The Glass Dog

: American Fairy Tales

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
br />
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.



At length these interruptions aroused his anger, and he decided he

must have a dog to keep people away from his door. He didn't know

where to find a dog, but in the next room lived a poor glass-blower

with whom he had a slight acquaintance; so he went into the man's

apartment and asked:



"Where can I find a dog?"



"What sort of a dog?" inquired the glass-blower.



"A good dog. One that will bark at people and drive them away. One

that will be no trouble to keep and won't expect to be fed. One that

has no fleas and is neat in his habits. One that will obey me when I

speak to him. In short, a good dog," said the wizard.



"Such a dog is hard to find," returned the glass-blower, who was

busy making a blue glass flower pot with a pink glass rosebush in

it, having green glass leaves and yellow glass roses.



The wizard watched him thoughtfully.



"Why cannot you blow me a dog out of glass?" he asked, presently.



"I can," declared the glass-blower; "but it would not bark at

people, you know."



"Oh, I'll fix that easily enough," replied the other. "If I could

not make a glass dog bark I would be a mighty poor wizard."



"Very well; if you can use a glass dog I'll be pleased to blow one

for you. Only, you must pay for my work."



"Certainly," agreed the wizard. "But I have none of that horrid

stuff you call money. You must take some of my wares in exchange."



The glass-blower considered the matter for a moment.



"Could you give me something to cure my rheumatism?" he asked.



"Oh, yes; easily."



"Then it's a bargain. I'll start the dog at once. What color of

glass shall I use?"



"Pink is a pretty color," said the wizard, "and it's unusual for a

dog, isn't it?"



"Very," answered the glass-blower; "but it shall be pink."



So the wizard went back to his studies and the glass-blower began to

make the dog.



Next morning he entered the wizard's room with the glass dog under

his arm and set it carefully upon the table. It was a beautiful pink

in color, with a fine coat of spun glass, and about its neck was

twisted a blue glass ribbon. Its eyes were specks of black glass and

sparkled intelligently, as do many of the glass eyes worn by men.



The wizard expressed himself pleased with the glass-blower's skill

and at once handed him a small vial.



"This will cure your rheumatism," he said.



"But the vial is empty!" protested the glass-blower.



"Oh, no; there is one drop of liquid in it," was the wizard's reply.



"Will one drop cure my rheumatism?" inquired the glass-blower, in

wonder.



"Most certainly. That is a marvelous remedy. The one drop contained

in the vial will cure instantly any kind of disease ever known to

humanity. Therefore it is especially good for rheumatism. But guard

it well, for it is the only drop of its kind in the world, and I've

forgotten the recipe."



"Thank you," said the glass-blower, and went back to his room.



Then the wizard cast a wizzy spell and mumbled several very learned

words in the wizardese language over the glass dog. Whereupon the

little animal first wagged its tail from side to side, then winked

his left eye knowingly, and at last began barking in a most

frightful manner--that is, when you stop to consider the noise came

from a pink glass dog. There is something almost astonishing in the

magic arts of wizards; unless, of course, you know how to do the

things yourself, when you are not expected to be surprised at them.



The wizard was as delighted as a school teacher at the success of

his spell, although he was not astonished. Immediately he placed the

dog outside his door, where it would bark at anyone who dared knock

and so disturb the studies of its master.



The glass-blower, on returning to his room, decided not to use the

one drop of wizard cure-all just then.



"My rheumatism is better to-day," he reflected, "and I will be wise

to save the medicine for a time when I am very ill, when it will be

of more service to me."



So he placed the vial in his cupboard and went to work blowing more

roses out of glass. Presently he happened to think the medicine

might not keep, so he started to ask the wizard about it. But when

he reached the door the glass dog barked so fiercely that he dared

not knock, and returned in great haste to his own room. Indeed, the

poor man was quite upset at so unfriendly a reception from the dog

he had himself so carefully and skillfully made.



The next morning, as he read his newspaper, he noticed an article

stating that the beautiful Miss Mydas, the richest young lady in

town, was very ill, and the doctors had given up hope of her

recovery.



