The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1909-12-21
he Bunnies' Christmas Tee.

.os II was old and decayed. But a fam.
ny or squirrels had been living inside 4,
aEd there had a splendid store Of nuts
lor the entire winter. The squirrels Ned
from their house when II fell crashing +,
esrtn and went TO spend the winter wiz,
SOME OF their kinfo.ks across the river
ihey did not take any Of the nuts. 70
their kinfolks are rich squirrels and wi
nave plenty for all. SO, In that faile
tree Is food for you. and to spare"
But, dear Fairy" spoke Up Bum
Number Two they always spoke in thei
turn, we rabbits do not eat nuts
you may know. We nlrst eat roots
juicy and sweet. herbs and tender c,as
es. We are very fond OF cabbaces a,
other vegetables that We sanetines a.,
OF Mr. Farmers grounds. But of IL.
We can get moth nE to cat"
An. my dea-s. SO / do lrsfrember &c
DO not eat nuts. But you wil-af.er
have turned them Into ca bbsras and gree
iettuees. Aud more than that, I'll f
yous new house TO suit your TASTE"
But, good Fairy" said Bunny :Sutn;,s.
Three tvhose turn to speak ii now va.
we dare not go into the Hccds near
the stream, Tor the Wicked hunters an
Cruel Dogs are hunting fer cur XII
all about that part OF the country. y
have been Ia hiding in this cold cor
shock for many days. for should We Wis
cur iaVor,te haunts we worid fan a p:.
to those who would kill US. and eat ,
tor their Christmas dinner"
The good fairy laughed softly. ..Ys
know ne not, my dears. or you wo;s
trust the. | mean to lead ycu to tt
fallen tree. and rs you pass over 4
ground | shall cause a fresh snow
faii over your tracks, and the Wick,
Hunters would never look for you wiz
out first seeing your tracks. Come. fc
low ne"
TIT three little gray rabbits obey.
their freud and followed wil-re sie l.,
And inmed ateiy they bad passed owe
lite ground a soft snow fell. hid ug the.
tracks. Thus they reached the gre
fallen tree and entered it. Then tt
fairy waved her wand and the store {
nuts became cabbages, carrots. juicy rec
and iettutes. And n strong door-loo.
Ing like roots and hark-was made I
CO 'er the opening ia the tree. which W.
warm aud roolny. And the door ~fastene
OH the inside ia such a way that ou.
the rabbits ccusd open It. Ard SO tbs
decided to remain there during the wi
ter, fo- they were safe and comfort:
bic. They also decided that one OF Il
three should always remain indoors viii
the other two went abroad for exercis
and inSest!.atio
Nov, good Fairy, let US thank y
from the bottom OF our hearts," sa
Bunny Number One.
No. let US thank you from the be-
tom of our tumIaies," spoke out Eunl
| Number Two. All. better than that,
cried Bunny Number Three. Let i,
| thank you from both cur hearts a
our ston,achs. And mere than shat. ]
us always remember this Christm.s, v be
yoa brought rs to such IL the hvu.
tree"
This is your Christmas tree, friends.
smiled the good fairy. Then, pronistr
the three little gray rabbits her pioter
ton in the future, sas q parted, and I
she hurried along, Invisible to the eys
OF men. she bet1eld 6 band Of hunter
their game bags empty.
"No more rabbits IN this part Of It
cou ltry," said one Wicked Hunter. 'Ih
seem TO have beer ,pirited away :
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