The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-10
BURGESS BED
TIME STORIES
BLACKY FINDS OTHER SIGNS.
BY THORNTON w. BURGEss

BLACKY FINDS OTHER SIGNS.
by Thornton w. Burgess.
A single fact may fail 10 prove You
either right or wrongs
Confirm IL with another and your
proof will then be strong.
--BiaclSy the Crow.
After his discovery that Old Mother
Nature had wrapped all the ears of
corn in extra thick husks, Blacky the
Crow had no doubt in his own mind
that johnny Chuck and Jerry Musk
rat and Paddy the Beaver and the
9uacks were quite right in their feel
ing that the coming winter would be
long, hard and cold. But BIacky long
ago learned that 1t isn't wise or
wholly safe to depend altogether on
one thing,
old Mother Nature never does
things by halves" thought Blacky,
as he sat on fence post on the
Green Meadows, thinking over his
discovery Of the thick husks on the
corn. She wouldn't take care to
protect the corn that way and not do
as much for other things. There must
be other signs If l am smart enough
to find them"
He lifted one black wing and began
to set in order the feathers beneath
It. Suddenly he made Il funny little
hop straight up. We'll, 1 neverr' he
exclaimed, as he spread his wings to
regain his balance. Il never did"
lis that so?" piped a squeaky little
voice. If you say you never did I
suppose you never did, though
would want the word of someone else
before l believed 1t. What is it you
never did?"
Blaeky looked down. Peeping up
at him from the brown grass were
two bright little eyes. Hello, Danny
Meadow Mousei" exclaimed Blaeky.
Il haven't seen you for long time.
I've looked for you several times
lately"
II don't doubt 1t. don't doubt it
at ALL" squadek Danny. you'll never
see me when you are looking for me,
That is, you don't If 1 can help 1t.
You won't II see you first"
Blacky chuckled. He knew what
Danny meant. When Biacky goes
looking for Danny Meadow Mouse il
usually is in hope of having a Mead
ow Mouse dinner, and he knew that
Danny knew this. I've had my
breakfast" said Blacky. land it isn't
dinner time yet"
What is it you never did," per-
sisted Danny in his squeaky voice.
THAT was just an exclamation"
explained Blacky. II made a discov-
cry that surprised me, so L exclaimed
right out"
What was it?" demanded Danny.
"It was that the feathers of my coat
are coming in thicker than / ever
knew them to before. | hadn't no.
ticed 1t until l started to set them
in order a minute ago" He buried his
bill in the feathers of his breast.
Yes. sir" said he. in a muffled voice,
they are coming in thicker than
ever knew them to before. There is
lot of down around the roots of
them. l am going to have the warm
est coat I've ever had"
We'll don't think you are the only
one" retorted Danny. MY fur never
was so thick at this time of year as
1t is now, and 1t is the same way
with Nanny Meadow Mouse and all
our children. suppose you know
what It means"
what does 1t meant" asked
Biacky, just as If he didn't have the
least idea, although he had guessed
the instant he discovered those extra
feathers.
ut means we are going TO have a
long, hard, cold winter and Old
MOther nature Is preparing VI loI
It," replied Danny, quite as II he
knew all about it, You'll find that
everybody who doesn't go south or
sleep all winter has a thicker coat
than usual Hellol There is old
Roughleg the Hawk! He has come ex-
ira early this year. That's another
sign, l think I'll go back to warn
Nancy"
without another word Danny dis
appeared in the brown grass. Again
BIacky chuckled. more signs" said
he to himself. More signs. There
isn't doubt that we are going to
have a hard winter. ] wonder IL l
can stand II, or IL better go little
way south, where it will be warmer"
Copyright, 1921, by T. w. Burgess)
The next story-Blacky watches a
Queer Performance.