The Prescott daily news., 1919-11-19
Happy Jack Squirrel Moves
BY Thornton w. Hrusess.


any season. but to have to do 1t right
in the middle of the harvest season IS
enough to drive almost any right-mind-
ed thrifty squirrel almost crazy, ana
Happy Jack Ia nothing II not thrifty.
But he just had to do 1t because, as he
explained to Peter Rabbit, IL he didn't
he never would know another minute
of peace.
you know, Peter" said Happy
Jack, II believe in thrift"
Peter wrisgiet his wobbiy little nose
bit scornfully. IF don't know 1t
it isn't because haven't had it ever
lastingly preached to me- said he.
Happy Jack took no notice OF
Peters scorn. YES, sir, believe in
thrift" he continued. "The truly
thrifty person is the one who will get
on fastest and farthest in life. Think
it over, Peter. So it was because |
am truly thrifty that l had to drop
everything else and move right now
in the middle of my busy season.
couldn't afford to risk losing what I've
already got just for the sake of adding
little to it, Do you think could.
Peter?"
Peter Rabbit scratched one long ear
with long hindfoot, then the other
long ear with the other long hindfoot,
and looked puzzled 81 don't know
what you're talking about. but if you
say it's SO l guess so it is" said he.
"Of course 1t Is" retorted Happy
Jack. ''You know I've been living in
the attic of that house over there He
pointed to house Peter could just
see through the trees.
Peter looked at the house, then
looked at Happy Jack -"You may be
able to stuff lot down me, but you
can't make me swallow that house."
said he.
why men live in that housed"
"Of course they do" replied Happy
Jack, with chuckle bat I've been
living there, too. Do you see that
limb of tree just touching the roof
of that house."
tinued Happy Jack, Il ran out ON that
limb and on the roof. Then l discov-
cred place where | could gnaw a
hole, and l did it."
What for?" demanded Peter.
ITO find out what was inside" re-
piled Happy Jack. when got 1t big
enough to crawl through l got into
the attic and it was the most wonder
full place. There was the greatest lot
OF stuff UP there you ever saw, piles of
old papers, old clothes, old furniture,
boxes-goodness, couldn't begin to
tell you of all the stuff in that attic.
1t didn't take me long to find out that
nobody ever came up there excepting
once in great while to put some
more stuff there
SO made nest in box, a nest
OF paper which tore up and old rags.
and decided to live there. 1t was the
most comfortable home I've ever had.
and was cooking forward to spend
ing the winter there 1t was a won
derful place to live. 1t certainly was 4"
Happy Jack said this very wistfully.
Then why don't you stay there ?"
demanded Peter.
BECAUSE I've just discovered it isn't
safe" declared Happy Jack. mo. sir.
1t isn't safe, and safety is the first law
OF life, as you very well know"
Again Peter nodded, and Hannv
Jack continued: "One night | was
awakened by some one in the attic
1t was boy and he was looking for
something with Lighted match. It
burned close to his fingers and then
he dropped It, 1t fell on piece of
old paper and 1t blazed right up. That
boy was quick. I'll say that much for
him. He stamped that fire out quick.
er than a wink. Then he went off
down stairs
The rest OF that night didn't sleep
much ! kept thinking supposing that
match had dropped In one of the big
piles of paper and he hadn't been able
to stamp it out The Red Terror would
have Just raced through that stuff and
that whole house would have been
afire in no time. So | decided to move
couldn't afford to lose ny winter
supply OF nuts stored there. to saw
nothing OF running the risk of being
burned to death because of some.
Dody's carelessness. Besides, made
up my mind that | had been living
with thriftless people. No one truly
thrifty would ever have allowed such
mass OF old stuff to collect They
would have sold it for Thrift Stamps
and so got some good from it. You