Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-13
OUR LITTLE NEIGHBORS.

\ Squirrel Story written for Greens Fruit Grower
by Myra H. Condo.
On bright Sunday morning, when the
air was sweet with the fragrance Of the
blossoms. 1 sat very quietly on the porch
enjoying so much the beauties of nature.
There was great chatterng up in one
of the green trees over my head. and after
a little l saw a little red squirrel sitting
away up in the top of the tree At first
proved to be my friend of the winter days.
Mrs. Squirrel, herself.
This bright little woman, and her equally
keen little man. had been living all winter
in one OF our locust trees Every morning
and evening they would scamper down the
tree trunk to pick up the nuts and bits of
cake that we put out for them.
Toward evening each day tiny head and
two flashing black eyes would appear at
the hole in the tree; after swift glance
all about to see if Max. the dog or that
terrible cat was about, the head would be
suddenly followed by a slender body and a
long bushy tail. Quick wink Mr..
Squirrel would run down, secure a nut and
hasten back to the nest
After moment or two the lady of the
house would come out. She would sit in
the door until she felt sure there was no
one about Then she would come down
chattering gaily to her husband, who re-
manned up in the tree.
We, my little boy and l. We're always so
glad if she would eat her cake on the
ground. Most daintily she would seize the
morselS and sit down to eat. Sometimes
she would twist her little head and dash
away up the tree as if frightened nearly
into fits.
But if we kept watch a while she usually
returned to finish her supper, but she takes
it home to eat the second time
they would come out again Mr. Squirrel
would sit in the door and wash his face
with his two small paws. His toilet made
he would call his wife and go racing high
up above the nest, and jump about from
tree to tree, with Mrs Squirrel following
What jolly times these little souls had.
How they whistled and chartered and
leaped about. This continued until the
little boys papa would drive in and then
off they would hurry and get into the
house as quickly as possible No doubt they
We're soon in bed, all snug and warm and
who knows but they dreamed of the good
things they would find next day.
one morning ] saw something white go
ing along on top of the garden fence
thinking that it must be Mr.. Squirrel in
mlschief again / ran to- the window just
something in his paws, make il into ball
and thrust it into his mouth. Then away
he scampered to his nest.
Several times we our little neigh
'Si E7Ai Sl'IiliOuSlS gathering DIS OF paper
and other things and bearing them away to
the old locust tree.
The busy spring days came soon and
We quite neglected our neighbors on the
lawn. In fact, | had not noticed them at
all until the morning of which | spoke at
the beginning of my story.
AS l said. Mrs. Squirrel was scOlding
dreadfully, and after while / found out
why.
On another branch, PERTAINS two feet
from her, sat little baby squirrel His
mother wished him to learn to run about
ana was trying to make the little fellow
come over to her. But he was awfully
AFRAID to jump, and sat very still After a
great while when his mother grew tired
OF waiting and ran away the baby gath
cred up his courage and Ieaped over To
the branch. His courage came ranidlv and
soon he could dash after his mother even
up to the very tip top of the leafy trees.
Inc next day we saw two little SQUIRRELS
out playing in the trees
But few days later my little bow ran
In with tears on his pretty cheeks. and a
great lump in his throat so that he couId
scarcely speak. Mrs. Michael, the house
red squirrel in her mouth.
l fastened out just in time. The old c.+
had just laid Mr.. Squirrel down to call
her son Billy to come and eat him
NO sooner did she let loose of Mr.
squirrel than up he jumped and ran right
INTO my lap. l clapped my apron over
him, and Mrs. Michael lost her sn,,irreI
Inc llttle boy and I took Mr. Squirrel ont
ana let him go How gladly he ran of
home to his wife and babies
They are dear little family and still live
very happily in our old locust tree Al
though the babies are now ouite eroU-nIn
squirrels.