Omaha daily bee., 1921-08-03

quickly, he saw that a plump per-
son sat on fence rail, busily en-
gagged in staring at him.
"How-dy do" Chirpy Cricket
piped; for the fat, four-legged per-
son looked both cheerful and harm
less. II take it you're fond OF
music"
The stranger, whose name was Mr..
Meadow Mouse, smiled. '"I won't
dispute your statement" he said.
Perhaps you play some instru-
ment yourself" Chipy observed.
But Mr.. Meadow Mouse shook
his head.
No" he replied. mo! To tell
the truth, tt'r raven 171tucir tiihe for
that sort of thing. Besides. it seems
to me somewhat dangerous. l was
wondering, while I watched you,
whether yop weren't likely to fiddle
yourself into bits-you were working
so hard"
Chirpy Cricket assured him that
there wasn't the least danger.
"All my family are famous fid-
dlers," he said. "And I've never
heard of such an accident happening
to any of them"
Mr.. Meadow Mouse appeared to
be slightly disappointed.
Il thought" he said, 81 could pick
up the pieces for you, in case you
fell apart
Dark as he was, Chirpy Cricket
almost turned pale.
"You-you weren't intending to
to swallow the pieces, were you?"
he stammered.
Dear me! Mop Mr.. Meadow
Mouse gaspcd. I'm what's known
as vegetarian"
Well, when he heard that, Chirpy
Cricket made ready to jump out Of
the strangers way. He didn't know
what vegetarian was; but it sounded
terrible to him.
Mr.. Meadow Mouse must have
guessed that Chirpy was uneasy
Anyhow, he hastened to explain that
vegetarian was one that ate only
food that grew on plants of one
kind or another.
II live for the most part on seeds
and grain he said. so you see
I'm quite harmless
Chirpy Cricket told him that he
was glad to know it.
I'm a vegetarian myself" he
added proudly, for l cat blades OF
grass. And you see I'm harmless
too"
Mr.. Meadow Mouse bestowed an
other fat smile on him.
Then" he said, 1T must be quite
safe for me to stay here and talk
with you"
Chirpy Cricket didn't know why
the plump gentleman was smiling,
unless it was because he felt easy in
his mind. Chirpy couldn't help lik-
ing him, he was SO friendly.
"I'll play my favorite tune for
you, if YOU wish.' Chirpy offered,
being eager to do something pleas
ant for his new acquaintance.
DO" said Mr.. Meadow Mouse.
"And make it as lively as you please.
For I've just dined we'll and I'm in
a very cheerful mood"
So Chirpy Cricket began his cr-r-
ri! cr-r-r-i. cr-r-r-i! while Mr.. Mea-
dow Mouse moved nearer and
watched him closely. After time
he began to iidget. And at last he
asked Chirpy if he wouldn't please
be still for a moment, because there
was something he wanted TO say.
Chirpy stopDed fiddling.
IL notice" said Mr.. Meadow
Mouse, that you're having some
trouble tuning UP your fiddle. So
if you don't mind III go over in the
corniield on a n~tter OF business
and come back here later. Then, no
doubt, you'll be all ready TO play a
tune for me-"
Chirpy Cricket had to explain that
he had been playing tune all the
,imc-that he always played on one
note.
So Mr.. Meadow Mouse stayed and
heard more Of the fiddling He
begged Chirpy's pardon for his mis-
take. And he said that if he only
had fiddle he should like to learl,
the same tune himself. Although"
he added, ut must be very difficult
to play always on the same note,
1t must take great deal OF practice.
Copyright Grosset & Dunlap,)