The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-01-17

b0rs was renewed every spring. The
stories which they heard from them
kept them In subjects OF w0nderment
the long winter through. indeed, the
winters were spent ia warmth and
amidst plenty in the inner chambers OF
their ab0des About midwinter. how
ever. they became so very sleepy that
do what they could. they went 50 sound
to sleep that IT was a full month before
they could open their eyes. Take their
lives altogether there were no reason
able grounds for believing but that this
annual routine would continue until
death should reach them through the
feebleness Of increasing years
One autumn morning. however. the
little community was aroused by the
advent OF a couple OF stranger fox
squirrels. who, from the woods border
ing the broad prairie beyond had start
ed on their travels. They solicited the
privilege Of resting for day and night
with them. The request was granted
with pleasure. That night. after sup
per-and the best had been set before
them-both families gathered together
and listened to accounts OF the great
world outside their little prairie.
The country where they lived, said
the elder Of their guests, was culti-
waited and fruitful land. It was divided
into fields. which we're full Of luscious
corn All that was necessary to do to
live was to put forth the hand and eat.
The chipmunks which dwelt in that
land were fat and rich. Strangers COM
Ing there we're soon as well of for corn
as those who had grown old there In
deed. he said. It was a wonder to him
how folks could content themselves to
live so far from every place as did their
hosts. Il would do well enough for a
night and a day. but for a lifetime 1t
certainly could not be endured. In
such talk as this the hours we're spent
until late bedtime.
AT sunrise the next morning the ira
velers resumed their journey. Their
stories, however. had made a deep im-
preston on the simple chipmunks.
They repeated It over and over at every
visit. Soon they became dissadshed
with their humble homes. They be-
came tired OF hazel nuts. and sweet
grass roots, and bumhle-bee honey, and
longed for feast OF corn. Their little
prairie seemed shrunk together until
they could hardly breathe At last
they resolved TO emigrate.
The next morning the robin re-
marked to the bobollnk that he had not
seen their neighbors, the chipmunks,
out in the copse as usual. The bobo-
INK replied that il was something sim
gular. but neither had he met them
while gathering his breakfast But
Just then the blueblrd. returning to his
aest. informed them that he had seen
10Th families on the edge Of the large
prairie. travelling towards the nearest
farm in evident haste. THAT settles
the matter" said a large short-tailed
mouse. they have emigrated.' He at
once moved with his family. followed
by half a dozen others. and took pos
session OF the deserted burrows.
The chipmunks. however, had
reached the land Of promise They
found themselves in the midst Of vast
cornheld. The big ears projected thick
In every direction. They climbed up
the stalks and out upon the ears and
feasted to their hearts content But
what loud noise is thisg They paused
in the midst Of their feast and listened.
II was boy and the farm dogs The
next moment they we're upon the poor
chlpmunks. Happily for the younger
ones they discovered q deserted gopher
burrow and found safety in It's depths.
But. alas. the aged father and mother,
innrm and feeble, became an easy prey
to their enemies. The survivors re-
NAMED trembling Ia every limb until
evening. When they emerged from
their refuge the prospect was changed.
The mangled bodies Of their parents
lay there shapeless. "Alack-a-day that
ever we left our old home." they cried
In unison. There we lived in peace.
No horrld boys or cruel dogs invaded
our retreat. Our fare, though humble,
was ia abundance. and to spare. Let
as return to hazel nuts and sweet roots.
A perpetual feast in the midst Of per-
petual alarms Is a living death"
A full moon rising above the tassels
Of corn shed a flood OF light over the
prairie. The wretched chipmunks be-
gan their return TO their old home. AS
they crept through a fence the deep
baying OF dog Quickened their steps.
They darted into the tall grass. fearing
that every moment would be their last
The rasping Of the blades Of grass and
the rustic Of the leaves made them
trembie and cry out for their lives. But
the barking Of the dogs gradually died
away in the distance. BY the time they
reached the familiar hazel copse
naught disturbed the silence Of the
night save the cheerful chirping Of
crickets serenading the full moon. or
The monotonous refrain OF the katydids
as they held concert on the clumps Of
asters and goldenrods, rasping their
wings together
a..