The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-04-15


of the rabbits and the hens was part
of program that the rabbits origin
ally suggested and the butterflies and
hens had eagerly seconded.
If YOU could have been near the rab-
bits warrens just week previous you
would have heard one of a cloud of
butterflies of every possible hue say
ing to a rabbit: "Wc'll gladly do it if
there is a rainbow before Easter, but
you can't expect us to give up the
color on our wings, as that IS our only
beauty. But if there is rainbow We'll
hep YOU gladly, as we can then get
all the color we want. and those chill
dren are certainly worth pleasing, be-
cause they never chase us
What it meant it would have puz-
lied me to explain at that time, but
the rabbit evidently understood, and
rising upon his hind legs he sniifed
the air and looked at the clouds IN q
Weatherwise way.
But. although it was April and there
were plenty of showers, there were no
rainbows up to the time that all tne
eggs had been gathered by the rap,
bits. and old Mr.. COttontall. VINO had
managed affairs so far. said to ms
wife: I'm afraid we can't do 1t after
all. Tomorrow will be Easter.
Along about five o'clock Saturday
afternoon there came up heaNy
shower Just as Austin was about sad-
ling Caesar to ride to town. ana ne
was disappointed enough when ms
mother said that he could not go.
However, he was a boy who could
bear disappointment mantully. ana
so. instead of pouting, he went up 10
his room. and getting out lot OF
cards. he began to paint little Easter
Dictures to give to the different mem
bers of the family at breakfast next
morning.
But Marian and Sarah did not take
it quite as well.
II think the rain is just horrid, and
so are the rabbits
Our Whole Easter will be spoiled.
said Marian.
SAY. girls called Austin from his
room. look at that rainbow. And the
rain is stopping. l can go. | guess.
The girls looked and saw the larg-
est and most vivid rainbow that had
ever arched itself in the heavens. And
while they watched the glorious col
ors two clouds of butterflies whose
hues rivaled those of the rainbow,
flew from its two bases. and following
its arch met at the top, and then flew
from it to the western woods and DIS
appeared in its shadows.
Austin burst into the room. i say,
girls. did YOU see that?
Yes. Wasn't it queer? said Mar
ian. Wasn't it lovely?" said Sarah
''How could we see them so far? They
seemed to brush the rainbow with
their wings"
"Well. we've seen enough strange
and pretty things today to reconcile
us to the loss Of the Easter eggs,
continued Sadah. as her eyes watched
the rapidly fading rainbow.
ESPECIALLY, as we've gotten along
without them every Easter so lar,
added Martin
..Wen. we won't have to this time,
said Austin. Il know mamma VIII let
nc 90 down town. now that 1T has
stopped raining"
And in a few minutes he was off ON
old Caesar and the girls flew to their
mother to see if she could help them
make some dyes for coloring some OF
the eggs.
But, although Mrs. Mckenzie was
generally a mine of suggestions to her
children when they were in a quanda-
rv. she had never done any dyeing and
did not know how to go to work to get
a single color except by using blueing.
and the girls did not think that would
make very pretty shade of blue.
They set the table for their mother,
and then they put on their rubbers
and went out to get some early wild
flowers. and while they were in the
field they saw Austin returning-egg-
less.
Its no use" he called to them.
1.-THE fates are against us. They were
all cut of eggs at both stores. Expect
ed some more this evening. but |
couldn't wait. Wei have to get along
without"
/ am inclined to think that there
vta> tear in Sarab's eye and another
OF e was all ready to roll out Of Mar
les eve. but Marian threw her heaG
up and Sarah threw her head up. the
tears rolled back and the girls went
on picking early wild flowers like SEN
sible children.
While the family sat at breakfast
Easter morning admiring the pretty
conceits that Austin's brush had Great
ed on cardboard Mr.. Austin noticed a
neighbor staring intently at their
front doorway.
do you suppose the house is attire
7Iargaret said he, calling Mrs. Aus
tins attention TO the man. whose
mouth and eyes were wide open.
All five jumped 10 their feet and ran
TO the front door. which Mr.. Austin
opened.
There on the front steps and extend
ing down the path to the gate sat one
hundred rabbits, and each rabbit held
an ego ir,-l squirrel holds
a nut But sucn eggs!
The butterflies had, indeed. been to
the rainbow and had borrowed colors
from it. but how in the world they
ever decorated those eggs with the
dazzling hues | can not tell. Such
trandscendently beautiful eggs you.
nor |. ever saw at Easter or at any
q er time.
Austin was the first to command his
tongue.
care these for us?" said he to Mr..
Cottontail, who was spokesman.
The rabbit bowed his head solemnly
and the ninety-nine other rabbits
bowed their heads, too, and then each
one in turn went up and handed an