The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-10-29
BURGESS BED-
 TIME STORIES
By THORNTON W. BURGESS

|
 The Farewell of Johnny Chuck
 Good-by somehow rings like knelI So say it not, but just farewell. Johnny Chuck. Peter Rabbit knew that the day when he would see no more of Johnny Chuck for many long weeks s was fast approaching, He knew 1t by 5ohnny's actions. It really wasn't l safe for him to stay above ground. He was getting too sleepy for safety Yes, sir, that is just what was hap pening. You know, people who eat so much that they grow very, very fat are apt to be sleepy. It was just so with Johnny Chuck. He was spending great deal of time dozing on his doorstep. He would waddls off a few steps to get some food. then waddle back to his door step to sit in the sun. Nine times l out of ten he would be dozing within l two minutes. It made Peter nervous. | Johnnyis doorstep was no place for anyone to be dozing. Too many sharp and watchful eyes could see it. Peter Rabbit was afraid--afraid for Johnny Chuck. He was afraid John ny might fall asleep and not awake at all, or if he did awake, bo too late. And Peter knew several who would | like nothing so much as a fat Wood chuck for dinner.
 l So Peter hung around Johnny ChucR's house great deal and kept a watchful eye on him. By this time Johnny was so fat that Peter actually was afraid that if Johnny should stub his toes and fall down he would split wide open.
 "fIe just couldn't help 1t, I know he couldn't. He would split wide open | as sure as the world if he should fall
 down." said Peter to little Mrs. Peter. Then he would be served just
 right" declared little Mrs, Peter,
 tossing her head. Anybody who Is
 so greedy he cannot watch out for himself deserves whatever happens
 to him" She tossed her head again.
 But Johnny Chuck isn't greedy"
 explained Peter patiently.
 "Then I don't know what sreedi- ness is," declared little Mrs. Peter
 with sniff. Don't tell me that a person who eats~and eats and cats
 until he is in danger of bursting isn't ! greedy"
 He's doing it because wo are | going to have & long. hard winter, and he has got to be prepared" said
 Peter loyal to his friend. | "Who says so?' demanded little
 Mrs. Peter.
 'He does" replied Peter rather weakly.
 "HumphI" sniffed little Mrs. Peter
 scornfully.
 l Peter said nothing, but at the first
 opportunity slipped out of the dear | old briarpatch and hurried toward | Johnny Chuck's house. As he drew
 near he could see Johnny Chuck sit- | ting up on his doorstep, and Johnny
 was holding. Yes, sir. Johnny Chuck
 was 80 sleepy he was nodding. And l Peter could see something else. He could sec two black ears and the top
 of a red head moving slowly but I surely through the brown grass to- ward Johnny Chuck.
 1 What should he do? Johnny Chuck was in great danger. but he couldn't | warn him from that distance. And
 if he went nearer he would be in danger himself. Then Peter remem-
 bered Johnny Chuck's two back
 doors. If he could reach one of these he would be safe. He began to hur- | ry He was nearly to one when he
 saw Reddy Fox was dangerously close to dozing Johnny Chuck. l thumped hard with his sout hind
 feet. It was the, only thing he | could do
 Johnny Chuck's eyes flew open. He | saw Reddy Fox and, fat as he was,
 turned like a flash. pair of black heels showed for an instant in Johnny | Chucks doorway, and that was the
 last that anyone saw of Johnny Chucl, tor several long months. Those
 twinkling black heels were Johnny's