The Story of a Stuffed Elephant | Page 8

the window in the shop of Santa Claus, but they're
prettier to look at than to be in.
"If only a lot of the Nodding Donkeys and four or five of the White

Rocking Horses were here now, they could pull me out of this drift,"
went on the Elephant. "But they aren't, and I'll have to help myself. I
wonder if I gave a trumpet or two through my trunk whether that would
do any good?"
He was just about to try it when, all at once, he heard a noise.
"That sounds like an automobile," thought the Elephant. "I daren't
move or trumpet if any real folks are around. I'll have to stay quiet and
then--oh, then I'll sink deeper into the snow!"
Just then a man's voice said:
"It was right here I ran into the drift. The Elephant must be somewhere
about here."
Dazzling lights shone in the Elephant's one eye that was not in the drift.
He saw a big auto come to a stop just the other side of the snowdrift.
And Mr. Dunn, for he it was, jumped out.
"Oh, now I'll be all right, I guess!" joyfully thought the poor Elephant.
Mr. Dunn stalked through the snow, until he was close to the drift. The
headlights on the car made it almost as bright as if the moon had shone.
"Ah, there he is!" cried Archie's father.
A moment later he caught hold of one of the Elephant's hind legs and
pulled him from the drift.
"Here's Archie's Elephant!" exclaimed Mr. Dunn. "Not hurt a bit! Only
some snow on him, but that will brush off. I'm glad that man at the
garage saw my open door, or I'd never have known I had lost the
Elephant. Now for home!"
A moment later the Elephant was put back into the auto with the other
Christmas toys.
"I'll cover them with a blanket to keep the snow from blowing in on

them through the broken window," said Mr. Dunn to himself. The
Elephant was glad of this, for he felt very cold.
Then back started the auto, and it was so warm and cozy under the
blanket that the Elephant almost fell asleep. He wanted to talk to the
other toys, and tell them what had happened, but he did not dare do this
with Mr. Dunn on the front seat.
At last the car turned into the drive of a handsome country place. Mr.
Dunn tooted the horn, a door of the house opened, letting out a stream
of light, and a boy's voice cried:
"You're late, Daddy!"
"Yes, I ran into a snowdrift. But now listen to me, Archie! You go
inside and keep out of the way until I bring in some things."
"Oh, Daddy! What you going to bring in?" cried a small boy.
"Never mind now. They aren't for you to see--just yet. Besides, they are
covered with snow, for some came in through the broken window, and
I don't want you to catch cold. Go hide yourself, Archie, until I call you
to come."
Archie laughed and went into another room, away from the front hall,
and then Mr. Dunn carried in many bundles, including the Stuffed
Elephant, which was not closely wrapped in paper, as were some of the
others.
"Oh! From Santa Claus! For Archie!" whispered Mrs. Dunn.
"Hush!" cautioned her husband. "He might hear! I'll take the things up
to the attic to stay there until Santa Claus says it's time to put them
under the tree at Christmas."
So the Elephant was carried up to the attic. It was a queer, old, dusty
place, and when the Elephant had been put on the floor, with some
other toys, Mr. Dunn went downstairs and closed the door.

At first the Elephant did not know where he was. But he soon saw the
moonlight streaming in through a window, and he noticed the other
toys about him.
"Hello, there! Who are you?" asked a creaking voice, and near the
Elephant a big wheel of wood began slowly turning. "Anybody want a
ride?" asked the Wheel. "I'm a spinner, I am, and I'm making believe
I'm a Merry-Go-Round! Any one want a ride?"
"Dear me! What a strange place an attic is," thought the Stuffed
Elephant. "It isn't as nice as the toy shop, but still maybe I can have
some fun. I wonder if I could ride on that wheel? I'm afraid I'm too big.
But I could try. I may never have another chance, and----"
But before the Elephant could ask the Spinning Wheel how to get on,
all at once there was a banging noise in one corner of the attic, and a
voice cried:
"Make way! Stand aside! Here I come!"
"My! I wonder who