Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1908-05-22
THE DUNNY's DANCING LESSONS

THE EUNNYS DANCING LESSONS
The Bunnys were coming up in the
world. so much so that Mrs. Bunny
thought it high time to give her chill.
dren dancing lessons. There was no
need to hunt for dancing teacher,
for Mrs. Bunny knew all the steps
herself, having been quite a belle in
her, day. So every afternoon Bob
and Binny and Bunce rushed home
from school, flung down their books
and scampered OFF to join their moth
er on the green; and day after day
under her drilling they grew in grace
and beauty. Mrs. Bunny was very
proud Of them, and when it became
talked about in Burrowtown a great
many enthusiastic mothers brought
their children to be taught
Mrs. Bunny, however, was firm in
her refusal.
It's too great responsibility" she
declared. "One never knows what
unforeseen danger rs lurking above
ground, but my boys are as alert as
| am, and since our unfortunate ex-
perience last summer, l confess I'm
nervous. l have heard" here Mrs.
Bunny lowered her voice to a con-
fidential whisper, that Monsieur Rey.
nard never forgave my children for
setting fire to his tail, and / am in
mortal terror lest he should pounce
upon US when We are OF our guard"
Dear. dear!" here all the mothers
wagged their ears and blinked SYM
pathetically. I'VE quite understand"
they said. how necessary It is to be
cautious. Do, my dear Mrs. Bunny,
take care Of yourself and the boys"
and very much frightened at Mrs.
Bunny's words, they FASTENED home
to their families.
The very next day as Mrs. Bunny
and the boys made their first bow in
the "Lancieres," the watchful mother,
who had Binny for a partner, caught
sight OF a pair of wicked eyes glar-
ing at her through the trees. Her
graceful body became quite rigid with
fear, and her long ears stuck straight
up from her head. Binny caught her
look and glanced horror-stricken over
his shoulder; and Bunce and Bob,
who were dancing together, very soon
caught the alarm. There was no mis-
taking those eyes, now fastened upon
them with cruel intentness.
What shall we do?" gasped Mrs.
Bunny. THAT is surely Monsieur
Reynard, and he means mischief be-
yond doubt. Come, let US go home
as quickly as we can"
mo, no." said Binny, that would
never do; he'd think We were cow
ards"
Well, so I am" owned poor Mrs.
Bunny, ''he looks SO big and fierce
and hungry" Her teeth chartered
from fright.
Now, see here, mother" said
Binny, decidedly, Il can't allow you
to get nervous; there's the greatest
danger in that. There is only one
thing to do, to keep on dancing as II
We hadn't fear in the world. We
will practice that high step you
taught us yesterday, and II You will
trust to me and follow wherever my
ears point we may be able to dance
gradually back to Burrowtown, with
out appearing to run away from dan
GER"
SO the lesson began in real earn
est, and Monsieur Reynard, for II was
really he, crept nearer and nearer
behind the shelter of the trees. The
Bunnys seemed to forget everything
n the pleasure of the dance: hand |
In hand they few over the soft green
urf, swinging here and turning there.
lust as .Binny's ears denoted. Some
times they came dangerously near
heir hidden enemy, darting away be-
ore ne had time to clutch them. and |
title by little they edged closer to
Mrs. Bunny was too frightened to |
10. more than stare in front of her
md follow where Binny gently led.
As Monsieur Reynard lay between
hem and Burrowtown, it was some
hing Of a problem to get over on
he other side. for his tawny body
barred the way.
NOW" said Binny. I'VE must get
lone and there is only one path open
o us; it's dangerous and needs cour-
lge. VIII you promise to follow
ne"
"Yes!" they cried in chorus. Then
hey took hands again aad danced
lose up to the tree.
Now, let go," commanded Binuy.
Is he made rush forward. He
prang on the PROSTATE body of his
'nemy and scampered over it, the 9th
rs following so quickly that Monsieur
aeynard had not time to think. and
vhen at last he managed to struggle
o his feet he could only see their
egs and the ends of their SUNNY
ails as they disappeared through the
'ates of Burrowtown.
Mrs. Bunny was quite Frustrated
Vhen they reached home. Mr.. Bun
y had to be sent for from his work
the tunnel the citizens were build
ng, connecting with a, certain vexe-
able garden well known to them All
nd he came running in great haste.
nth a bunch of choice carrots for
he sufferer. These revived her. and
Il