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18. How Ozma Looked into the Magic Picture

Princess Ozma was a very busy little ruler, for she looked carefully after

the comfort and welfare of her people and tried to make them happy. If

any quarrels arose she decided them justly; if any one needed counsel or

advice she was ready and willing to listen to them.

For a day or two after Dorothy and her companions had started on their

trip, Ozma was occupied with the affairs of her kingdom. Then she

began to think of some manner of occupation for Uncle Henry and Aunt

Em that would be light and easy and yet give the old people something to

do.

She soon decided to make Uncle Henry the Keeper of the Jewels, for

some one really was needed to count and look after the bins and barrels

of emeralds, diamonds, rubies and other precious stones that were in the

Royal Storehouses. That would keep Uncle Henry busy enough, but it

was harder to find something for Aunt Em to do. The palace was full of

servants, so there was no detail of housework that Aunt Em could look

after.

While Ozma sat in her pretty room engaged in thought she happened to

glance at her Magic Picture.

This was one of the most important treasures in all the Land of Oz. It

was a large picture, set in a beautiful gold frame, and it hung in a

prominent place upon a wall of Ozma's private room.

Usually this picture seemed merely a country scene, but whenever Ozma

looked at it and wished to know what any of her friends or acquaintances

were doing, the magic of this wonderful picture was straightway

disclosed. For the country scene would gradually fade away and in its

place would appear the likeness of the person or persons Ozma might

wish to see, surrounded by the actual scenes in which they were then

placed. In this way the Princess could view any part of the world she

wished, and watch the actions of any one in whom she was interested.

Ozma had often seen Dorothy in her Kansas home by this means, and

now, having a little leisure, she expressed a desire to see her little friend

again. It was while the travelers were at Fuddlecumjig, and Ozma

The Emerald City of Oz