr It
Sy LP CE RMR AATPO IM



PARTNERSHIP in misfortune and punishment had made the Rabbit and Sir ’Possum close friends. They had
been in so much trouble together that the tie between them had become one of mutual adversity rather than
admiration. The affair of Wide-out and the Wheel had restored them to the good graces of the Dumpies, and
they were determined to do nothing to forfeit the high favour which they now enjoyed.

They often walked in the woods together during the warm spring days, but, remembering the hornets’ nest,
they could not be induced to undertake any experiments in the way of bringing strange discoveries into camp.

One afternoon, not far from the gates of Dumpy Land, they came upon what appeared to be a large oval-
shaped stone covered with beautiful markings almost like hieroglyphics of the Dumpy language. It was a
tempting object, but very suspicious, besides being much too large for them to handle alone. True, the
grinning Rabbit offered to tie it to Sir ’Possum’s tail; but this suggestion the latter treated with silent contempt.
After some discussion the Rabbit started for Dumpy Land post-haste, leaving the slower-footed Possum to
guard the new-found treasure. The tale continues as follows—

F 81



DU es GND Ok

Sir ’Possum sat beside the prize,
Intently watching it,

Till suddenly, with starting eyes,
He saw it move a bit;

And when he saw it slowly rise
He had a fainting fit.



But as he dropped upon the ground
The thing grew still, and then
Sir ’Possum rose and looked around
82

RE De MRS

Until it moved again ;
Then fell once more in faint profound,
And lay for seconds ten.

Twas thus they played at hide-and-seek
A quiet little game;

Sir Possum was afraid to speak,
The stranger seemed the same,

When flocking to behold the freak
The eager Dumpies came.

The curiosity they found,
And, but a step away,

All prone and silent on the ground
.The fainting Possum lay.

The puzzled Rabbit gazed around
And knew not what to say.



THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES



“I’m sure there’s something wrong,” he said ;
Then, as he racked his wits,

The thing popped out an ugly head
That scared him into fits:

And as the Dumpies fell and fled,
It shouted, “ Now, we're quits!”

But the Dumpies had no intention of quitting and giving up the matter so easily, and when the big Land
Turtle, or Terrapin, for such it was, saw them halt and come flocking back, it drew hastil
the door of his house with a snap and catching in it a tiny bit of the fainting
happened to be in easy reach.

83

y into its shell, closing
’Possum’s tail, which at that moment



earls LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES

This brought him out of his trance with a shriek and a bound that ended his captivity, and caused the

Rabbit so much amusement that his own fright was forgotten.



A net of rope they deftly threw
About the stranger’s den ;

They little knew what he could do
Until they started then.

He simply walked the other way
With Dumpies, net, and all,

Till, stringing out behind him, lay
His captors great and small.

The story ends in rhyme—

Then Wiseacre unto his side
The Rabbit called in fear,
“ Haste thou to Dumpy Land,” he cried,
“ And send my Griffin here!
For he is wise, and strong, withal,
And waits my bidding there.”
The Griffin at the Rabbit’s call
Came flying through the air.

And just above the Turtle stopped,
And, with a simple knack,

He deftly seized his shell and flopped
The monster on his back.

And there he lay in helpless grief,

~ And kicked and sprawled about,

And begged the Griffin for relief—
The Dumpies gave a shout.



Isls AUIQEIIINID) V2 ASO IDOMUPIGSS

“ Agree to go to Dumpydom
With us,” they cried, “and then

We'll have our faithful Griffin come
And flop you back again.”

“T will, I will!” the Turtle said ;
“To all will I agree;

This weird and wingéd quadruped
He got the best of me.”



Thus came the Terrapin to dwell with the Dumpies. You will see by his picture how tall and ungainly he
was at that period, and you will remember how squat of presence he has since become. Being in great fear of
the Griffin, who could turn him on his back and thus render him helpless, he soon grew very submissive and
docile. The Rabbit and Sir Possum cultivated his acquaintance, and the three became boon’ companions as

time passed.
85





Tue story of the Duck’s ransom and subsequent arrival of the Crocodile in the Land of Low Mountains
is told by the Dumpies with great pride as being the history of a double triumph. The story had its be-
ginning in early summer, and was not fully complete until late autumn, but the Dumpy Poet Omelette has
condensed it into a single tale, and the translator will follow his example.

Before beginning, it may be well to state, for the benefit of those who have never lived next door
to an Alligator, that when the winter comes he swallows a number of pine-knots and lies torpid until spring.
These pine-knots resist digestion somewhat, and also, no doubt, are very good for the Alligator as a resinous
tonic during his long winter sleep. In the spring he ejects them, and, having become round and smooth,
they are sometimes gathered and used as croquet-balls.

The tale runs as follows—
86



IUGUs, IHC IBINGD) (O)2 NsUs DAO UE aS)

One morn in May the Dumpies lay The Dumpy band arose and fled,
Encamped beside the flowing Nile, The Terrapin remained behind.
When, lo! there came in haste that way

ie nencenenen @recdite: For he had met the Crocodile

At lunches, teas, and friendly calls ;

And wildly fleeing, just before, He knew his ways and winter style—
A bird of legs and body slim ; His autumn appetite for balls.

For thus the Duck was built of yore

Before the Dumpies captured him. And quickly flashed across his mind

A plan to set the victim free :
And right into their camp he sped ‘“What ho, old friend! you're out, I find,
Full-tilt, a hiding-place to find ; And well and active yet,” quoth he.

The Alligator paused, and the Terrapin explained that the fleeing Dumpies were his friends, and that
they were not afraid, but merely going hurriedly to find a place of safety for the Duck. He added that
they were a very brave and warlike people, and at the same time kind and friendly to all animals, and
especially the oppressed. He agreed that the Duck was the Crocodile’s legal victim, but advised a treaty
with the Dumpy people as being safer for him than a war. He then asked the Crocodile how he had slept
during the winter, and was told that, owing to the scarcity of pine-knots the Fall before, his rest had been very

bad, and that several times he had awakened dreaming that he had been stepped upon by the Hippopotamus.
87



THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES

This gave the Turtle a chance to tell the Crocodile how skilful the Dumpies were in works of art,
and that no doubt they would be willing to furnish him any number of beautiful hand-made knots in the
Fall, if he would control his present appetite for Duck-meat. He added further that Add-a-pose, the Dumpy
artist and carver, would carve and paint the balls to resemble Ducks, so that his Fall supper would be a
new and dainty treat.



This impressed the Crocodile, and the Terrapin called loudly to the flying Dumpies, who slowly
returned. The contract was closed at once. The Crocodile,’ after signing it, sauntered away after other
game, and the Dumpies returned in triumph with the grateful Duck to Dumpy Land.

88



THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES

The summer passed—the Duck grew fat,
And posed each day for Add-a-pose
To carve the wooden models that
Were promised at the season’s close.

And fatter, too, the models grew,
To match the Duck, and short of limb,
As all that dwell with Dumpies do,
However tall at first, or slim.

And by-and-by the Autumn came,
And with it came the Crocodile

His feast of painted Ducks to claim,
And found them finished up in style.

And when he saw them, high and low,
Arranged with neatness—side by side—
He gazed upon that comic row,

And laughed until he fairly cried.

89

Then Wiseacre stepped forth and said,
“Remain with us a year, and see,
How royally our friends are fed,
And what a noble tribe are we.”

‘“°Tis done,” replied the Crocodile,
“Your arguments convince me quite.”
And he was entertained in style
By all the Dumpy band that night.









THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES

He remained long with the hospitable Dumpies, and become as he is to-day. When winter returned
he swallowed a number of the Ducks and went to sleep. He did not need all of them, however, and
those that remained were found. long afterwards by hunters, and used to attract other fowls.

And this was the origin of the Decoy-duck.



90






CA



>

Oye beautiful May morning in the Land of Low Mountains, Dumpling the King sent for Wiseacre the sage.
A little later a hurried message was sent for the Goose, who appeared panting and fussing with the exertion
and haste of coming.

“You have been a great traveller,” said Wiseacre. “Tell his Majesty what you have seen in
foreign lands in the way of amusements for the people.”

The Goose, who had by this time grown very fat, thereupon squatted down before the Dumpling,
and, after several prostrations, stated that at this season of the year he had more than once noticed curious
games played by animals and people in a ring covered with sawdust, and that he had seen the same set
forth in numerous places by many coloured pictures. He had learned that this amusement or
performance was called a circus, and was very popular with mankind in the big world outside.

These words brought great joy to the Dumpling, who was at a loss to find new sports
for his followers. The Goose and Wiseacre were instructed to arrange for a circus
in Dumpy Land forthwith. Their first interview was with Add-a-pose, the artist.

gI





Ahels; JLB }3 NO) OF Ass, IW AUES

Painting in his studio Add-a-pose they found,
Planned with him for circus bills to be posted round,



In and out of Dumpydom all the land about,
And the Dumpy folks were happy when the news

got

out.

g2

Tipsy-loo and Wide-out, too, planning what to wear,
Jolly-boy and Commodore scheming with the Bear—
Merry-wink and Sober-sides practising on drums
To perform at the performance when the great
day
comes.

Rabbit and Sir Possum and the Turtle in a row
Having a rehearsal for the opening of the show—
Big bears and little bears training day and night,
Everybody bound to have the thing
go
right.





a es!



FRARIECS WER BEC
DISCOVERER:

ALBERT BIGELOW PAIRIEs
MISTORIAN



LONDON: MADGCECECXEVIIe

KEGAN PAUL*TRENCHsTRUBNER & CO-
PUBLISHERS:


PRINTED BY
TURNBULL AND SPEARS
EDINBURGH
CON aE Neds

INTRODUCTION

THE
THE
THE
THE
THE
THE
THE
THE
THE

COMING OF THE BEAR
COMING OF THE KING
ARRIVAL OF SIR ’POSSUM
BUILDING OF THE SNOW-MAN
ABDUCTION OF TIPSY-LOO
TRIAL OF JOLLY-BOY
TREACHERY OF COMMODORE
DUMPIES’ SKATING PARTY
RETURN OF THE RABBIT

CAPTURE OF THE GRIFFIN

PORTRAIT OF WIDE-OUT

vil

PAGE

Io

15

20
CONTENTS

THE COMING OF THE MATES
SIR ’POSSUM’S DISCOVERY
CONQUEST OF THE WHEEL
TAFFY-PULLING AND TREACHERY
STRANGE ADVENTURE OF WIDE-OUT
BRINGING IN OF THE TERRAPIN
RANSOM OF THE DUCK
SAWDUST AND SPANGLES
WELCOME OF THE DACHSHUND
HARMONY AND DISCORD
ROCKABYE RHYMES

POLITENESS OF THE PENGUIN
THE MAGIC MIRROR

WEDDING BELLS

Vill



PAGE

59
63
68

i
81

86
gI
95
99
105
109
113
117


RS




Discoverer

THE

LEGEND %2DUMPIES

THOS is the tale of the Dumpies— No one can tell where they came from,
Queer little people are they, But this is the story I hear:
Who dwell in The Land of Low Mountains, Whatever abides with the Dumpies,

Afar in the country of Kay. Grows shorter and shorter each year.
THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES

The duck once had legs like the heron,
The pug, like the greyhound, was tall,

But they went in the spring to the Dumpies,



And both of them waddled by fall.

The turtle was slim and majestic,
And airy the blithe crocodile ;
The gay hippopotamus sported

Care-free on the banks of the Nile;


THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES

But it happened to them and to others
Who oft with the Dumpies were found—

Their bodies got broader and broader,



And nearer and nearer the ground.

Beware of The Land of Low Mountains!

Beware of the Dumpies, I pray,

Who dwell in those wonderful valleys

Afar in the country of Kay,

Or you may become, ere you know it,

As broad and unwieldy as they!


“ For tt is written that whatsoever abideth with THE DUMPIES shall

become of a presence squat and manner unwieldy, even as they.”

THE KAYVRAN.




es

FAEDUSAPIES
SBS

< THE COMING OF THE BEAR

RS ss
NS

Gipey

Ue

) <= Dumpy people who dwell in The Land of Low Mountains, Country

Turse are the chronicles in prose and rhyme of the year of



Amenities, so called because of its being the period during which the

of Kay, made friendships with many wild birds and beasts.

It was in the first week of said year. The snow lay deep without,
and, because of prolonged Christmas festivities, there was dearth of sweets
within. The Dumpy people, who subsist almost entirely upon sweetmeats,
were in sore need.

Now in this crisis the snow-birds—long their faithful friends—remem-
bered a tree of honey which lay in the forest without ;

Discoverci

or, as the chronicles have it—

Came their faithful friends, the snow-birds, saying, ‘‘ We have found a tree
Filled with honey,” and the Dumpies straightway hurried forth to see.
Wide-out, Commodore and Waddle, Wiseacre and Tipsy-loo,
Jolly-boy, and many others. while ahead the snow-birds flew.

