Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-11-16
CHAPTER III
Blue Jay In Trouble


DLUE JAY sat in tree chuckling to
II himself. He chuckled so loudly
that, Jack and Janet heard him and
turned their eyes upon him. They
thought he was chuckling over the funny
trick Perky Squirrel had played upon
them in getting them to put in his
winter supply of food by throwing nuts
at a hole in hollow tree.
But Blue Jay wasn't chuckling over
Perky Squirrels trick. He was chuck
ling over trick he himself intended 10
play just as soon as Perky Squirrel got
out Of sight.
Blue Jay didn't have TO wait long,
tor Perky Squirrel--whcn Jack ana
Janet had done his work for him was
ready to play. lie and Jack and Janet
began a game of tag among the
"whcn is Blue Jay not n Blue Jay?'
When Blue Jay saw no one was
watching him. he flew and hoppcd closer
and closer to Perky Squirrels store
house in the hollow tree. And when
he got to the storehouse Blue Jay gave
A quick look around and darted in.
Out he came n moment later with
nut In his bill. Away he flew to the
tree where he had his own nest. and he
nut the nut in his own treasure chest.
Then back he went for more nuts.
Blue jay might have robbed Perky
Squirrel of all the nuts Jack aud Janet
had gathered for him. if Jack hadn
happened to see the thiCving bird.
blue jay is steOlrg your store OF
nuts" said Jack to Perky Squirrel.
LEX! Elk. Keep quiet about il. We
will catch sly old Blue jay, said Fer.
Ky Squirrel. Then he put to Jack and
Janet the riddle ho had promised them.
when Is Blue Jay not a Blue Jnyf'
Neither Jack nor Janet could answer
him.
Maybe you can guess the answer a
little later" chucklcd Perky Squirrel
Don't pay any attention to Blue Jay
and he will not know that we have seen
his thlevins."
They went on with their gam" OF tag,
and Blue Jay, thinking he was safe,
went into the storehousc and got
another nut, which he carried TO his
own tree. As soon as Blue Jay had
flown away from the storChousC Perky
Squirrel whsked up the hollow tree
and popped into the hole.
"Whea Blue Jay comes back and gets
inside the tree, just shut HIM in, sad
Perky Squirrel as he hid himself,
Jack and Janet got out OF sight be-
hind the tree and in q moment Blue
Jaw came back for smother nut. He
didn't know of the trap that was
awaiting him, and with a chuckle he
popped right into the hole TO steal
another nut. AS he popped in. Jack
stuck a stick into the opening 80 Blue
Jay couldn't get out.
No sooner had Jack done this than
terrific racket began in the dark depth
of the hollow tree. Blue Jay shrieked
at the top Of his voice. while Perky
Squirrel chartered.
But Perky Squirrel did more than
chatter. He gave Blue Jay n thrashing
H. made Blue Jay yell for mercy.
Indcrd, Blue Jay yelled 50 loudly Janet
grew sorry for him and pulled the stick
out from the hole.
Out tumbled Blue Jay, tattHred and
torn and smothcred with mold from the
rotttng depths of the tree.
"Chee. Chez. There is n crazy d..
mon In that tree guarding the nuts
screamed Blue jay. "Chee Chce! Look
out for the demon
And away few Blue Jay as though
the demon were after him.
Perky Squirrel poked his grinning
head out of the hole in the tree. Have
you guessed the answer to my riddle
vet? When is Blue Jay not a Blue
Jay?'
Janet couldn't answer, but Jack gave
n shout Of discovery.
II know when Blue Jay Is not Blue
Jaw" Jack cried. He is not a Blue
Jay when he is 4 Black and Blue Bird,
and that is what he is now. after that