The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-05-27
Little Stories For Bedtime
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Jimmy Skunk Is Very MAD lndeed
When Jimmy Skunk is angry
Then every one watch out!
It's better far at such time
To be nowhere about.
EMMY SKUNK was angry this
time, and no mistake. He was
~ lust plain mad, and when Jimmy
Skunk feels that way no one wants to
be very near him. You know he is
one of the very best natured little fell
lows In the world ordinarily. He minds
his own business, and If no one inter-
feres with him he interferes with no
one. But once he is aroused and feels
that he hasn't been treated fairly, look
out for him!
And this time Jimmy was mad clear
through as he got to his feet and shook
himself to see that he was all there
don't know that any one could blame
him. To be wakened from comfort
able nap by being rolled over and over
and shaken nearly to death by that ride
down the hill in the old barrel was
enough to, make any one mad. So he
really is not to be blamed for feeling,
as he did.
Now Jimmy can never be accused of
being stupid. He knew that an old
barrel which has been lying in one
place for a long time doesn't move OF
its own accord. He knew that that
barrel couldn't possibly have started
down the hill unless some one had made
it start, and he didn't have a doubt in
the world that whoever had done 1t had
known that he was inside and had done
it to make him uncomfortable. So just
as soon as he had made sure that he
was really alive and quite whole he
looked to see who was about, and who
could have played such trick ON him.
The first person he saw was Reddy
Fox. In fact, Reddy was right close
at hand. You see he had raced down
the hill after the barrel to see who was
in it when he heard the strange noises
coming from it as it rolled and bound
ed down. If Reddy had known that it
was Jimmy Skunk he would have been
quite content to remain at the top of the
hin. But he didn't know, and If the
truth be known he had hoped that it
might prove some one who would fur
nish him with a good breakfast. So
quite out of breath with running Reddy
arrived at the place where the old bar
rel had broken to pieces just as Jimmy
got to his feet.
Now when Jimmy Skunk is angry
he doesn't bite and he doesn't scratch.
You know Old Mother Nature has pro-
vided him with a little bag Of per-
fume which Jimmy doesn't object to in
the least, but which makes most peo-
pie want to hold their noses and run,
He never uses it excepting when he is
angry or in danger, but when he does
use it his enemies always turn tail and
run. That is why he is afraid of no
one and why every one respects Jimmy
and his rights.
He used it now, and he didn't waste
any time about it. He threw some Of
that perfume right in the face of Reddy
Fox before Reddy had a chance to turn
or to say a word. Take that!" snap
ped Jimmy Skunk. perhaps it will
teach you not to play tricks on your
honest neighbors!"
Poor Reddy. Some of that perfume
got in his eyes and made them smart
dreadfully. In fact, for a little while
he couldn't see at all. And then the
smell of it was so strong that it made
him quite sick. He rolled over and
over on the ground, choking and gasp
ing and rubbing his eyes. Jimmy
Skunk just stood and looked on, and
there wasn't a bit of pity in his eyes.
How do you like thatT' said he.
You thought yourself very smart roll
ing me down hill in a barrel, didn't
you? You might have broken my neck"
II didn't know you were in that bar
rel, and l didn't mean to roll it down
the hill, anyway" whined Reddy, when
he could get his voice.
"Huh!" snorted Jimmy Skunk, who
didn't believe a word of it.
II didn't. Honest, i didn't" pro-
tested Reddy. II ran into the barrel
by accident chasing Peter Rabbit,