The glass-blower, although miserably poor, hard-working and homely

of feature, was a man of ideas. He suddenly recollected his precious

medicine, and determined to use it to better advantage than

relieving his own ills. He dressed himself in his best clothes,

brushed his hair and combed his whiskers, washed his hands and tied

his necktie, blackened his hoes and sponged his vest, and then put

the vial of magic cure-all in his pocket. Next he locked his door,

went downstairs and walked through the streets to the grand mansion

where the wealthy Miss Mydas resided.



The butler opened the door and said:



"No soap, no chromos, no vegetables, no hair oil, no books, no

baking powder. My young lady is dying and we're well supplied for

the funeral."



The glass-blower was grieved at being taken for a peddler.



"My friend," he began, proudly; but the butler interrupted him,

saying:



"No tombstones, either; there's a family graveyard and the

monument's built."



"The graveyard won't be needed if you will permit me to speak," said

the glass-blower.



"No doctors, sir; they've given up my young lady, and she's given up

the doctors," continued the butler, calmly.



"I'm no doctor," returned the glass-blower.



"Nor are the others. But what is your errand?"



"I called to cure your young lady by means of a magical compound."



"Step in, please, and take a seat in the hall. I'll speak to the

housekeeper," said the butler, more politely.



So he spoke to the housekeeper and the housekeeper mentioned the

matter to the steward and the steward consulted the chef and the

chef kissed the lady's maid and sent her to see the stranger. Thus

are the very wealthy hedged around with ceremony, even when dying.



When the lady's maid heard from the glass-blower that he had a

medicine which would cure her mistress, she said:



"I'm glad you came."



"But," said he, "if I restore your mistress to health she must marry

me."



"I'll make inquiries and see if she's willing," answered the maid,

and went at once to consult Miss Mydas.



The young lady did not hesitate an instant.



"I'd marry any old thing rather than die!" she cried. "Bring him

here at once!"



So the glass-blower came, poured the magic drop into a little water,

gave it to the patient, and the next minute Miss Mydas was as well

as she had ever been in her life.



"Dear me!" she exclaimed; "I've an engagement at the Fritters'

reception to-night. Bring my pearl-colored silk, Marie, and I will

begin my toilet at once. And don't forget to cancel the order for

the funeral flowers and your mourning gown."



"But, Miss Mydas," remonstrated the glass-blower, who stood by, "you

promised to marry me if I cured you."



"I know," said the young lady, "but we must have time to make proper

announcement in the society papers and have the wedding cards

engraved. Call to-morrow and we'll talk it over."



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.



The first thing he did on reaching his room was to smash his

glass-blowing tools and throw them out of the window.



He then sat down to figure out ways of spending his wife's money.



The following day he called upon Miss Mydas, who was reading a novel

and eating chocolate creams as happily as if she had never been ill

in her life.



"Where did you get the magic compound that cured me?" she asked.



"From a learned wizard," said he; and then, thinking it would

interest her, he told how he had made the glass dog for the wizard,

and how it barked and kept everybody from bothering him.



"How delightful!" she said. "I've always wanted a glass dog that

could bark."



"But there is only one in the world," he answered, "and it belongs

to the wizard."



"You must buy it for me," said the lady.



"The wizard cares nothing for money," replied the glass-blower.



"Then you must steal it for me," she retorted. "I can never live

happily another day unless I have a glass dog that can bark."



The glass-blower was much distressed at this, but said he would see

what he could do. For a man should always try to please his wife,

and Miss Mydas has promised to marry him within a week.



On his way home he purchased a heavy sack, and when he passed the

wizard's door and the pink glass dog ran out to bark at him he threw

the sack over the dog, tied the opening with a piece of twine, and

carried him away to his own room.



The next day he sent the sack by a messenger boy to Miss Mydas, with

his compliments, and later in the afternoon he called upon her in

person, feeling quite sure he would be received with gratitude for

stealing the dog she so greatly desired.



