Evening star., 1903-12-26
THE BEAVER.

The beaver was once abundant in North
America but has gradually disappeared be-
fore the settlers. 1t swims with its tail and
hind feet. The hind feet are webbed. The
tail is large and fat, and is used a scull.
1t builds a home by the edge of the water.
Each house has two stories. Two or three
families live in one house.
The food is stored in the lower story.
under water. They eat the bark of trees
and roots Of plants. The beavers live in
the upper story, where 1t Is dry. The en-
trance Is under water If the stream Is
shallow a dam is built across 1t. The dam
is made of small trees, roots, moss and
mud. The beavers work at night. Yours,
truly. JAMES G.
THE DONKEY AND THE THIVEES
Many many years ago there lived on a
farm in Georgia an old donkey, who had
been worked till his ribs and bones nearly
came out Of his skin. His master was
cruel. and he decided to leave. 1t was near
Christmas. and thieves commenced to steal
turkeys and nice things. So the donkey
started Off The first thing he met was a
dog. bowling. What is the matter. my
friend?" said the donkey. my master is
going to kill me because I won't catch any
more rats"
Come with me. then" said the donkey.
About fifteen minutes later they met a cat,
bowling because it was going to get killed.
What's the matter, my friend?" said the
donkey. MY masters going to kill me be-
cause I won't catch any more mice, and
there are no more to catch.' said the cat,
shivering. Come with me, and he can't
kill you." the donkey said. Then the three
started off. A little later. jumping through
the leaves. was rabbit. What Is the
matter. poor friend?" asked the dog. Look
! ing up. the rabbit said: THE hunters are
after me to kill me, and want to get out
Of the way" replied the rabbit
By this time they had gone about five
miles. and not a sound was heard, but they
kept on going. Later a sound of cock
was heard. and about minute later they
were by his side.
What is the matter. poor fellow? There
must be a lot of quarreling going on now
days" said the donkey.
well" said the rooster, taking a breath,
my master is going to kill me for the
school teachers breakfast
Come along with me, and he can't kill
you" So the five were tired; and at last
they came to large tree. They all agreed
that the first one who saw light would
halloo, and would go that way. The
rooster flew up in the tree. and the cat
climbed to the middle The dog. the rabbit
and the donkey stayed at the bottom. A
little later q sound from the top of the tree
was heard. and the rooster saw light to-
ward the east. So they went that way.
When they got there the donkey could see
In. and the others couldn't. So the dog got
upon the donkey's back. and the cat on the
uoS pdCh, anu tno TaDDlt On the cats
back. and just as the rooster was about to
get up on the rabbits back they all fell in
There were the robbers, just getting ready
to eat when the bunch fell in, and they all
got scared and ran out. The five ate all the
turkey and everything and then turned out
the lights. The rooster got on top of the
house. the donkey behind the door, the dog
in the fireplace, the cat on the gas pipe and
the rabbit In the ice box. Then came back
one Of the robbers. He went to the gas
pipe to get a match and the cat scratched
his finger. He went to the fireplace to get
hand warm, and the dog bit him. He
went to the Ice box to get something to
eat, and the rabbit bit him. So he started
OFF, and going out the donkey kicked him.
and all the time the rooster hallooed Take
him out and hang him." So the donkey
and his party lived happy ever after.
NJ F., aged twelve.