Page:Little Ellie and Other Tales (1850).djvu/72

Rh “Soldier!” cried the Magician, “will you keep your eyes to yourself?”

But the leaden Soldier pretended that he did not hear.

“Well! only wait! to-morrow !” said the magician.

When the morning was come, and the children were out of bed, the soldier was placed in the window, and,—whether the Magician did it, or the wind, that I don’t know,—all at once the window flew open, and the Soldier fell down head over heels from the third story into the street. It was a frightful descent! He struck one leg into the air, and remained standing on his military cap, with his bayonet between the stones.

The maid and the little boy ran down directly to look for him; but, although they nearly trod on him, they could not see him. Had but the soldier cried out “Here I am!” they might have found him; but he did not deem it proper to call out loud because he was in uniform.

It now began to rain, one drop fell thicker