But when he came to the door and the butler opened it, what was his

amazement to see the glass dog rush out and begin barking at him

furiously.



"Call off your dog," he shouted, in terror.



"I can't, sir," answered the butler. "My young lady has ordered the

glass dog to bark whenever you call here. You'd better look out,

sir," he added, "for if it bites you, you may have glassophobia!"



This so frightened the poor glass-blower that he went away

hurriedly. But he stopped at a drug store and put his last dime in

the telephone box so he could talk to Miss Mydas without being

bitten by the dog.



"Give me Pelf 6742!" he called.



"Hello! What is it?" said a voice.



"I want to speak with Miss Mydas," said the glass-blower.



Presently a sweet voice said: "This is Miss Mydas. What is it?"



"Why have you treated me so cruelly and set the glass dog on me?"

asked the poor fellow.



"Well, to tell the truth," said the lady, "I don't like your looks.

Your cheeks are pale and baggy, your hair is coarse and long, your

eyes are small and red, your hands are big and rough, and you are

bow-legged."



"But I can't help my looks!" pleaded the glass-blower; "and you

really promised to marry me."



"If you were better looking I'd keep my promise," she returned. "But

under the circumstances you are no fit mate for me, and unless you

keep away from my mansion I shall set my glass dog on you!" Then she

dropped the 'phone and would have nothing more to say.



The miserable glass-blower went home with a heart bursting with

disappointment and began tying a rope to the bedpost by which to

hang himself.



Some one knocked at the door, and, upon opening it, he saw the

wizard.



"I've lost my dog," he announced.



"Have you, indeed?" replied the glass-blower tying a knot in the

rope.



"Yes; some one has stolen him."



"That's too bad," declared the glass-blower, indifferently.



"You must make me another," said the wizard.



"But I cannot; I've thrown away my tools."



"Then what shall I do?" asked the wizard.



"I do not know, unless you offer a reward for the dog."



"But I have no money," said the wizard.



"Offer some of your compounds, then," suggested the glass-blower,

who was making a noose in the rope for his head to go through.



"The only thing I can spare," replied the wizard, thoughtfully, "is

a Beauty Powder."



"What!" cried the glass-blower, throwing down the rope, "have you

really such a thing?"



"Yes, indeed. Whoever takes the powder will become the most

beautiful person in the world."



"If you will offer that as a reward," said the glass-blower,

eagerly, "I'll try to find the dog for you, for above everything

else I long to be beautiful."



"But I warn you the beauty will only be skin deep," said the wizard.



"That's all right," replied the happy glass-blower; "when I lose my

skin I shan't care to remain beautiful."



"Then tell me where to find my dog and you shall have the powder,"

promised the wizard.



So the glass-blower went out and pretended to search, and by-and-by

he returned and said:



"I've discovered the dog. You will find him in the mansion of Miss

Mydas."



The wizard went at once to see if this were true, and, sure enough,

the glass dog ran out and began barking at him. Then the wizard

spread out his hands and chanted a magic spell which sent the dog

fast asleep, when he picked him up and carried him to his own room

on the top floor of the tenement house.



Afterward he carried the Beauty Powder to the glass-blower as a

reward, and the fellow immediately swallowed it and became the most

beautiful man in the world.



The next time he called upon Miss Mydas there was no dog to bark at

him, and when the young lady saw him she fell in love with his

beauty at once.



"If only you were a count or a prince," she sighed, "I'd willingly

marry you."



"But I am a prince," he answered; "the Prince of Dogblowers."



"Ah!" said she; "then if you are willing to accept an allowance of

four dollars a week I'll order the wedding cards engraved."



The man hesitated, but when he thought of the rope hanging from his

bedpost he consented to the terms.



So they were married, and the bride was very jealous of her

husband's beauty and led him a dog's life. So he managed to get into

debt and made her miserable in turn.



* * * * *



As for the glass dog, the wizard set him barking again by means of

his wizardness and put him outside his door. I suppose he is there

yet, and am rather sorry, for I should like to consult the wizard

about the moral to this story.



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