"Well, the truth is," said the Candy Man, "I ate it."

"How awfully sad!" exclaimed Lulu.

"Not in the least, my dear," the Candy Man said. "Such events are not unusual in this country. If you think I am badly off, you ought to see my brother. Did you never hear the story about when he was a boy? Ask the Banjo."

So the Banjo told them the story.

THE CANDY BOY

Oh, list to the tale of the Candy Boy—

The boy that turned to candy.

He was his mamma's pride and joy,

And sweet things were too handy.

He ate and ate and ate and ate

Mint sticks and peanut brittles—

Just candy, it is sad to state,

Made all of this boy's victuals.

One day he noticed that his hair

In taffy drips was streaming,

And that upon his fingers there

159

Were bright red stripes a-gleaming.

He bit his finger, and he found

That it was flavored sweetly

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