at
last there was only one moment wanting to the time.

"Why, goodness gracious me!" cried Mr. Timmy Timmens; "has Polly forgot
all about the fairy wish? I declare, I have a great mind to begin
alone." Just as he said these words, the clock began to strike! and at
the same moment a tremendous hullabaloo arose on the road. "There come
the fairies!" squeaked the little old man; and without waiting another
second, he stood straight up in the middle of the floor, and said, in a
trembling voice:

"Rorum corum torum snorum,
Highcum tickleme cockolorum!"

seven times over; then, shutting up his eyes as tight as possible, stood
on one leg, and cried, "Please, good fairy, Polly and I wish our house
was in the middle of the village!"

Hardly had he said these words, than a long red object, that looked
wonderfully like a cow's tail, suddenly whisked in at the half open
door; the wind caught the door, and shut it to, slam! bang! and with a
jerk that made the bright brass knocker give a tremendous double knock
on the bright blue door, and sent the bright tin saucepans scattering in
every direction, the house started suddenly down on the road on a
double-quick trot! Did you EVER?! Well, I NEVER did!!

It happened that a large drove of cows and oxen were going down to
market that day, and being very hot, and tired, and thirsty, they
naturally objected to being driven in that way any longer, and commenced
cutting a variety of capers that were enough to frighten you out of
your wits. At last one irascible little bull, who had been riding on the
other ones' backs, charging at all the innocent ducks, geese, and pigs
he could find on the road, and finally had tossed one of the men who
were driving him right up in the air, dashed on ahead, and, seeing the
little house with the bright red sides, took the color as a personal
insult to himself. Down went his head and up went his heels, and in
another minute he would have bounced right into poor Mr. Timmy Timmens'
dwelling, when one of the drivers saw him, and rushing up, gave him a
good whack with his whip. Master Bull turned round to see what was to
pay; in an instant his tail was caught in the door as I told you,
and, frightened half out of his wits, he galloped off, dragging the
little house on wheels after him, and roaring with pain, while the
drivers looked on, roaring with laughter.

[Illustration: THE MAD BULL.]

Meanwhile, the little old man remained stan