New Britain herald., 1927-02-11

Peter Rabbit couldn't remember when he had spent a worse day. To be sure. he himself made it lot worse than 1t really was. But that is not to be wondered at. That is q common happening with most peo- pie. You will remember that Peter was prisoner in the back hall of Johnny Chuck's old house down in the far corner of the Old Orchard. He was q prisoner, for he couldn't get out. The back door was sealed with snow and ice. The only other opening was into Johnny Chuck's old bedroom. and into that were packed Jimmy Skunk and Mrs. Jimmy and six full grown children. Somehow or other, they had managed to squeeze themselves into that bedroom and were all sleeping together. Even had Peter been sure that none would wake up, he couldn't have squeezed his way out. No. sir, that would have been impossible. There was nothing for him to do but to remain right
 
 should take notion to go out again.
 If Peter had been a real philoso- pher he would have gone to sleep. just as he had planned to do in the first place. It would have been the wise thing to do. and philosophers are wise. you know. But Peter wasn't . philosopher. Instead of going to sleep, he remained very wide awake. And because he was wide awake. he worried. My goodness, how he did worry!
 T would be just like those Skunks to stay Tn here for week." thought Peter. If some do go out, probably some will remain. can't get out un- less they all go out. guess this time I'm in trouble. I can't get out of 1t. I'm going to starve to death. No- body'll ever know what became Of me. Probably Jimmy Skunk and his friends will desert this old house when spring comes and nobody else will use 1t. Nobody'lL ever know what became of me. Not even my bones will ever be found. I-I-Td rather furnish Reddy Fox a good dinner. Oh. dear. oh. dear! Why didn't heed little Mrs. Peter and stay at home?"
 Several times Peter scratched at the ice which blocked the way out from that back hall. But each time he did that the sound of his own foenAils frightened him. You see, he was afraid that so many Skunks sleeping together couldn't possibly all be asleep at the same time. He was afraid that one might hear him and come 10 find out what was go- ing on. When he wasn't doing this, he sat and thought of all the things he never would see again. He al- most got some pleasure out of this. People are that way, you know. They get kind Of enjoyment out Of being miserable. IL was just so with Peter. He pitied himself because he never. never again would go over to the Green Forest, or lip to the Old Pasture, or over to the Laughing Brook. or down 10 the Smiling Pool, and most of all, because he would never, never go again to the dear Old Briar- patch. Big tears filled his eyes when he thought of all that.
 Now. wasn't that foolish thing to do? Instead of doing that. he should have been thankful that he was safe right then. He should have tried 10 think of all the things that might n to He should have remembered that jolly. round. bright MT. Sun might at tha very minute be melting the fee that filled that back doorway. He should have remembered that all those Skunks had been out the night before and they might so out the next night Always it is better to think hopeful things.
 But everything bad has an end.