The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-08-27
The Squirrels Stratagem.

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great chatteuing and commotion. SOUR
rel came round stump, with both cheeks
full of corn, to see what was the matter
1t is all very well to have company"
said little Brown-bird, livery well; but
when it comes to having folks go to
sleep, and keep birds away from their
nests, so that all the eggs get cold, for
one don't like it!
Everybody was surprised, for every
body thought little Brown-bird amiable,
and not easily put out.
"Indeed, l wouldn't stand it It's
a singing shame !" buzzed Bundle Bee.
"Queer doings should say !" chirped
Cricket.
"What, may 1 ask is this creaturel"
trilled the Tree-toad.
"Why," said Robin, who had been
ont in the world, andknew, " it is very
small child ~
Said Humming- bird: cit looks like a
sweet-pea blossom; and its hair is like
the silk of maize -
"And its mouth is like a berry /
will go and kiss it :" said wicked Mos
quito to himself.
go dear what an ado you all make !"
sighed red Lady-bug; and the little flow
ers nodded significantly, and all the for
est leaves looked as if they We're laugh
mg
Yet the little baby lay in the shadow
of the bushes, with closed lids, and
dreamed as happy and unconcerned as if
all the woods were its own.
Squirrel was sorry. He said: Little
Brown-bird, don't fret and fiutter so. It's
easy enough to manage. You leave it all
to me. Iknow the tricks of these folks
specially boys % and he put up his
two small hands and looked around upon
his neighbors in an assured manner most
comforting to behold. "Never you
fear, little Brown bird . Twill go and
bring some one here who will carry away
this creature that disturbs you 70
The Squirrel flashed out of sight, and
ran swiftly along over brush and bushes,
and logs and ferns, until it reached the
highway, when it sped along the fence,
only pausing now and then to take an
observation. In two minutes who should
come along but three school-children--
Roy and Rob, and their sister Lou.
"Look look look !" cried Rob.
"Where9 what 2" shouted Roy.
GA squirrel a squirrel a squirrel :"
they all shouted together; and away
went Rob, and after him Roy, and fol-
lowing both ran Lou, over the brush and
over the bushes, and over the logs and
ferns.
"Catch him catch him !" they cried;
and the echoes Knocked, "Catch him
catch him catch linn !"
And they chased the little Squirrel
until they came to dead halt by rail
fence, and there on the ground lay a
little dreaming baby!
ooh no! ho!" laughed Roy.
"Whew:w!' whistled Rob.
ooh, the dear little thing !" cried
Lou, with uplifted hands.
Now the children set themselves to
wondering what it all meant.
Perhaps" said Lou, "the Squirrel
was fairy, and turned into a little baby
when we most caught it o, let's take
it home and keep it, and may be it will
turn out little lady as big as your fin
ger, with eyes just like pin-heads- a
silver dress and spider-web vail, and
she will live with us always, and always
and forever -
"Pshawl !" said Roy. "Don't you
know gypsies do it sometimes-ste ba-
biesl Put 'em in a covered cart and
carry 'em off, and leave 'em by the way
sidel"
eyes, and I've read, too, how an
eagle once picked up baby in it's beak
and claws, and carried it off to its nest
on crag!"
Perhaps it ran away" said Rob; ga
baby did once, years and years agj,
grandma said. The mother went out
a-visiting and left all the children to
keep house and she said to Riar (she
was oldest), 'Riar, you take care of the
baby An when the mother was gone,
they had fun, tell you They elm
on the housetop to see the chimbly-
swallows, and they blowed bubbles, and
played 'pom-pom-pull-away' until the
sun went down. Then they all went to
see Joseph set the hen down in the
fence corner where she stole her nest.
Then, do you know, Riar thought OF
what her mother said, and she never
once thought before. Oh, wasn't she
scarf And she began to count the
children, an found the baby was gone
Then the mother came home, and she
hunted, and Ryar hunted, and every.