New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1928-08-08

The pond of Paddy the Beaver lies
deep in the Green Forest. 1t is
Paddys very own pond, for he made
it. Before Paddy visited that part
of tho Green Forest for the first
time there was no pond there. The
Laughing Brook passed through
there. but that was all. 1t was from
the Laughing Brook that Paddy
made his pond He did itSby build
ing dam across the Laughing
Brook, SO that the water was stop
ped from running and gradually set
back, making first big puddle and
then a teeny. weeny pond, and then
a little bigger pond, until finally 1t
was big enough to suit Paddy.
But that was long ago. Many Of
the little people OF the Green Forest
have forgotten that there ever was
a time when there was no pond
there. They liked that pond. did
the people who lived in the Green
Forest. They would h. I've missed 1t
sadly had it disappeared. Buster
Bear often visited it. Lightfoot the
Deer and Mrs. Lightfoot drank there.
Jumper the Hare came over there
often. So did Peter Rabbit when he
was in the Green Forest. Iowler the
Bobcat and Puma the Panther went
that way now and again to see what
they might see. Honker the Goose.
with his flock. stopped there twice
year on their journeys north and
south. Mrs. Quack had nested there.
So you see. Paddy's Pond was q
popular place.
When Mrs. LiGhtfoot led the twins
out on to the shore of the pond
they at first didn't know what to
make of it. They stood motionless.
starting with all their might. The
pond was perfectly still, for there
was no wind blowing. 1t WAS like
mirror. Standing on the very
edge of the water the twins discor-
cred what they took to be two other
title spotted fauns staring at them.
OF course, it was their own retlec-
ton. Presently there was sharp
whistle on the other side Of the little
pond The twins rocked up and
across. There stood Lightfoot the
Deer. How handsome he was. TIC
be sure. those antlers of his, those
wonderful sntlers, We're but half
grown. But his coat was in the
beautiful summer reddish color. and
he WIS slim and trim and graceful.
That's your f;-ther,' whispered
Mrs Lighttoot to the twins. ans
waded a little out into the water. nc'
once looking toward i.ightfoot She
simply was pretending that sh" did
Mt see him.
out farther and farther into The
water waded Mrs. I.ighttoot Sh'
plunged her head Wholly under va
ter and brought up a lily-root an;
BEGAN TO MUNICH il. The twins star
ID in round-eyed wonder. Mrs
iightfoot turned her head TOWARD
them and encouraged them to wad
out. But they were timid- This wa
ter vas new thing 10 them. The
ran back and forth along the shore
They went out a little way and the
ran back Little by little they wer
getting acquainted with II.
Presently one Of them gave
star tled little snort. His mo'he
turned to see what had startled hin
He was gazing intently out on tn
water. Mrs. Iightfoot looked.
IT'S all right. my dear said sh'
THAT Is only Paddy the Beaver. n
viii not hurt you He is quite harm
less. You haven't a thing in tn
world TO fear from Paddy. No on
fears him In fact. We are all fon
of Paddy the Beaver, for were
not for him we would not have I'll
nice pond"
The twins were still suspicious. Z
ba bies are apt to be In the presen'
of stra myers. But they knew tn;
Mother knew, and so presently tn