The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-07-07
MY NEIGHBORS, THE RED SOUR
RElS.

The first time that ! was introduced TO
my little neighbors was one evening the
last of April. 1t had been a warm
spring day, with alternate smiles and
tears but at shutdown the smiles had
won, so | went over to the Rock to
see the "shows," as a little boy once
called our sunsets.
How grandly the long range Of Adj
rondaclls stood, CLEARLY cut against the
glowing western sky? To the north
ward cleaned the bright surface of Lake
Champlain, fresh and fair after a win
ter's sleep. was sitting on a rock at
the foot Of tail linden, looking out at
the lovely scene and admirlng the Won
deltu variety Of shapes and directions
the tree branches talle,-for there is
wild growth Of naples, elms, Dutternuts,
walnuts, and even willows, on the Rocks
when tap on my shoulder, scratch
on my Undated head, and away up in
the budding branches red squirrel
chartered and clucked as though the
human form divine were no uncommon
ladder; more likely he thought | was
lifeless, moss-cOvered old rock.
Looking up the trunk of the tree, |
saw him whisk into his home through
an opening so small as to have been
unnoticed before, though | had often
looked at the tall, stately tree-trunk
end admired its fine proportions. Then
such q squirrel call as there was Was
it summons to vesper service by the
wild woodsy little creatures? Nothing
of the sort; ii was squirrel curiew, far
up from the rocks, over from the butter
nut, down from the linden-tOp, came
scampering four tiny squirrels, the MIN
blest little creatures that ever leaped
from swinging bows. They were about
half grown and were dressed in q dove
colored suit of soft fur a tinge of red
beginning to show near the head. The
tails were almost hairless, or the hair
was SO light colored that at a little dis
lance they sadly resembled rats eau.
dial appendage.
Now, in the middle of June, the red
squirrels are nearly grown, and they put
on all the airs of old ones, talking and
nodding and chattering like the busiest
of gossips.
Many a shutdown since my first intro
duction have watched the little crea-
lures lrisling about the tree-tops. They
take incredible leaps, almost always
without losing hand or foot hold, though
sometimes they come tumbIing down,
but rarely to the ground if there are
any limbs below to catch hold Of.
have often seen one venture out on a
dry twig first he puts out forefoot and
seems to press hard upon the twig, try
ing its strength as an elephant tries a
bridge. If it gives little back he runs.
and in n twinkle he has found q safer
route home.
They are fond of butternuts, and it is
queer sight to see squirrel seated de-
murely, with nut as large as his head.
securely held to his mouth by his tiny
paws. They have an instructive knowl-
edge Of weights and measures that is
very accurate. Late last fall there was
a large pile of black walnuts left under
tree in the orchard, and when the
snow went there was not sound one
left. We cracked several and could
not find a good kernel the squirrels
had tried them all before.
One winter my brother, in cutting
down maple in the sugar woods, found
about three pints of beech nuts, care.
fully peeled, slowed away in a nest in a
hollow trunk, and they were clean as
though the daintiest white fingers had
done it. Squirrels are very fond, too, o.
the tender twigs in spring and summer
and the first indications of their pres
ence are the young leaves hutterinl
down while the soft stems are in the
mouth of the 81 rogue above.
Even while | write | can hear a be
lated squirrel chatter in the tall Locust
by my window. The sun is sinking be
hind the mountains and | must away
in hopes to catch goodnight glimpse
OF the Young Folks who live in the lin
den tree.-O,r Young Folks.