Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-10-24

former home, down by high cliff OF
a river bank, and brought their house
hold furniture to their new dwelling
AS they neared the house they saw {
strange head thrust itself from the
window of the upper story.
Upon my life, if there isn't ole
Sneako Wolf" whispered Bunny tt
his wife. Then, being rather afraic
to advance further with his family
he told them to cautiously withdraw
into the depth of the woods while he
went on alone to ask the intruder tc
leave his house.
| But in numbers there is strength
and securely" quoth Mamma Bunny
not willing to allow her husband to
go to the house alone, for she knew
the character of old Sneako Wolf
His reputation throughout the coun
try was anything but good. mo. my
dear, allow us all to go together. He
would not dare to harm one of us
with the others near. He is just what
his name implies-a sneak
"All right, then, we'll all go to.
gether. But be cautious in your Ian
guage. Like the fox, the wolf is sly
and deceitful."
Then together the four rabbits went
on to their house and as they entered
the gate they saw old Sneako Wolf
thrust his head out of the window
again. "Ah, friends, he called to
them as they advanced to the door,
what do you think of my new quar-
ters? I've just completed my new
house, you'll observe"
Bunny Rabbit put down the folding
bed he carried on his back and looked
up into the face of Sneako Wolf.
why, and here you have called dur
ing our absence. Well, I'm surprised,
for | had no idea you were in the
country. How do you like our new
house, anyway, Master Sneako? My
wife. my children and myself have
been busy these two days building it,
and now we're bringing our furniture
from our old house to put into our
new home"
"Ah, possession is ownership,
friends, smiled the sly wolf 81 have
the fort, if you please. and mean to
hold it. AS for the furniture, WELL
you'd better take it back to your old
quarters again. There's no room for
it in here. l hate furniture. | sleep
on the floor, sit on the floor and eat
anywhere happen to find good food"
Bunny Rabbit walked boldly to the
1oor of his house to open it, when, to
lis astonishment, he found it fastened
rom the inside. In vain he endeav-
bred to force it open-it was a good
strong door, and held like stone.
Mamma Bunny was losing her tenn
per at;this moment, but Specklesswhis.
oered to her to keep quiet and allow
lis father to do the treating with the
I'D thief. Sneako Wolf
But the filthy old thing is soiling
'ur pretty, clean house by being in it,
'aid Mamma Rabbit in low and eX-
Lsperated tone, putting down the sofa |
he was carrying. Srocklc~ -
White had rested themselves of their
= ~ am ali were lntelt,y
the parley between Bunny
M -ncakn Wolf.
Say, my dear Master Rabbit you'd |
letter not try breaking into my house.
Iou know I'm not averse to rabbit.
neat and might find you and your
amily very appetizing should you pro-
oke me into tasting you. So be off
md leave a tired wolf to his quiet
lome and his deserved rest"
Bunny withdrew to the spot where
is family were standing and in whis-
ers conversed with them over the sit
alton. Il don't know what is to be
one, he said. THAT old Sneako
alght Kill one of us-or all of us, in
act if we persisted in gaining
ntrance to or own home. So We'll
ave 10 use stratagcnl. We can never
Sc force with such as he -
"And how l do hate to have the old
neak think he has succeeded in GUST
az US from our home.'' said Mamma
rabbit Indignantly. IN half inclined
, run the danger of telling him just
that | think of him, the old in
ruder,"
mo, no, mamma, never do so I'M
Use thing whispered White.
Let's do as papa suggests" And she
esumed the burden she had been car
wing, a prest:, wicker chair.
Yes, let's use stratagem," whis- :
cred Speckles, liking the word i'm
lensely. And he took up his load
mother pretty chair-and made ready
descend to the old home again.
So off they went carrying away the
lrniture they had just brought there
or use in their snug new home And {
s they went old Sneako called from
lie window: Goodbye, friends. | en-
Eyed your call very much. Now that
e are neighbors l hope you will come
ften-say, once in 100 years."
ooh, We'll not wait SO long as that. Z,
Id Sneako!" called out Mamma Rab- t
1t, her anger forcing her to retaliate
degree. We'll come sooner than {
OH think, and when we do we'll trou- I
lie you to move into some cave or f
ole in the ground-the sort of habita Y
on you've always been accustomed 7
j." r
Il would not say anything more to f
arm him. WIFE" said Bunny Rabbit. I
'or our own future success allow him '
think we have rendered the house d
} him and are going back to dwell s
our old one. His joy won't last v
ng, for I'm going to GUST him Shy
ook or crook a
Then they reached their old house.
hich was in rotting hollow log.
Id went in to rest and to think and