Frank R Stockton

Ting-a-ling Frank R Stockton

Book Excerpt: ...hat pretty colors, --blue, green, pink, and"--And the tear burst, and poor little Ling-a-ting sunk down on the grass, drenched and drowned. Horror-stricken, Ting-a-ling dropped his tear and wept. Clasping his hands above his head, he fell on his knees beside his dear one, and raised his eyes to the blue sky in bitter anguish. But when he cast them down again, little Ling-a-ting was all soaked into the grass. Then sterner feelings filled his breast, and revenge stirred up the depths of his soul."This thing shall end!" he said, hissing the words between his teeth. "No more of us shall die like Ling-a-ting!"So he ran quickly, and with his little sword cut down two violets, and of the petals he made two little soft bundles, and, tying them together with his garters, he slung them over his shoulder. Full of his terrible purpose, he then ran to the Princess, and, going behind her, clambered up her dress until he stood on her shoulder, and, getting on the top of her head, he loosened a long hai..