Dorothy, Betsy and Ozma
I suppose many of my readers have read descriptions of the beautiful and
magnificent Emerald City of Oz, so I need not describe it here, except
to state that never has any city in any fairyland ever equalled this one
in stately splendor. It lies almost exactly in the center of the Land of
Oz, and in the center of the Emerald City rises the wall of glistening
emeralds that surrounds the palace of Ozma. The palace is almost a city
in itself and is inhabited by many of the Ruler's especial friends and
those who have won her confidence and favor.
As for Ozma herself, there are no words in any dictionary I can find
that are fitted to describe this young girl's beauty of mind and person.
Merely to see her is to love her for her charming face and manners; to
know her is to love her for her tender sympathy, her generous nature, her
truth and honor. Born of a long line of Fairy Queens, Ozma is as nearly
perfect as any fairy may be, and she is noted for her wisdom as well as
for her other qualities. Her happy subjects adore their girl Ruler and
each one considers her a comrade and protector.
At the time of which I write, Ozma's best friend and most constant
companion was a little Kansas girl named Dorothy, a mortal who had come
to the Land of Oz in a very curious manner and had been offered a home in
Ozma's palace. Furthermore, Dorothy had been made a Princess of Oz, and
was as much at home in the royal palace as was the gentle Ruler. She knew
almost every part of the great country and almost all of its numerous
inhabitants. Next to Ozma she was loved better than anyone in all Oz,
for Dorothy was simple and sweet, seldom became angry and had such a
friendly, chummy way that she made friends wherever she wandered. It was
she who first brought the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman and the Cowardly
Lion to the Emerald City. Dorothy had also introduced to Ozma the Shaggy
Man and the Hungry Tiger, as well as Billina the Yellow Hen, Eureka
the Pink Kitten, and many other delightful characters and creatures.
Coming as she did from our world, Dorothy was much like many other girls
we know; so there were times when she was not so wise as she might
have been, and other times when she was obstinate and got herself into
trouble. But life in a fairyland had taught the little girl to accept all
sorts of surprising things as matters-of-course, for while Dorothy was no
fairy--but just as mortal as we are--she had seen more wonders than most
mortals ever do.
Another little girl from our outside world also lived in Ozma's palace.
This was Betsy Bobbin, whose strange adventures had brought her to the
Emerald City, where Ozma had cordially welcomed her. Betsy was a shy
little thing and could never get used to the marvels that surrounded
her, but she and Dorothy were firm friends and thought themselves very
fortunate in being together in this delightful country.
One day Dorothy and Betsy were visiting Ozma in the girl Ruler's private
apartment, and among the things that especially interested them was
Ozma's Magic Picture, set in a handsome frame and hung upon the wall
of the room. This picture was a magic one because it constantly changed
its scenes and showed events and adventures happening in all parts of
the world. Thus it was really a "moving picture" of life, and if the one
who stood before it wished to know what any absent person was doing, the
picture instantly showed that person, with his or her surroundings.
The two girls were not wishing to see anyone in particular, on this
occasion, but merely enjoyed watching the shifting scenes, some of which
were exceedingly curious and remarkable. Suddenly Dorothy exclaimed:
"Why, there's Button-Bright!" and this drew Ozma also to look at the
picture, for she and Dorothy knew the boy well.
"Who is Button-Bright?" asked Betsy, who had never met him.
"Why, he's the little boy who is just getting off the back of that
strange flying creature," exclaimed Dorothy. Then she turned to Ozma and
asked: "What is that thing, Ozma? A bird? I've never seen anything like
it before."
[Illustration]
"It is an Ork," answered Ozma, for they were watching the scene where
the Ork and the three big birds were first landing their passengers in
Jinxland, after the long flight across the desert. "I wonder," added
the girl Ruler, musingly, "why those strangers dare venture into that
unfortunate country, which is ruled by a wicked King."
"That girl, and the one-legged man, seem to be mortals from the outside
world," said Dorothy.
"The man isn't one-legged," corrected Betsy; "he has one wooden leg."
"It's almost as bad," declared Dorothy, watching Cap'n Bill stump around.
"They are three mortal adventurers," said Ozma, "and they seem worthy and
honest. But I fear they will be treated badly in Jinxland, and if they
meet with any misfortune there it will reflect upon me, for Jinxland is a
part of my dominions."
"Can't we help them in any way?" inquired Dorothy. "That seems like a
nice little girl. I'd be sorry if anything happened to her."
"Let us watch the picture for awhile," suggested Ozma, and so they all
drew chairs before the Magic Picture and followed the adventures of Trot
and Cap'n Bill and Button-Bright. Presently the scene shifted and showed
their friend the Scarecrow crossing the mountains into Jinxland, and that
somewhat relieved Ozma's anxiety, for she knew at once that Glinda the
Good had sent the Scarecrow to protect the strangers.
The adventures in Jinxland proved very interesting to the three girls in
Ozma's palace, who during the succeeding days spent much of their time in
watching the picture. It was like a story to them.
[Illustration: Dorothy]
"That girl's a reg'lar trump!' exclaimed Dorothy, referring to Trot, and
Ozma answered:
"She's a dear little thing, and I'm sure nothing very bad will happen
to her. The old sailor is a fine character, too, for he has never once
grumbled over being a grasshopper, as so many would have done."
When the Scarecrow was so nearly burned up the girls all shivered a
little, and they clapped their hands in joy when the flock of Orks came
and saved him.
So it was that when all the exciting adventures in Jinxland were over and
the four Orks had begun their flight across the mountains to carry the
mortals into the Land of Oz, Ozma called the Wizard to her and asked him
to prepare a place for the strangers to sleep.
The famous Wizard of Oz was a quaint little man who inhabited the royal
palace and attended to all the magical things that Ozma wanted done. He
was not as powerful as Glinda, to be sure, but he could do a great many
wonderful things. He proved this by placing a house in the uninhabited
part of the Quadling Country where the Orks landed Cap'n Bill and Trot
and Button-Bright, and fitting it with all the comforts I have described
in the last chapter.
Next morning Dorothy said to Ozma:
"Oughtn't we to go meet the strangers, so we can show them the way to the
Emerald City? I'm sure that little girl will feel shy in this beautiful
land, and I know if 'twas me I'd like somebody to give me a welcome."
Ozma smiled at her little friend and answered:
"You and Betsy may go to meet them, if you wish, but I can not leave
my palace just now, as I am to have a conference with Jack Pumpkinhead
and Professor Wogglebug on important matters. You may take the Sawhorse
and the Red Wagon, and if you start soon you will be able to meet the
Scarecrow and the strangers at Glinda's palace."
"Oh, thank you!" cried Dorothy, and went away to tell Betsy and to make
preparations for the journey.
[Illustration: Betsy]
[Illustration]