5


THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES

Thus they reached their destination, but their plans were still unmade,
When they heard a voice of thunder roaring through the forest's shade—

“What are you doing in my honey-tree ?”
And a chorus of smaller voices—
“Yes, what are you doing in our honey-tree ?”

Then the frightened snow-birds scattered, and the Dumpies in dismay
Wildly walked upon each other in their haste to get away ;

Fell and wallowed in the snow-drifts—ran till they could run no more—
When the angry voice behind them changed into a merry roar.

Then they paused to look and listen, and behold! what did they see

But a big old she-bear leaning back against their honey-tree ;

And a row of cubs beside her, and the cubs and mother, too,

Held their sides and shrieked with laughter while the Dumpies bolder grew.

“Come back here, you funny people!” called the she-bear, as soon as she could speak.
“Yes, come back here, you funny people!” called all the little bears, as soon as they could speak.
“T won't hurt you,” called the she-bear ; ‘come back!”
“No, we won’t hurt you,” called all the little bears, “come back !”
6
Wield, IGA EISINID) Ola Iss, WOME USS)

The Dumpies gathered from their hiding places and drew nearer.
“Come close, and we will sing you a song,” said the she-bear.
“Yes, come close, and we will sing you a song,” chorused all the little bears.

The Dumpies now gathered around in a circle, and the she-bear sang the first line of a ditty, while all
the little bears joined in, as follows—

Lhe Mother—Oh, I am the bear of the deep, deep woods ;
The Cubs—Yes, the bears of the woods are we.
The Mother— My power is great,
The Cubs— And we live in state
All— In a great big hollow tree.
In a great big hollow tree, yes, yes,
In a big old hollow tree.



The Mother—All things are mine in the deep, deep woods ;
The Cubs—Yes, ours, as you'll plainly see ;
The Mother— A\ll the herbs that grow,
The Cubs— And the berries, ho, ho !
AuU— And this is our honey-tree.
And this is our honey-tree, yes, yes,
7 Our big old honey-tree.
ISU, IOI EITINIG) OW Weis, IDO Mas)

‘‘ How in the world did you ever expect to get my honey, anyway?” asked the big bear, as they finished
their song.

“Yes, how in the world did you ever expect to get our honey, anyway?” chimed in all the little bears.

Wiseacre, the sage, explained at some length a plan which he had formed. At this the bears all laughed
again, and Wiseacre was about to depart offended, followed by all the Dumpy band.

“Don’t go off mad,” said the she-bear ; “I'll divide with you.” .

‘No, don’t go off mad,” said all the little bears ; ‘‘ we'll divide with you.”

The Dumpies returned eagerly. |

“This is very kind of you,” said Wiseacre; ‘and if you will come with us
to The Land of Low Mountains, we will show you many nice ways of prepar-
ing it. We have a particularly fine tart, which we make out of honey and
whipped cream.”

“Oh, how nice that sounds!” said the big bear.

“Oh, how nice that sounds!” repeated all the little bears; “let us start at once.”



Then the big bear, who in those days gracéful was and long of limb,
And the little cubs, who also then were very tall and slim,
Scaled the tree and got the honey, for the bees were numb with cold,
And the Dumpies gaily bore it safely to the Dumpy fold.

8
THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES

And they formed a long procession. Wiseacre marched on ahead ;
And, because of her great beauty, Tipsy-loo the she-bear led.
Merry-wink was perched upon her, likewise Sober-sides, his chum,
And behind them, bearing Dumpies, all the happy cubs did come.

Commodore and Jolly-boy, who were both smitten with the charms of Tipsy-loo, endeavoured to get
near her, and each begged her to take his place on the cub’s back, but she proudly preferred to walk
and lead the she-bear.

And thus it was that the bears came to dwell with the Dumpy people. For, after a time of feasting
without labour, as is the custom of the Dumpies, the legs of the big bear began to grow shorter, and

the legs of the little bears began to grow shorter, while
< the bodies of all got broader and heavier, and the tendency
& ,
In the country of the Dumpies «hy ia & £3
They remained for many a year,

Joining in their strange adventures, ef ues

And of these we soon shall hear. Rte

me

= BY

to active ee



THE COMING OF THE KING





ae Now, in writing stories of history, it is not thought proper to introduce kings and other
as. royalty in the first chapter. We have, therefore, made no mention of
= —“ Dumpling, the King of the Dumpies, and Dumpling-ee, his royal wife,
= until it could be done with due regard to custom; and besides, we
"4 didn’t think about it before, anyway.
/ People do not get to be kings and queens in The Land of Low Moun-
tains by inheritance, but just in the same manner that they get to be
Presidents of the United States; that is, by being ambitious and diligent. To be very fat
and very short is the chief aim in Dumpy Land. It is clear, therefore, that those who are
most successful in getting flesh at the expense of height should be rulers. The words Dumpling and
Dumpling-ee are not really names at all, but titles earned by years of industry, and worn only by those two
who have outdone all others in reaching a degree of fatness where breathing is difficult and walking a disgrace.
Thus you will see that, as is also the case with us, the humblest citizen may, by attending strictly to business,
aspire to the greatest seat in the land. Also that any little girl in Dumpy Land has a chance to become queen,
10
ChE cE GEND: Oh kit UME iE S

or Dumpling-ee, through diligence, and in this we might do well to imitate them. There was once a beautiful
ode written by Butterneg, Poet Omelette to the Dumpling, describing the toilsome way in which his sovereigns
had risen to the throne. It contained ninety-three stanzas, but has been shortened somewhat in the trans-

lation—

ODE TO THE DUMPEING AND DUMPLING-EE.

By La Crime BUTTERNEG,

. The Poet Omelette of The Land of Low Mountazns.

It was Dumpling, the King of the Dumpies,
And his beautiful Dumpling-ee,

And the way that they got to be Dumplings
Was wonderful to see.

In their earliest youth they began it,

For they fed on whipped cream every day,
Till it took a whole army of servants

To milk it and whip it, they say.

And then, as they daily grew older
They ate of plum-pudding and pie
And the Dumpies kept constantly busy

Renewing the hourly supply ;


tHe LEGEND OR Tit DUN EBES

Plum-pudding and turkey and stuffings, »
And crullers and candies and such, dM,
And the servants toiled harder and harder, 74 wg ee

But never could bring them too much ;

And the people came
aes ~ flocking to watch them,



At noontime and evening and dawn ;
And the animals out of the forest

“ds. ae
ae ae Climbed up on the fence to look on.



Till all through The Land of Low Mountains And at last came the feast of election,
It was whispered, ‘‘ they’re striving to be And the contest was frightful to see,
The King and Queen of the country— But our hero was chosen the Dumpling,

Our Dumpling and Dumpling-ee.” And our heroine Dumpling-ee.
THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES

For Wiseacre measured and weighed them
With scales and with tape-line and chalk,

And declared them of royal dimensions
And wholly unable to walk.



And then they were happily wedded
By Fat-and-contented, the priest,

And the animals out of the forest
Were given the scraps of the feast.
tie eG END Ok Eik DUNVIPRIES

This, of course, all happened before the animals came to dwell with the Dumpies in The Land of Low
Mountains, which lies in the far country of Kay. And in those days the bears had long legs, and the possum
had long legs, andthe gay hippopotamus. Likewise the duck, the crocodile, and the turtle; all except the snow-
birds, who had from time immemorial dwelt with the Dumpy people, and had already become “of a presence
squat and manner unwieldy, even as they.” The bear was first to follow them, as we have heard, and during
the year of Amenities came many others, and of these we shall learn later.

14
THE ARRIVAL OF SIR POSSUM

Now in the second week of the year of Amenities, when the bear family had become well pleased with the
Dumpy people and their surroundings, they bethought themselves of Sir Possum, who dwelt in the forests on
the extreme borders of the Country of Kay.

So they spoke of him as a good fellow to Dumpling, the King, who immediately sent the snow-
birds to invite him to The Land of Low
Mountains. The Dumpy annals have it as
follows—

To the woods the snow-birds fled,

And unto Sir ’Possum said,
‘“‘Come and see

Dumpy Land,” but he replied,

“T’m entirely satisfied

Where I be.”


CEE EE GEND: OR Gir Di MEIES

When their messengers returned To the spot they hastened then

And the news the Dumpies learned Where Sir ’Possum made his den
Of their quest, In a tree.

Off they started, two by two, And the she-bear led the way,

Wiseacre and Tipsy-loo While the merry cubs, they say,
And the rest. Skipped with glee.

The she-bear, being an old acquaintance, was allowed to speak first.

“Come out, Sir ’Possum,” she called ; ‘“we have new friends.”

“Yes, come out,” called all the little bears, “ we have new things to eat.”

No answer came from the tree, and the bears feared that the ’Possum’s home was deserted.

But Wiseacre, the sage, who even at that remote period had a cathode eye and a telephone voice,
focussed on the tree, and declared that Sir ’Possum was curled up asleep within.

“ Hello, Central!” he called.

‘“ Hello, who is it?” came the feeble reply.

‘Let me talk to him,” said Tipsy-loo, the polite and beautiful.

“We have heard of your captivating manner with chickens and other poultry, and we, the Dumpies, have
come to seek the honour of your presence in The Land of Low Mountains where we dwell,’ she warbled
winningly.

16
CEE Se G EN DORs ihrer DUAVIEES

‘‘Oh, dear! if they ask me like that I shall have to go,” thought Sir ‘Possum, ‘unless ;I can_ slip
out of here and escape.”

Our Wiseacre’s cathodic eyes
Now stood him in good stead ;
He saw the wary ’Possum rise

And softly leave his bed.



He saw him leap— ;
He watched him quit his nest of fur

his face grew pale— eae reais :
And slily upward slip— And calm his cathode eye ; a Sa
And lined his hand with sand-paper He grabbed Sir Possum by the tail on
To get a better grip. As he went sailing by.

And up and up Sir ’Possum climbed,
And out upon a limb,
While Wiseacre, all cocked and primed,
Below was waiting him.
B

But through his grasp Sir ’Possum slipped,
And fainted in despair.
“Oh, Wiseacre,” he cried, “ you've stripped
My tail of every hair!”
17
THELEN Ol ine OVE PT ES

At this, all the other Dumpies and the bears gathered about the two, and, sure enough, the sand-paper in
Wiseacre’s hand had left Sir ’Possum’s bushy tail perfectly bald. The poor fellow was in a dead faint, and
they threw snow in his face to revive him. When he recovered he looked sadly at his tail.

“Alas!” he said, “I shall never be able to face my old friends in this condition.”

“ All the more reason you should make new ones,” urged the bear.

“Yes, all the more reason you should make new ones,” echoed all the Dumpies and little bears in
a chorus.

“We will never refer to your condition,” said Wiseacre.

‘“No, never,” said the others.

DUNE CHORUS:
Air: “ Marching Through Georgia.”

Oh, yes—Oh, yes—to Dumpy Land we go,

In hap—piness—we march across the snow!

Sir ’Possum will go with us, and his legs will shorter grow.
Hurrah for Sir Possum and the Dum—pies !



18
THEE CEN DOr a= Dive Es

And thus it was the Possum went to dwell with the Dumpy people, and in time became fat of body and
short of limb. And he soon grew happy and contented, though the hair never grew again on his tail, and he
always had fainting spells when in trouble. By-and-by after long practice, he could hang by it from limbs,
and use it for dragging game into camp. The fainting spells also were useful, for sometimes when captured
by enemies they would believe him dead and go away. And after a while it was said that he could faint
whenever he chose, and often now, when people pretend to be asleep or dead, it is called ’possuming.


%,

&

Ss

og GEE if
le

GLP +



Ir was the week following the arrival of Sir Possum in the Dumpy country, and something more than two
weeks since the coming of the bear. Dumpling, the King, and Dumpling-ee, his royal spouse, were over-
joyed with their new-found friends.

“We must do something to celebrate our good fortune,” said Dumpling. “The coming of the bear and
Sir Possum has been a rare blessing. For has not the former supplied us with a store of honey, and the latter
with choice fowls as well as much wisdom concerning their selection and capture ?”

“True,” said the Dumpling-ee. ‘Let us at once send for Wiseacre, the sage.”

20
TES EEGEND. OF EEE DWN Ss

Wiseacre, being summoned, came hastily, and, after reflecting deeply for some moments, spoke thus—

“ The snow is getting sticky, Sire, To join a revel in the snow,
Upon the level mead ; And Tipsy-loo the fair.”
I think a man of snow would be “Tis well,” the Dumpling then replied ;
About the thing we need. ‘““ Now let the bugles blow,

The Dumpies all will come, I know, For all the Dumpy folk to come

Sir Possum and the bear, : And build a man of snow.”




21
DHE LEGEND: OF wats DU MENES

So the heralds went forth blowing their trumpets and declaring the Dumpling’s purpose, and the Dumpy
people gathered thickly. Also came the she-bear and her cubs, and Sir’ Possum, who, after only a week’s stay,
had already become heavier of body and shorter of limb. Tipsy-loo came between Commodore and Jolly-boy,
her adorers. Wide-out dragged her little brother Flat-top and carried him over deep places. The work was
begun with great eagerness.

