Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-08-17
CHILDREN'S EVENING STORY

very far before something happened.
The bright blue sky became dark with
clouds and the sun hid behind them as
though afraid to peep out. Then It
began to lightning and the thunder
rumbled over the hills and through the
wood.
We'll, did you ever!" exclaimed the
rabbit gentleman. 81 believe 1t is 60
ing to rain after all, and didn't bring
my umbrella. | guess had better
run home before the April shower vets
mel"
He started hopping back, but he had
gone only little way when:
"Splish! SPLASH Slosh!''
Down came the rain. Uncle Wiggily
started to run.
"I'll see IL I can't dodge between the
drops" said the rabbit gentleman.
Otherwise, I'll get all wet and my
rheumatism will be very bad indeed"
At first the drops were not plentiful
and they were spaced far apart, so
Uncle Wiggily could dodge between
them. But soon they came down
faster than ever, and closer together,
and Uncle Wiggily was getting quite
wet.
ooh, dear! Why did ever come out
without my umbrella?" he asked him
self. II should have taken Nurse
James advice"
Then he found himself in front of
the little corncob house where lived
Mrs. Mouse.
Come in, Uncle Wiggily," invited
the mouse lady. Come in out of the
rain"
Uncle Wiggily was glad to do so.
This April shower will soon be
over" he said. But it was not. 1t set
tied into a hard rain. "Oh, dear!
What shall do?" cried the rabbit
gentleman. II ought to go home, for
Nurse Jane will worry about me. But
I can't 20 home in the rain without an
umbrella, for I'd get soaking wet"
and / haven't an umbrella to lend
you," said Mrs. Mouse, "for my daugh-
ter took the only one we have to
school with her this morning: Wait
thought" she exclaimed. iave IL.
See, here Is an umbrella plant!
went on Mrs. Mouse, pointing to q
large green plant growing In pot IN
the window.
Umbrellas don't exactly grow on It,
but the large, green spreading leaves
look like umbrellas. If you take one
of them and hold it over your head,
you can go safely home through the
April shower, Uncle Wiggily, and will
not be wet" the lady mouse school
teachers mother said.
That's just flne!" said Uncle Wig.
gily. But what about my paws
They'll get wet, for l have no over
shoes!"
Mrs. Mouse thought for moment.
INV rubber plant!' she exclaimed
"Tll take off some of the thick. rub
berry leaves, and you can put one or
each paw. They'll be just the same az
overshoes for you"
Good again.. cried Uncle Wiggily
"Now l can 20 home through the Apr1
shower and Nurse Jane wont laugh ~
me-"
And 80, with an umbrella from the
umbrella plant and q pair OF over
shoes from the rubber plant, Uncle
| Wiggily set out through the rain
and with the leaves Of the rubber plant
on his paws Uncle Wiggily could wade
through big puddles and never get wet
"Ha! l told you it was going to
shower" said Nurse Jane, as the rab
bit gentleman came in, quite dry, now
ever.
80 you did, Uncle Wiggily said
but you didn't know how smart Mrs
Mouse was with the rubber and UNI
brella plants, did you?"
mo- the muskrat lady said.
And this teaches us that even lead
nencils have rubbers so they won't gel
wet in the rain. And in the next story
!! | will be pleased to tell you, about un
Gle Wiggily and the spring flowers and
| / do hope the fly paper doesn't tickle
tn tables legs or it will dance up and
down and spill the sugar bowl into the
i salt cellar.