The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-12-31
DADDY,)fvfN|NQD
FAIRY TALE fl
6y Nary Graham bonner !,I.ss Aa
LITTLE sLACKSNAkE.

hlacksnake, las anyone who knows
anything about blacksnakes will tell
YOU. But. the whole trouble is that
many people don't, know much about
snakes, and then there are great
many who don't care to know about
US"
The blacksnake wriggled and vrig
gled. and finally he saw little crea-
ture in brown cap and brown suit.
Who are you?" asked the black
snake.
TIN Billie Brownie" said the little
creature.
And I'm Bonnie Brownie, his broth
err" said another little creature who
| came up at just that moment. They
both looked exactly alike.
I'VE thought we heard you talking"
said Billie Brownie.
Yes, we felt quite sure you were"
said Bonnie Brownie.
Il was" said the blacksnake.
Then we were right" grnned Bill
| lie Brownie
I'VE WERE" said Bennie Brownie, as
! he Rugged his brother.
What funny creatures you are
said the blacksnake. Are you fair
ies?"
We're of the same great family"
said Billie.
Just as am Of the family Of black
snakes:'
No said Bennic, we're OF the
great big family of fairies as you're
of the great big family of snakes and
reptiles, and We're Of the family of
brownies as you are Of the family OF
blacksnakes."
"oh," said the blacksnake. 4 IN
derstand."
What were you talking about:''
asked Billie Brownie
"Yes, what were you saying when
we heard YOU speaking to yourself. OF
Kissing to yourself, or whatever you
, call your Ianguage?" asked Bcnuie
Brownie.
Kissing Will do nicely" said the
blacksnake, wriggling around.
Then tell US Your story" said Billie
| Brownie
Perhaps it wasn't a story" said
Bonnie Brownie. Perhaps you were
| making a speech"
4 In any case" said Billie, do 90
/ on where you left OF"
4 Just what | was going to do said
Il the blacksnakc. Il am not going 10
! keep this skin forever"
I'VE didn't say anything about skins.
n but we spoke about talking" said Bfl-
: lie Brownie
e ''Oh. / beg your pardon: thought
IS you were speaking of SKINS" Kissed the
z snake politely.
: oh said Bonnie TO his brother, 'he
was probably talking of skins when
4 we came around. Let's ask him TO
Y continue"
pray continue" said Billie Brownie.
IS land tell US just what you were say
d, ing, and all about the skins. too
4 The snake wriggled around once
more and then began to hiss this
story;
= Il was left by my mamma with q
# number of other little egg brothers and
II sisters under stone My mamma had
other business 10 attend to. so she left
IT MS to be Matched out 10y old Mr.. Sun
My mamma hasn't any fondness for
her children, she is a sensible snake
:" mamma.
= when was ready to come out from
IN the egg had my egg tooth all grown
rc or. in other words. | had grown 2
sharp little edge in the direction of my
D. nose. With this ! was able TO leave
The egg
ID Then crawled around and looked
~ Mt the world wasn't a little cry
baby. got along all right by myself
didn't need anyone 10 tell m,
I, what 10 do ! picked II all M Of my
own accord.
n Then. after | had been ont few
days shed my first skin and left IN,
egg tooth with it. for no longer had
- any use fer the esg tooth. | was free
% then-a free snake-aud 50 am ! nov
--out or the egg which held me un;i
] was big enough to look after my
self.
But when you heard -" talking
was saying what q pity il is So few
. people care ia know abc1i Back
? snakes. or any snakes. for that mat
ter"
1--WE like to hear abou, them" Sa''
The brownie brothers. "and we ihanl
you for telling Us your story"