The Detroit times., 1916-04-25
LITTLE STORIES FOR BEDTIME.
Jerry Muskrat leases Peter Rabbit.
Copyright T. W. BurssssJ
BY THORNTON w. sURoEss.

rfay never let Ioiks hhoF 9"u'
Pretend that you are really pleased.
i; you do that no one will try to
tease you very long. You see there
is no fun in trying to tease people
who do not show that they are be.
ing leased. So no matter how much
you may feel inside don't show Il.
When people play tricks on you to
tease you and laugh at you laugh
with them. Laugh the hardest OF
all. II Is the quickest, surest way
to put a stop to teasing. When
you know people are keeping a Sc.
cret from you just to tease you pre-
tend that you are not the least bit
interested.
This Is something that Peter Rab-
bit has never learned. When he Is
teased he always shows II and so
people like to tease him. On the
afternoon Of the day Jerry Muskrat
had told Mr.. and Mrs. Quack Of the
pond OF Paddy the Beaver deep In
the Green Forest. Peter saw that
the way TO the Smiling Pool was
clear and he wasted no time In
getting over there. He was bub
bling over with curiosity about Mr.
and Mrs. Quack. He had seen
Farmer Browns Boy 20 home. SO
he felt sure that he would nnd Mr.
and Mrs. Quack enjoying q little
peace and comfort In the Smiling
Pool He fairly itched with eager
ness to hear from Mr. Quack him.
self all about what had happened
TO him.
When he popped his head over the
bank OF the Smiling Pool he expect
ed TO see Mr.. and Mrs. Quack swim.
ming about. He didn't have the
Least doubt about II. So you can
imagine just now disappointed ne
was when all he saw was the Smil.
ing Pool itself dimpling and smil
ing in the sun. Mr.. and Mrs. Quack
were nowhere to be seen. Peter
looked eagerly among last years
broken-down bulrushes, but they
were not there. A few little feath
ers were all that Peter could see to
show that Mr. and Mrs. Quack ever
had been there at all. Peter sat W
with his hands dropped in front OF
him and the mos; disappointed look
ever was on his face.
Have you lost something"
asked vo..e which ended In q
chuckle.
Peter turned to see Jerry Musk
rat swimming out from the Laugh
ing Brook. "Oh. Jerry" cried Peter
where are Mr.. and Mrs. Quack?''
They are not here" replied Jerry
gravely. but with twinkle in his
eyes which Peter did not see.
Il can see that for myself" re
torted Peter wee bit sharply.
oh. Jerry, don't tell me that any.
thing has happened to them"
81 won't IL you don't want me
to-" replied Jerry. his eyes twink.
ling more than ever.
Peter stamped foot angrily.
Stop trying to tease me. and tell
me where Mr.. and Mrs. Quack are. -
cried Peter.
They've gone away" replied
Jerry, chuckling inside to see Pc.
ter's impotence and curiosity.
80 can see for myself" snapped
Peter Where have they gone
tor
Can you keep a secret" asked
Jerry.
"Of course can" replied Peter
eagerly. forgetting his anger.
Jerry drew little nearer.
They've gone to build q home" he
whispered.
WHAT" cried Peter. looking as
astonished ~ he felt. II thought
Mr.. Quack had q broken wing and
couldn't n.y." You see Peter knew
that Mr.. and Mrs. Quack had always
made their home in the FAR North.
land and he thought that Jerry
meant that they had once more
started on their long journey.