Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-03-21
THE HAPPY DUCKS
NEW FRIENDS
BY Farmer Smith

1t did not take Mother Duck very long
to get settled in the new home The babies
were now old enough to take care of them
selves. The nest which she had care
fully made of grass and lined with soft
down from her own warm body to keep
her precious ducltlngs warm was no longer
necessary The children were strong, sturdy
little creatures, out in all kinds of wind.
and weather, now playing-.now helping
Father Duck find food and always trying
to do everything Just like Daddy"
Father Duck selected warm sheltered
place with high grasses on every side which
would shelter them a great part of the
year, as lie knew winter would soon come
The river was only few steps sway and
our feathered friends being wild ducks,
were not only fine swimmers, but could fly
when they wished.
This is really beautiful place" said
Peter Duck. "only I don't like lodging
those observation-disclosures. | have found new
playmate already"
Never mind those bizz- buzz -boats--you
just mind your parents" laughed Father
Duck. and then AIDED, "who have you found
in this short time?"
IL was looking around for good place
to sail my boat" began Peter, land had
jtGt started to swim along and guide it
to the bank. when / heard something go
'cher-punk" and down into the water
went great. big. fat Frog He actually
toe and came up to a big rock on the other
side and laughed at me. | was pretty mad
| for a minute, but he looked so funny and
| good natured, that had to laugh, too.
| Then / asked his name and where he came
! from and he replied;
"'My name is Big Jim. and am the po-
| liceman for all the Frogs. ! watch over
them and give them the danger signals.
| | am also swimming master to all the
| young Frogs and Tadpoles.
How did you like my diving?"
| We'll, l didn't think much of it at first
| I said to him. 'and 1 don't see yet why
you had to pull my toe but l guess you
| are pretty good kind OF a fellow, and as
| are going to be neighbors | think we
| had better be friends" Then / told him
my name, and he introduced me to a lot
| of Bul-frogs and told me where l could
find plenty of fine fish and bugs to eat.
II promised that we would never hurt a
| Tadpole or any of the little Frogs, and
| agreed to tell him when l saw any Of the
boys coming around hunting frogs legs.
80 we are very good friends
That's fine" said Father Duck, getting
| up. Il must have met Jims father. for hi
invited us all to a concert to be given al
the Big Rock at o'clock tonight, and
| promised that we would all 60"
| We'll well, to think that after all these
years. we have settled in a musical neigh
borhood" laughed Mother Duck Moth
ing could give me more pleasure"
| II think perhaps we are needed here, :
said Father Duck "for had to do a lit.
tie surgical work this morning. which
always enjoy.
| "Out in the woods was hunting for dry
leaves when l saw a fine Crow futterin,
along as if in pain. So / asked him wha
was the matter, and found that he hat
caught his foot in a miserable wire trap
which had hurt him badly. I took a lonl
piece of meadow grass and bound it up fo
him and stopped the bleeding, so that h,
was able to fly home.
"a more grateful fellow I have neve
seen. and he and his good wife are com
ing to call very soon They will introduc,
stay up here all winter, and we are goin,
to have some fine times"
Have they any children" asked Bah,
June.
Yes. indeed, they have five boys, ant
you must practice your flying, so you car
get up to see them for they live in tn,
top of very high tree" answered Father
Duck.
II like swimming better than flying" pu
in Buzz Maybe we can teach them tc
| swim"
mo. they would not like that" sait
Father Duck. but 1t is a good thing to
have all kinds Of friends If they are kline
and true"
Then he added, Il think there is going
to be a storm"
Little did he realize how great the storm
was going to be. Read about 1t tomor
row.