The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-05-06

dropped back In terror and pointed one
paw towards the screen barrier which
made them prisoners
''Oh, my little ones! Oh my darllngs!
What have I led you into2" cried the
good mother, thinking not of herself but
of her little Cottontalls. The little bun
niles set up a wall, crowding against the
door. As they did SO the boy quickly
slipped his hand behind the screen and
grabbed one of them. This frightened the
Others so much that they frantically with
drew to the farthest corner of the hutch,
their hearts beating like bell-clappers In
their breasts.
And the poor little fellow, thus held
victim in human hands, was more fright
ened than the others. His eyes fairly
started from his head. and he trembled
violently.
"Oh, you pretty one. don't be afraid"
soothingly coaxed the boy as he gently
stroked the terrified little animal and
pressed his cheek against It lovingly. II
wouldn't hurt q hair Of your silken coat,
SO l wouldn't" Then, after he coaxed
and caressed 1t some more he tied long
string about one of Its front paws and
fastened the other end to the edge of the
screen frame, after which he tenderly
replaced 1t within the hutch again. Now,
my little friends-for such you will be
soon-l'm going to get some more food
for YOU"
Then the boy went running to the
house.
well, well. welIl'' sighed old Mistress
Bunny How strangely that animal be-
hayed. | felt sure our last days had
come; but to my surprise he only petted
Whitehair and put him back here alive
and unhurt. What can be his Intention, !
wonder?''
Well, his paws stroked me gently"
said Whitehair. Aud, really, / dom I
think / would mind being held In his
clutch again. He seemed quite fond Of
me-" 4y
Just then the boy, came running back to
the hutch, bringing with him lot of
food. This he thrust into the hutch.
Then taking hold of the string that con-
fined Whitehair be drew that little fel-
low toward him. And, strange to say,
Whitehair did not tremDle much this
time, but nestled down In the boys warm
hands, as II saying. II trust you and
like you, big, two-legged animal"
And so a week went by. during which
time the boy proved to Mistress Bunny
that he was friend and protector to her
and her little ones, and he had also built
big screened Enclosure. Into which he
turueu tueus 81 tuat tuet UNCUT run uuu
play
''Well, my dears," smiled Mistress Bum
ny one might as she and her children were
going to bed In some soft, clean hay; II
guess we are fixed for life-and well
liked, too"
''Ah, mamma. dear, thereIl be no more
cold and hunger for US now" said one Of
the daughters. Every day there Is an
abundance of food and fresh water put
right at our noses. That big, two-legged
animal Is a strange creature, indeed.
to take such a fancy to u.s.
And l have the same fancy for him"
declared whitehall. HE chose me as his
particular chum on the first day Of our
temporary imprisonment, and l mean to
hold the place as long as l live
And now that this kind creature 10
allowing US to run about the big green
yard we must be careful to never nibbie
a fruit tree, nor damage the garden that
Is near" continued Mistress Bunny.
I'VE must be grateful to our good friend
who held our lives In his hand. and rho
spared us to make ~ supremeiy happy. ;"
Then al said good ngiht and tell
asleep.