The Washington times., 1913-10-17
For The Times Children
Just Before It's Bedtime
MR.. FOX'S FRIGHT.

MhS. FUN was cross, and wneI
ND Mrs. Fox was cross Mr.. Fox
lVl kept as far away from her as
he could and be home at meal
time
One night, however, he was just slid
Ing out of the door when she called to
him, saying, 'if you expect any dinner
or even breakfast, tomorrow, you better
stir yourself a little faster than you
have been and find something.
I have done all the hunting 1 am go
ing to for this home for awhile; the
moon is UP tonight and you can easily
see your way to Farmer Jones'.
or course, If you are silly as you
usually are, you can get yourself caught
or get shot from the farmers gun, but
that Is your lookout. have told you
where to go for food Now see IL you
can do your small part of getting it."
Mr.. Fox stood very still while his wife
made this long speech. When she had
finished he scratched his head before
replying:
My dear. is there any particular
goose or turkey YOU wish me to bring
back" he asked.
II guess IL you bring back any 1 shall
be lucky" she replied, but there is one
very fat goose that have had my eye
on for some time. but l have not had
just the right opportunity or 1 should
have had her home long before this
Mr.. Fox scratched his head again and
wondered just why his wife had not
brought home this prize. and IL not hav-
ing the right opportunity meant that
danger was lurking around the barn.
yard from which Mrs Fox did not wish
tc keep away.
well, do you expect the geese and
turkeys to walk down here and jump
into the pot" said Mrs. FOX. II should
think from the way You take your time
that you were expecting your dinner 10
walk to you; be off now and throw a
kettle of hot water over your lazy
body"
This time Mr.. Fox did not stop to
scratch his head, but started off on a
trot, which he kept up until he came
! to hill, then he walked very slowly
and kept in the shadow of rocks and
bushes all he could.
The barnyard was quiet when Mr..
Fox reached Farmer Jones, and. as he
did not see anything that looked like a
trap or hear anything that sounded like
to take courage and slinked along close
to the barn and fence.
Just as he was close beside the her
house he saw something dart In hole
in the side of the house.
Good" said Mr.. Fox to himself
there is a hole where ] can crawl In
and help myself to that fat goose Mrs
! Fox mentioned. and fat turkey oil
two besides"
He waited a minute to be sure
everything was all right, and then he
| poked his nose into the hole where he
had seen something disappear
But no sooner did he do so than ne
! pulled it out quicker than he had
| poked it In. He rubbed 1t with his
paw and ran of a little way and
| looked back at the hole.
'I must have scratched my nose on a
nail or a piece of broken wood" said
Mr.. Fox. 1T did hurt, though. and
| must be more careful
Back he Crept carefully to the hole
| and this time he made up his mind tC
be careful and also to get inside the
hen house.
He poked in his nose. and nothins
| happened Just as 7 thought: II mus'
have been nail" he said. steppine
back and looking around once more
before making the final plunge.
This time Mr.. Fox did not stop to be
careful. but made plunge into tn,
| hole. His nose and his head went
| through. but, alas, for Mr.. Fox. ht
J did not notice that the hole was toe
| small for his body to go through. ant
| there he was held fast, his head In the
| hen house and his BODY outside.
"CackIe cackIe," laughed the hens
"Sobble. gobble." laughed the turkeys