Ting-a-ling | Page 5

it in her eye. It is true, that, occupying the position he
did, he, in some measure, obstructed the lady's vision; but as her eyes
had been so long dimmed with tears, and her heart overshadowed with
sorrow, she did not notice it.
Just as Ting-a-ling was about to execute his purpose, he happened to
look before him, and saw, to his amazement, another little fairy on his
knees, right in front of him. Starting back, he dropped the bundle from
his hand, and the other from his shoulder. Then, upon his hands and
knees, he stared steadfastly at the little man opposite to him, who
immediately imitated him. And there they knelt with equal wonder in
each of their countenances, bobbing at each other every time the lady
winked. Then did Ting-a-ling get very red in the face, and, standing
erect, he took strong hold of the Princess's upper eyelash, to steady
himself, resolved upon giving that saucy fairy a good kick, when, to his
dismay, the eyelash came out, he lost his balance, and at the same
moment a fresh shower of tears burst from her eyes, which washed
Ting-a-ling senseless into her lap.
When he recovered, he was still sticking to the Princess's silk apron, all
unobserved, as she sat in her own room talking to one of her maids,
who had just returned from a long visit into the country. Slipping down
to the floor, Ting-a-ling ran all shivering to the window, to the seat of
which he climbed, and getting upon a chrysanthemum that was
growing in a flower-pot in the sunshine, he took off his shoes and
stockings, and, hanging them on a branch to dry, laid down in the warm
blossom; and while he was drying, listened to the mournful tale that
Aufalia was telling her maid, about the poor Prince that was to die
to-morrow. The more he heard, the more was his tender heart touched
with pity, and, forgetting all his resentment against the Princess, he felt
only the deepest sympathy for her misfortunes, and those of her lover.
When she had finished, Ting-a-ling had resolved to assist them, or die
in the attempt!
But, as he could not do much himself, he intended instantly to lay their
case before a Giant of his acquaintance, whose good-humor and
benevolence were proverbial. So he put on his shoes and stockings,

which were not quite dry, and hastily descended to the garden by means
of a vine which grew upon the wall. The distance to the Giant's castle
was too great for him to think of walking; and he hurried around to a
friend of his who kept a livery-stable. When he reached this place, he
found his friend sitting in his stable-door, and behind him Ting-a-ling
could see the long rows of stalls, with all the butterflies on one side,
and the grasshoppers on the other.
"How do you do?" said Ting-a-ling, seating himself upon a horse-block,
and wiping his face. "It is a hot day, isn't it?"
"Yes, sir," said the livery-stable man, who was rounder and shorter than
Ting-a-ling. "Yes, it is very warm. I haven't been out to-day."
"Well, I shouldn't advise you to go," said Ting-a-ling. "But I must to
business, for I'm in a great hurry. Have you a fast butterfly that you can
let me have right away?"
"O yes, two or three of them, for that matter."
"Have you that one," asked Ting-a-ling, "that I used to take out last
summer?"
"That animal," said the livery-stable man, rising and clasping his hands
under his coat-tail, "I am sorry to say, you can't have. He's foundered."
"That's bad," said Ting-a-ling, "for I always liked him."
"I can let you have one just as fast," said the stable-keeper. "By the way,
how would you like a real good grasshopper?"
"Too hot a day for the saddle," said Ting-a-ling; "and now please
harness up, for I'm in a dreadful hurry."
"Yes, sir, right away. But I don't know exactly what wagon to give you.
I have two first-rate new pea-pods; but they are both out. However, I
can let you have a nice easy Johnny-jump-up, if you say so."
"Any thing will do," said Ting-a-ling, "only get it out quick."

In a very short time a butterfly was brought out, and harnessed to a
first-class Johnny-jump-up. The vehicles used by these fairies were
generally a cup-like blossom, or something of that nature, furnished,
instead of wheels, with little bags filled with a gas resembling that used
to inflate balloons. Thus the vehicle was sustained in the air, while the
steed drew it rapidly along.
As soon as Ting-a-ling heard the sound of the approaching equipage, he
stood upon the horse-block, and when the wagon was brought up to it,
he