The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-11-25
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A BEDTIME STORY !.
For Middle-Aged Football Fans.

Grandpa Field Mouse and Uncle Squirrel
were sitting in the culvert discussing the
rapid rise in Cast-iron Pipe @4when Papa
RaccoOn was seen coming through the clear
ing. He was carrying a football extra and
crying diversified tears. Never had Grandpa
Field Mouse or Uncle Sammy Squirrel seen
any animal SO detected and depressed.
Let's go out and ask him what's the mat
ter" suggested Grandpa Field Mouse, reading
the butter, egg and cheese quotations.
+ Lets mind our own business" replied
Uncle Sammy Squirrel who was busily en-
gagged putting hair oil on his tail.
Remember the old adage," duoth Grandpa
Field Mouse, Mind your own business and
you'll never pick up any fresh gossip for the
boys down at the firehouse."
BY this time Papa Raccoon was so close
to them they could hear him generating hot
sobs.
What's the matter" sang out Grandpa
Field Mouse suddenly. o.
What isn't?" replied the raccoon.
you look very sad" put in Uncle Sammy
Squirrel.
1--WE a good reason" replied Papa Rae
coon.
What is it?" asked Grandpa Field
Mouse.
"The American football season is here
again." sobbed Papa Raccoon, collapsing ut
terly and crying in four keys at once.
whats that to cry about?' demanded
Grandpa Field Mouse. "You don't have to
see Harvard play unless you want to-"
''That amt it," sobbed Raccoon. There
are sadder things than Harvard in modern
football"
Name EN-" defied Uncle Sammy Squirrel
Somebody's been holding out on u.s.
Mems overcoats styles " answered Papa
Raccoon. Its got so no man who amounts
to anything goes to an American football game
any more, even in Florida without raccoon
coat on. I'm one of the few Raccoons now
in existence in this country without two
sleeves in him and row Of buttons down the
front It's awful!'
Here Papa Raccoon shed tears in such pro-
fusion that Uncle Sammy Squirrel ceased
humming his favorite nut song, ut amt
gonna rain no more"
Maybe these young college fellers need fur
coats for football games, but why do they
pick on me?" went on Papa Raccoon, putting
on his rubber boots and drying his eyes with
a fivegallon bucket.
mo college boy of any class thinks of go
ing to a football game without raccoon
coat. A student or young graduate who amt
been out of college more than five years or
so can go to football game without a clean
shirt, fresh collar, a watch or a change of
socks and enjoy it, but he has got to have
a raccoon coat or the football season will be
considered a total loss to him. They could
have football without stadiums, football with
out footballs, but they never could have foot
ball in America without raccoons."
Just then the sound of footsteps were
heard.
Three young farm hands were seen coming
across fields.
I'D better beat it for my life," exclaimed
Papa Raccoon. They've got tickets for the
Army-Navy game and if they see me they'll
have me changed into a garment in no time.
They're not college boys" argued Grandpa
"No, but they know the minute they get
into raccoon coat they'll think they are,
concluded Papa as he dashed for cover.
TOMORROW NIGHT: The Hedgehog
and the Kolinsky.