Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1919-09-26
DADDY.)EvENINQU
FAIRY TALE fl
LITTLE BLACKSNAKE.
.6y hasY Graham Z = RonnsY 8: III,ss

II was a little blacksnake," said the
biacksnake, "as 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 a great
many who don't care to know about
u.s."
The blacksnake wriggled and wrig-
gled, and finally he saw a little crea-
ture in a brown cap and brown suit.
'Who are you?" asked the black
snake.
'Tm Billie Brownie" said the little
creature.
"And I'm Bennie Brownie, his BROTH
err" said another little creature who
came up at just that moment. They
both looked exactly alike.
eve thought we heard you talking"
said Billie Brownie.
"Yes, we felt quite sure you were,"
said Bennie Brownie.
81 was" said the blacksnake.
"Then we were right" grinned Bill
lie Brownie.
eve were," said Bennie Brownie, as
he hugged his brother
what funny creatures you are"
said the blacksnake. "Are you fair
ies?"
Were of the same great family
said Billie.
"Just as am of the family of black
snakes?"
NO" said Bennie, 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, 81 un-
derstand."
"What were you talking about?"
asked Billie Brownie.
"Yes, what were you saying when
we heard you speaking to yourself, or
Kissing to yourself, or whatever you
call your language?" asked Bennie
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
| Bennie Brownie. perhaps you were
making a speech
'In any case," said Billie, "do go
on where you left off,
"Just what was going to do," said
the blacksnake. 81 am not going to
keep this skin forever"
eve didn't say anything about skins,
but we spoke about talking" said Bill
lie Brownie.
"Oh, l beg your pardon; thought
you were speaking of SKINS" hissed the
snake politely.
"Oh," said Bennie to his brother, ''he
was probably talking of skins when
we came around. Let's ask him tC
continue"
'Pray continue" said Billie Brownie
"and tell us just what you were say
ing, and all about the skins, too"
The snake wriggled around once
more and then began to hiss thi:
stOryS
81 was left by my mamma with
number of other little egg brothers ant
sisters under stone. My mamma haC
other business to attend to, so she lef
us to be hatched out by old Mr.. Sun
My mamma hasn't any fondness fol
her children, she is a sensible snake
mamma.
"When was ready to come out from
the egg had my egg tooth all growp
or, in other words, l had grown ;
sharp little edge in the direction Of m.
nose. With this 1 was able to leav'
the egg.
"Then I crawled around and looket
baby. got along all right by myself
, l didn't need anyone to tell m
what to do. picked it all up Of m,
own accord.
"Then, after I had been out a fey
days I shed my first skin and left m
egg tooth with it, for no longer had
any use for the egg tooth. was fire.
then-a free snake-and so am nov
out of the egg which held me unit
/ / was big enough to look after my
self
"But when you heard me talking
was saying what a pity it is so fey
people care to know about BLACK
snakes, or any snakes, for that mat
ter"
1--WE like to hear about them" sal
the brownie brothers, "and we than
you for telling US your story!"