Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-05-10
LI1TILES0RlEs
JrBEDTImE
BY THORNTON w. BURGESS.
Copyright. 1918. BY T. W. Burgess.)
The Arrival of LongIegs the
Heron.

Mr.. Blacksnake didn't linger long to
discuss his handy tongue with Peter
Rabbit on the bank Of the Smiling Pool.
He guessed what had become of Piper
the Hyla. He knew Piper's ways we'll
enough to know that beyond a doubt
Piper was at that very moment quite
safe from him deep in the Smiling Pool.
Being hungry Mr.. Blacksnake wasted
no more time there.
"I wish" said he in that Kissing voice
Of his Il wish. Peter, that you were as
small as you were the first time l ever
saw you He stared at Peter in such
bold hungry, impudent way that Peter
felt uncomfortable.
ITS lucky for me I'm not, I guess"
And I guess you guess right
Kissed Mr.. Blacksnake as he turned
to slowly glide away.
Peter watched him out Of sight. He
never has been able to get over feel
ing Of fear of Mr.. Blacksnake He
tBlacksnake to hurt him now. and that
1t was foolish to be afraid, but some
| how there was something about the
glitter of Mr.. Blacksnake's eyes that
made Peter tremble inside no matter
how bold he appeared.
Where is he?" piped a small voice
| from the Smiling Pool.
Gone" replied Peter promptly as
| he looked in vain for Piper the Hyla.
you are sure Of it. very. very sure
Of it. aren't you. Peter7' inquired
Piper anxiously.
" quite IS, sure e.. = replied rl, Peter: 1T
Then I guess it is safe for me
| and popped his head out Of the water
ssh 9ev in keR S.' Of Of b Rste onr Then xs With
| reached shore and crept out Of the
water ut makes me shiver all over
just to know that fellow is awake"
T. can see in times es' but ahss fe1 nesr
slips along so noiselessly and he is
| SO close to the ground that I am
always afraid that he is about. You
know he is particularly fond Of Frogs
and Toads. Ugh! 1 hate him"
| Then. just to express his relief
Piper swelled out his music bag in
might and main.
Spring y here! Spring is herei
EVERYBODY bark to me
Piping clear! Piping cleari
All the joyous world should sing
Welcome, welcome Mistress Spring!
| So sang Piper. and Peter Rabbit felt
| within him a great longing to sing
too. and he opened his mouth as II
to try. OF course. this was very funny.
pended on 1t. Everybody knows that.
Piper was so busy singing and Peter
| was so busy listening that both forgot
| to keep their eyes peeled. as the saying
is. You know that means to keep a
sharp watch Of all that is going on.
So neither Piper nor Peter saw a great
bird flying up the Laughing Brook from
the Big River until ne dropped a pair
Of long legs. folded his great wings
Of them. Piper stopped piping abrupt
ly. very abruptly, indeed. He stopped
so short that he cut one note right in
half.
"Longlegs" cried Peter. for that is
who 1t was. Longlegs the Great Blue
Heron. when did you get here"
| Il seem to have just got hero so
far as L can make out" replied Long
legs. testify II thought I heard Hyia
piping up here: / fancy he would taste
rather good after my long Journey"
Peter looked down at Piper and saw
such look Of terror in Piper's eyes
that right then and there Peter made
up his mind that Longlegs shouldn't
dine on Piper II there was any way OF
preventing It.