The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-11-28
BURGESS BED-
 TIME STORIES
THE QUACKs LEAVE FOR THE
By THORNTON W. BURGESS

SUNNY SOUTH
 Who thinks of but his own desires old Mother Nature soon retirea. Mrs. QuacIx.
 Fat with the good living Farmer Browns Boy had provided for them in the pond of Paddy the Beaver were Mir. and Mrs. Quaek. the Nal lard Ducks, and their six big chill dren. The hunter had not returned after Farmer Browns Boy drove him away, and there had been little to worry them. To be sure, Hoety the Owl had tried every night to catch one of these young Mallards, but the 1 Quacks knew Hooty and his ways and despite his noiseless wings, Hooty all ways had to go elsewhere for his ! dinner. Reddy Fox and Old Man Coy ote spent much of their time hiding close to the water, hoping that one of those Ducks would forget and come ashore. But they never did. Al least they never did when Reddy and Old Man Coyote were about.
 Then came a day when Mir and Mrs. Qaack became uneasy. All day 1 this uneaslness grew. It was not fear No, it was not fear. They swan about, every now and then stretching their wings and Tapping | them few times. Now and then they would sit quietly with heads held high Joking to the north.
 Paddy the Beaver saw and under stood. T shall be sorry to have you go" said he to Mrs. Quack, as she swan near him. Don't you think kgou can stay a little longer?" Y How did you know we are gong2" asked Mrs. Quack. q am sure we haven't said a word about it." Paddy grinned knowingly. "Tell me. Mrs. Quack, why do you think you must go? It Is no colder today than it was yesterday" said he.
 True enough" replied Mrs. Quack. But just the same this must be our last day here. Tomorrow morning we must be on our way to the sunny south. I fear we may have staid here too long as it is." An anxious look came into her eyes.
 But you haven't told me why you feel so," persisted Paddy.
 'I don't know just why I feel so, but I know that it is time for us to be moving" replied Mrs. Quack. Mir Quaek knows 1t. too. We knew 1t the very first thing this morning Cold weather is coming and will be here very soon. We must be well on our way before 1t can catch us, We shall start early tomorrow morning"
 That afternon Farmer Browns Boy visited the pond and left some corn as usual. Eat all you can find,'' said Mrs. Quack in a low voice to the young Quacks. Tomorrow morning we must leave, and there Is no know ing when we will have another such feast"
 ''I don't see any sense in leaving place where we have plenty to eat and nothing to fear" mumbled the greediest young Quack. we haven't been so comfortable since we left our home In the far north. q want to stay"
 "A Duck who does only what he wants to do does nothing very long" retorted Mrs. Quack sharply Those who think only of their stomachs seldom live long. To be ruled by ap- petite is to be a slave to bad master. When you are older you will be wiser. We start for the Sunny South at daybreak tomorrow"
 Jolly, round. MT. Sun had just kicked off his rosy blankets for his daily climb up In the blue, blue sky, when MT. Quack gave signal, and together all the family, including the greediest one, rose in the air. and with MT. Quack in the lead, circled above the pond once.
 Good -by!" they quacked to Paddy the Beaver; then with heads and necks stretched full length and swift lv beating wings, disappeared above the trees headed toward the distant Sunny South.
 Paddy watched them out Of sight "It will be lonesome here without them and I wonder if we will ever see any of them again?" said he to Idghtfoot the Deer. who had come to the pond for drink.
 (Copyright, 1921, by T. W. Burgess') The next story: Why Paduy Wasn't Lonesome"