They hastened gaily to and fro— But still, in spite of all their toil,
With many funny falls ; ' He did not seem to grow.

They sported with the heavy snow oe aK They piled and plastered snow on him,
And rolled it into balls ; fos Aa He

And Commodore and Jolly-boy

But could not make it stay,
For though the day was cold enough

Continually tried It seemed to melt away.



To linger close to Tipsy-loo Then suddenly to Wiseacre

And labour by her side. The she-bear slyly came,
And hard and harder laboured they And whispered something in his ear—
To build a man of snow, ; The small bears did the same.

22
Mighs; JEISAaINID) ll. {Hsls, ID OMIeINsS

“IT am sure it is the fault of Jolly-boy,” whispered the she-bear.
“Yes, we are sure it is the fault of Jolly-boy,” whispered all the little bears.
‘‘ His affection for Tipsy-loo is too warm,” said the big bear.

“Too warm entirely,” echoed all the little bears.

“It melts the snow faster than we can bring it,” declared the big bear.

“Yes, a good deal faster,” chorused the little bears.

Then Wiseacre, the Dumpy sage,
Was very much perplexed,

And as he watched the Snow-man melt
His soul was sorely vexed.

He called Sir ’Possum and the bears
And all the Dumpies round,

And formed of them an audience,
All seated on the ground.

And then he called poor Jolly-boy,
Whose features were aglow

From keeping up with Tipsy-loo
And toiling in the snow ;

NOS
wo



And Wiseacre severely looked
At Jolly-boy, and felt
His pulse, and said, ‘‘ Your ardour, sir,
Has caused the snow to melt.
Our man of snow has failed to grow,
And quite refused to freeze—
Hereafter you'll devote yourself
To Wide-out if you please.”
i we GaN OL Wi DiON EE ES

Then laughed Sir ’Possum and the bears, The Snow-man prospered rapidly
And all the rest agreed— And soon was finished quite ;
Alas, alas! for Jolly-boy, The Dumplings gave a royal ball
His heart was sore indeed ! To celebrate that night.
And soon within his little breast Sir Possum schottisched with the bear ;
It cold and colder grew, The Dumpies all were glad
While Commodore, his rival, skipped But Jolly-boy refused to smile,
Away with Tipsy-loo. For he alone was sad.

Still cold and colder grew his heart—
The air began to freeze—

The temperature in Dumpy Land
Was lowered ten degrees.



24
THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES

JOEY BOYS lA\iEeNds

Oh, Tipsy-loo, what shall I do, You'll always be the maid for me,
What means shall I employ, The apple of my eye.

To win you back? Alas, alack,
Oh, Tipsy-loo, my heart is true,

But vanished is my joy
Oh, Tipsy-loo, my love for you Till you appear again to cheer
Will never, never die! The heart of Jolly-boy!

For your poor Jolly-boy!


sy

Tae ca
ss a. ‘
hs, s rR
x S
wr Qe"
i
en > Reo. Seas hag





Alas, alas, poor Jolly-boy!
His Tipsy-loo is gone!
No more his heart will wake with joy
To greet the early dawn.
With Commodore she went before,
And now the Snow-man, too,
My tipsy-loodle-oodle-oodle,
Tipsy-loodle-loo.
26

Ir was in the beginning of the second month of.the year of Amenities, and when
the Snow-man had acquired a week’s chilly experience, that one sunny morning,
before the Dumpy people were fully awakened, they heard the plaintive voice of
Jolly-boy pouring forth a wailing song to the snow-clad landscape.

Through many happy moons I strove
To waddle by her side,

But now she’s thrown away my love
To be the Snow-man’s bride.

I sing farewell to Dumpy belle—
Alas! what shall we do ?

For Tipsy-loodle-oodle-oodle,
Tipsy-loodle-loo.
PEE seEG END) Or aie Die VEE S

Hurrying forth, the Dumpies found that poor Jolly-boy’s song was only too true. Where the Snow-man
had stood there was absence, and in the home of Tipsy-loo there was vacancy. The bears and the ’Possum
also came hurriedly, and the Dumpling and the Dumpling-ee were notified.

‘“Tipsy-loo was abducted,” ventured the ’Possum, after reflecting deeply.

‘She would never have left us of her own accord,” said the She-bear.

‘No, she would never have left us of her own accord,” echoed the small bears.

Here word was brought from the Dumpling to set forth at once upon an expedition of search and
recovery. The order was obeyed forthwith.

Out of the portals they passed—Dumpies and bears and Sir ’Possum,

Picking their way where the snow had melted and walking was easy.

Long they continued their search, but never a glimpse of the Snow-thief,
Never the sign of his trail—never a tip of their Tipsy.

Then from the forest a voice rumbled across to them, saying :

“What are you doing out there—out in the glare of the sunshine ?

Why don’t you take to the woods, where cool are the shadows and darksome ?
What do you think you will find—out on the dazzling prairies?”



27
LET LEGEND. OR? REET DUMPIES

‘Oh, that is my friend the Owl,” said the She-bear. He is the only bird with ears, and being able to
hear all things, is very wise.”

‘Yes, that is our friend the Owl,” said all the small bears and Sir ’Possum together; “let us get his
help at once.”

“What funny people you are!” said the Owl when they approached him. ‘ Because the walking is
bad in the woods you hunt for a Snow-man out in the open sunshine, where no Snow-man of ordinary
intelligence would ever think of going!”


THE LEGCENDTOER BEVEaDU NEES

“ Oh, wise Owl, come and aid us!” cried Jolly-boy and Wiseacre in chorus.

“Why should I?” replied the Owl. “The Snow-man is my friend. Besides, the bright sun on the
melting snow is blinding, and my eyes are already weak from over-study.”

“We will take you back with us to Dumpy Land,” said Sir ’Possum persuasively.

‘“Humph! and what then?” grunted the Owl.

“You will have nothing to do but eat and sleep,” said the She-bear.

“No, we have nothing to do but eat and sleep,” chorused all the small bears.

‘“Your manner certainly shows it,” said the Owl, who at that time was very tall and slim. Then, after a
brief battle with his better nature, he fell. ‘I will go with you,” he said.

Thus may even the wisest, through their appetites, become traitors to their friends.

‘“You bears and ’Possum search in haste The Dumpies did as they were bid,
Throughout the woods,” said he ; The others did the same,
‘©The Dumpy folk will wait upon And very soon from out the woods
The sunny plain with me, The hunted Snow-thief came,
And when the Snow-man comes our way The bears and ’Possum close behind,
We'll chase him round and round, The Dumpies joined the chase ;,
Until he vanishes and leaves And Tipsy-loo was in his arms—
His burden on the ground.” They saw her frightened face.

29
EE CoN Ds OR eve) Ovi ES



And when the Snow-man saw the Owl,
He cried, “ What hope is mine?”
And suddenly he seemed to go
Into a swift decline.
He vanished like a. morning mist,
And all the Dumpies found
Was Tipsy-loo beside a pool
7 Upon the moistened ground.

“ Hurrah! Hurrah!” cried Jolly-boy—

“ Hurrah!” the others cried,

And then they proudly bore her home
With Jolly by her side.

And with a bandage o’er his eyes
The feathered traitor went,

And never since has seen by day—
A bitter punishment.
ii EEGEN DOr Ete DUMP EES

It was a happy home-coming for all except the poor blinded Owl. But after a time he became somewhat
accustomed to his blindness, and, being able to see only (A4U by night, he got into the habit
of sleeping by day. He grew solemn and reflective as a
sleep and rich food his legs disappeared almost en-
once been a rich baritone, became a dismal bass, and
down to one monotonous note of sorrow.

high esteem by the Dumpies, and this was get
ke BY

64 Al
a Uo

years passed, and with so much
tirely. His voice, which had
his graceful songs dwindled



His wisdom was always held in
his one comfort.


x Now, in the Fat-book, which is the Code of Land of Low Mountains, there are written
many curious laws.

There is one which forbids the eating of mince-pie and chocolate caramel at an earlier hour than six
a.m. or later than 10 p.m. This is known as the “Law of Six and Ten.” There is another that makes
it an offence for any Dumpy to be of a girth less than twice his height, and this is called the “ Law of
Two to One.” It was between these two laws that Jolly-boy got into trouble. It will be remembered
that Jolly-boy had been deprived of the companionship of Tipsy-loo, first by Commodore and then by the
Snow-man. During this time he grew thin, and even after Tipsy-loo the beautiful was brought back to
him he did not at once recover his squatty proportions, and Commodore, his rival, in a spite of revenge,
complained of him to the King.

Came Commodore the plaintiff, then, Till once around his waist, they say,
And to the King, said he, Is less than twice his height.”
‘Our Jolly-boy of late has been
Too thin, it seems to me. _ Then Jolly-boy was summoned there,
He came with Tipsy-loo,
‘He does not eat enough by day, The Owl, the ’Possum, and the Bear,
And lies awake by night, And all the others, too.



BD
Wishes IBIAGISINIO) Ove Aisle, IDIOMS)

The Owl defended Jolly-boy, And then arose the Owl and said,
The Bear was for the State ; ‘““Your Dumplingship,” said he,

Poor Jolly quite forgot his joy ‘Full many cases have I pled,
In thinking of his fate. But none so sad to me.

And when they spanned his waist, they found ‘““T pray your Dumplingship to mark
The charges made were true ; How well the facts are known,

His height would more than reach around That Jolly stuffed from dawn till dark
When multiplied by two. And yet has thinner grown.

But when they placed him on the stand, “And when his Tipsy-loo the fair
Most earnestly he vowed Was gone with Commodore,

He'd stuffed himself to beat the band In order to dispel despair
Whene'er the law allowed. He gorged himself the more.

And then the Bear this grievous case “Yet ever thin and thinner grew,
Before the King did lay, With anguish, as you see.

And woe was on Poor Jolly’s face, I pray, your Dumplingship, that you
While Commodore was gay. Will set poor Jolly free.”

C 30
EE eG ENDO iat = DW iVER hss

At this point the Bear, whose friendship for Jolly-boy overcame his sense of public duty as Public
Prosecutor, arose and asked also that the prisoner be set free.

“Oh, yes, set Jolly-boy free,” pleaded all the little bears and Sir Possum together.

The Dumpling reflected long and deeply. Then he spoke—


THE EG EN DOL ashi DUA ie EES

‘Now hearken to my royal will “T choose between two ancient laws,
The law of ‘Six and Ten’ The pride of Dumpy Land,
Shall hereby be repealed until And in the glory of our cause

Our Jolly’s plump again. The ‘Two to One’ must stand.”




the court, and Jolly-boy and Tipsy-loo
two of the bear cubs.

Then there was a great cheer in
were borne out on the shoulders of




Commodore, and that evening he apolo-
gised to Jolly-boy in the course of an all-night feast which they decided to
have right along while the law remained a repealed. And they all liked it so well
that the law stayed repealed ever after, and the Dumpies from that time ate night and day, or when they
chose, and became fatter and fatter.

Everybody was happy except
THE TREACHERY OF COMMODORE



| St Varentine'’s Day was not far off. Jolly-boy was waxing fatter daily. Commodore, who still regarded
him with great envy, one morning went to the fence that separated Dumpy Land from the outer forest,
and stood leaning over, thinking. A Rabbit crept out from under a brush-heap and sat up straight,

In those days the Rabbit’s ears were somewhat shorter, and all four of his legs were quite
It served

regarding him.
long. He also wore then a wise look, which did not belong to him and has since disappeared.

to deceive Commodore, however, who explained his sorrow and sought the Rabbit's advice.
“Tf you will help me to win Tipsy-loo,” said he, “ you can come and live with us forever.”
But the Rabbit was timid and suspicious, and at first fled hastily back into the brush.
Then, being very curious, he presently came out again.
““I—P'Il tell you, Commodore,” he said nervously ; “send her a valentine.”
“Oh, but Jolly-boy will do that too,” was the sad reply.
“Sure enough!” said the silly Rabbit, scratching his head; “sure enough!”
Then, for the first time in his life, a brilliant idea struck him,



causing him to turn a backward somersault.
36
Woe, OeGIeINID) Ole Wise, IDOMUES

“ How will Jolly-boy send his valentine?” he asked eagerly.

‘Why, by one of the little bears, of course.”

‘Good! You write one too, and sign it ‘Jolly-boy,’ then meet the cub and give him a bag of candy.
He will ask you to hold his letter while he eats it. Slip it out of sight, and give him back yours. See?”
And the Rabbit did a gay dance, while Commodore laughed loudly.

“Come right to my palace, and we'll fix it up together,” he cried.



The valentine that Jolly-boy really wrote—

Oh, Tipsy-loo, the fattest flower Now in this valentine I send
And fairest ever grew My heart so plump and true,
Was never, never half so fat And all my love and sugar-plums

‘Nor half so fair as you. I’m saving up for you.
Not half so fat as you, T. L., For you, for you, for you, T. L.,
Nor half so fair as you. For evermore for you.
Wiss, (LIB(EAS! NID) OJ2 Wiss, ID OMGPIES

The valentine that Tipsy-loo received—

Oh, Tipsy-loo, ’tis sad to tell There was a time I loved you well,
But plain it is to see, As all could clearly see,

That you are not quite fat enough
Nor fair enough for me.

