Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-19

SH
%H& hind an ice-covered corn shock
in Mr.. Farmers field. The day
Bgyg-w was a shivery one, ice with
sGEIgNS with every gust Of wind and a
Sss@@S leaden sky overhead. The three
little gray rabbits were hungry, and they
were cold, too; that is, their pink roses and
little toes were frost-nipped. But they did
not mind being cold, for they were we'll
adapted to cold weather, But their little
stomachs had not yet become accustomed
to starvation, and the pangs of hunger an
noyed them exceedingly.
I'm tell you, my dear comrades" spoke
Bunny Number One, "1'n not be able to
withstand the call for food much longer.
Such an ugly gnawing in my tummy!'
And the poor fellow rubbed and rubbed his
"tpmmy'' with a cold paw.
well, I wish there was something in my
tummy to gnaw on said Bunny Number
Two. I'm so empty that craving in my
innards could not happen. I'm so empty
that / rattle inside
And I may say the same condition holds
here said Bunny Number Three, holding
his two front paws over his stomach as he
crouched against the cold corn shock. "Tve
eaten nothing but icey wind for days"
Just then there was a rafting noise be-
hind them, but before they could stretch
out their benumbed limbs to run away
from threatened danger a soft voice spoke
To them in their own rabbit tongue.
Listen TO me, little Bunnies," the voice
said And the Dummies sat as still as
frightened mice when they see there is no
means Of escape. II am a fairy, my friends
of the fields, and l am going to give you a
merry Christmas, Do not fear me, for
fairies never harm any living creature
Then Bunny umb One spoke, CHe
was the Oldest of the three and always
took the lead in such matters). I'VE will
hear you out, good fairy. for IL you are
what you say, we have no need to fear
you. We are not unacqualnted with fairies
and know them to love them. Speak on
In yonder Woodland by the frozen
stream-is a huge hollow tree said the
fairy. THAT tree fell a few days ago.
for II was old and decayed. But a family
OF squirrels had been living inside 1t and
there had n splendid store OF nuts for the
entire winter. The squirrels fled from their
house when Il 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 faHen tree is food for YOU.
and to spare
But, dear Fairy spoke up Bunny Num-
Der Two (they alW avs spoke in their turn.
I'VE rabbits do rot eat nuts, as Won may
know. We must eat roots, juicy and
sweet, herbs and tender grasses. We are
very fond OF cabbaEes and other vegeta.
bies that we sometimes find on Mr.. Farm
er's grounds. But OF late we can get moth
ing TO eat"
"Ah, my dears. so I do remember. you
do not eat nuts. But YOU WHITAKER /
have turned them into cabbages and green
lettuces, And, mora 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),
we dare not 80 into the woods near 20
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