L. Frank Baum

“ He never said many words when grown folks were around, but he could talk fast enough when he and Twinkle were playing together alone.
CHUBBINS
Well, one Saturday the school had a picnic, and Twinkle and Chubbins both went. On the Dakota prairies there are no shade-trees at all, and very little water except what they get by boring deep holes [Pg 9] in the ground; so you may wonder where the people could possibly have a picnic. But about three miles from the town a little stream of water (which they called a "river," but we would call only a brook) ran slow and muddy across the prairie ”

“ On the great western prairies of Dakota is a little town called Edgeley, because it is on the edge of civilization—a very big word which means some folks have found a better way to live than other folks. The Edgeley people have a good way to live, for there are almost seventeen wooden houses there, and among them is a school-house, a church, a store and a blacksmith-shop. ”

“ He says they're so shy that they run into their holes when anybody's around; but if you keep quiet and watch, they'll [Pg 15] stick their heads out in a few minutes."
WATCHING
[Pg 16]
"Let's watch," said Chubbins.
"All right," she agreed.
Very near to some of the mounds was a raised bank, covered with soft grass; so the children stole softly up to this bank and lay down upon it in such a way that their heads just stuck over the top of it, while their bodies were hidden from the eyes of any of the folks of Prairie-Dog Town. ”

“ And then a gleam of daylight showed just ahead of them, and a few more steps brought them to the hole in the middle of the mound.
The Mayor and Mrs. Puff-Pudgy jumped up first, and then they helped Twinkle and Chubbins to scramble out. The strong sunlight made them blink their eyes for a [Pg 59]
[Pg 60] time, but when they were able to look around they found one or more heads of prairie-dogs sticking from every mound. ”

“ So the magician waved his paw and gurgled, much in the same way he had done before, and Twinkle and Chubbins began to grow and swell out until they were as large [Pg 61] as ever, and the prairie-dogs again seemed very small beside them. ”

“ Some people, who are lacking in good taste, think it's a little overdone, but a Mayor's house should be gorgeous, I think, so as to be a credit to the community. My grandfather, who designed and painted this house, was a very [Pg 53] fine artist. But luncheon is ready, so pray be seated. ”