The Detroit times., 1916-07-01
LITTLE STORIES FOR BEDTIME
Old Mr. Toad Watches Granny Fox.
W. Burgess)
BY THORNTON w. BURGESS.
,Copyrirht. 1915. oy r. W. BurgessD

BY THORNTON w. BURGESS.
When little Mrs. Peter called Old
Mr.. Toad to one side out OF hearing
OF Peter Rabbit, and told him how
Old Granny Fox had been hanging
around the Old Brier Patch nearly
all day, and how she was sure that
Granny was doing IL because she
had heard that Peter was sick and
hoped TO catch him out after a bi,
OF sweet clover, Mr.. Toad listened
and nodded his head as II he quite
agreed with her. But when she told
him about the young Meadow Mouse
which Granny had caught and left
at the entrance TO one OF Peters
private little paths he gave Mrs
Peter a funny, sidewise look.
Huh" he grunted. Huh
never have known old Granny Fox
TO do anything like that. It must be
she has done II for a purpose.
think I will go where | can watch
Aer. and try TO find out what she II
hanging around here for. II must
be for something
"Of course it's for something
Any one with any wits at all would
know that. and that something Is
to try TO catch Peter" replied Mrs
Peter, and her voice sounded rather
snappy.
You see she was worried. She
knows Just how sharp and cunning
old Granny Fox is, and in her own
mind there wasn't doubt that this
was part of some clever plan on the
part Of Granny TO catch Peter. Fol-
the life of her she couldn't see
through II herself and she was dis
appointed because Old Mr.. Toad
didn't seem 10 have any better idea
than she had as 10 what Granny
Fox was doing.
Old Mr.. Toad took no notice oil
the sharpness in little Mrs. Peters
answer. you better go stay with
Peter while" said he. IL think I'll
70 watch Granny Fox and see what
! can find out"
So Old Mr.. Toad hoped along one
OF Peters private little paths and
presently came 10 the edge OF the
dear Old Brier Patch. Then he dis
covered something which had quite
slipped his mind when he first
started. The grass OF the Green
Meadows was so tall that he
couldn't see over II, You know he
Is very squatty sort OF person
Old Mr. Toad looked quite as fool
.sh as he felt. He had come TO
watch old Granny Fox and now he
couldn't zee her at all because the
grass was above his head.
Would YOU ever suspect Old Mr..
Toad Of having pride? He doesn't
look ~ IL pride ever bo'hers him.
Somehow we are very apt TO think
OF people who arc humble and COM
uonplace and homely as having no
cause for pride. That is a mistake
They often have Just RS much pride
as others who seem TO be more for.
tunate. Old Mr.. Toad had said that
he was going TO watch old Granny
Fox His pride wouldn't allow him
10 20 back to Mrs. Peter and con.
TESS he couldn't see over the grass.
AT least he couldn't go back until
he had tried every way he could
think OF 20 see over that grass.
How he did wish he could climb like
his cousin, Sticky-toes the Tree
Toad,
But he couldn't and he is alto
sether too sensible. Is Old Mr.. Toad.
20 waste any time on vain wishes.
He looked about. this way and that
way. TO see II there might be some
thing ne could get up on so as to
see over the grass. AT length he
discovered an old stump. where once
upon a time good sized tree had
stood. II was right at the edge OF
the Old Brier Patch and was Just
a wee bit higher than the grass OF
the Green Meadows. Now Peter
Rabbit could have jumped over tnat
stump without half trying. but to
Old Mr.. Toad II looked like a noun
tain. "If only could get up there
could see," he sighed.
Then.he hoped all the way round
the old stump looking for a place
where II might be possible for him
TO climb up. On one side he found
a place where the stump was partly
broken down and rotted away. Even
this was way above Mr.. Toad's head,
but II was his only chance. Mr.
Toad took long breath and jumped
rs hard as he could. He bumped
his nose and fell back SPRAYING.
OUGHT" grunted Old Mr.. Toad
and scrambled to his feet