The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-19
The Bunnies Christmas Tree.

for it was old and decayed. But fam fly of squirrels had been living inside 1t and there had a splendid store of nuts for the entire winter. The squirrels fled from their house when it fell crashing to earth and went to spend the winter with some of their kinfolks across the river. They did not take any of the nuts. for their kinfolks are rich squirrels and will have plenty for all So. In that fallen tree is food for you. and to spare"
 But, dear Fairy" spoke up Bunny Number Two Ghey always spoke in their turn). we rabbits do not eat nuts. as you may know. We must eat roots. juicy and sweet, herbs and tender grass es. We are very fond of cabbages and other vegetables that we sometimes find or Mir. Farmers grounds. But of late We can get nothing to eat"
 An. my dears, so 1 do remember. you do not eat nuts. But you will-after I have turned them into cabbages and green lettuces. And more than that I'll fix your new house to suit your taste"
 But, good Fairy,' said Bunny Number Three (whose turn to speak it now was) i've dare not go into the woods near to the stream, for the Wicked Hunters and Cruel Dogs are hunting for our kind all about that part of the country. We have been in hiding in this cold corn shock for many days. for should we visit our favor1te haunts we would fall prey to those who would kill us, and eat us for their Christmas dinner"
 The good fairy laughed softly. 'You know me not, my dears, or you would trust me. l mean to lead you to that fallen tree. and as you pass over the I halI fall over your tracks, and the Wicked Hunters would never look for you with out first seeing your tracks. Come. fol- low me"
 The three little gray rabbits obeyed their friend and followed where she led. And immediately they had passed over the ground a soft snow fell. hiding their tracks. Thus they reached the great fallen tree and entered It. Then the fairy waved her wand and the store of nuts became eabbages, carrots. juicy roots and lettuces. And a strong door-look- ing like roots and bark-was made to co Ter the opening in the tree. which was warm and roomy. And the door fastened on the inside in such a way that only the rabbits could open it, And so they decided to remain there during the win ter, for they were safe and comforta- ble. They also decided that one of the three should always remain indoors while the other two went abroad for exercise and investigation.
 "Eow, good Fairy, let us thank you from the bottom of our hearts, said Bunny Number One
 No, let Us thank you from the bot tom of our tummies,' spoke out Bunny | Number Two. "Ah. better than that!" cried Bunny Number Three Let us thank you from both our hearts and our stomachs. And more than that let us always remember thls Christmas, when you brought us to such a fine home tree.'
 This is your Christmas tree friends" smiled the good fairy. Then, promising the three little gray rabbits her protec- ton in the future, she departed, and as she hurried along, invisible to the eyes of men. she beheld a band of hunters, their game bags empty.
 "No more rabbits in this part of the coultry," said one Wicked Hunter They seem to have been spirited away by fairies"