The Port Gibson reveille., 1908-09-24
THE SQUIRRELS PARITY.

n uSdI HlJlS SQulTISl was lIlShlHS
about in a big green park, when in
to his choice place came a party OF
boys and girls with a very nice lady.
The lady was the mamma of one
of the boys, and the other children
were her sons guests, and they were
all going to have a picnic in the
park.
"Oh, there's a little squirrelie!"
cried one of the children, and at
once all eyes were turned on the lit
tie squirrel in question. Say, why
can't we have him to our party, mann
ma" asked the little host of the
party, addressing his mamma, the
lady in charge of the picnic crowd.
well, really think it's more in
keeping that the squirrel should act
as host and we as guests" said the
mamma, smiling at the pretty squirrel
that was standing on his hind feet
and looking very much amused at
the funny beings who had come all
unlimited into his wood.
ooh, then let's call it the squirrels
party" suggested a little yellow
haired girl, who wore blue ribbons
and white frock.
Yes, it's the little squirrels par
ty!" agreed all the other little ones.
"In that, case Mr.. Squirrel should
come and make US welcome . declar-
ed the mamma "But, you know, the
manners of aninals-especially of
squfrrels-are not like the manners
of people So we shall have to be
have toward Squirrelie as he would
like us to do. In the first place,
we must let him understand that we
are his friends and do not intend
to do him harm. In the second place,
we must be very quiet when he is in
our midst, for squirrels do not like
too much noise and commotion.
They are. afraid of =. romping and
shouting, and will run. away from
their best friends if they behave
noisiiy. So, all Re seated in a pret-
ty circle-leaving room for Squirrelie
to enter at one side-and then wen
set out some nice luncheon for him
and invite him to come I'M
The children did as suggested and
sat as still as little mice, and then
mamma put out some nuts and bits
of candy on a big green leaf, which
was placed in the center of the in
closure made by the little picnick-
ers.
"And now, Johnny James, you may
go and invite the squirrel to come
to his own party" said the mamma,
giving a hulled nut to Johnny James
and bidding him to take it close to
Squirrelie and offer it to him. 'And
when he comes near enough to bite
the nut you must move backward a
little, holding the nut just out Of his
reach, till at last you have coaxed
him into the circle. Then he'll have
his luncheon righ here with us. And
after he has found that we are his
guests he'll not be afraid"
And sure enough, just as sure as
the moon is made of green cheese
and pot of gold is to be found at
the end of the rainbow, little squir-
rel will go into even circle of boys
and girls to get at a dainty luncheon,
for squirrels do love to eat. So it
was not very long before Johnny
| James had coaxed Squirrelie to join
the group of picnickers, who are in
reality his guests, though it is very
likely the little bushy-tailed fellow
did not know it. And as soon as he
had eaten nut or two he took up
another one and ran off with it, and
to the great amusement of the chill
dren-his guests-he buried it be-
meath a little tuft of grass, and then
he returned and get another nut and
took it to his sterehouse also.
'eYou see how industrious he is?''
asked the mamma. "He even works
when he Is given a party But, OF
course, wc excuse him for what ap-
pears to be bad manners, for a squir-
rePs manners are not those of well
bred boy or girl. And now, if you
are all hungry, Wen open the bas
kets."
Amid a shout of eagerness--for
each boy and girl was as hungry
as coald Squirrelie ran off to hide
till the commotion should subside
And, strange as it may seem, thai
party of young picnickers did moi
take any notice of their host, Mr.
| Squirrel, while they were eating then
luncheon.
"Its a bad way to treat our host
declared the mamma, pointing to ths
squirrel that was perched on tree
limb, eyeing the crowd.
~Well, he'll have. to mend hi
manners If he wants to give boy anS
girl parties" explained the little gir
with yellow hair. Then she fell tC
eating a sandwich and forgot he
host, who was perched in the tree
Washington Star.