Produced by Michael Gray
Books for Children
by
L. Frank Baum
Illustrated by W. W. Denslow
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The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Uniform with Dot and Tot. 275 pages. 24 full page inserts in eight
colors and over 150 colored text illustrations.
Price $1.50
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Father Goose: His Book
Large Quarto, printed in four colors, ornamental boards.
Price $1.25
The most successful juvenile book of the age.
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The Songs of Father Goose
With Music by Alberta N. Hall. Large Quarto, ornamental boards.
Price $1.00
Dot and Tot of Merryland
By L. Frank Baum
Pictures by W. W. Denslow
Geo M. Hill Co.
Chicago New York
Publishers
1901
Copyright 1901
By L. Frank Baum
And W. W. Denslow
AUTHOR'S NOTE
The success achieved last year by "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz"--a
book that not only ran through many large editions, but brought the
author hundreds of letters from interested little folks--has induced
me to follow that tale with another, herein presented.
Should "Dot and Tot of Merryland" win the approval of my young
friends, I shall be pleased and contented.
In any event Mr. Denslow's quaint and merry pictures, which, in this
book excel all his previous work, will be sure to induce happiness in
the heart of every beholder.
L. FRANK BAUM.
Chicago, July 1, 1901.
DEDICATION.
To ev'ry laughter-loving Tot--
Whether your name be Dot or not;
And may you find a Merryland
Forever lying close at hand.
CHAPTER LIST
I.--Roselawn
II.--Tot
III.--The Boat
IV.--Under the Cliffs
V.--The Watch-Dog of Merryland
VI.--The First Valley
VII.--The Clown Country
VIII.--The Second Valley
IX.--The Third Valley
X.--The Queen of Merryland
XI.--The Palace of Wonders
XII.--Prince Tot and Princess Dot
XIII.--The Revolt of the Dolls
XIV.--The Queen's Fairy Wand
XV.--The Valley of Pussycats
XVI.--The Busy Mr. Split
XVII.--The Animals that Wound Up
XVIII.--The Valley of Lost Things
XIX.--The Lost Crowns
XX.--The Voyage Ends
CHAPTER 1
ROSELAWN
You should have seen Dot as she nestled among the cushions of the
carriage on her way to the railway station with her father and
governess, Miss Bombien. Her dainty white gown was covered with tucks
and puffings and embroideries, as became the dress of the daughter of
the wealthy banker who sat smilingly beside her. Her soft, braided
white hat had a wide brim that drooped languidly over the pale little
face beneath, and broad, white ribbons drew down the brim until all
the yellow curls were hidden away. Indeed, the only bits of color
about Dot that showed were her deep blue eyes and rosy lips. Even
these last were not so rosy as they should have been, for Dot was not
in her usual good health, having been confined to the big city house
during a long winter and a chill, uncomfortable spring.
But, now that the flowers were blooming and the birds singing in the
new-leaved trees, she was going, in charge of her governess, to pass
the summer at Roselawn, a beautiful country home her father had
recently purchased.
"You must try not to be lonely, dear," said her father, as he held
her little hand in his big, strong one. "I have told Miss Bombien to
let you run and romp to your heart's content, so the roses may more
quickly return to your pale cheeks."
Dot's eyes brightened. To run and romp as she pleased would indeed be
a new experience to her, and she was happy even to think of such
delight.
"You will have no one but Miss Bombien for company," continued her
father; "but there are plenty of servants, and I am told the grounds
are in beautiful condition. In a few days, at most, Sweetheart, I
shall run down to see you, and then you can tell me how you like your
new home. In the meanwhile, Miss Bombien will simply look after your
comfort; there will be no lessons to bother you. All you must do is
eat and sleep and play, and to grow strong and rosy-cheeked again."
Dot listened to al this with much pleasure, and decided she was about
to have a fine holiday. Her real name, by the way, was Evangeline
Josephine Freeland; but mamma and papa had always called her "Dot"
from the day she was born, so sometimes she almost forgot she had
such a beautiful name as Evangeline Josephine.
Dot's mamma was an invalid, and had been taken by her father--Dot's
grandfather, you know--for a trip to Europe, in search of better
health, and so she had been forced to leave her little daughter to
the watchful care of Miss Bombien. Mr. Freeland, although he loved
Dot dearly, was a very busy man and could devote but little time to
his child. "So, Sweetheart," he told her, "you will be Queen of
Roselawn this summer, and I will come down once in a while to bow
before your Majesty's throne."
What he really feared was that Dot might grow up weak and delicate as
her mother was; but he did not tell the child this. He resolved,
however, that if fresh air and healthy surroundings could give his
little girl strength and health, they should be at her command, and
therefore he had purchased Roselawn almost entirely on Dot's account.
Before she realized it, Dot found herself at the railway station and
aboard a parlor car, where her father gave her a long and loving
farewell kiss. Then Mr. Freeland stood upon the platform and waved
his hand to his daughter, while the train slowly glided out from the
station and began its journey into the sweet, fresh country.
Roselawn won the girl's heart at first sight. The cool but sun-kissed
mansion seemed delightful after the stuffy, formal city house. It was
built in a quaint yet pretty fashion, with many wings and gables and
broad verandas on every side. Before it were acres and acres of
velvety green lawn, sprinkled with shrubbery and dotted with beds of
bright flowers. In every direction were winding paths, covered with
white gravel, which led to all parts of the grounds, looking for all
the world like a map, Dot thought.
From the first day of her arrival, Dot was all eagerness and joy.
Miss Bombien fully obeyed her instructions to let the child run. Dot
entered the house only to eat her meals, which she did with growing
appetite, and then away she would romp to chase butterflies, visit
the stables or poultry yard, or sit near the river bank and watch the
driftwood float by. Sometimes a boat danced over the broad, blue
waters, and then Dot would jump up and down and clap her hands in
ecstasy at the pretty sight. The river soon became her favorite
resort, for the green banks and terraces before the house ran down to
the water's edge.
Miss Bombien passed her days in hammock swung under a side porch,
where she read a great many books and enjoyed herself in her own way.
She did not bother to watch Dot, thinking the child could get into no
mischief beyond a torn frock or a soiled lace.
One morning, having finished her breakfast and scampered out upon the
lawn, as usual, Dot chanced to notice a tiny path that led through a
small opening in a high and thick hedge. She had never been in this
direction before, and although she had often seen the hedge, she had
not thought there was a way to pass through it. So a spirit of
adventure came over her.
"I'll explore," said Dot to herself.
Pat, pat, patter went the little feet on the gravel, and soon the
busy hedge was reached and the opening passed.
Then Dot stopped suddenly and looked around. A cozy little
vine-covered cottage nearly surrounded by blooming posies, was before
her. From the doorway, however, a path led to Dot's feet, and sitting
in the middle of this path, slowly piling pebbles into his
broad-brimmed straw hat, was a little boy.