Evening star., 1915-05-17

that he was about there was nothing
to see. So after that Sammy came
silently and took the greatest care to
keep hidden in the thickest part of
hemlock tree, but one from which he
could peep forth and see all that was
going on below. And SO Sammy saw
the merriest sliding party he ever had
seen.
Sammy had flown over there very
early that morning. So far he had had
no more than a glimpse of the otter
children. He knew all about the chill
dren OF Peter Rabbit and Johnny Chuck
and Danny Meadow Mouse. He had
watched them learn the lessons which
1t was most important to learn II they
would live to grow up. He had watched
them a / play well at school. But
OF the ways of little Otters he knew
nothing at all.
AS he sat in the. tall hemlock tree
and looked down he felt quite excited,
Somehow he had a feeling-he didn't
know why-that he was going to see
something worth seeing. So he waited
patiently. 1t was very beautiful there
in the Green Forest. The Laughing
Brook was dimpling and smiling where
the sunbeams crept through the tree
tops to kiss II, and II sang merrfly as
II hurried on to the Smiling Pool. Some
where deeper in the Green Forest, Min
strel the Thrush was pouring out his
joy in silver notes that made glad the
hearts of all who heard.
listening Sammy was almost Jealous.
'1f had as beautiful voice as that to
20 with my beautiful coat there would
be no one In the world to compare with
me, he thought, quite forgetting that
a beautiful character forgetting that
desired than a beautiful voice or a
beautiful coat. A spla sh In the sun
little pool below him reminded him Of
what he was there for. Eagerly he
neered down Little Joe Otter was just
swimming toward the shore, and at the
top of the bank where 1t was deepest
and smoothest was MRS. Joe ana the
two otter children.
Mrs. Joe stretched herself nat, gave a
kick with her feet and away she slid,
head first, down the bank and splash
into the water. The two children pok-
aI'o ad their heads over the edge of the
hank, and it was very plain that they
wanted to follow but didn't quite dare.
Come on, children" cried Mrs. Joe.
splashing and diving and swimming
round and round.
But still tho youngsters were afraid
Ry this time Little Joe had climbed
hack UP tho bank. This Is the way
to do It," said he. and down the bank
he went splash into the little pool one
Of the youngsters stretched himself
out at the top Of the slide as he had
seen Little Joe and Mrs. Joe do. but
he couldn't quite make up his mind to
kick off Right then something SO
funny happened that Sammy Jay near
ly gave himself away by laughing
right out Tho other little Otter gave
| the first one a push and down he went
You !see, when he once started he
couldn't stop. He clawed and tried
| frantically to stop, but down he went
and splash into the water. 1t was very.
very funny 1t was still more funny to
| see his face when he came up and
shook tho water from his eyes. He was
nroud and excited and he had lost all
fear. In another minute he was
scrambling up the bank to try It again
He had slid down the slippery slide
ave times before the other had found
courage enough to try It. And then
such fun. First Little Joe Otter. then
Mrs. Joe and after her the two
Youngsters, one right at the heels Of
another, slid down and splashed into
| the little pool until they were SO tired
| that they Just had to lie down to rest.
Never was there such fun. Sammy Jay
was almost envious again. He actually
| wished that he was an Otter and could
20 down a slippery slide.
Beltine Story Editor-Will you please
thank for me all these little people
who sent me cards of congratulations
| on my thousandth story? Tell them
that l would like to thank them each