Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-09-03
rI1IILESoR!Es
%BEDTIMTE
BY THORNTON w. BURGESS.
Copyright. 1917. By I. W. Burgess1
Another Visitor Arrives.

When Reddy Fox left Big Tom Gobbler
and Mrs. Gobbler snug and safe in big
tree in the Green Forest he didn't intend
to go far. You remember that he had in
vited them to take a walk with him
at shadow time. but he was far too
clever TO depend wholly on the chance
that they would accept. Now that he
had seen them he felt that nothing in
the world was so much to be desired
as a turkey dinner. and there was a
chance that they might come down from
their perch before shadow time. If they
did-weIl, Reddy Fox meant to be
around. So he merely pretended to go
away. AS soon as he was sure that
they couldn't see him he crept back
slowly, carefully. taking care not to
was snugly hidden where he could
watch Big Tom and Mrs. Gobbler. but
couldn't be seen by them. And now
once more his mouth watered and his
Big Tom and Mrs Gobbler continued
to sit on their comfortable perch in
| the big tree and Reddy could hear them
talking. but he couldn't understand
what they were saying. If he could
have his ears certainly would have
burned.
Hes just like all the rest of the Fox
family" chuckled Big Tom. Il wonder
how many times we've been invited to
take walk with Il Fox at shadow
time And ] wonder If he thinks we
think he really has gone away"
Look" whispered Mrs. iObbler
sharply. Who is that coming this
way?
Big Tom looked. He saw gray form
not unlike the form OF Reddy Fox but
larger. He saw face sharp like the
face of Reddy Fox but shrewder look
ing.
whispered. and leaned forward TO see
better. In doing this he made just the
teeniest. weeniest. rustic. Instantly
the STRANGER stopped and looked up.
He grinned.
bier" said he. I've just heard of your
arrival. Welcome to the Green Forest,
and long may you liveyif you can"
The last three words he said under
his breath
II am Old Man Coyote" he continued.
II hope that presently we shall become
better acquainted
He grinned again and Big Tom grin
ned back. for he knew very well what
kind of n closer acquaintance Old Man
Coyote meant. THANK you.' said he.
II wonder If that wish comes from the
heart or the stomach
Old Man Coyotes eyes snapped. De
codedly. said he to himself. there is
| nothing stupid about these folks. They
are not going TO be SO easily caught
as I had hoped" Aloud he said: do
| you ever visit the Green Meadows?
hope l shall have the pleasure of meet
ing you over there. and I would be de-
lighted TO nave you WISH the Ola PaS-
| ture where I live. 1t is very nice
place. i am quite fond of it myself.
] have a feeling that il you once Wis
tied it you would never leave it,"
That is strange. Do you know. l
| have very much the same feeling my
| SELF" replied Big Tom without n trace
| OF a smile. However. we have become
very fond of the Green Forest and l
| think we shall postpone the pleasure
| of a visit to the Old Pasture until we
| have become more familiar with the
Green Forest. These are fine big trees
| here. Mr.. Coyote"
There was twinkle in Big Toms
eyes which Old Man Coyote didn't miss.
Very fine. Very fine. indeed" said
| he. II prefer the open myself. but !
| quite understand why you are fond of
| the trees.
He grinned once more. and Big Tom
Man Coyote knew perfectly that the
| reason he and Mrs. Gobbler were fond
of the trees was because in them they
| were safe.
| II hope I shall see you often" con-
| tinued Old Man Coyote. by the way.
| let me warn you not to trust certain
| fellow in red who lives near here. one
| Reddy Fox by name. He has a smooth
| tongue. but also he has sharp teeth.
| Are they any sharper than yours7"
| asked Big Tom. looking as innocent as
mot quite so sharp" retorted Old
| Man Coyote. grinning more broadly
| than ever. for he knew that Big Tom
knew just why he had paid them this
visit. II must be going now" he
\ added.
With this he started off straight
toward the spot where Reddy Fox was
| hiding