New Britain herald., 1928-09-24
CU1BY BEAR MEETS A
 STRANGER (By Thornton w. Burgess)


 Heed this advice, though 1t be trite: When meeting strangers be polite:
 -Old Mother Nature.
 ,Cubby Bear was shuffling along through the Green Forest with noth- ing particulAr on his mind. He hadnt anything in particular to do. I suspect he was just looking around tor mischief. Cubby had started up the Lone Little Path. Halfway up the hill there was a sharp turn in that little path. Cubby had just started around that turn when he cemS face to face with . stranger.
 Cnbby gave . little start of sur priee.. The stranger didn't say a word. ln feet; he didn't make a sound. He tust grinned. If Cubby had known more about Srins he would have known that that grin was not hap py. gYin. It was frightened grin. That stranger was frightened.
 ..Dut Cubby didn't notice this. He vss teo surprised to take note of much of anything. He had never apsn anyone quite like this strang- sr. To begin with. this stranger want very biz. He wasn't. for in- Eancs. as biz n Bobby Coon. He hada . long, sharp face. His coat was rather whitish and looked as if it never had been brushed. He had long tall. but there was no hair on 1t:
 Ths stranger had stopped as abruptly as had Cubby Bear. Cubby Bear sat up. He is very likely to sit up when he wants to look at things. He seems to think he can see better sitting up, but of course he cannot. The stranger didn't sit up. He look ed hastily to each side of him as if looking for place to run. But he didn't run. He just grinned. and when he grinned he showed a mouthful of sharp teeth.
 Who are you?" demanded Cub by. Bear most impolitely.
 The stranger said nothing. He merely grinned little more broadly than before. Cubby took step for ward. The stranger stood still, but he began to shake.
 "Huh"' thought Cubby Bear. Hes afraid of me. Yes. sir he's afraid. of me. wonder if he would make good eating?"
 The moment Cubby felt that the stranger was afraid he himself felt very bold. It is usually that way. Cubby growled and tried to look more afraid than ever. Still Cubby hesitated to attack him. He would much rather jump on him from be- hind than 10 try for Jim in front. Cubby stepped behind a little bush. Perhaps the stranger would pass on down the Lone Little Path and he could follow him. In stepping be- hind the little bush Cubby turned his head for a moment. When he look ed around from the other side of the bush the stranger had disappear ed. Cubby stepped right out into the Lone Little Path looked up the Lone Little Path and down the Lone Little Path. The stranger was mo- where to be seen. Then Cubby was cross. He hastily looked all around. He put his nose 10 the ground where the stranger had been and the scent he found there was new to him. But it wasn't unpleasant. Cubby decided that that stranger would be very good eating. He followed the scent along the ground. II led off to one side to the foot of small tree. If was too small tree for Cubby 10 climb. The stranger was looking down al him and still grnning.
 Cnbby walked up 10 the foot of the tree and began shaking it. The stranger didn't mind at all Then Cubby discovered that the stranger w1aa not holding on with his hands and feet alone, but also with his tail.