CHAPTER THE FIRST.

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THE ROOT-VALLEY AND ITS INHABITANTS.—THE STORY-TELLING GUESTS.—THE KING OF ROOT-VALLEY AND HIS CURIOUS DAUGHTER.—THE AERIAL CHARIOT.—FESTIVITIES IN THE TOWN.—RETURN THROUGH THE AIR FROM THE ROOF OF THE TOWN-HOUSE.—WHIMS OF THE PRINCESS1

CHAPTER THE SECOND.

THE SPRING FESTIVAL IN ROOT-VALLEY.—THE NUT-FIELD.—THE MIGRATING BIRDS.—A STRANGE PEOPLE MAKE THEIR APPEARANCE.—NUTCRACKER AND HARLEQUIN.—THE PRINCESS FALLS INTO RAPTURES7

CHAPTER THE THIRD.

THE WONDERFUL BROOK.—THE OVERTURNED CARRIER'S WAGGON.—NUTCRACKER AND HARLEQUIN COME TO LIFE.—THE THREE WISHES.—THE BOX OF NUREMBERG TOYS.—THE WANDERING RATS.—HOW HARLEQUIN BRINGS TO LIFE A WHOLE NATION AND ARMY.—BATTLE WITH THE RATS.—HOMAGE.—PROCESSION TO THE ROOT-VALLEY11

CHAPTER THE FOURTH.

NUTCRACKER IS BETROTHED TO THE PRINCESS OF ROOT-VALLEY, AND TAKES POSSESSION OF THE NUTFIELD.—THE BIRDS DEPART.—WHAT ILL COMES OF IT.—WEDDING AND PARTING19

CHAPTER THE FIFTH.

THE PUPPET-KINGDOM IS SET IN ORDER.—HAUGHTINESS OF NUTCRACKER, HIS WIFE, AND SUBJECTS.—ANTIPATHY OF THE TWO PEOPLES.—THE ROOT-KING ABDICATES HIS CROWN.—NUTCRACKER A TYRANT.—PREPARATIONS FOR WAR IN ROOT-VALLEY.—THE WAR.—HARLEQUIN'S DEATH.—FLIGHT AND DESTRUCTION OF THE PUPPET-KINGDOM.—NUTCRACKER'S DEATH.—THE PRINCESS SAVED22

CHAPTER THE SIXTH.

THE BIRDCATCHER AND HIS FAMILY.—HOW THE CHILDREN RETURN HOME WITH RARE TREASURES.—NUTCRACKER'S DEAD BODY.—THE LITTLE MAIDEN IN THE STORK'S NEST, AND WHO SHE WAS.—AFFECTING RECONCILIATION ON THE NUTFIELD.—THREATENING DANGER TO THE ROOTMEN.—EMIGRATION OF THE ROOTMEN28