The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-14
THE RABBIT
AND
MIR. HEDGEHOG


one bright September day. while Uncle
Frank and the little cousins were In the
woods a hedgehog ran across the path
Little Dandelion exclaimed: "Oh, look at
his funny. crooked legs" And then Uncle
Frank replied, Yes. and in the old coun-
try those legs were the cause of one Of
the queerest races ever run. I'll tell you
story about 1t at dinner time" And so.
after the lunch had been eaten and all
the little folks were still. Uncle Frank
began:
zone bright morning in the early fall
Mr.. Hedgehog stood at the door OF his
house. dressed in his best clothes. for 1t
was Sunday, and no good hedgehog Ia
bors on that day. And so. he could
do no work. he concluded TO go over to-
ward the creek and see how his turnips
were coming on. The air had all the soft
ness of autumn: the leaves were glorious
in their fall coloring. and fields and woods
were very beautiful. AS Master Hedgehog
strolled along. switching the grass with
his stick. he could not help feeling very
joyful; and so he hummed snatches of song
or whistled softly to himself. When he
came TO the creek he stopped long time
and admired his reflection in the water.
self and had he not a right to be? For,
thought he, I have fine wife and interest
ing children, enough turnips in my field to
furnish food all winter and besides all
that. 1 am Mr.. Hedgehog. the most adj
mirable creature in the woods. Yes. be-
yond a doubt, 1 am the finest fellow in
this part of the country. But I must be
off, That turnip field needs close watch
ing this time of year
$50 saying. he picked up his hat and
stick and continued on his way. When he
arrived at the turnip patch he was more
than pleased. for there was a fine crop Of
the sweet roots on which he and his family
were to live all winter. But ii so hap
pened that Master Rabbit had come to the
same place that morning to see how his
turnips were coming on; and so just as Mr..
Hedgehog was feeling the best satisfied
with himself he was very much startled to
hear a voice close at his elbow saying:
Good morning, Master Crooked-shank,
and how do you do this morning?
Mr.. Hedgehog was too surprised to
speak. and 1 am afraid he was little
angry, too. For, when a fellow thinks a
good deal of himself, 1t is pretty bad TO
have a vulgar rascal like Mr.. Rabbit speak
gentleman bad names don't you think he
is to be excused If he gets angry? And
then. too. Mr.. Rabbit chose just the name
that most onends a Hedgehog; for this
family all have weak, little crooked legs
so weak that they are almost useless for
running. OF course, then. Mr. Hedgehog
was angrey and hurt at Mr.. Rabbits IA
miliarity. But he was a brave little fol-
low. and vain of his fine appearance: and
so he looked the Rabbit square in the eye
and said in bold voice:
DO you mean to imply that my legs
are not as strong and as straight as
yours?'
Why, of course they are not answered
Mr.. Rabbit.
Perhaps you think you could beat me
in a race. too? demanded Mr.. Hedgehog
THE Rabbit laughed loud and long
When he got his wind he said:
my dear Hedgehog. could beat you
In any race at any distance much more
easily than you could beat the toad there
Why, the very thought of it makes me
laugh And then he wheezed and whoopeG
until one would have thought he would
burst.
"Of course, Mr.. Hedgehog grew more
and more angry at such sights. Perhaps
his anger made him rash; at any rate, h,
slapped his pocketbook and cried holly:
az If you dare 10 bet with me I'll run yoI
a race that will shame every rabbit IL
creation. Come. come, don't be a coward
Put up your money or shut up about beins
a runner
30, all right carelessly answered Mr.
Rabbit; If you wish to swell my banl
account 1 don't care. What shall W.
wager?
WELL" replied the Hedgehog, "a five
dollar gold piece and a bottle of wine
VERY good" coolly said the Rabbit as h
recorded the wager in his notebook. 'I'l
leave the selection of the ground to you
When will you be ready?'
IF you will call around at my place aft
er dinner we'll go out and settle our quarre
then" answered Mr.. Hedgehog.
So they parted. the Rabbit hopping gail
about the turnip patch, laughing to himsel