Imperial Valley press., 1922-05-15
Bedtime Stories
UNCLE WIGGILY AND THE DRUM
rrDD
Copyright, 1922, by Mcclure News
paper Syndicate)
Pv UOWA r. GARIS

By HOWARD r. GARIS
Once upon time, as Uncle Wlggliy
was hopping through the woods, he
stopped for Il moment to rest behind a
bush. and he heard some one talking.
"All we need is something to beat
good and hard,' spoke one voice.
"Mv goodness me sakes alive and
teaspoon full of lollypops!H thought
Uncle Wiggily. "This must be some
bad animal, hiding here to beat me.
Unless,'' went on Mr.. Longears, 1t IS
tramp dog speaking of rug or ear
pet to beat. | II take look.
Uncle Wiggily peered through the
cracks of the bushes and there he saw,
sitting on a log, Johnnie and Billie
Bushytail, the two squirrel boys.
"Oh, ho" laughed the bunny gentle
man to himself, as he twinkled his
pink nose 81 have nothing to fear
from Johnnie and Billie! But | won
der what it is they want to beat! L
must ask them. -
So Uncle Wiggily hoped out on the
path, and when the squirrel brothers
saw him they flapped their tails for
joy. . ~,
"Oh, maybe Uncle Wiggily can help
us!' chattered Johnnie.
"Can you find us something to
beat?' asked Billie.
! "Well,' said Uncle Wiggily to the
busvtail lads "it all depends on what
you want to beat. If it s a carpet or
rug | know Nurse Jane would like
to sec you at the bungalow. She has a
rug that needs cleaning.
'"Oh, we don't want to beat rugs,
| nor yet cggs!" laughed Johnnie. owe
want drum to beat. -
'"'You see VIC have the fife, went on
Billie, and he showed Uncle Wiggily a
| fife made in the shape of whistle
| from the willow tree ~ can blow this
| willow fife chartered Billie, "and if
Johnnie had IA drum to beat we could
have a parade. Have you drumi
Uncle Wiggily?' :.
| "No, am sorry to say | have not,
| answered Mr.. Longears. But viii
| see if | can find you one. am going
| to Grandfather Gander 8 with this cup
| of custard which Nurse Jane made for
him. On the way, or at Grandpa
Goosey's house, | may find a drum.
| "Oh, we hope you do, Uncle Wig
| gily!'' cried Billie.
"But ]. hardly think you will at
Grandpa Goosey' s. said Johnnie sad
| ly " He is too old to have a drum
| "You never can tell" spoke the
bunny gentleman. Then he hoped on
over the fields and through the woods
. with the cup of custard. He was al
most at Grandpa Goosey's house when
all of Il sudden, Uncle Wiggily heard
Il sad voice saying:
"Oh, dear, how hungry ] am! Oh, the
| berries, arcn t ripe yet, and what shall
| cat?" and with that came a curious
drumming sound, as if II company OF
animal soldiers were marching. Uncle
! Wiggily thought surely he would sec
a parade, but there was no sound of 4
fife, and a moment later a bird with
brown feathers, some made up into q
ruff around his neck, flew up from q
low log where it had been perchcd.
"'Was it you who spoke of being
lrungry2" asked Uncle Wiggily.
cit was,' answered the bird.
| "And did you do the drumming2'
the rabbit gentleman asked.
| "Yes,' was the bird s answer, 81
| did. | ann called the ruffled grouse,
and you can see my ruffle. But that
| doesinot stop me from being hungry"
"Oh, excuse me!' exclaimed Uncle
| Wiggily. Here is - cup custard was
taking to Grandpa Goosey. ] can cas-
| lily get Nurse Jane to make him AN.
other If you will eat this
=" / shall be most happy to-" spoke
the ruffled grouse, and soon he had
eaten the custard. "Now | should
like to do you favor because you did