Not fat enough for me, T. L.,
Nor fair enough for me.

But now I scorn your fading charms—
They will not do for me. .

They will not do for me, T. L.,
No, nevermore for me.



Tipsy-loo the beautiful was furious, and walked the floor in anguish. Then she seized her pen and
wrote, :

Tipsy-loo’s reply to Jolly-boy— -,
THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES

Oh, cruel, cruel Jolly-boy ! Brave Commodore will gladly seek
Why did you ever win The hand of Tipsy-loo,

The tender heart that always stood While Wide-out may prove fat enough
By you through thick and thin, And fair enough for you.

That always stood by you, J. B., And fair enough for you, J. B.,
Through thick as well as thin ? And fat enough for you.

Poor Jolly-boy was heart-broken when he received this reply to his tender valentine, and ate three
dishes of vanilla ice-cream to drown his sorrow. Commodore, who had copied Jolly’s valentine and sent
it as his own, was happy as a king. The Rabbit, who had been presented to the Dumpling early in the
afternoon, was also happy. A grand festival was given that night, and, on the stroke of twelve, they all
joined hands in a line and danced in honour of the Rabbit’s coming. Only Jolly-boy and Tipsy-loo were
sad, and they pretended to be happy too.

Written that night by Jolly-boy in his diary—
“ Tf she be not fat for me,

What care I how fat she be!” .
39
Siete ts Gay NG ©) elles) DG) MelessioesS

In Commodore’s diary —
‘“‘ My heart is running o’er with joy —
I’ve got the best of Jolly-boy.”

In Tipsy-loo’s diary—
‘‘ How strange, alas! it seems to me

That one so fat and false can be !””


Ti IDWAALPEE



IT was near the end of the second month of the year of Amenities. Snows had come and gone in the Land
of Low Mountains, and the Dumpies believed that winter was nigh over. One night, however, there came a
sudden freeze, and early the next morning his Highness the Royal Dumpling issued an order for the last
skating-party of the season. Jolly-boy and Tipsy-loo, who were still bowed low with the sorrow of their
separation, were both glad of some diversion, while Commodore was happy in the prospect of skating side by
side with fair Tipsy. The Bears, Sir Possum, the Owl, and the Rabbit were all eager to try the new sport,
and Wiseacre marshalled his followers on the big lake near the Dumpling’s castle.

Over the surface of crystal Dumpies on sleds that Sir Possum
Glided the Dumpies in pairs ; Dragged with his flexible tail ;
Dumpies alone and in trios, And the Owl was the steed of the Dumplings,
Dumpies with juvenile bears ; And spread out his wings for a sail.

41
THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES





And Jolly-boy skated with Wide-out,
\ Though little of pleasure he knew,
} For Commodore, proud and presuming,
| Was linked with the fair Tipsy-loo.

But Jolly-boy’s turn was approaching : For Commodore, cutting a flourish,
The crystal in places was weak ; . Had slipped on a spot that was thin ;
And the crowd in the midst of its pleasures And Tipsy-loo, skating beside him,
Was stunned by a terrible shriek. Went sprawling, and both tumbled in.

42
THE LEGEND OF THE: DUMPIES



Then Jolly the gallant came flying,

{”

“ Oh, Tipsy, my Tipsy!” cried he,
‘J will not allow you to perish,
Though you were so cruel to me.”

And Commodore cried out in anguish,
“Qh, Jolly, forgive me, I pray ;

*T was I and that treacherous Rabbit
That stole her affections away.

“Oh, Jolly-boy, Jolly-boy, save me,
And if I get safely to shore,

I'll turn my attention to Wide-out,
And bring you to grief nevermore.”

And Jolly-boy beamed with forgiveness,
When he heard how his rival had sinned ;
But the cowardly Rabbit, in terror,
Fled over the hills like the wind;

While the Dumpies all ran to the rescue,
And saved them with neatness and skill,

As the heels of the Rabbit flew skyward
And twinkled from sight o’er the hill.
THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES

Then Commodore made his confession
To Fat-and-Contented the priest,

While Jolly and Tipsy in triumph,
Were borne to a wonderful feast.



It was many days before they saw anything more of the Rabbit, though Jolly-boy was ready to forgive
him, and sent him word by the Snow-birds to come back. The Rabbit was very anxious to return, too,
for he remembered the good times and good things to eat, but, being very timid and conscience-stricken, .
he was afraid.

Only his fore-legs had grown shorter in Dumpy Land. His hind-legs,
from being always ready to spring, had remained long and ungainly, while
his ears, from constant listening, had become very long indeed. Often now
he crept near to Dumpy Land, and sometimes at evening the Dumpy people
saw his listening ears above the hill-top against the setting sun.



44
| cE [EZ BK RETURN
ie Now, after Commodore had confessed and repented of his treachery
| pais to Jolly-boy, he often went forth alone into the woods to meditate, and some-
times found his way to the banks of a small lake, where the Rabbit, who
had been his accomplice, came to meet him.
s One morning, as they sat there, talking, and the Rabbit had asked Com-
modore for the eighth time, if he thought Jolly-boy would serve him up for stew or only cripple him for JA
life if he returned, there was a sudden cry just over their heads, A
and he almost fell into the lake with fright. A moment later _& SF
a tall white fowl stood before them. ee)







“Oh,” said the Rabbit, recovering, “it is only the
Goose. I thought it was Jolly-boy.”

“ Humph! and what then?” asked the Goose good-
naturedly.

45
Wiss, ILGIe IND) Ow Ass, iO) O WEISS)

Commodore told the story. The Rabbit wept. The Goose was much interested, and reflected deeply.

‘Tam on my way North for the summer,” he said at last, “and merely stopped here for a little swim.
It seems a pleasant neighbourhood, though, and I am impressed with the Dumpy custom of twenty-four
meals a-day. By the way, I saw as I came along a large grove of cooky-nut and sugar-plum trees about
which I think your Dumpling might wish to learn.”

At this the Rabbit danced and stood on his head with joy.

“Oh!” he cried, “if you will let me carry news like that to Jolly-boy and the Dumpling, I am sure
they will forgive me entirely, and I shall not be afraid.”

The Goose then stroked his upper lip, And long he watched with listening ears,
«« Why, certainly,” said he, And long did hesitate,
« And mention to his Dumplingship, Before he overcame his fears
That he might send for me.” And ventured through the gate.
Oh, swiftly, then, through field and wood And when at last he got inside
The hopeful Rabbit flew, His heart began to whack,
But when before the gates he stood Then stopped dead still, for someone cried,
He trembled through and through ; ‘Why, here’s the Rabbit back !”

46
Wels JES) ON Anais, IOUS

Then round about the Dumpies swarmed— And there once more, upon his knees,
They came from far and near— His eloquence broke loose—

The timid Rabbit, much alarmed, He told his tale of cooky-trees,
Was quivering with fear ; And also of the Goose.

And when brave Jolly-boy did come, - The Dumpling every accent caught,
He cried, on bended knees, Then shouted forth in glee—

“ T’ve brought you news of sugar-plum “This is the grove we long have sought!
And groves of cooky-trees.” Come to my arms!” said he.

The Dumpies laughed with all their might, And then the Dumpies raised a din
Till field and wood did ring, To celebrate the truce,

Then caught the Rabbit left and right While Commodore came walking in,
And dragged him to the King. And with him was the Goose.

And everyone went wild with joy,
The Bears and ’Possum too.

The Owl, the Goose, and Jolly-boy-—:
And likewise Tipsy-loo.

47


LE Ses Gi) sO keeduite a) OVENS

And thus the Rabbit returned to the Dumpies, and the Goose arrived in the Land of Low Mountains.
The Dumpling gave immediate orders that an expedition to the sugar grove should be planned at an early
date, and of this adventure we shall hear later.





> —os SER SS RF
SS EES

AS ES MESS

one ,

48
IM, iis LI (rile Tuts is the tale of the stone Griffin that in
Aras? the Land of Low Mountains surmounts the palace
oe DUFF OR

of Dumpling the King.
It will be remembered that the arrival of the Goose and the return of the
Rabbit to the Dumpies brought also to them the joyful news of a long-sought forest of sugar-plum and
cooky-nut trees which had been discovered by the Goose; also that Dumpling the King had given orders
for an expedition to set forth at once and take possession of this forest.



g

SeaG

Forth they marched—a grand procession— All that bright spring day they travelled,

Of that grove to take possession, While the Goose the way unravelled,

And his Dumplingship commanded, , And at eve their camp-fires brightened
And the royal Dumpling-ee ; "Neath the fragrant cooky trees ;

And the Bear-cubs proudly bore them, But at very early morning,

And the Goose marched on before them, Came without a word of warning

And, behind, the rest were banded Such a sound that all were frightened
As a Dumpy host should be. Till they fell upon their knees.

D 49
THE EECENDEOER EEE DUNrnnS

With it they were unacquainted, When from out the woods a-sniffin
And Sir ’Possum duly fainted, Came a stylish-looking Griffin,
While the Rabbit writhed and wriggled And audaciously he giggled

In an agony of fright ; When he saw the Dumpies’ plight.




‘‘So you came to get my cookies
Said the Griffin, as he took his
Eye-glass calmly from his pocket

And surveyed the Dumpy band.
“ Aw—well, then, why don’t you take them ? |
All-you have to do is shake them ;
That’s the next thing on the docket,
I presume you understand.”
Wisks; ILie(GasNjiQ) 1p

Then says Wiseacre, assuming
Courage, “‘ We were not presuming
To lay claim to any treasure

That is yours by royal right” ;
Whilst most earnestly he eyes him,
Thinking, “ Now I'll hypnotise him,

And we'll gather at our leisure

Cooky-nuts from morn till night.”



EEE DU Vis

Then the saucy Griffin, feeling
Something gently o’er him stealing,
Lashed his tail, with frightful roaring,
While the Dumpies fled alarmed ;
But brave Wiseacre remaining—
His hypnotic glance sustaining,
Soon had Mr Griffin snoring
By his magic vision charmed.

And the Dumpy host, returning,

Found the saucy Griffin learning

Sundry tricks from brave Wiseacre
In a most obedient way ;

And they quickly had him prancing

Up the cooky trees, and dancing

On the limbs—a jolly shaker,
While they gathered all the day.
Wale, JLJ2GdsINID) OVS AslB, IDOE aS)

Till at last, with treasure laden,
Bird and beast and youth and maiden
Formed again in long procession
And returned to Dumpy Land;
And the Griffin, at their pleasure,
Led the way and carried treasure,
Also, with a meek expression,
Many members of the band.



52

Thus it was they civilised him,
After they had hypnotised him,
And he oft in scrape and scrimmage
Victory to them did bring ;

Till, to keep him, ’tis asserted
Wiseacre at last converted

Him into a graven image

_ For the palace of the King.

There he sits all day in glory

On the very topmost storey—

Dumpies far beneath him thronging—
And, within the distance, sees

That sweet grove of sugared treasures—

Scene of early years and pleasures—

And he views with stony longing
Sugar-plum and cooky trees.
Ae es GND s Orsay) ON iatelieLS





It was not until the Griffin had grown very old and cross and inclined
to wander away that Wiseacre converted him, through hypnotism, into
a stone image. He had grown fat and short of limb meantime, and
the Dumpy people were very proud of him. Other stone Griffins
have since been made in imitation of him all over the world.
¢> PORTRAIT
ey (DE OWT



OnE morning Commodore, who had of late been very attentive to Wide-out, asked her for a
picture of herself to place in the parlour of his palace. Wide-out, who felt pleased and honoured .
by the request, hastened at once to Add-a-pose, Painter-in-eminence to his Royal Highness
the Dumpling, and sat for her portrait. But when it came home she was greatly displeased, and
returned it to the artist forthwith. She declared that it was by no means as plump as herself,
and that it did her much injustice in other ways. Late in the day the Dumpies and their animal friends went
to Add-a-pose’s studio, for they had a curiosity to see for themselves the picture that had brought discontent
to the heart of the gentle Wide-out. The results of this visit have been recorded by the Poet Omelette in



rhyme—
54
TEE IEE CoN Oia a sD) OVS

Now came the merry Dumpy band,
And gaily with them, hand in hand,
Each bird and quadruped.
They reached the painter’s, side by side ;
They found the doorway open wide,
But Add-a-pose had fled.



Fair Wide-out’s picture soon they saw,
And gazed at it in silent awe,
Till Waddle did declare
That he could beat that work himself,
And took some crayons from a shelf
And tried it, then and there.



S10)
MiGs, ICs) Ole Wels, IDOMIRISS,

And gentle Wide-out burst in tears
At Waddle’s work, and boxed his ears,
And grabbed some crayons, too ;
And then she hastily began,
And of that very fresh young man
A frightful picture drew.

