The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-06-19
BURGESS BED-
 TIME STORY
THE SURPRISE

 Surprises sometimes are so great You're tempted to believe in fate.
 -Whitefoot the Wood Mouse.
 ''Sh- h -h,'' said little Mrs White foot again as whitefoot ths Wood Mouse entered the snug little room of the house they had built in the old nest of Melody the Wood Thrush Whitefoot hesitated. In the first place 1t was dark In there. In the second place. he had the feeling that somehow that little bedroom seemed crowded. It hadn't been that way the last time he was there. Mrs Whitefoot was right in front of him and she seemed very much excited about something.
 Presently she crowded to one side. Come here and look" said she.
 Whitefoot looked. Tn the middle of soft bed of moss was a squfrm- ing mass of legs and funny little heads. At first that was all that Whitefoot could make out.
 Isn't this the most wonderful sur prise that ever was?' whispered lit- tic Mrs. Whitefoot. Aren't they dar- lings?" Aren't you proud of them?.
 By this time Whitefoot had made out that that squirming mass of legs and heads was composed of baby Mice. He counted them. There were four. Whose arc they, and what are they doing here?" Whitefoot asked In a queer voice.
 Why, you old stupid, they are yours--yours and mine" declared ever see such beautiful babies? Now I guess you understand why I kept you away from here.'
 Whitefoot shook his head. "No. ? said he, T don't understand at all. don't see yet what you drove me away for"
 Why, you blessed old dear, there wasn't room for you when those babies came. I had to have all the room there was. It wouldn't have done to have had you running in and out and disturbing them when they were so tiny. I had to be alone with them, and that is why I made you go off and live by yourself. I am so proud of them I don't know what to do. Aren't you proud, Whitefoot? Aren't you the proudest Wood Mouse in all the Green Forest7"
 Of course. Whitefoot should have promptly said that he was, but the truth Is Whitefoot wasn't proud at all. You see. he was so surprised that he hadn't yet had time to feel that they were really his. In fact, just then he felt wee bit Jealous of them. It came over him that they wuold take all the time and atten- tion of little Mrs whitefoot So Whitefoot didn't answer that ques- ton. He simply sat and stared at those four squirming babies.
 Finally little Mrs. Whitefoot gem tly pushed him out and followed him. "0f course" said she, there isn't room for you to stay here now. Yo, because there isn't room in here for both of us and the babies. too
 Whitefoots heart sank. He had thought that he was to stay and that everything would be just as 1t had been before. Cant l come over here any more?" he asked rather timidlv.
 What a foolish question: cried little Mrs. Whitefoot. Of course, you can. You will have to help take care of these babies Just as soon as they are big enough you will have to help teach them how to hunt for food and how to watch out for dan ger, and all the things that wise Wood Mouse knows Why, they Neither could F. she added softly.
 At that Whitefoot felt better. And suddenly there was queer swelling in his heart. It was the beginning of pride, pride in those wonderful babies.
 You have given me the best sur prise that ever was. my dear" said Whitefoot softly. Now I think I will go and look for some supper" Copyright, 1922. by T. w. Burgess)
 The next story: "A Proud Father"
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 Negro children In West Africa play