American Fairy Tales

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Baum Lyman Frank. American Fairy Tales

THE BOX OF ROBBERS

THE GLASS DOG

THE QUEEN OF QUOK

THE GIRL WHO OWNED A BEAR

THE ENCHANTED TYPES

THE LAUGHING HIPPOPOTAMUS

THE MAGIC BON BONS

THE CAPTURE OF FATHER TIME

THE WONDERFUL PUMP

THE DUMMY THAT LIVED

THE KING OF THE POLAR BEARS

THE MANDARIN AND THE BUTTERFLY

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An accomplished wizard once lived on the top floor of a tenement house and passed his time in thoughtful study and studious thought. What he didn't know about wizardry was hardly worth knowing, for he possessed all the books and recipes of all the wizards who had lived before him; and, moreover, he had invented several wizardments himself.

This admirable person would have been completely happy but for the numerous interruptions to his studies caused by folk who came to consult him about their troubles (in which he was not interested), and by the loud knocks of the iceman, the milkman, the baker's boy, the laundryman and the peanut woman. He never dealt with any of these people; but they rapped at his door every day to see him about this or that or to try to sell him their wares. Just when he was most deeply interested in his books or engaged in watching the bubbling of a cauldron there would come a knock at his door. And after sending the intruder away he always found he had lost his train of thought or ruined his compound.

.....

The glass-blower had not impressed her favorably as a husband, and she was glad to find an excuse for getting rid of him for a time. And she did not want to miss the Fritters' reception.

Yet the man went home filled with joy; for he thought his stratagem had succeeded and he was about to marry a rich wife who would keep him in luxury forever afterward.

.....