And then the Dumpy band entire
Was seized with fierce artistic fire,

And each, with chalks and pad,
Soon worked away right busily
At pictures wonderful to see,



And mostly very bad.

The Rabbit drew Sir ’Possum’s face,
Sir ’Possum, with his tail, did trace =
The features of the Owl ;
The little Bears sat side by side,
And gazed upon the Goose and tried
To draw that noble fowl.
56
alte:

And Sober-sides drew Merry-wink,

And Merry paid him off, I think,
When Sober’s face he drew ;

While Jolly-boy and Commodore

Were drawn together o’er and o’er
By lovely Tipsy-loo.

Till by-and-by they all got mad

Because the pictures were so bad,
And ended in a fight ;

Oh, such a row as then occurred

In Dumpy Land was never heard
Or witnessed since that night!

And soon the Lord High Sheriff came,

And, calling everyone by name,
He marched them to the King.



IEIBS BIND) (OP “INES, IDUIMUPUES)

All bruised and bandaged then they went ;
The ’Possum’s noble tail was bent—
The Goose had sprained a wing.

And when, with many a grievous moan,
They stood before the Dumpling’s throne,
They were a sorry sight ;
And when the Dumpling looked them o’er
He burst into a merry roar
To see their wretched plight ;

And, for a punishment, he vowed

That Add-a-pose should draw the crowd,
With bandages and all;

And ever since, in Dumpy Land,

This shameful picture of the band
Has graced the Dumpling’s hall.
10sh8, Le GISINID) OM Wels WMS)

The picture of Wide-out was touched up and returned to her next day by the polite and forgiving
“Add-a-pose. Upon second thoughts she decided that it was a very good portrait of her indeed, and
Commodore has it in his palace to this day.

Add-a- pose” RAS




THE COMING OF THE MATES

Now when it was near the end of the third month of the Year of Amenities, and many birds and beasts
had made their home with the Dumpy People, there came a time when the snow had. gone away from
the hills, and winter was hiding only in dark hollows here and there, making ready to depart. A tinge of
green began to show on the maple-buds and in clumps of grass that grew on the sunny side of the
fence that separated the Land of Low Mountains from the outer world. For some
days past the Dumpy people had noticed that their two and four-footed
friends had been irritable and discontented with their lot. Even oe Le
\ | o



the Goose, who was not very particular, complained of the candied
almonds which Sugar-lumps, Chief Confectioner, had prepared in
his best possible manner. One morning they were awakened at
early daybreak by the wailing of the little Bears.
“What is the trouble?” said Wiseacre, grees iescia and hurrying forth.
‘*Oh, our m-m-mother has gone and left us,” they all moaned in chorus.



59
rE SE GEN DVO} arb DUMPS

Wiseacre soon found that this was true. The She-bear was gone. Then a hasty search revealed that
with her had also departed all of their other new friends. All were gone except ]
the Griffin, whom Wiseacre had under a hypnotic spell, and the little Bears.



Then loud excitement reigned supreme
Among the Dumpy folk ;

The Dumpling from a sugared dream
All shivering awoke.

He rolled in terror from his bed
And roused the Dumpling-ee.

“ Our friends have fled! Arise,” he said.
** Go after them,” said she.

Then all the band was formed in line

And bravely they pursued their way,

And valiantly set forth.
They started on the stroke of nine ;
Their course was headed north.
60

And circled ’round and ’round,
And pitched their camp at close of day,
All seated on the ground;
THE LEGEND OF

Then trudged along the next day through,
And all returned at last

To Dumpy Land in spirits blue,
And very much downcast.

But lo! next morn the She-bear’s voice
The Dumpies recognised—

Then heard the little Bears rejoice
And hurried forth, surprised.

And when the wondrous facts they learned,
Their joy was doubly great—

Behold the She-bear had returned,
And with her was her mate.

And close behind Sir ’Possum came,
And with him Lady ’P.,
And all the rest had done the same
And brought their mates, you see.
61

ASUS, INU UES)

The Rabbit begged, with trembling knees,
His wife to introduce ;

And then, “ My husband, if you please,”
Said haughty Mistress Goose.

Then came the Owl, with stately tread,
And blindly blinking eye ;

“ Behold my honoured mate!” he said ;
“ She’s taller now than I.”

Then shouted all the Dumpy band
With wonder and delight ;

The finest feast of Dumpy Land
They held that happy night.

His Dumplingship was filled with pride,
The little Bears were gay ;

“ We've nothing now to fear,” they cried,
‘Our folks have come to stay!”
ieee N De OhekEie Ollie hE S

Thus it was that, in the early spring, the new friends of the Dumpies came with their mates and made
their home for good in the Land of Low Mountains. It was quite funny to see them at first, for those who
had come earliest were much shorter and heavier of body than their mates who now came to dwell with
them ; but this difference became less and less, and soon disappeared entirely.


SIR ’POSSUM’S DISCOVERY

A weEK had gone merrily by since the friends of the Dumpy people had
brought their mates to the Land of Low Mountains.

One morning Sir ‘Possum had a slight tiff with Lady P., and sallied forth to reflect upon the fact
that she had called him a bare-tailed, faint-hearted runaway, and several other things more or less personal.

As he drew near the outer gates he overtook the Rabbit, who also had a downcast look. He ex-
plained to Sir ’Possum that, it being wash-day at home, he had found it less frosty in the open air,
although, for an April morning, it was quite cold. Together they went into the deep forest. Suddenly
Sir Possum gave a cry of joy. The timid Rabbit looked startled.

“Oh! what is it?” he exclaimed.

“Look! Just above your head!” cried the Possum. “A bag of honey .

Sure enough, hanging to the limb of a tree by a slender support was what appeared to be a large,
grey, honey-combed bag—a hornet’s nest, though the friends did not know it.
63



Nie
{HBOS IUIREISWIO Ol2 Wishes, IBN eINSS

“Oh, let’s carry it to the Dumpling!” shouted the Rabbit. “He will confer honour upon us for
bringing in a prize, and our wives will be proud of us.”
The record drops into poetry at this point.

“« The very thing!” Sir Possum laughed, “To make it safe,” the Rabbit said,
Then deftly climbed the tree, “T’'ll tie it to your tail.”
And gaily brought the treasure down, .





EB a No sooner said than done, and then

es NS ma A They started side by side ;

“ To please the Dumpling and our wives 2 = Ms The treasure to Sir ’Possum’s tail
I’m sure we cannot fail.” | Was most securely tied.

doy
PF

‘A royal prize,” quoth he.

S

But an argument soon arose as to who was entitled to the most praise from the King.

“T saw it first,” said the Possum; “‘ don’t forget that.”

“ But I thought about carrying it to the Dumpling first,” argued the Rabbit.

“Yes,” returned the ’Possum, “‘ but I climbed the tree.”

“ But I said, to tie it to your tail.”

“Yes, but it was my tail, and I’m carrying it, which is more than you could do,” and the ’Possum flung
a scornful glance at the bunch of cotton that the Rabbit wore instead of a tail.

64
TSS, IISEIEINID) Ol INS, IDWS

‘“‘B—but II tied it on,” cried the Rabbit, who felt that he was getting the worst of it; ‘“and I—I wouldn't
say much a—about tails, either, if I were you.”

“Shut up!” cried the Possum, and with a dexterous swing he landed his burden with such a whack
against the Rabbit that it sent him sprawling.

Meantime the sun had warmed up the bag, and when it struck the Rabbit something happened.




Oh, then from out their honied prize They reached the gates and tumbled through
There buzzed a fierce complaint— Into a Dumpy crowd—
The Rabbit uttered startled cries— While still above them thickly flew
Sir ’P. forgot to faint. The fierce and stinging cloud.
ae
50 eae
To drop his load he wildly tried, ae ae yl %

But found it was no use;
Too well the Rabbit’s knot was tied,
He could not shake it loose.




SSS

SSS

SS

And then a countless stinging band And when the Dumpies saw them come,
Came pouring from the nest. They fled in wild dismay ;

The friends set out for Dumpy Land— And when the She-bear heard the nen
The hornets did the rest. She also went away.

E 65
ili Tele loy anole Gal NPD) ©) Eee Uistes see) 16) Vales

While chasing them, the hornets stung
At everything in sight.

The loud Disaster bells were rung
In Dumpy Land that night.

And when with dark the pests had flown,
The Rabbit and Sir ’P.



Were dragged before the Dumpling’s throne,
A mournful sight to see.

And when the Dumpling heard the tale
Quoth he, “ Now, by my crown,
I'll give them twenty days in jail
To get the swelling down.
66
THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES

“It is all your fault,” groaned the Rabbit, as they were led away ; “you saw it first, you know.”

“Oh, yes,” was the sarcastic reply, “and you said to bring it home, you remember, so that our wives would
be proud of us,”

‘But you carried it,” retorted the Rabbit miserably.

“ Of course, when you tied it to my tail,” snarled Sir Possum.

At this the Rabbit almost forgot his sorrow.

“But it was your tail, you know,” he grinned; “and I did a good job, too, didn’t 1?”



67
Ir is not yet generally known, perhaps, that The Dumpy people
owned and rode the Bicycle long before it became known to us.

; In fact, our idea of making a wheel stand upright came first from
the Hoop- mae who got it from the Owl, who had it from the First Wheel itself, which the Dumpy
people captured during the fourth month of the Year of Amenities and brought to the Land of Low
Mountains, which lies in the far country of Kay. This is the tale as told by Butterneg—



The dewy morn had chased away How far they went has not been told
The April night and brought the day, When first Sir Possum did behold
When for adventures of the spring Against a mighty dough-nut tree
The Dumpy band went wandering. A wondrous curiosity ;

68



ie ee CEN DEORE ew VERTIS

But, thinking of the hornet’s nest,
Concluded silence was the best,

Until the Dumpies nearer drew,

And then the others saw it too.

A wondrous thing it was, indeed ;

It seemed to them a silent steed,
Composed of wheels—one large, one small,

No legs or wings—and very tall.



At first they paused and stood apart,
As no one wished to make the start.
Till Waddle asked it for a ride—
aR All right, climb on,” the thing replied.
&* So Waddle from the She-bear’s back
Climbed to the seat—Alas! alack !

It reared and pitched, and with a whack

Once more he found the She-bear’s back.
AOEUS 1EACAa IN ID)

Then Tipsy-loo, the fair and brave,
Declared, “‘ With me ’twill not behave
So rudely, I am sure” ; but, oh!

She wasn’t sure at all, you know.

For off she flew, with all her charms,
And landed right in Waddle’s arms,
Which angered Jolly-boy, who just
Declared he’d ride that thing or “ bust.”

OF

ah Dw NEES

Till all who watched him try, agree
That Jolly was a sight to see.

And then the Rabbit tried, but lo!

It tossed him forty feet or so,

And bent his ear and lamed his knee,
Which made Sir ’Possum howl with glee.

Then up he climbed, and down he came,
And up again, and still the same,

And all the while it gaily chaffed
The Dumpy band, and loudly laughed
_ To see them try it, one by one,
And limp away when they were done.

And then they altogether tried

To hold it for the Goose to ride.
But in a minute more they found
Themselves in sorrow on the ground.



2 sates Wa Me
THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES



SSG

Then gentle Wide-out came ; says she,
“ Perhaps it might behave with me.”
“Oh, Wide-out ! Wide-out! for my sake,’
Cried Commodore, “ don’t undertake



To ride that thing, I beg of you—
Remember lovely Tipsy-loo !”

But Wide-out bravely shook her head
And, going up to it instead—

‘TI know you'll let me ride,” said she,
“You never could be bad with me.”
Then up she gently climbed, while all
The Dumpies watched to see her fall ;
But when she gained the seat, they found
That steed stood up—the wheels turned round ;
And back and forth, and in and out,

She blithely rode, and all about,

And then she proudly led the band

In triumph back to Dumpy Land. -
IsU8, ILIGEISINUD) Ole Wigs, IDUNVEUES

And this is the first mention of the Bicycle in history. Also of how it was overcome by gentleness
rather than force. It was a long time before the others had mastered it, and once it fell into disgrace, the
story of which will be told later. But by-
things in Dumpy Land, it became much
called it a “safety”—and so it is called all

and-by, when it had grown shorter, as do all
more docile and trustworthy. Then they
over the world to this day.



72


One morning Wiseacre came before the Dumpling with a long face. ‘‘ What
troubles my good Wiseacre?” inquired the monarch anxiously.
‘I fear, your Majesty, that our people are dissatisfied,” was the grave reply.
Being further questioned, he said there was much complaint among the Dumpies and their new
friends about their food—that they had grown very tired of hav-
. ing the same things over and over again, and that even ice-cream
and cocoanut-pie had been served out to them so often that the
very sight of these dainties was likely at any time to cause a war.
So Sugar-lumps, the Royal Caterer, was at once summoned,
and, after reflecting deeply, advised a taffy-pull as affording a
new and pleasant diversion as well as a fresh and wholesome

article of diet.
“This is excellent!” said the Dumpling. ‘Let it be
ordered for to-night.”



