Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1916-05-04
WOODCRAFT STORIES
FOR LITTLE CHILDREN.
Fifth Story.
By L. Roy Ferris.


& ONE way another fellow doesn't to
~ work. Thinks the world owes him living, and he's
very likely to drift off into bad company. SO when
old Mr. Skunk looked out of his window which was really
small hole in the rocks in the side of the hill he found the
pretty little wild pansies staring him in the face They
have such sweet innocent look in their little faces, and
why they always select rocky hill grow mystery
to unless they not afraid of old Mr. Skunk and
Red Fox and Brother Wolf who live close by and think
they might do some good by making these gentlemen
ashamed of themselves So when Mr. Skunk the face
of dear little wild pansy looking him right in the eyes he
turned his head the other way like boy that has taken
marbles of his seamate's desk but of always
puts them back But Mr. Skunk not built that way He
turned and went down the side of the hill until he came
to the creek. There Mrs. Turtle log with her
three children right back of her. Mother Turtle always
sleeps with one eye OPEN and when Mr.. Skunk made
grab for the Turtle Emily into the they and if
had not been for friendly limb preventing Mr. Skunk
form falling he would no doubt have been drowned.
Sister Coon who had down catch fish for
breakfast laughed him and said Let show you how
Ito catch fish She selected place in the shallow be-
tween rocks and after walking around in the water
until it had become muddy she quickly reached into the
water with her front paw and, much Mr. Skunks
prise, she held up wigglng Channel Cat
oh let me hold it for you while you catch another" ;"
begged the Sknk but she shook her head and after giving
lit the customary scrubbng proceeded to eat it Mr.
Skunk stood there waiting to lick the bones.
My, you like fish, don t you, Mrs. CoOn, said the
Skunk
Not more than do Crawfish" replied Mrs Coon
Tossing the Skunk the bones she reached down into
the water and picked up old Mother Crawfsh and her
SeVeny-hree DaD1eS TO give them SOOQ
bath No doubt they needed it, for they are always
Icrawng into every muddy hole. When Sister Coon tried
Ito Mother Crawfish and her babies-then is when
the trouble began Those long, wicked pincerS of Mother
Crawsh than she could stand and Mr.. Skunk
Laughed as the Crawsh dropped into the water
Mother Crawfish called her babies see if any OF
them lost, and every of the seventythree
Iswered Here l am, Mother"
Where do you suppose they were? Safely tucked I'm
der the mothers tail where all baby crayfish carried
when there is any danger.
Just then who should come sneakng along but Slim
Weasel What do you think he had in his mouth? 1t
little red bunch of feathers that looked though they
might have belonged to little bird with yellow bill and
la red breast The that is always the first sing
sweet song close to the window of the boy who wants
get early to go fishing and who always has another
little song about dark Just fellow is getting ready
70 say, "Now, lay me-"
Mr. Skunk delighted see his partner with
fine, fat robin for it dinner him. But just as
Mr. Skunk reached the side OF his partner there
port like gun and Slim Weasel had killed his last song
bird OF Mr. Skunk took his heels and Brother
Rabbit who had grown to love the Camp Boy, heard
him say 81 had good notion shoot your partner too
Brother Rabbit said to himself, Il did like
either of those fellows.
!