Omaha daily bee., 1921-01-05

care even to be seen talking with
such a worthless fellow.
But there were many other people
living in Pleasant Valley and on
Blue Mountain who decided to go to
Peter Mink's lecture-when they
learned they might get in free.
And when the night OF the lecture
arrived even Peter himself was sur
prised to see how many were present.
To be sure, Peter noticed thar
some of the audience were smiling;
and some of them were nudging one
another, as if they thought the whole
thing was nothing but a joke. And
when the full moon climbed over
the top of Blue Mountain, and Peter
Mink climbed on top of an old
stump and faced the gathering, few
rude persons laughed aloud.
what about ducks?" somebody
called from a tree above Peters
head. Everybody Uttered at that,
because everybody knew that Peter
was very fond Of ducks and spent
much of his time at Farmer Green's
duck pond.
1t was old Mr.. Grow who asked
that question. He had come to the
lecture, in spite of what he had said.
my lecture" Peter Mink began,
when all was quiet, my lecture to-
night is going to be about a poor
boy who has no one to take care of
him. He has no home. And very
often he goes about in rags. Some
times he begs for food and clothes.
| think" Peter said. 1--WE ought to be
very sorry for him."
As soon as Peter said that, Mrs.
Squirrel and Mrs. Woodchuck took
out their pocket handkerchiefs and
: wiped their eyes. And Mrs. Squir-
rels husband was heard to remark
that it was shame, and that he
thought something ought to be done.
Well, Peter Mink went on and
told them as many as % different
tales about that poor boy, to show
them what hard life he led. Every
tale was sadder than the one just be-
fore it. And by the time Peter had
finished the Esd, there were very few
dry eyes in the place. And M.
Squirrel spoke up loudly and said
once more that something ought to
be done about it.
When he said that, Uncle Jerry
Chuck rose hurriedly and hobbled
away from the lecture He had sat
in one of the best seats, because it
was free. And he had wept quite
rnoisily, once or twice, because it cost
no more to weep and he wanted all
he could get for nothing. But
when Mr.. Squirrel said what he did,
Uncle Jerry at once thought of a
collection. And he decided that he
had better leave before it was too
late.
Peter Mink saw him go. And
here and there he noticed other
people who looked as if they would
like to leave, too. And he knew
that there was no time to lose.
II see one gentleman leaving"
Peter Mink said in loud voice. II
hope no more will go-unless, of
course, they're so stingy that they
wouldn't care to give little some
thing to help this poor boy I've been
telling you about" -
After that, nobody wanted to
leave, because nobody wanted to be
thought stingy.
~ appoint Mr.. Rabbit and Mr..
Woodchuck to take up a collection
ior this poor boy" Peter Mink said.
And I've no doubt that they will
be glad to give all they can, them
selves.
Mr.. Rabbit and Mr.. Woodchuck
saw that everybody was looking at
them. And they at once emptied
their pocketbooks into their hats.
whats his manner What's the
poor boys name?" a hoarse voice
called. 1t was Mr.. Crow who asked
the question.
THAT" said Peter Mink. SIS some
thing do not care to tell every
body"
And many people clapped their
hands. They were beginning TO
have better opinion of Peter Mink.
But old Mr.. Crow only laughed
loudly from his perch in the tree.
fconvrieht Crosset a DunIsp1