Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-11-06
z he Albino Squirrels

the autumn leaves were pageant
OF color, and the brown nuts We're fall
ing in the woods, several miles dis
TAM from the city home. Johnnie
and Bessie were out on the sidewalk
picking up the bright-colored leaves,
watching them float away again like
brieht-llued birds in the brisk wind
that was blowing. So busy were they
that they did not notice the approach
of majestic stranger, until, alas!
one Of their brilliant birds flew right
into his eyes, made him gasp a little,
and then laugh merrily into the an
xious faces below him.
I'm sure we beg your pardon
stated Bessie, politely. eve never
meant to make our birds fly in your
face
I'VE were trying to send message
to the woods" verified Johnnie. I'VE
wanted to tell them to save some
beechnuts to grow for us in the
spring"
'Beechnuts to grow in the spring."
said the man, whom on closer inspec-
ton Bessie and Johnnie knew to be the
dignified person who passed often,
and whom they had named 1.-The ma
liked his looks and wished to confer
out into the woods and pick your nuts
up this fall instead of waiting for them
to sprout in spring? They're good
sp1outed, though and he paused rem
jniscently.
The children looked at the major,
patiently waiting for his abstraction
to pass, but finally Bessie broke the
silence deprecatingly.
IF You please, you asked why we
didn't go to the woods this fall We
don't go because we can't; there isn't
anyone to go with us, for father is too
busy, and mother can't go, either
Bessie stopped abruptly.
How would you like to come and |
play with me this afternoon the
MAJOR asked cheerfully.
"To the woods?" echoed the child
rem.
"To the woods, for nuts and good
ime." he answered promptly.
Wed love it" agreed Bessie,
"I'll fix it with your mother It's
90 pleasant a day to stay indoors,
Ind I am going out to my woods, any
way ! ike them. They're busy, but
heir business is of different sort
lean and uplifting, and happifying.'
rhe man paused and raised his hat,
or mother had just appeared, ready
or trip down town.
Mother and the major evidently
knew each other, at least by reputa-
ion, and in short time a happy TITO
we're woads-ward bound, basket OF
luncheon packed snugly away, ana
bags bundled up in the baskets TO
hold the surplus nuts, lichen, ferns.
In the woods baskets were filled
amid cries of surprise and delight. AT
last the major sank down on log,
the children piled up heaps OF Grim
son leaves, and then came the lunch
con. Willie they were eating, niue
red squirrel approached and frlsked
about. So tame was it that 1T ate the
thrown to it, and came ever
nearer and nearer. "lt looks hungry,
poor thing!" declared the major, i
wonder Yes, it may be the mother
of albino squirrels.
what are albino squirrels?" asked
Bessie.
..Why should an albino squirrel be
than any other squ1rrel!' IN
CURED Johnnie.
why" explained the major, there
are white deer, rarely and white rats
and mice and even white squirrels up
IN occasions, and when these appear
the clan of animals are cruel to them.
This hungry little creature may be the
OF a bunch of white squirrels,
and the other squirrels might not let
her feed or store up for the winter.
Lets watch suggested Bessie, in
an awed tone. They waited quietly,
so as not to brighten the little creature,
who. was now gnawing nut Johnnie
had thrown to her. After time the
squirrel picked up a nut firmly and
sped away tree-ward, but she had not
gone far before another squirrel ap-
peared and made her drop the nut. she
was given another, and another, ana
finally young John became very angry.
she has just as good right to 1000
as you have" he said sharply; now
Won keep away" Johnnie tossed a
twig lightly at the offender, who flirted
away to high bough Of tree and
looked down to see what manner OF
creature was lue TCSh iA.eA>
squirrel. Bessie saw her disappear in
an old stump not far off. Here an
eager group found her and her small
family. which were indeed albino, or
white squirrels.
ooh, the darlings!" cried Bessie
And oh the Beauties gasped john
ME.
cpd give five dollars to have those
little mites grow up declared the ma
or.
I'm going to leave all my nuts for
hem" asserted Bessie, warmly.
And I'll leave mine" agreed John
lie, running to get them.
mo" urged the major; 'if you leave
he nuts, the other squirrels will either
steal them or kill the albinos outright.
f I weren't so busy, I'd just run out
every day to see they were fed, but
I'D like to run out" stated Johnnie,
;toutly.
&C., ,,,o,,1l I ooroo5 poccio