NT
os
WIENS IECAaIN ID) OIE ISIS, DOMMES

Early that afternoon the Rabbit and Sir ’Possum took a long walk together. What came of it has
been related by the Poet Omelette—

“ And put it out to cool, you know,
And then is when we'll nab it.

‘Of course, ’twill cause a lot of fuss,
And when we've safely hid it,

If they should blame it on to us,
We'll vow the Bear-cubs did it.



‘“‘ And when they have all gone to bed
We'll eat it at our leisure.”

These rascals planned full long indeed, “ Ah, yes,” the smiling Possum said,
In dim and quiet places, ‘Tl join that feast with pleasure.”
_ With eager looks of cunning greed
Upon their smiling faces. The hours went by—the evening came—
The Dumpies met together ;
‘“They boil the stuff an hour or so,” The taffy bubbled on the flame,
At last remarked the Rabbit, And it was April weather.

74
ree ND Ol st Lea illite

And then they poured it into pans
And set it out to harden,

And while they waited, all joined hands
And danced the Dolly Varden.

Sir Possum giggled. ‘* Now’s our chance!”
He whispered to the Rabbit,

And slipping from the merry dance,
They hurried forth to grab it.

Alas! the trades of knave and fool
Should never go together—
The taffy was not nearly cool,
For it was April weather.

And when they seized, with eager haste,

The mass of sticky sweetness,
In sugared limbo they were placed
With great despatch and neatness.



At first they hauled it round and round,
Then pulled which way and t’other,

But, lo! that sticky mass, they found
Stayed with them like a brother!

And soon the Dumpies heard the fuss
And hastened from their pleasure,
To gaze upon the frightful muss
And mourn their wasted treasure.

And all did view the sinful two,
Sir ’Possum and the Rabbit,
And said, ‘‘ Alas! what shall we do
To break them of their habit ?”

And when the King beheld the mess,
He cried, “A thorough scrubbing

Those two shall have, and then, I guess,
A still more thorough drubbing.”
THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES

At this the Rabbit howled dismally, while Sir ’Possum, seeing there was nothing else to do, fainted,
and even when they were deluged first with warm water and then with cold, and scrubbed vigorously with
mops and brooms, he did not recover. When they were fairly clean again they looked so forlorn that
the Dumpling stopped further punishment out of pity. Then the Possum came out of his faint at once.

“ That was the most sweetly unpleasant affair I ever got mixed up in,” he said to the Rabbit as they stole

away together.


STOLD NX
VCe4

CST RANI eC
NED ase ae GED (a) ase






ae NZ Ir will be remembered that, after all the other Dumpies and their friends had tried and
WT < eo failed, it was the gentle Wide-out who finally subdued the Bicycle and rode it into camp.
Via, Every morning for a week thereafter the animals and people gathered in the court of the
vies Mage Dumpling’s palace to watch how gracefully and obediently the new steed bore its little
mistress. One bright morning, when both the Dumpling and Dumpling-ee had ordered
their thrones dragged out into the court that they might enjoy the spectacle, and Wide-out had ridden a great
many times around and around and around, it was noticed that the wheel suddenly appeared to be acting
strangely. A second later it had plunged through the open space which was always to be found between Jolly-

boy and Commodore, and was scorching away toward the outer gates with Wide-out on its back holding on for
dear life.

Onward plunged the Cycle straightway, As he saw it swiftly glide out,

Through the massive outer gateway, With the Dumpy people cried out,

Dashing forward in a great way ; “ Wide-out! Wide-out! Gentle Wide-out—
While poor Commodore, Gone for evermore!”

77
ait eG END Ok

Then Sir ’Possum and the Rabbit
(Secretly, as was their habit)
Made a plan by which to nab it,
And away they flew ;
While, behind, the horns were blowing,
And the wild excitement growing
Of the Dumpies, who were going
Promptly to pursue.



78

ite Deve nES

And the Cycle, who had been a
Prey to Wide-out’s charms so many,
Sped on gaily, laughing, when a
Rabbit crossed its track ;
“Ah!” it cried, “that means disaster !
From my back I ought to cast her.”
But it only hurried faster—
Never turning back.

While the Rabbit, ever keeping

In advance, continued leaping

Back and forth before the weeping
Wide-out as she came;

Till the Cycle, badly frightened

Wildly wabbled in its flight, and

Vainly turned to left and right, and
Found it still the same.
TiESE GENS OR hie DUNIP IES

The fleet-footed Rabbit and Sir ’Possum, knowing the roads and by-paths, had planned all this, and the
Wheel little by little turned back toward Dumpy Land, and in the direction of a spot where the wary but
slower-footed Possum was lying in wait. He had pondered for sometime as to how he should rescue Wide-
out as she came by, and had at last climbed a tree that overhung a steep hill which the Wheel would
be obliged to climb slowly.

The panting Cycle up the hill

Soon climbed to where Sir P. was clinging —
He waited silently until

*T was just beneath, then, downward swinging,

He seized fair Wide-out in his arms
And lifted her with grace and neatness—
The Wheel was filled with wild alarm,
And, lightened, fled with added fleetness.

And then, as sly Sir ’ Possum planned,
It gained the top, and o’er a ditchway,
It plunged into the Dumpy band,
Who rolled and tumbled every which way.


THE LEGEND-OF THE DUMPIES

“Oh, Cycle base,” the Dumpies cried,
“Where have you left our dainty blossom ?”

“What ho!” the Rabbit cried; “You see
We're not as black as we are painted.”

‘ Behold our triumph!” cried Sir P.,
And in the Rabbit’s arms he fainted.

When coming down the hill they spied
The Rabbit, Wide-out, and Sir Possum.



Ever since the affairs of the hornets’ nest and the stolen taffy, the Rabbit and Sir ’Possum had been in
disgrace, though pardoned by the Dumpling. Now, however, they were in high feather, and were escorted
home in triumph. The Bicycle, humble and in disgrace, went slowly and sorrowfully along. Wide-out walked
with the Rabbit, while Sir Possum, who kept up his faint long enough to arouse pity, was carried on a stretcher
between Commodore and Jolly-boy.


LOIOUWICEOWWIGe = OY)
) GD Tr It
Sy LP CE RMR AATPO IM



PARTNERSHIP in misfortune and punishment had made the Rabbit and Sir ’Possum close friends. They had
been in so much trouble together that the tie between them had become one of mutual adversity rather than
admiration. The affair of Wide-out and the Wheel had restored them to the good graces of the Dumpies, and
they were determined to do nothing to forfeit the high favour which they now enjoyed.

They often walked in the woods together during the warm spring days, but, remembering the hornets’ nest,
they could not be induced to undertake any experiments in the way of bringing strange discoveries into camp.

One afternoon, not far from the gates of Dumpy Land, they came upon what appeared to be a large oval-
shaped stone covered with beautiful markings almost like hieroglyphics of the Dumpy language. It was a
tempting object, but very suspicious, besides being much too large for them to handle alone. True, the
grinning Rabbit offered to tie it to Sir ’Possum’s tail; but this suggestion the latter treated with silent contempt.
After some discussion the Rabbit started for Dumpy Land post-haste, leaving the slower-footed Possum to
guard the new-found treasure. The tale continues as follows—

F 81
DU es GND Ok

Sir ’Possum sat beside the prize,
Intently watching it,

Till suddenly, with starting eyes,
He saw it move a bit;

And when he saw it slowly rise
He had a fainting fit.



But as he dropped upon the ground
The thing grew still, and then
Sir ’Possum rose and looked around
82

RE De MRS

Until it moved again ;
Then fell once more in faint profound,
And lay for seconds ten.

Twas thus they played at hide-and-seek
A quiet little game;

Sir Possum was afraid to speak,
The stranger seemed the same,

When flocking to behold the freak
The eager Dumpies came.

The curiosity they found,
And, but a step away,

All prone and silent on the ground
.The fainting Possum lay.

The puzzled Rabbit gazed around
And knew not what to say.
THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES



“I’m sure there’s something wrong,” he said ;
Then, as he racked his wits,

The thing popped out an ugly head
That scared him into fits:

And as the Dumpies fell and fled,
It shouted, “ Now, we're quits!”

But the Dumpies had no intention of quitting and giving up the matter so easily, and when the big Land
Turtle, or Terrapin, for such it was, saw them halt and come flocking back, it drew hastil
the door of his house with a snap and catching in it a tiny bit of the fainting
happened to be in easy reach.

83

y into its shell, closing
’Possum’s tail, which at that moment
earls LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES

This brought him out of his trance with a shriek and a bound that ended his captivity, and caused the

Rabbit so much amusement that his own fright was forgotten.



A net of rope they deftly threw
About the stranger’s den ;

They little knew what he could do
Until they started then.

He simply walked the other way
With Dumpies, net, and all,

Till, stringing out behind him, lay
His captors great and small.

The story ends in rhyme—

Then Wiseacre unto his side
The Rabbit called in fear,
“ Haste thou to Dumpy Land,” he cried,
“ And send my Griffin here!
For he is wise, and strong, withal,
And waits my bidding there.”
The Griffin at the Rabbit’s call
Came flying through the air.

And just above the Turtle stopped,
And, with a simple knack,

He deftly seized his shell and flopped
The monster on his back.

And there he lay in helpless grief,

~ And kicked and sprawled about,

And begged the Griffin for relief—
The Dumpies gave a shout.
Isls AUIQEIIINID) V2 ASO IDOMUPIGSS

“ Agree to go to Dumpydom
With us,” they cried, “and then

We'll have our faithful Griffin come
And flop you back again.”

“T will, I will!” the Turtle said ;
“To all will I agree;

This weird and wingéd quadruped
He got the best of me.”



Thus came the Terrapin to dwell with the Dumpies. You will see by his picture how tall and ungainly he
was at that period, and you will remember how squat of presence he has since become. Being in great fear of
the Griffin, who could turn him on his back and thus render him helpless, he soon grew very submissive and
docile. The Rabbit and Sir Possum cultivated his acquaintance, and the three became boon’ companions as

time passed.
85


Tue story of the Duck’s ransom and subsequent arrival of the Crocodile in the Land of Low Mountains
is told by the Dumpies with great pride as being the history of a double triumph. The story had its be-
ginning in early summer, and was not fully complete until late autumn, but the Dumpy Poet Omelette has
condensed it into a single tale, and the translator will follow his example.

Before beginning, it may be well to state, for the benefit of those who have never lived next door
to an Alligator, that when the winter comes he swallows a number of pine-knots and lies torpid until spring.
These pine-knots resist digestion somewhat, and also, no doubt, are very good for the Alligator as a resinous
tonic during his long winter sleep. In the spring he ejects them, and, having become round and smooth,
they are sometimes gathered and used as croquet-balls.

The tale runs as follows—
86
IUGUs, IHC IBINGD) (O)2 NsUs DAO UE aS)

One morn in May the Dumpies lay The Dumpy band arose and fled,
Encamped beside the flowing Nile, The Terrapin remained behind.
When, lo! there came in haste that way

ie nencenenen @recdite: For he had met the Crocodile

At lunches, teas, and friendly calls ;

And wildly fleeing, just before, He knew his ways and winter style—
A bird of legs and body slim ; His autumn appetite for balls.

For thus the Duck was built of yore

Before the Dumpies captured him. And quickly flashed across his mind

A plan to set the victim free :
And right into their camp he sped ‘“What ho, old friend! you're out, I find,
Full-tilt, a hiding-place to find ; And well and active yet,” quoth he.

The Alligator paused, and the Terrapin explained that the fleeing Dumpies were his friends, and that
they were not afraid, but merely going hurriedly to find a place of safety for the Duck. He added that
they were a very brave and warlike people, and at the same time kind and friendly to all animals, and
especially the oppressed. He agreed that the Duck was the Crocodile’s legal victim, but advised a treaty
with the Dumpy people as being safer for him than a war. He then asked the Crocodile how he had slept
during the winter, and was told that, owing to the scarcity of pine-knots the Fall before, his rest had been very

bad, and that several times he had awakened dreaming that he had been stepped upon by the Hippopotamus.
87
THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES

This gave the Turtle a chance to tell the Crocodile how skilful the Dumpies were in works of art,
and that no doubt they would be willing to furnish him any number of beautiful hand-made knots in the
Fall, if he would control his present appetite for Duck-meat. He added further that Add-a-pose, the Dumpy
artist and carver, would carve and paint the balls to resemble Ducks, so that his Fall supper would be a
new and dainty treat.



This impressed the Crocodile, and the Terrapin called loudly to the flying Dumpies, who slowly
returned. The contract was closed at once. The Crocodile,’ after signing it, sauntered away after other
game, and the Dumpies returned in triumph with the grateful Duck to Dumpy Land.

88
THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES

The summer passed—the Duck grew fat,
And posed each day for Add-a-pose
To carve the wooden models that
Were promised at the season’s close.

And fatter, too, the models grew,
To match the Duck, and short of limb,
As all that dwell with Dumpies do,
However tall at first, or slim.

