The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1926-03-26
THE FIRST EASTER EGGS.

Rusty Rabbit blew the fire his hearth and put
his peageen jacket and cooked hat Then taking market
basket his he started down the long, winding path
that led away the fields and hills
The winters and ice had melted and in their
Rusty Rabbit happy and vhistled softly he hu
RED along. Around the bend he upon Peter Pig
Come help find the Gander,s Farm, and we will
get some Easter Eggs said Rusty Rabbit Without word
Peter Pig put his Just the hill they found Little
Red Rooster sitting on a fence growing Justify
Come help find the Ganders Farm, they said
With CHEEKY nod Little Red Rooster joined them and the
three friends o down the path, all whsing merry
Arm in they ourneyed down lanes and hills look
ing for the Ganders Farm.
At last they to high picket fence with big big
sign it
''Goosey Ganders Farm-Ffesh Eggs for Sale"
Rusty Rabbit pulled the latch string bell hnkled and
the gate swung slowly open
How many eggs can we buy for ten censP Rusty
Rabbit asked politely of the big grey goose who came to
them.
Ten large white ones replied the goose gravely.
We will take them, thank you said Rusty Rabbit for
his basket just large enough to hold ten After
paying the with bright pennies the three TRENDS
started for Peter Pig and Rusty Rabbit carried the
basket between them and Little Red Rooster srutted on
ahead.
The three friends decided home by the Ram
bow Pond. They had not gone far when jolly young
cloud came along and sprnkled them we'll hen the sun
came bend the path brought them to the shore
Of pond.
How shall we get across?" asked Peter Pig2
'Ohl Oh! there it is, the Rainbow Bridge! shouted
Little Red Rooster hrll voice. And sure enough span
ming the pond before them beautiful arch OF colos
which had followed the shower the
Peter Pig took the basket of and tested the bridge very
cautiously placing foot then, another upon IT. 10
his satisfaction he found it quite firm. .
We must hurry, said Rusty Rabbit tor 1t will soon
be gone With hop and skip he was across, Little Ned
Rooster close at his heels Peter Pig followed slowly
never hurried if he could help it, Just before he 1eacned
the other shore the Rainbow Bridge suddenly faded under
his feet and Peter Pig right down. splash in the water
Jeh!' he grunted, then began to laugh while the 9th
er stood on the bank staring Still Peter Pig kept on laugh
ing .,
Are thew broken2" asked Rusty Rabbit. anxiously
Bless YOUR heart mol cried Peter Pig, getting up and
scramblne out on the bank Very carefully ne set down
the basket OF eggs and his eyes opened wide as he looked
them A wonderful thing had happened
Not one of the large white had been broken but
all had taken on the color of the rainbow Some were
pale blue green, others orange. lney were 81 "
derfu that the three friends gasped
OH cried Rusty Rabbit.
"Ahy' said Little Red Rooster
uni" gruned Peter Fig
Surely never before had there been such wonderful
Fter eggs Very carefully they lifted the basket and car
RED their treasures home - -
Rabbits ROSTERS and pigs came from tar and near to
see the first colored Easter eggs
How did it happen?" they asked again and again
M 70 each INQUIRY the three friends only shook their heads
ND smled and the secret would have been known
Iad not title Red Rooster told it night IN his sleep
'o w ~ Florence f. Goldthwaite.
Reprinted by permission of John Martin BOOK Inc
Il