Raggedy Ann Stories Read online

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  RAGGEDY ANNSTORIES

  Written & Illustrated byJOHNNY GRUELLE

  LITTLE SIMON New York London Toronto Sydney

  PREFACE AND DEDICATION

  As I write this, I have before me on my desk, propped up against thetelephone, an old rag doll. Dear old Raggedy Ann!

  The same Raggedy Ann with which my mother played when a child.

  There she sits, a trifle loppy and loose-jointed, looking me squarely inthe face in a straightforward, honest manner, a twinkle where hershoe-button eyes reflect the electric light.

  Evidently Raggedy has been to a "tea party" today, for her face iscovered with chocolate.

  She smiles happily and continuously.

  True, she has been nibbled by mice, who have made nests out of the softcotton with which she has been stuffed, but Raggedy smiled just asbroadly when the mice nibbled at her, for her smile is painted on.

  What adventures you must have had, Raggedy!

  What joy and happiness you have brought into this world!

  And no matter what treatment you have received, how patient you havebeen!

  What lessons of kindness and fortitude you might teach could you buttalk; you with your wisdom of fifty-nine years. No wonder Rag Dolls arethe best beloved! You are so kindly, so patient, so lovable.

  The more you become torn, tattered and loose-jointed, Rag Dolls, themore you are loved by children.

  Who knows but that Fairyland is filled with old, lovable RagDolls--soft, loppy Rag Dolls who ride through all the wonders ofFairyland in the crook of dimpled arms, snuggling close to childishbreasts within which beat hearts filled with eternal sunshine.

  So, to the millions of children and grown-ups who have loved a Rag Doll,I dedicate these stories of Raggedy Ann.

  JOHNNY GRUELLE.

  INTRODUCTION

  Marcella liked to play up in the attic at Grandma's quaint old house,'way out in the country, for there were so many old forgotten things tofind up there.

  One day when Marcella was up in the attic and had played with the oldspinning wheel until she had grown tired of it, she curled up on an oldhorse-hair sofa to rest.

  "I wonder what is in that barrel, 'way back in the corner?" she thought,as she jumped from the sofa and climbed over two dusty trunks to thebarrel standing back under the eaves.

  It was quite dark back there, so when Marcella had pulled a large bundleof things from the barrel she took them over to the dormer window whereshe could see better. There was a funny little bonnet with long whiteribbons. Marcella put it on.

  In an old leather bag she found a number of tin-types of queer lookingmen and women in old-fashioned clothes. And there was one picture of avery pretty little girl with long curls tied tightly back from herforehead and wearing a long dress and queer pantaloons which reached toher shoe-tops. And then out of the heap she pulled an old rag doll withonly one shoe-button eye and a painted nose and a smiling mouth. Herdress was of soft material, blue with pretty little flowers and dots allover it.

  Forgetting everything else in the happiness of her find, Marcella caughtup the rag doll and ran downstairs to show it to Grandma.

  "Well! Well! Where did you find it?" Grandma cried. "It's old RaggedyAnn!" she went on as she hugged the doll to her breast. "I hadforgotten her. She has been in the attic for fifty years, I guess! Well!Well! Dear old Raggedy Ann! I will sew another button on her rightaway!" and Grandma went to the machine drawer and got her needle andthread.

  Marcella watched the sewing while Grandma told how she had played withRaggedy Ann when she was a little girl.

  "Now!" Grandma laughed, "Raggedy Ann, you have two fine shoe-button eyesand with them you can see the changes that have taken place in the worldwhile you have been shut up so long in the attic! For, Raggedy Ann, youhave a new playmate and mistress now, and I hope you both will have asmuch happiness together as you and I used to have!"

  Then Grandma gave Raggedy Ann to Marcella, saying very seriously,"Marcella, let me introduce my very dear friend, Raggedy Ann. Raggedy,this is my grand-daughter, Marcella!" And Grandma gave the doll a twitchwith her fingers in such a way that the rag doll nodded her head toMarcella.

  "Oh, Grandma! Thank you ever and ever so much!" Marcella cried as shegave Grandma a hug and kiss. "Raggedy Ann and I will have just loads offun."

  And this is how Raggedy Ann joined the doll family at Marcella's house,where she began the adventures of Raggedy Ann, told in the followingstories.