The Detroit times., 1916-09-06
LITTLE STORIES FOR BEDTIME
Peter Tells What He Saw and Is Laughed At
Copyright T. W. Burgesa)
By THORNTON W. BURGESS.
(Copyrlght. lols. by T. W. BurgessJ


The very first chance Peter Rab-
bit got he slipped up To the Old
Orchard at break of day so ms 60 be
ON hand when the feathered folks
awoke. He was anxious TO tell how
he had seen Sooty the Swift fall
down the chimney OF Farmer
Browns house. He felt sure that
no one else had seen II and so he
was sure II would be news-sad
news, but news just the same. You
know. there is no one more eager
to tell news than Peter Rabbit.
Then, too, Peter wanted TO ask ques-
lions. He wanted TO find out more
about Sooty, and he knew that no
one would know as much about him
as his feathered comrades and
neighbors.
The first person Peter met was
Jenny Wren. Peters eyes brighten.
ed. Jenny Wren was the one bird
OF all those living in the Old Or
chard from whom he could get the
most information. You see, Jenny
Wren is a great gossip, and what
she doesn't know about her neigh
bors and their affairs is hardly
worth knowing. At least that Is
what she thinks
"Oh. Jenny Wren. do you know
what has happened TO Sooty the
Swift" cried Peter as soon as
Jenny was near enough
No" cried Jenny. hurrying 10 a
branch just over Peters head II
didn't know anything had hap
pened. What has
The most dreadful thing" replied
Peter The other evening. when |
was watching him, he few over
Farmer Browns house Then some
thing happened 10 him. don't
know what II was. but he couldn't
seem 10 fly any more. He just iut-
tered his wings as If he couldn't use
them any more ard dropped straight
down. The worst OF II is he was
right over the chimney and he fell
right down inside H. waited and
waited. but he didn't come out again.
Hes probably lying down there now
dead Isn't il dreadful? And what
do you suppose could have hap
pcncd 20 him mp there in the air.
Jenny Wren stared very hard al
Peter. as II 10 make sure that he
was In earnest When she saw
that he was she turned her head
away with a queer little gasp and
began 10 shake all over. At first
Peter thought that she was crying
IT'S dreadfully sad, isn't IT." said
he.
Jenny Wren shook harder than
ever. Excuse mo" said she. The
news has quite overcome me. I'll
be back in minute The other
birds ought to know II. and | want
them TO hear IL right from you be
cause you are the one who saw It
happen"
She few away. but in very
short time she was back with all
the other birds OF the Old Orchard,
Welcome Robin. Winsome Blue
bird. Skinner the Swallow, Chippy
the Sparrow. Goldie the Oriole,
Drummer the Woodpecker, and
many more. Peter has some sad
news 10 tell" said she and turned
away her head
What Is it," cried all the birds
together.
So Peter told his sad story all
over again, and he felt very import.
ant. IA most people do who bear
news. whether Il be bad or good.
Az Peter finished one by one the
birds turned away their heads and
began 10 shake all over, just as
Jenny Wren had done He had eX.
pectcd that the other birds would
feel badly when they learned what
had happened 10 Sooty, but he had
not expected that they would feel
as badly as they seemed to They
must have thought a great deal OF
Sooty," thought Peter, and his own
eyes filled with tears.