The Washington times., 1903-09-06

/
T whittier are you hurrying at
such an early hour? NV
gracious, you never looked so handsome
/ in your life as you do this morning
1 prim as you are in your glossy whita
coat Why. as yet I have scarcaly
rubbed the sleep out OF my eyes"
These were the words that Mr.. Souir-
rel addressed to his friend Jack Rabbit
as the latter was Fastening proudly by
Il am surprised" said Mr.. Rabbtt-nou
paIsing and looking up angTily at he
limb whereupon Mr.. Squirrel was perch
ed am astOunded that you ask me-
why I am hurrying. Have you oot
heard OF the edict that our worthy sire
King Leo Lion has issued?"
"Edict!" exclaimed Mr.. Squirrel. nov
jumping down and becoming thoroughly
Interested. Why. what in the world
is an edict?''
See here said Mr.. Rabbit. uuita
sharply; II cannot tarry now and en-
tighten you on the subject, but I advise
you to come along with me as fast as
you can, for IL the king should miss one
OF his subjects this morning IL would
go hard with that subject can assure
you Saying this, he turned on his heel.
Mr.. Squirrel, now bewildered. ran
along with his impatient neighbor. not
even waiting TO wash the sleep out OF his
eyes. They took the shortest vay To
the place of meeting. jumping streams
and fences at bound IN their eagerness
to be on time. At last, after scamner
ing through dark, winding ways the
81 Inds OF distant voices came TO their
ears "Ah, said Jack Rabbit. catching
his friend Squirrel by the hand and hur-
ryng still faster. see, we are here ar
last" They Deered through the tangle-
wood, and there they beheId King Leo
Il cd
him grouped his hundreds OF loyal sub
iects.
My respected subjects of the forest
kingdom" he began in sonorous tones
Il have called you hither today for the
consideration OF a subject that deeply
concerns US all. 1t is this-we have suf-
fered in silence long enough the crueIties
that have been heaped upon US by those
heartless beings whom the world is
pleased to call men.
We Will stand these indignfties no
longer Here the audience broke into
loud and long applause. But when Mr..
Lion raised his mighty paw in a menac-
ing manner all soon quieted down. Now.
my worthy subjects, your hearts. I am
sure, burn with desire of revenge when
you recount how many Of your fathers.
mothers. and kinsfolk have been trapped
and killed by those shrewd beings who
claim 10 be OF superior intellect" MANY
faces now dropped in sorrowfuI thought
and many sad tear was steaIthfly wined
away as Mr. Lion continued in a sym
pathetic strain: Now, sirs, bold as the
project may seem. I am determined that
We shall wage war upon these our op-
pressors and treat them as they have
treated us-without mercy. Ny slender
subject here"-pointing TO Mr.. Robin
"can recall 10 you how he has been for
years confined behind bars and even still
would be captive were IL not that the
door of his prison was careIessly left
open and he darted out TO liberty Nv
gentle friend here, Miss Pussy. can un-
fold to you a tale Of harshness that
would melt your hearts with pity" All
eyes rested on Miss Pussy. but she look
ed coy and did not raise her head. "WIu
you, then. my companions. come with
me, one and all, and infiict upon these
men the pain they have meted out to
your brethren and miner I'VE Will We
willi' came the cry that startled the
forest.
Your lordship. wait moment" spoke
a demure little creature. standing in the
rear Of the group. 1t was Miss Eve. who
now raised her gentle voice. Let Us
lot be carried away by impulse. Let Us
reflect. What good can accrue to US as
a result OF waging war upon our op-
pressors? Can We not avoid them? Can
we not live here in peace, IN these cool
and avoid the heat and misery OF battle?
If they wish TO kill and wound US, let US
bear IL without resentment. Perhaps by
our meekness and submission we shall
bring them 10 feel ashamed OF them
selves and amend their ways"
If a magic wand had been passed over
the assemblage a greater change could
not have been wrought. Deep and serious
thought could be seen in the faces OF all.
Even old Pop Rhinocerous, who stayed
awake during the whole proceeding,
grunted his assent 10 the words OF Miss
Eve. Mr.. Leo Lion now arose and in
softer tones said: "Sir, the logic OF Miss
Eve cannot be gainsaid. Second thought
is best. We shall do as she says" All
present hooded their assent In silence.
Now the congress was in solemn form
declared disbanded. The birds iutterei
through the foliage singing their sweet
est songs. FATHER FRED.