The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1922-07-22

loosened the earth about the right
hand post that holds the clothes line.
Stamp the dirt down about it. shall
wash this afternoon
Bunny went out eagerly. Jumperty-
hop! Jumperty-hop! he went across
the grass, taking care, as his mother
had taught him, to keep away from
the rosebushes, the parsley bed, and
the radishes. Presently, quite out of
breath, he reached the post.
He hoped about in a lively manner,
but he kept his eyes downcast, and
his back to the fence, for he had not
yet recovered from the fright a
strange dog in the next yard had given
him several days before.
When the soil had been tightly
pressed about the post, Bunny noted
with establishment that a little hollow
close by was filled with water. Hap
pening to turn his head at such an
angle that he could look into it, he
saw the reflection OF the raspberry
bushes, close by the fence in the ad-
Joining yard. IA mirror!s Bunny
whispered, aWestruck.
Stepping close to the pool, he look
ed into it. How long and fine his ears
looked! How sleek and well-fed his
body appeared! So excited was he
that he determined to go and tell his
mother of his discovery, when another
reflection showed in the pool
In this natural mirror Bunny saw a
rabbit boy of about his own age and
size. But the rabbits ears were not
so long, nor his coat so well-kept.
These failings, however, were forgot
ten when Bunny saw that under the
strangers fat chin was a large neck
tie. Bunny turned quickly.
In the next yard, close to the fence,
| wriggling his ears and nose, sat the
newcomer. Are you going to live
| here?" Bunny asked.
mo. My mother left me here while
she paid a call. My name is Mortimer
Cottontail; what's yours?"
Bunny told him reluctantly, for he
felt Mortimer must think a rabbit
boy who wore no necktie, very com
monplace indeed. Uncomfortable
and ill at ease, Bunny welcomed al
this moment the sound of the lunch
con bell.
l. Giving one eager glance into the
mirror as he passed, he went with g
hop, skip, and jump toward the
house. 80
| Don't co. pleaded Mortimer, "helI
me get some raspberries."
Maybe I'll come back" Bunny re
piled, hopping off.
At the table he sat quietly and die
not say word, while his mother serv
ed cabbage salad and sour-cream
crumpets. He had no appetite, how
ever.
whats the matter?" anxiously ask
ed his mother
And then Bunny told about the mir
ror and Mortimer's crimson necktie
$50 you want a necktie," Mrs Snow
frowncd. '"That's what comes OF look
ing in a mirror" But in spite of the
severity of her tone, she went into the
bedroom, and soon was back with {
red scarf, which she tied under Bun
ny's chin.
ut used to belong to your father,
she explained sadly.
In an ecstasy of. joy Bunny dashed
back to the mirror; but to his horror
upon looking into the pool, he saw the
reflection of Mortimer hanging by hi!
necktie from a high branch of the
bushes.
ugh! Ugh! UGH" Mortimer CUR
gled.
| Terror-stricken, Bunny hoped t.
the fence. Help! Help" he cried
But help was at hand. Mrs. Cotton
tail hurried into the yard, and rescued
her son. Il climbed on the steps tt
get the berries" Mortimer painted
"and my necktie caught on brier."
Bunny was so much frightened tina
when he went close to the pool he fe1
in. To add to his misery, his neckti,
caught on coarse weed, and helt
him fast. Mother! Mother!" h,
screamed
Fortunately Mrs. Snow was JUS
bringing out the clothes. She dropped
her basket and ran to his assistance
She took off his tie and led him int,
the kitchen to dry before the fire.
Bunny spoke but little that evening
And when it was time for bed, h,
whispered to his mother, "I'll neve
look into mirror again!"