Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-08-21
WORSTED PETER RUNS AWAY.

Worstcd Peter was n hoy doll who
lived in the playroom with nj the other
TOYS. but Peter was not satisfied, he
wished to get out IN the world and scc
what was going ON outside the playroom
Better stay here warned Teddy
Bear ono night when Worstcd Peter
contidcd Ia Teddy his longing to stray
from home
well. that may all be very well for
you, Teddy Bear and for the French
Doll and tho like. said Norstcd Peter,
but for me. my dear fellow. to travel
and see bit Of the world Is the thing :
- one day, when Norstcd Peter was
carried downstairs when the other toys
were picked mp and taken back at night
Peter was nowhere to I've seen and SO no
one thought uf him or looked for HIM
Teddy Bear knew what had happened
when the clock struck twelve that night
and he looked for Peter He has run
away. said Teddy and if am not
much mistaken. he will be saddcr
fellow in tho morning even II he Is wiser. :
And Teddy was quite right for when
the clock struck twelve the next night
Norsted Peter came lmping over 10
Tcddy's corner and there was funny
puckcr ON one side OF his face
~ on were right. Teddy. my boy.
sad Worsted Peter Tho payroom
for me after this had q terrible night Of
IT. ! can tell Won last night
"0f course. YOU know. ran away
last night. or, rather Just before night.
said Worsted Peter - slid back of the
chest in the hall where | was put. and
rolled down until was ON the floor
Then when il was II . clock | crawled
along and got ont. The moon was shining
and | could sec quite well, but right in
front Of the fireplace was tho hig white
cat, asleep and ! thought | had better
not awaken her for she always looked
at me as 1t She wished to cat me M
II Just crept around her very carefully
and was about 10 go out of the door when
out from under the bookcase came
mouse
Il lay right down on tho floor, for
expected to sec a good chase, when what
did that mouse do but run against the
tongs 10y the fireplace and over they went
and hit white puss on the tip end Of her
tail
That mouse was out Of sight before
YOU could say Jack Robinson when
white puss jumped up with yowl OF pain
and anger what did she sec but poor.
innocent mc-right ON the floor, and she
thought l pInched her tail
. Oh, you thought YOU would be funny.
did YOU, she said. and before | could
say a word She pounccd right upon me
Il thought ! had been shaken before,
Teddy, but | never had She shook me.
and if a mouse had not run across the
floor | am sure there would not have been
q thread of me left
Was II the same mouse who knocked
the tongs." asked Teddy Bear
II do not know; all mice look alike to
me," said Worsted Peter, but | hope il
was because he will never knock over
another pair of tongs
You see, / had nothing at all to do
with IT, and vet look at me | might as
well have done it, the way she treated me
You see, you were there" said TEDDY
Bear looking very wise. 1T looked rs II
YOU did it; | guess that is what is called
crcumstantia evidence
We'll | do not know what it would be
called" said Worsted Peter, and that
word means nothing TO me, but | call it
hard luck to be blamed for something YOU
did not do. You were right, Ted; the
playroom is the only place for US toys 10
i've and never again will | roam
As Worsted Peter limped away Teddy
Bear sang softly to himself for one leg
VAS shorter than il really ought to be "
and smiled q very wise and knowing
smile