"My poor, poor friend!" said the Tin Woodman, taking up the Scarecrow's head
and caressing it tenderly; "whoever could imagine you would come to this
untimely end?"
"I did it to save my friends," returned the head; "and I am glad that I
perished in so noble and unselfish a manner."
"But why are you all so despondent?" inquired the Woggle-Bug. "The
Scarecrow's clothing is still safe."
"Yes," answered the Tin Woodman; "but our friend's clothes are useless
without stuffing."
"Why not stuff him with money?" asked Tip.
"Money!" they all cried, in an amazed chorus.
"To be sure," said the boy. "In the bottom of the nest are thousands of
dollar bills -- and two-dollar bills -- and five-dollar bills -- and tens,
and twenties, and fifties. There are enough of them to stuff a dozen
Scarecrows. Why not use the money?"
The Tin Woodman began to turn over the rubbish with the handle of his axe;
and, sure enough, what they had first thought only worthless papers were
found to be all bills of various denominations,
223
which the mischievous Jackdaws had for years been engaged in stealing from
the villages and cities they visited.
There was an immense fortune lying in that inaccessible nest; and Tip's
suggestion was, with the Scarecrow's consent, quickly acted upon.
Pages:
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160