And by-and-by the Autumn came,
And with it came the Crocodile

His feast of painted Ducks to claim,
And found them finished up in style.

And when he saw them, high and low,
Arranged with neatness—side by side—
He gazed upon that comic row,

And laughed until he fairly cried.

89

Then Wiseacre stepped forth and said,
“Remain with us a year, and see,
How royally our friends are fed,
And what a noble tribe are we.”

‘“°Tis done,” replied the Crocodile,
“Your arguments convince me quite.”
And he was entertained in style
By all the Dumpy band that night.






THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES

He remained long with the hospitable Dumpies, and become as he is to-day. When winter returned
he swallowed a number of the Ducks and went to sleep. He did not need all of them, however, and
those that remained were found. long afterwards by hunters, and used to attract other fowls.

And this was the origin of the Decoy-duck.



90



CA



>

Oye beautiful May morning in the Land of Low Mountains, Dumpling the King sent for Wiseacre the sage.
A little later a hurried message was sent for the Goose, who appeared panting and fussing with the exertion
and haste of coming.

“You have been a great traveller,” said Wiseacre. “Tell his Majesty what you have seen in
foreign lands in the way of amusements for the people.”

The Goose, who had by this time grown very fat, thereupon squatted down before the Dumpling,
and, after several prostrations, stated that at this season of the year he had more than once noticed curious
games played by animals and people in a ring covered with sawdust, and that he had seen the same set
forth in numerous places by many coloured pictures. He had learned that this amusement or
performance was called a circus, and was very popular with mankind in the big world outside.

These words brought great joy to the Dumpling, who was at a loss to find new sports
for his followers. The Goose and Wiseacre were instructed to arrange for a circus
in Dumpy Land forthwith. Their first interview was with Add-a-pose, the artist.

gI


Ahels; JLB }3 NO) OF Ass, IW AUES

Painting in his studio Add-a-pose they found,
Planned with him for circus bills to be posted round,



In and out of Dumpydom all the land about,
And the Dumpy folks were happy when the news

got

out.

g2

Tipsy-loo and Wide-out, too, planning what to wear,
Jolly-boy and Commodore scheming with the Bear—
Merry-wink and Sober-sides practising on drums
To perform at the performance when the great
day
comes.

Rabbit and Sir Possum and the Turtle in a row
Having a rehearsal for the opening of the show—
Big bears and little bears training day and night,
Everybody bound to have the thing
go
right.
See GE ND Ore WertEe DW Aviles

By-and-by the happy day comes in Dumpy Land, Ground and lofty tumbling now fills the crowd with joy
All is now in readiness just as they had planned ; Commodore endeavours to compete with Jolly-boy ;
Bands of music everywhere marching to the show—
Everybody anxious to perform
just



so.

In the sawdust ring at last, capering about,
Through the gay and grand entrée, weaving

in and out,
Dumpling-ee and Dumpling, in their royal chairs, Both are very short of breath, both are very fat—
Weeping tears of laughter at the six Everybody merry when they come
cub down

bears. flat.

93
thE EEGEND OF TELE DUMIPRIES

Trick and fancy riding then occupies the crowd—

Mr Goose, the manager, cracks his whip aloud ;

Highland fling and change and swing, round and
round they go,

Everybody trying hard to “jump
Jim





Thus they held their circus in the merry month of May;
Thus the show continued till the closing of the day,
Everyone declaring that the Goose had done it brown,
Everybody happy when the sun
went
down.



Through a paper-covered hoop hurtles Jolly-boy,
While Sir Possum, as the clown, rings a bell with joy;
Tipsy-loo and Terrapin, standing close at hand,

Patronise the Owl, who runs a pea-
nut

stand.



94



for aramble, they came back in great
haste. As soon as they could get breath they declared that i? = E an enemy was at the gates demand-
ing admittance. They had not seen him, but from his voice © 1 ,~ they knew him to be one of the Dog
tribe, between whom and themselves there had never been â„¢ any friendship. They begged, there-
fore, that he be driven away and requested not to return on penalty of death.

The Dumpy tribe assembled and marched to the gates, Wiseacre in advance. When they
drew near they heard a plaintive and musical voice singing. They paused at a signal from Wiseacre,

and listened in silence to



Dit SONGLOR- THE DACHS HUN:

“Oh, valiant tribe of a verdant land, And I long to kneel at the Dumpling’s throne ;
Open the doors to the Dachshund. Open the doors to the Dachshund.
Oh, friendly hearts of a famous band, Most noble King,
Open the doors to the Dachshund. To you I sing:
For the way was long and the way was lone— Open the doors to the Dachshund.”

Without a bite, and without a bone—
95
sels EC ISINUDY Oe Isls, VOOM NES

As the song ended there was a loud protest from the Rabbit and Sir ’Possum, who declared that the new-
comer belonged to the ancient tribe of Black-and-Tans, and was a dangerous associate, being of quarrelsome
and fierce nature. The Dumpies, however, hesitated. The singer’s flattery and hunger worked on their

feelings. Wiseacre at last decided that they invite him in, and hold a council at which his case could be fairly
considered and voted upon.



The gates were then thrown open wide, The Dumpies crowded up to see
The weary Dachshund stepped inside, The stranger. Tall and slim was he,
The ’Possum fainted on the ground ; With drooping ears and body long,
The Rabbit vanished with a bound. And eyes.as plaintive as his song.

96
THE LEGEND. OF

At first a silent tear he shed,

And then to Wiseacre he said:

‘“The way was long, the way was lone—
Without a bite, without a bone—

I asked for bread and got a stone,

Take pity on the Dachshund.”

Then straightway to the Council Hall,
The Dumpies, animals and all,
Conducted him without delay.

And each one had a word to say
About this stranger and his song—
His legs, and ears, and body long.

Sir Possum came, the Rabbit too,

And loud and fierce discussion grew ;
But when the Dachshund rose to speak,
He only said in accents weak :

oi,

Loe DUMPIES

“The way was long, the way was lone—
Without a bite, without a bone,

Fatigue and hunger have I known—

_ the Dachshund.”

Have mercy on \



Then Wiseacre arose and said :

‘‘T move this suppliant be fed,

And then allowed to stay and sing
And guard the palace of the King.”
At this the Rabbit rose and cried:

“ Agreed! if you will keep him tied
Throughout the day, until, at night,
My doors are shut and fastened tight.”
deals IE CAe NID ONS Abas) ADIOS)

And so the wandering dog was fed,

And wined and dined and put to bed ;
Then tied beneath the Dumpling’s stoop,
Where, like a chicken in a coop,

He sang and slumbered all day long,
And this the burden of his song:

‘“The way was long, the way was lone—
Without a bite, without a bone—

But now I’m fed and fatter grown,

A most contented Dachshund.”



Thus the Dachshund became the minstrel-guard of the Dumpling’s palace. From chasing about at night
his legs did not become short fast enough to suit the heaviness of his body and very low quarters beneath the
Dumpling’s porch. Hence he became knock-kneed, and remains so until this day, even though his legs are
now so short that one of our wise men has said that he has the appearance of having been born under a bureau.

In time, too, he became too lazy to sing, and lost much of his sweet voice as well as his ff ,
brave and fierce disposition. What with all this, and his short legs and fat body, which y
made him a slow runner, the Rabbit and Sir Possum ceased to fear him, fF
and he was allowed to roam in and out the gates of Dumpy Land at will.

98


Tue coming of the Pelican to the Land of Low Mountains occurred in the early
summer of the Year of Amenities. It was not attended by accident or adventure,
but was the result of a general invitation sent out by the Dumpy people to all birds and
animals of the sea and land, and in whatever walk of life. The Pelican was the first to

respond to this call, and was received with great honour. A musical entertainment was arranged by



Wiseacre to celebrate the event, and was given a few days later by the Dumpies aS their friends.
It opened with a chorus entitled

Eee ene Ad

Sing ho, sing ho, sing cheerily, the Pelican has come
O’er sea and land to join our band, the hosts of Dumpydom ;
O’er land and sea right speedily he sought our noble band ;
Sing ho, sing ho, for the Pelican, the pride of Dumpy Land!

The Pelican, the Pelican,

The Pelican has come;
Hurrah, hurrah, for the Pelican, the joy of Dumpydom !

99


LE EEG END. Oke mvis DION VRE S

The singers were so pleased with their own performance that they repeated this chorus over and over,
until Jolly-boy and Commodore were black in the face, and Wiseacre, the manager, had screamed himself
hoarse trying to stop them. When he at last succeeded, he gently pushed forward the Pelican himself, who,
after bowing rather timidly, plumed himself a bit and sang—

PES tf) Dip ORE sO Pb SSB lea

A song of the upper air, Oh, joy of the upper air!

Its measureless swirl and sweep, Oh, dash of the ocean’s brine!
And the beat of wings and the joy that swings With seas below and above, I know

In the flow of its azure deep, There’s never a life like mine.

In the flow of its azure deep, Yet now for a year and a day
As I sail in the sunset hue I bid them both adieu,

To the evening star that floats afar And I heave a sigh as I sing good-bye
In the tide of the topless blue. To the tide of the topless blue.

CHorus. All: CuHorus., AZ:
The tide, the tide, the measureless tide

Good-bye, good-bye, he sings good-bye
Of the turbulent, topless blue. To the tide of the topless blue.
100
1OBUS; JOC ISINID OF SEE DC Ves

As the Pelican finished, both Commodore and Jolly-boy rushed forward to the footlights, but, Wiseacre
seizing each by the ear, led them back into line, while Tipsy-loo and Wide-out stepped forward. They blushed
prettily together to a sweet little prelude of the orchestra, and sang a love-song, entitled

PLUMP AND FAIR

Oh, I know a little maid, Oh, my love is like a dove,
Plump and fair ; Plump and fair—

And my heart, I am afraid, ; You will hear her spoken of
Lingers where Everywhere.

She reposes all the day, And the honey-people say,

And the honeysuckles stray, Where the bees and blossoms stray,

And the roses of the May She grows plumper every day,
Scent the air. I declare.



She reposes, she reposes ’neath the nodding summer roses,
And my faithful heart she knows is ever there.

IOI
Lot Leer ND: OL nhE DUMETES

At the close of this song, Waddle, who seemed to fear that he would not get a chance, rushed forward,

and, without waiting for the music, began to sing in a loud and distressing voice the ballad of

THe UNE ORD U NAGE, PIG

I'll sing to you a story of a most unfortunate pig,

Whose appetite was not so small, nor yet so very big:
Whose bristles grew so very short he had to wear a wig.
Boo-hoo, boo-hoo, boo-hoo, boo-hoo for this unfortunate pig.



Cuorus. AL:
Boo-hoo, boo-hoo, boo-hoo, boo-hoo for this unfortunate pig,

Whose appetite was not so small, nor yet so very big.

His legs were not so very short, nor yet so very long ;

Which brings me to the tragic end of this here mournful song :

He perished of a broken heart, and danced the final jig.

Boo-hoo, boo-hoo, the Dumpies cried for this unfortunate pig.
102
TE EGEND: OF EE DUNT S

As Waddle finished, Wiseacre demanded what he meant by singing a song that was not on the programme.
Waddle replied that it was a song he had composed himself, and that the King’s Poet, out of professional
jealousy, would never have allowed it to be sung had he known of it. As the song had been highly applauded
by the audience, Wiseacre allowed it to pass, and motioned Jolly-boy, Commodore, the Rabbit, and Sir’Possum
forward. They gave a quartet entitled

HEROES BOLD
_Rassit and Sir ’Possum, JoLLy-Boy and CommMoporE

Four heroes bold you see ;
Of Dumpy Land are we,
Of habits sly,

Of courage high,

As heroes bold should be.

Cuorus. Al; The Flower of Dumpy Land,
The glory of the band——



103
THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES

As these lines were sung, each tried to shout the loudest. The result was terrible. Wiseacre rushed
hastily forward, but not in time to prevent a scuffle which began among the four heroes, each of whom believed
himself to be the glory of Dumpy Land.

The curtain was rung hastily down, and the uproar grew louder and louder behind it. By-and-by it was
slowly raised, and only Wiseacre was left to sing the closing chorus, which had been written for the whole
band—

A merry, brotherly band are we
We never fight or disagree,
But work together, hand in hand,
For the glory and good of Dumpy Land.
Oh yes, oh yes, a brotherly band, as you can plainly see,
We sing adieu, kind friends, to you, with hearts so light and
free.



There was another stanza to this, but Wiseacre did not sing it. Perhaps it occurred to him as not being

quite suitable to the conditions; so the curtain fell.
104
, ROSRABW ES





Now in one portion of the Land of Low Mountains there are sweet
meadows used only for the cultivation of flowers. It is here that the
honeymakers gather, and it is known as Bumblebee Land. The flowers are of short growth like the
Dumpies themselves, and are believed by them to have a language and the power of travelling about
between sunset and sunrise. Many tales are told of them to the Dumpy babies. One of their favourites
has been put into rhyme for the special use of the little prince, the royal Dumplingette. It is called:

PE Bure Ne Ur babs

I To a moon-rippled shore where the Jollicum band
Hold revels, as many do tell ;
Two Buttercup babies of Bumblebee Land— For the Bumblebee boys have been there,
Where hunters of honey-pots dwell— Oh, yes,
Went roaming one night when the meadows were And the Butterfly maidens so fair,
dark, We guess,
For they said, “ We will go on a gay little lark Then, ho, for the Jollicum dell!”

