Children's stories, American; Fairy tales; Fairy tales -- United States; Short stories
The glass-blower was much distressed at this, but said he would see
what he could do. For a man should always try to please his wife, and
Miss Mydas has promised to marry him within a week.
On his way home he purchased a heavy sack, and when he passed the
wizard’s door and the pink glass dog ran out to bark at him he threw
the sack over the dog, tied the opening with a piece of twine, and
carried him away to his own room.
The next day he sent the sack by a messenger boy to Miss Mydas, with
his compliments, and later in the afternoon he called upon her in
person, feeling quite sure he would be received with gratitude for
stealing the dog she so greatly desired.
But when he came to the door and the butler opened it, what was his
amazement to see the glass dog rush out and begin barking at him
furiously.
“Call off your dog,” he shouted, in terror.
“I can’t, sir,” answered the butler. “My young lady has ordered the
glass dog to bark whenever you call here. You’d better look out, sir,”
he added, “for if it bites you, you may have glassophobia!”
This so frightened the poor glass-blower that he went away hurriedly.
But he stopped at a drug store and put his last dime in the telephone
box so he could talk to Miss Mydas without being bitten by the dog.
“Give me Pelf 6742!” he called.
“Hello! What is it?” said a voice.
“I want to speak with Miss Mydas,” said the glass-blower.
Presently a sweet voice said: “This is Miss Mydas. What is it?”
“Why have you treated me so cruelly and set the glass dog on me?” asked
the poor fellow.
“Well, to tell the truth,” said the lady, “I don’t like your looks.
Your cheeks are pale and baggy, your hair is coarse and long, your eyes
are small and red, your hands are big and rough, and you are
bow-legged.”
“But I can’t help my looks!” pleaded the glass-blower; “and you really
promised to marry me.”
“If you were better looking I’d keep my promise,” she returned. “But
under the circumstances you are no fit mate for me, and unless you keep
away from my mansion I shall set my glass dog on you!” Then she dropped
the ’phone and would have nothing more to say.
The miserable glass-blower went home with a heart bursting with
disappointment and began tying a rope to the bedpost by which to hang
himself.
Some one knocked at the door, and, upon opening it, he saw the wizard.
“I’ve lost my dog,” he announced.
“Have you, indeed?” replied the glass-blower tying a knot in the rope.
“Yes; some one has stolen him.”
“That’s too bad,” declared the glass-blower, indifferently.
“You must make me another,” said the wizard.
“But I cannot; I’ve thrown away my tools.”
“Then what shall I do?” asked the wizard.
“I do not know, unless you offer a reward for the dog.”
“But I have no money,” said the wizard.
“Offer some of your compounds, then,” suggested the glass-blower, who
was making a noose in the rope for his head to go through.
“The only thing I can spare,” replied the wizard, thoughtfully, “is a
Beauty Powder.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account