18. How Ozma Looked into the Magic Picture

           PrincessOzmawasaverybusylittleruler,forshelookedcarefullyafterthecomfortandwelfareofherpeopleandtriedtomakethemhappy.Ifanyquarrelsaroseshedecidedthemjustly;ifanyoneneededcounseloradviceshewasreadyandwillingtolistentothem.

           ForadayortwoafterDorothyandhercompanionshadstartedontheirtrip,Ozmawasoccupiedwiththeaffairsofherkingdom.ThenshebegantothinkofsomemannerofoccupationforUncleHenryandAuntEmthatwouldbelightandeasyandyetgivetheoldpeoplesomethingtodo.

           ShesoondecidedtomakeUncleHenrytheKeeperoftheJewels,forsomeonereallywasneededtocountandlookafterthebinsandbarrelsofemeralds,diamonds,rubiesandotherpreciousstonesthatwereintheRoyalStorehouses.ThatwouldkeepUncleHenrybusyenough,butitwashardertofindsomethingforAuntEmtodo.Thepalacewasfullofservants,sotherewasnodetailofhouseworkthatAuntEmcouldlookafter.

           WhileOzmasatinherprettyroomengagedinthoughtshehappenedtoglanceatherMagicPicture.

           ThiswasoneofthemostimportanttreasuresinalltheLandofOz.Itwasalargepicture,setinabeautifulgoldframe,andithunginaprominentplaceuponawallofOzma’sprivateroom.

           Usuallythispictureseemedmerelyacountryscene,butwheneverOzmalookedatitandwishedtoknowwhatanyofherfriendsoracquaintancesweredoing,themagicofthiswonderfulpicturewasstraightwaydisclosed.