Read Online Bumblestook: Book 1, The Accidental Wizard by Sheri McClure-Pitler - Free Book Online Page A

scene before them.
    Bartholeumous (the Bold) stood in the center of the garden next to the fountain. He now wore a long, flowing, black cloak, which flashed a rich, purple, silk lining as it swirled about with a life of its own. In one hand, he held a thin, tapered, ebony wand, which he waved about with the flourish of a conductor. Beside him, the head of the carved, stone sea serpent, swept up, down, back and forth; bubbles spilling forth from its smiling mouth. The basin of the fountain was filled with the sparkling spheres, which rose into the air with a sweep of the magician’s hand.
    And
then
there were the rabbits! Now, rabbits and magicians go together like—well, magicians and rabbits! But the rabbits in the garden were not the usual plump, white, fluffy variety. No show bunnies, these! They were, in fact,
jack
rabbits; those lean, long-eared, long-legged members of the rabbit family. Their coats were dusty, as if they had just arrived from the desert and their black eyes glittered with feral delight. There were at least a dozen of them, all in pairs, as if partnered for a dance. Indeed, they looked as if they
were
dancing, as they stood on their hind legs and leapt high into the air with wild abandon! The two children jumped up and down as well, mimicking the dance of the rabbits; laughing merrily as they tried to touch the ascending bubbles.
    “Lance, is-is that fountain dragon thingy m-moving?” Harvey finally managed to ask.
    “Come on, Harvey! It’s just a lot of silly old magic tricks. Smoke and mirrors and—er, other—stuff.”
    “How does he do that? With the rabbits,” Myrtle whispered in awe.
    “Did I forget to mention—he’s
also
an animal trainer. Does commercial work—for Hollywood, no less!” said Olivia. Abruptly, she turned and strode down the cobblestone path, sending the rabbits skitter-scattering out of her way. She stopped in front of the magician and confronted him, hands on hips.
    “
Uncle
Bartholeumous,
what
were you thinking?” she scolded.
    The magician’s wand stopped in mid-stroke, as he paused to take in the situation. The fireflies flew off, the bubbles floated away, the sea serpent froze and the rabbits all disappeared into the bushes.
    “I was thinking that a little Magic Show would keep the children entertained, while their parents were busy,” Bartholeumous replied evenly. He lowered the wand and cocked his head toward Farley and Fiona, still playing at being jackrabbits.
    “Ya call that a
little
Magic Show? I’d sure like t’see one-a your
big
ones!” Harvey raved, as he rushed into the garden. “Hey, ya wouldn’t wanna share some of your secrets with a fellow aficionado, wouldja?” he asked hopefully; sighing as Bartholeumous chuckled and shook his head. “Didn’t think so. Us Magicians like to keep our secrets. Sure would like t’know how ya pulled off that trick with the fountain though,” he said, as he bent to examine the stone sea serpent .
    “That was some show, Mr. Bartholeumous,” Myrtle said, as she and Lance joined the others. “But I think that purple fog left me feeling a little funny—like I’m walking on air.”
    “Euphoria has that effect on some. Do not worry. It is perfectly harmless.”
    Farley ran up and began tugging excitedly on his mother’s sleeve.
    “Mommy! Mommy! I’m gonna be a great Wizard someday! Mr. Bartholymoose says so!”
    Myrtle smiled down at her son’s beaming face. “Isn’t that nice. I’m sure you’ll make a fine magician. That’s very kind of you to take the trouble to encourage him, Mr. Bartholeumous.”
    “No trouble at all. Bumblestook here is a natural. Of course, he will need the proper training—”
    “Yes,
well
! I think we’ve had enough magic for today,” Olivia interrupted. “We were in the middle of something
very important
when we were interrupted.”
    “Perhaps it would be best if we all went back into the house,” Lance suggested.
    Harvey and Myrtle (looking crestfallen as they