The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-10-16
The SHOWER
FOR FRISKY.

Look there! There's a poor little
SQUIRREL cried Amy, pointing to a
tuft in which was curled up a small
bundle of brown fur. Maybe we can
catch it."
Indeed you can't" said John, who
was eight. Being two years older than
Amy, he thought he knew great deal
more than his sister. 1T will scOot up
a tree long before you can touch it."
But the poor little animal could not
''scoot up tree" as the children soon
found out. for its leg was broken. A
hunter had shot 1t and then, not being
able to find it when it fell or being in
too great a hurry, had carelessly gone
off, leaving the poor thing to suffer and
die. The children wrapped 1t in Amy's
apron and ran quickly home, for their
brother was studying to be doctor,
and they thought maybe he might
help 1t.
Don't cry, Amy" said big Brother
Charles when he had examined the
wound. I'll set it and maybe it will
be well in a few weeks"
when I'm man I'll never, never
shoot a squirrel or a bird" declared
John as he watched the poor little
thing while Charles cleansed the
wound and tied 1t up 1T was
mean, cruel thing to 60 off and leave
poor Frisky to die"
From that moment they called the
squirrel Frisky, and they waited upon
1t very carefully as it became better.
An old bird cage was fitted up for it's
home, so stray cats and dogs could not
harm 1t, and the incest nuts and the
daintiest bits of bread were always
ready to tempt the little creature to
eat. 1t rapidly got over its fright and
began to hop about, and in time could
use the injured leg almost as well as
at first.
Mamma, Frisky doesn't want to
stay with u.s." said Amy sadly one day
In late autumn. John let him out this
morning and he scampered up to the
top of the tallest tree in the grove and
wouldn't come down for long time.
Do you think we ought to let him go"
"What do you think about 1t,
dearieT
"Well, mamma. suppose no would
be happier up among the treetops. but
all the nuts are gone now, and he'll
surely starve when cold weather
comes. He won't have a thing to eat"
Lets have q shower for him." pro-
posed John. The children Of the
school had just had shower for their
teacher, who was going away for her
health, so the idea was fresh in his
mind. Lets get lot Of nuts for Fris-
ky and let him hide them where he
likes. don't want to keep him in the
cage when he wants to be free"
So the children took their cherished
dimes and pennies and bought large
bag Of hickory nuts for Frisky, and
mamma bought sack of walnuts. and
papa sent them some chestnuts, and
the cook brought out some acorns she
had been saving, and even GRANDPA
Their Allen brought lot Of hazelnuts.
SO that Frisky had SO much work his
poor little legs must have, been. very
tired each night. With his cheeks full
of nuts he would rush up In, the big
oak tree and then down again until
every nut was safely stored away for
cold weather.
: "Frisky can have party this winter
If he wants to-" said Amy when the
large quantity Of nuts had been car
ried away. John and 1 are going 10
watch and give him another shower If
he needs 1t In the winter"
But he did not need it. for in the
spring he. came out Of his snug home
so fat and saucy that they knew he
had had good time all winter. And
when a heavy storm blew down his
winter home some Of the nuts that had
been given the squirrel at the shower
rolled out Of the broken trunk, and
Frisky hurried to carry them to safe
place, as If getting ready for another
School Times.