The Story of a Bold Tin Soldier

hurried to the back of the shop. It was here that the noise had come from,

Geraldine and Angelina, heard Mr. Mugg laugh, and with t

" laughed Mr

Angelina. "It isn't

n nor a fire,"

is evening just started off by itself. I guess some of the toys must have wanted a r

, "the toys couldn't want a ride.

that these toys know more than we think they do," he went on. "Take that new Plush Bear," he added, pointing to the other room where Bruin was sit

come to life!" e

rk! No, on second thought, it is just as well you don't see us," he went on. "For if you looked at

ch was very much like a real one, with a bell, whistle, and even an iron Engineer in the cab. The toy train, all wound up and ready to go, had been left on the floor in a rear room. Then, when Mr. Mugg and his dau

Toot

ngelina, when the train ha

"Or our walking around may have jarred the engine, and started it off.

ge packing box, and the Plush Bear and his friends from the work

d not want to be up in that bleak North Pole Land, unless I were with Santa Claus, and of course one cannot

s. All about the floor wrapping paper and the covers of boxes were scattered. The

leave things as they are, now that we have all the toys unpacked. To-morrow I

w he'll be one of the first to go, he is so cute and he can do so man

le later the toy shop was in darkness, except

saw Mr. Mugg and his daughters leave. "N

to one side, and sp

it here?" asked

"As soon as we get to know the oth

Mr. Mugg's store for a long time. "Make yourselves at home. After a bit

ery much. Come, Miss Wax Doll," he went on, "allow me

d began to move about. Some of the other new toys did the same, while about them c

the older Jumping Jack to the Plush Bear, "

rent rooms of the toy store. Everywhere they went they were made welcome by the playthin

ce. All about were shining tools, pots of glue, pieces of wood, strips of

ried the Wax Doll. "I don't

w," answered

roken when the boys and girls play with them. We had a fire here, not long ago, and the place is rather upset, but don't mind that. It is almost in order again, but there are alway

r, laughing. "So you have had a fire here?

oo near the gas jet, and burned my trousers," said a voice th

?" whispered

he Jumping Jack. "He came here

with me. His brother, who owns the Monkey on a Stick, was trying to make me jump over the Monkey, when my cap caught on the stick and was ri

just arrived here,"

way, though I did not think so at the time. In fact, there has been a book m

aid the Wax Doll, who seemed to have ta

adventures also. After you finish telling about how you burned you

e Plush Bear in a low t

mes it that you are here, Miss Lamb?" the Jack answ

let me fall. Her brother Arnold, who has a Bold Tin Soldier and his men, tried to fix me, but his father brought me here f

Bear and Miss Wax Doll from North Pole Land," and the Bear and Dol

e store was opened for business Mr. Mugg and his daughters began arranging the playthings. The Plush Bear was put in the show window, with the Wax Doll and som

passing up and down all the while-a street in which there was a

Claus is here?" tho

and the customers in the store-were watching. There was so much to see that the Plush

h Bear! I want that!

inside him were wound up by Mr. Mugg and when he was set down on a showcase near the window

up by a fat boy-the very fattest and jolliest boy that the toy had ever seen. "I want