105
THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES

III

It was far to the home of this Jollicum band,
And they reached it precisely at ten.
"Tis a marvellous spot where these rollickers be—





There is frolicsome fruit on each frivolous tree,

And the water goes gamboling over the sand

To a wonderful goddlesome glen.

Oh, the Buttercup babies are blooming and gay, _ And the Buttercups shouted, ‘‘ Ho, ho,
And their faces are lighted with gold ; Oh, yes,
And the moon hurried out as they hastened along, You had better go on with your show,
For the Buttercup babies were singing a song We guess,
That mixed with the moonlight and floated, they say, You funny old Jollicum men.”

To the shores of the Cuddlesome Cold,
And they sang, “ We're off for the place,
Oh, yes,
Where the men of the Jollicum race,
We guess,
Their riotous revelry hold.”



106
Lip ele GEN DD: OL wis DliVviriE:S









S aay
Then the Jollies joined hands in the misty moonlight,
And went scampering over the ground ;

Aeweevg

And they wiggled their fat little bodies about Then they shouted, “Oh, Jollicum band,
As they waddled along in a ludicrous rout, We guess
And the Buttercup babies looked on with delight It is sunrise in Bumblebee Land,
As they merrily circled around. Oh, yes,” .

And vanished away with a bound.
107
ihe be GEN Ok daria.) WVErstissS

Vv And gaily they talk when they’ve daintily dined
Of the land of the goddlesome glen,
And now in the Bumblebee country you'll find While the Buttercups whisper, and say,
The Buttercup babies again. Ohsayes:
And all the day long do the Butterflies come, We're quite as well posted as they,
And the Bumblebees bum-m-m, and the humming- We guess,
birds hum-m-m, On these jovial Jollicum men.”



108



2) Gop REE eS Sas eS

Low Mountains lies thesea. It washes

On the east boundary of the Land of \
here in summer-time the Dumpies

over a wide stretch of sandy beach, and
often gather to enjoy the surf and the
opens in June, and early in that month they begin laying plans and preparing their wardrobes
for their summer outing. They have joined together in building a wide, low-roofed cottage facing the
ocean, with spacious apartments for the Dumpling and Dumpling-ee, and ample room for all the band.
The start for the seashore was this time far more imposing than usual because of their many new friends.

warm sunshine. Their bathing season

The She-Bear proudly carried Behind them marched the others
The Dumplings on before With boxes, bags, and all
(The Dumplingette between them), The glory of the summer
The Cubs their luggage bore. And seaside festival.

109
THE LEGEND OF THE DUMPIES

And when the glow of sunset
Was on the sea and strand,

They reached their cottage dwelling
That stood upon the sand.









And here the days went gaily With Tipsy-loo and Wide-out
With feast and summer joy, - They wandered hand in hand,
And Commodore was happy, Or sported with the billows
And so was Jolly-boy. Upon the shining sand.

pIeLO
Pah ea Ge ND Or iE SPU MEINE S

One morning at sunrise, when they were going for an early plunge, they met a strange bird, tall and
with large wings. It was the Penguin, who at that time was a bird of speed both by wing and foot.
Its manners, also, were more polite than those of any other bird. The Dumpies were a bit startled at
first, but a low bow and smile from the stranger reassured them, and they were soon very good friends.

Tipsy-loo was charmed with the Penguin’s breeding, and invited him, if he had. no other engagement,
to join them in a morning swim. The Penguin did have very pressing business elsewhere, but, being so
polite, did not mention the fact, and soon they were all diving through the foam-topped billows. They were
in the midst of this pleasure when suddenly a wave, larger than all the rest, rushed in, and seizing Tipsy-
loo and Wide-out, bore them far out to sea. There was a wild shriek from Commodore and Jolly-boy.

“Oh, Penguin! Penguin! save them!”
In agony they cried—

The Penguin so obliging
Swept bravely o’er the tide,

And dropping down between them,
A wing he gave to each,
And gracefully escorted
The maidens to the beach.
ITI


CES Ce GEND TOE seve DO VieiEsS

And when once more in safety He ate, and kept on eating,
They stood upon the sand, Of rich and dainty things ;
They urged this gallant stranger His legs grew short and shorter,
To join the Dumpy band. And shorter still his wings.
And though he wished sincerely He quickly gave up flying ;

Himself he might excuse, His legs he used no more,
His breeding was so gentle

He couldn’t quite refuse.

' Save every day to waddle
Politely to the shore.

And when they wined and dined him
From early until late,

And soon, of all amusements,



: He only cared to swim ;
To please the merry Dumpies, And every day the Dumpies
He ate and ate and ate. ; Grew fonder still of him.

And thus the Penguin became a more complete Dumpy than any of the birds, except his cousin, the
Auk, who came in the Fall to see him, and by spring was almost exactly like him in appearance. They
both gave up the habit of flying and became ocean birds entirely, and are the best-known swimmers to this
day. The Penguin still joins the Dumpies at their summer beach, and is still the most polite and gentle of

birds.

I12


OnE morning Sir Possum was walking up and down the verandah of the beach cottage with a most
mysterious air. The Rabbit and the Terrapin sat in one corner watching him and wildly curious to know
what was up. They were too proud to ask, however, and for a long time Sir’Possum did not offer to tell them.
At last he looked out over the sea, and, as if making a remark to a passing gull, said—

‘“Coming off on the fifteenth.” ,

“What's coming off on the fifteenth?” asked the other two quickly, unable to hold in any longer.

“Yes, what is coming off on the fifteenth ?” demanded the She-Bear, who came up the steps just then.

‘Oh, yes,” chorused all the little Bears behind her, ‘‘ what is coming off on the fifteenth? Tell us,
please.”

Sir ’Possum paused and closed one eye as he grinned at the eager row of questioners, who waited with
mouths and ears open. Then, as he resumed his walk, he grunted the single word—

“Weddings!”

“Oh!” exclaimed all the others ina chorus. ‘You don’t mean it!”

H Tet
Tip eE GEN DLO warlike DWV ERES

“Why, yes, of course,” said Sir’P., “and I have been composing poetry on the subject.

It goes like
this—



‘Two and two make only two,
Jolly-boy and Tipsy-loo—
Wide-out fair and Commodore—
Two and two that now are four.”



“Oh!” cried the listeners, “how beautiful! ”

“Yes,” said Sir Possum, “it is pretty fair, isn’t it? I often throw off little things like that at odd moments.
But now about these weddings. I’m simply dying to see the trousseaux.”

“Oh, so are we, so are we!” shouted all the others. “Where are they ?”
“In the ladies’ apartments, of course, and the ladies are there with them.”

Just then the Owl came up, and the matter was laid before him.
“Ho!” he laughed, “that’s easy. When they go to the beach to bathe they leave their doors unlocked.
We'll just take a quiet peep.”

114
(eis, Iberia INib) Ole

This proposition pleased the rest,
Who joined his Owlship in the quest,
And, when they saw the ladies go,
Slipped up the stairway in a row,

And found the doors both open wide,
And, laughing softly, stepped inside ;
Then stood and gazed with rare delight
On fair array that lay in sight,

And at the jewels strewn around.
Then soon the roaming ’Possum found
In Tipsy’s room a looking-glass—
The first he’d ever seen. “Alas!”
He sadly thought, “’tis I instead

Of Jolly-boy that she should wed,

For in this tiny frame of gold

My faithful likeness I behold.”

Tel

THE DUMPIES



And then in tears he walked away,

And each one passing where it lay
Picked up the glass and did behold
His features in a frame of gold.
And each one sighed and sadly said,
“ Alas! ’tis I that she should wed;”
For each believed the lovely maid
Alone his picture there surveyed,
Gib eer CEN OS Ol eee CiViere Ss

And in her heart was sad because And then the little glass she brought
Poor Jolly’s promised bride she was. _ That every passing picture caught,
And each one drifted from the rest And laughingly those creatures told
To hug the secret in his breast ; The secret of that frame of gold.
And poor Sir ’Possum with a moan, And when its mystery they heard,
As usual, fainted all alone. And saw how silly they had been,

They heaved a'sigh at first, and then
They smiled, but didn’t say a word.



But by-and-by the Dumpy band
Beheld them sitting on the sand,

All sad and silent, side by side,

And gazing out across the tide.

And Tipsy, when she saw them thus,
Called merrily, “ Come, go with us,
My solemn friends, and you will see
The present Jolly gave to me!”



116




As the day of the great double wedding drew near the Dumpies’’ seaside cottage
was given over to the joy and bustle of getting ready for it. Wiseacre was Master
of Ceremonies and planned all the work for the others.

Mr and Mrs Bear were sent to a distant forest after a special brand of honey, while the Cubs were
ordered into the near-by woods to gather flowers. Mrs Goose and Mr were requested to supply fresh
eggs, and Sugar-lumps to prepare the feast, assisted by the Griffin, who brought rare dainties from a great
distance. The Rabbit, Sir Possum, and the Terrapin were made a Committee on General Observation and
Silence, which meant that they were to look on and say nothing, Wiseacre knowing their habit of getting into
all kinds of trouble if they were given half a chance. Add-a-pose, of course, was to make the place look
pretty, and the Snow-birds, who had returned for the grand occasion, were ordered by him to sit in rows
where they would decorate the rooms and be handy to run errands at the same time.

Thus, you see, the friends of the Dumpies were busy and the Dumpies themselves still busier. The days
passed swiftly and the wedding morning came over the blue eastern sea as fair and unruffled as an infant’s
dream. The ceremony was to take place at high noon, and long before that hour the cottage parlours were
gL
EE SE GEN DAO rs Ak rie DU NEE TES

crowded. When at last the bridal procession came in it was greeted by a wedding-chorus, composed especially for

the occasion.
And sitting near by on a dais
The Dumpling and fair Dumpling-ee,
And they wore their best crowns for the wedding

And robes that were royal to see.

And Fat-and-Contented was smiling
With the glory and pomp of the day,
. And Tipsy and Wide-out were blushing



Air: “MARCHING THROUGH GEORGIA” And fair in their bridal array.

Behold! behold! the wedding-day has come And Jolly and Commodore, standing

Of Tipsy-loo—the flower of Dumpydom, Bach by hie beatae

And Wide-out, Gentle Wide-out, and Gallant Commodore, k : :

; Serene in new friendship and splendour,
gr 0 Mygvoyatnesnercrortac Pemuicy Were pictures of plumpness and pride.

Then Fat-and-Contented, beginning,
Soon made each fair couple as one;

And the Dumpies broke out into cheering
When the legal proceedings were done.

Then up through the garlands of roses,
Till the welcoming music had ceased,
Came marching the bridal procession

To Fat-and-Contented the priest.
118
THE LEGEND-OR THE DUMBPIES

Then, ’mid the ringing of bells and scattering of flowers in their path, the wedding couples marched to a
great feast, followed by all the band. It lasted far into the night, and, just before it ended, the Rabbit, who had
been silent as long as possible, arose and offered a toast, first to the Dumpling and Dumpling-ee, then to the

Ba



long life and happiness of Tipsy-loo and Wide-out and their honoured grooms, and finally to all of those in
every land who are fond of good things to eat, and to the good and noble cooks that make their lives a joy. Sir

’Possum and the Terrapin both responded to this brave sentiment, and it was echoed by all and pledged in a
119
Ebel EG END sO eterth DU NEUES

glass of nectar made from the sap of the maple and tinted a pale-rose colour. Then the great wedding-feast of
the Dumpies was done, and the Rabbit, Sir Possum, and the Terrapin wandered out together, arm-in-arm,
and sat silently on the seashore to watch the sun rise.

And thus ends the tale of the Dumpies. There are many other adventures we might record, but we fear
our readers are weary of the merry little people who dwell in the land of Low Mountains that lies in the far
Country of Kay.

We might tell of the Year of Separations, when the birds and the animals. returned to their native wilds.
We might sing of the strange adventures of the Rabbit, Sir "Possum, and the Terrapin, when they were
banished from Dumpy Land for a year and roamed over the world together. But we will not do so now.

We will say only good-bye. Good-bye to Tipsy-loo the fair and Wide-out the gentle ; to Jolly-boy the
brave and to Commodore the gallant; to the Dumpling and Dumpling-ee, and to all the band, and their
faithful friends of which we have told you, and many more that followed them during the Year of
Amenities. Adieu to them and to you, dear reader, and in closing we can only repeat—

Beware of the Land of Low Mountains—
Beware of the Dumpies, I pray,

Who dwell in those wonderful valleys
Afar in the Country of Kay,

Or you may become, ere you know it,
As broad and unwieldy as they.


"23) (42
T)

L