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PAGE 2

The Story Of A White Rocking Horse
by [?]

“The Sawdust Doll was very clever at answering riddles,” said the Bold Tin Soldier. “I wish she were here now.”

“But she isn’t,” said the Candy Rabbit. “I liked that Sawdust Doll very much, but she has gone away.”

“Yes, some lady bought her for a little girl’s birthday,” came from the Monkey on a Stick. “You are right, Tin Soldier, that doll was very clever at answering the riddles the Clown used to ask.”

“Well, if you don’t all stop talking now, how am I going to tell this joke?” asked the Calico Clown crossly. “Now, who is a–“

“I wonder if the Sawdust Doll will come back and see us once again, as she did before?” asked the Lamb on Wheels, not paying much attention to what the Calico Clown said. “Don’t you remember, Tin Soldier, how she once came back to us, after she had been sold and taken away?”

“Clang! Bang!” went the cymbals of the Calico Clown.

“What’s the matter?” asked the Monkey on a Stick.

“Matter? Matter enough, I should say!” replied the Clown. “Here I am asked to tell a funny joke, and none of you will listen. You keep on talking about the Sawdust Doll. I liked her as much as any one. But she is gone–she was sold away from us. To-morrow some of us may be sold, and never see the others again. Let’s be gay and jolly while we can!”

“That’s what I say!” exclaimed the Candy Rabbit. “Really, we are not very polite to go on talking when the Calico Clown wants to amuse us with one of his famous jokes. We should listen to him.”

“You are right!” cried the Bold Tin Soldier. “Come now,” he went on, as he waved his sword over his head, “I do not want to be cross with you, my toy friends, but I command silence! Silence while the Calico Clown tells his joke!”

The toys on the counters and shelves settled down and turned their eyes toward the Clown in his funny calico suit of many colors.

“I’m sure you will all laugh at this joke!” cried the Calico Clown. “It is so funny I have to laugh myself whenever I tell it. Thank you for getting them quiet so they can listen to me, Bold Tin Soldier. I am glad you are a friend–“

“Say, you’d better tell that joke, if you’re going to!” broke in the captain. “I don’t know how long they’ll stay quiet. And I want to march around some more before morning comes and we have to stay in our box all day. You know it is the Christmas season, and any one of us may be bought any day and taken far off. So let us be jolly together while we may. All quiet now, for the Calico Clown’s joke!”

“Thank you,” returned the funny fellow again. “Now, why is it that when–“

And just then there was a rumbling, rolling sound on the floor of the toy department.

“Dear me!” exclaimed the Candy Rabbit, “can that be the watchman coming so soon?”

They all listened, and heard the noise more plainly. It rumbled and rolled nearer and nearer.

“Dear me!” said the Calico Clown, “I’m never going to get a chance to tell my joke. What is it, Candy Rabbit? Can you see?”

The sweet chap was just going to say he could see nothing, when there came a whinny from a big White Rocking Horse standing on the floor near a lawn swing.

“Oh, you’re here at last, are you?” neighed the White Rocking Horse.

“Yes, I’m here,” answered a voice, and with it came again the rumbling, rolling sound. “I’m sorry if I am late, but I had to go over in the sporting goods section to get a pair to fit me.”

“A pair of what to fit who? Who is it?” asked the Monkey on a Stick, for he had taken a seat behind a pile of building blocks, and could not see very well.