Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-12-14
TEDDY BEARS FRIGHT.

When the little Mistress of the play
room took any of the toys downstairs
that night there WAS a great deal OF talk
ING in the playroom, for all tho stay-at
homes wanted to hear the news about
what was going on down below.
But when Teddy Bear returned from
one OF those trips one day, he did not
have anything to say when the midnight
hour rang out from the pld hall clock.
Instead, Teddy Bear looked very sad.
Every once in n while Woolly Lamb on
Wheels would hear Teddy sigh or say,
under his breath. ,'Ohl Ohps
81 do not see what has happened TO
Teddy Boar" said Woolly Lamb TO
Little Dog on Wheels "I1e acts so queer
and he looks at the door IN frightened
manner, rs II he expected some one to
come in and carry him of. =
81 noticed that myself, said Jumping
Jack, 81 must jump over to Miss Doll
and tell her about IT.
Miss Dolf' stopped her chat with Big
Rag Doll when Jumping Jack told her
about Teddy Bear and they both looked
over at Teddy, who was staring straight
ahead, never seeming TO notice any OF
them
Pretty soon il spread through the play
the matter with Teddy Bear and soon
all the TOYS stood around Teddy looking
at him
Miss Doll spoke TO him first What
ever Is the matter with You, Teddy
Bear" she asked "Yon act rs if you
expected some ono TO come in that door
and carry YOU off
Teddy Bear started and began TO
blink Just us il he haG hcen awakened
from a sleep What did you say
carry mo Off Oh. yes, yes, know they
may. know, know, he muttered.
why. he is crazy, said Big Rag Doll
Teddy Bear, whatever IS the matter!
she asked, sinking him
Teddy Rear seemed TO como to his
senses after the shaking. 4 guess YOU
would feel some sad if YOU know the
terrible fate that awaits me. he SAID
Fate, echoed all the boys: why
what do YOU mean, Teddy Bcar2
"Ill tell vou.' said Teddy. his fur
standing on ends as he talked Il went
downstairs today. as YOU all know, and
heard some one say that the hig fur
rug at the foot of the stairs WAS the skin
Of bear, and my little mistress SAID she
could make nice rug for the doll house
ont OF my coat That IS tho reason |
am 50 sad Think Of having Your SKIN
taken off, Why, ! would fall TO pieces
| am stuffed Oh, dear, oh, dear, what
viii become Of me!
"Oh. my goodness, Teddy Bear said
Fur Cat. how silly YOU arci No one will
take of your cont Mine would make
better RUG than yours, and ] am not u
it frightened
The rug downstairs was from great
big wild bear IN tho forest, explained
Miss Doll who knew most everything,
and besides that. | heard the little
mistress 5 mother tell her your coat was
not the sort they used Tor rugs, and not
to touch yoa
Did you. truly?7 asked Teddy, he
inning to feel happier At once
"0f course, | dld. replied Miss Doll
and | should think tins would BE- .
lesson 10 vou. Teddy Bear, not - keep
things 10 Yourself, but 10 toll all Vol
know to ,ls TOYS and not 70 have secrets
We have wasted tho whole q the
macic hours trying to find out what Was
tho trouble with you
But fcddv Bear did not hear word
IIo Ma. turning d handspring and jump
ing about like the Jolly Teddy he always
had hcon. glad he was not 10 be made
INTO rug. and when the light came IN
fhe window il caught him standing on
his head and there he had to stay until
his mistress came III and sat HIM upright
on the floor.