Dot and Tot of MerrylandBaum, L. Frank (Lyman Frank)
Science
Dot and Tot of Merryland
Baum, L. Frank (Lyman Frank)
Fantasy fiction
The room was beautifully furnished; but the chairs, tables, pictures
and ornaments were all composed of candy of some sort, and there was
a fragrant odor of wintergreen, peppermint and rose about the room
that made Tot's mouth water in delightful anticipation. The boy
seated himself in a pretty pink and white chair, and Dot sat down
upon a small sofa; but happening to remember the sofa was candy, she
quickly arose and remained standing, although she was also a little
afraid of the sticky floor, which seemed to be well powdered.
Soon the woman entered the room and, having welcomed them, she said,
"Our colored nurse, Aunt Lowney, had left the baby, little Huyler,
out in the sun, and before she noticed he was getting warm, his left
hand had all melted away. That was what made him cry."
"Oh, that is terrible!" cried Dot, clasping her hands in horror at
the sad accident. "What can you do for the poor child?"
"I have sent Aunt Lowney into the marshmallow field to get him some
more fingers. We shall be able to patch him up all right, I think, so
do not let it distress you. Accidents are always happening in our
Valley. But I will order luncheon served at once, for you must be
hungry after your journey."
She then left the room, but soon returned, followed by two serving
maids, with complexions so dark brown in color that Dot was almost
afraid of them.
"They are only chocolate, you know," whispered the man, "and quite
harmless when taken in moderation."
Dot hardly understood what he meant, but felt more at ease after the
explanation.
The maids brought many candy dishes to the table all filled with
delicious bonbons and sugar-plums of every description. There were
apples, pears, oranges and grapes, berries and peaches, rose-leaves
and violets; but all were composed of candy and proved delightful
eating. For drink they had pink lemonade, served in dainty candy
cups.
"This pink lemonade," said the woman, "is one of the features of our
Valley, through which it flows in a pretty stream. Sometimes we also
drink the river water, but not often, for it is hardly sticky enough
for our taste. Our luncheon is now ready, so please draw your chairs
to the table."
Tot tried to rise then, but found he was stuck fast to his chair,
owing to the heat of his body having warmed the candy. Finding he
could not get up he began to cry, but Dot helped him, and by
carefully pulling his clothes away, an inch at a time, she managed to
get him loose. His clothes left a soft fuzz upon the seat and back of
the chair, and to avoid further trouble, the candy man scattered
powdered sugar over the chairs in which Dot and Tot sat at the table.
"I suppose it will powder your clothes somewhat," said he, "but they
can be brushed clean before you leave the Valley."
The children enjoyed their novel luncheon. "It's the first time,"
whispered Dot to Tot, "I ever had all the candy I wanted to eat."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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