Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-03

Kill most butterflies but this is one kind
he doesn't. They sleep Just as Johnny
Chuck does all winter, waking up once
in a while when Mr.. Sun shines ON their
sleeping place as he is doing now. As
soon as Mr.. Sur moves on that butter
fly up there will crawl back under the
bark and go to sleep again. I've found
them lots of times in old stumps and un.
der old logs. See, there he goes now,'
Peter looked and sure enough tina,
butterfly was crawling under one of the
pieces of loose bark.
isn't 1T wonderful" gasped Peter
Everything is wonderful" replied
Jimmy Skunk. IL only you have eyes te
see and use them"
Then Jimmy Skunk chuckled' ''Don't
you know that this is Johnny Chuck
day. he asked.
What do you mean by Johnny
Chuck's day." Peters eyes We're very
wide open with curiosity.
Why, I thought every one knew that
replied Jimmy Skunk. still chuckling
This is the day that Johnny Chuck is
supposed to wake up and come ont an5
see what time of year it is and how
much longer he has got to Sleep"
Peter looked more puzzled than ever
He pulled his whiskers. Then he
right hindfoot. After this he scratched
his long right ear with his long lief,
hindfoot. All the time Jimmy Skunk
watched him and kept chuckling to him.
self At last Peter found his tongue
once more.
How he asked, "can Johnny CHUCK
, know how much longer he has got tc
Sleep"
Il don't know that he can. replied
| Jimmy Skunk. All j know is what peo-
pie say"
Well, what do they say" asked
Peter very impatiensly.
They say" said Jimmy. that if John.
ny comes out today and, sees his shadow
he will know that there will be six
weeks more of winter and so he will
promptly go back to bed to sleep six
weeks more. If he doesn't see his/shad.
ow he will know that sweet Mistress
springtime will come early and SO he
will not have to sleep so long. I thought
everybody knew that
II didn't" replied Peter. DO you be-
lieve 1t, Jimmy Skunk"
Il won't say ] believe it. but still it
may be So. replied Jimmy with a
ever have seen him awake at this time
of year. but then I never have wasted
my time watching his house all day. He
might come out dozen times without
/, being seen by me-
Did you ever ask him if it is true?'
inquired Peter very, earnestly.
NO" replied Jimmy. yawning. 81
never was enough interested What
| Johnny Chuck may do today won't make
the winter any longer or any shorter
II uOCSH Juliet llie one way or the
other"
But it would be so nice to know
just how much more winter there is going
to be- said peter thoughtfully. 81 don't
see what Johnny Chuck's shadow can
possibly have to do with it, but there
are lots of things I don't understand
Do you suppose he really will come out
today?"
A sudden thought popped into Jimmy
Skunk's head and his eyes twinkled with
mischief. He turned away his head to
hide grin which he just couldn't help.
When he looked back at Peter 1t was
with as sober a face as ever was
Il haven't the least idea Peter" said
he. but why don't you watch and find
out? 1t is so early in the morning now
that 7 don't believe he has come out vet.
so why don't you hurry over to his
house and watch. If he comes out you
can tell the rest of us whether or not
he saw his shadow. I've got to move
along now, but I'll drop around this way
tomorrow to find ont what YOU may have
seen. You better hurry up there right
away"
With this Jimmy Skunk turned and
ambled I'm the Crooked Little Path and
chuckled to himself all the way Peter
watched him out Of sight. Then sud
denly he made up his mind II believe
III do it" said he. and started for the
Old Orchard where Johnny Chuclls house
is lipperty- lipperty- as fast as he
could go.