The Savannah morning news., 1902-07-05
CLEVER MIR. FOX.

From ST. Nicholas.

How He Ffshed and Hunted.
From ST. Nicholas.
The fox about which I am going to
ones. And as they We're always hun
CRY, like most healthy children, he was
out hunting from morning till night,
and often through the night. too, try
ing to get them enough to eat But
sometimes luck was against him. and
now and then Mrs. Fox complained
that he was letting the children starVe.
One day off he started after telling
the little ones to be good and not wor-
ry their poor mother. AS he trotted
along he reflected, Now it won't pay
to go near the barn-yard again to-day.
They will surely be on the lookout for
me. And I'm not ashamed to say that
I'm afraid of the gun, for l can't dodge
shot, no matte how fast 1 scamper "
Just here he came to the river, and
stopped to look at his own reelection
in the water. I'm quite a cookbook
ing fellow" he thought. Then his at
tention was attracted by some crawf1sh
swimming along the bottom. A bright
idea struck him. II wonder If l can't
catch some" he thought He tried
hard to reach them with his paw, but
they always lodged the stroke.
Still he wouldn't give up. i've seen
boys fishing with lines" he meditated
why can't l try to fish with my tail {?
It's quite long" So. very quietly and
cautiously, he dropped his tail into the
water, just above the fish. Rather cold
work" he thought. But soon he got
a bite. One of the crawf1sh had caught
his tail with his claws. Up, with a
swish, he jerked it out of water With
a good nip he made it let go. Then
he sat down and quietly ate it, smil-
ing all over. The trick struck him as
such a good one that he threw back
his head and silently laughed, till he
nearly fell into the water.
lie recovered himself, and said seri-
ously, II must catch some more for the
children" and again dropped his line
into the stream. The crawfish nipped
him every time, and every time he
landed them successfully. When he
thought he had as many as he could
carry, he took them up in his mouth
and started for home. Mrs. Fox well
coined him and the fish with sparkling
eyes. II hope the children will like
themi' she exclaimed
The little foxes did like them very
much, and soon the whole catch had
disappeared. Now things looked a lit
tie brighter to the family
But still. you know said Mrs. Fox.
that won't last us till tomorrow. You
must try to bring in something more
So away went Mr.. Fox again. Chill
dren are a great care" he sighed He
trotted along the river bank, hoping
that something would happen to help
him. Finally he came to the fishhouse.
He didn't like to approach too near. as
the men were working inside. But
luckily he found some stray fishheads
which had been thrown out.
"Ha, ha, here's luck" he cried, and,
capturing several, away he scampered.
hurrying a little as he heard dog
bark. ..--.---
But while running along he thought,
III l take these things home, the wife
may complain. People can't live on
fish all the time, and I've just given
them one fish course
He was troubled, and sat down to re-
fleet. While wondering whether he
had better take the fish-heads home
or not, he was disturbed by a party
of crows flying above him. They had
been attracted by the appetizing odor.
IF | could only catch a crow, that
would be worth while!" he thought.
But how" That was the problem.
Il have it," he gleefully cried, as he
suddenly spied a hollow tree.
At once he set to work and placed
the nsh-heads temptingly in a row
before 1t. Then he hid himself in the
hollow and waited
Now we shall see fun" he said in
himself. and chuckled over his clever
plan.
The crows kept circling about the
spot, attracted yet fearful. AS the
fox had disappeared, they became
holder. The first bird dropped upon
the prize. Quick as a flash, out sprang
Mr.. Fox and seized him by the neck.
There was short, sharp struggle, and
the fox was again in his hiding place,
his prey still and silent beside him.
Back came the other birds. Another
descended warily, and was in a like
manner captured by the nimble fox
And yet others were his victims. so
that before the afternoon was over,
he had caught four.
Off he started for home, dragging
his crows after him.
Wont the goodwife rejoice?" he
thought.
And she really did. For now the
whole family dned we'll, and still
something was left for the morrows
breakfast.
The two foxes laughed loudly over
the trick.
You really are the wisest fox I
ever knew" said Mrs. Fox, admiring-
ly.
II think perhaps I am up with the
times" answered Mr.. Fox, in very
self-sa tisfed tone.