Evening star., 1933-11-10
Bedtime Stories
By THORNTON W. BURGESS.
Pair of Schemers,

%HREE times Flip the Terrier was
sure that he was about to snap
his teeth on Peter Rabbit. Three
4 times Peter lodged just then and
those white teeth came together
on nothing. Before there could be a
fourth time Peter was back in Farmer
Browns garden After that it was COM
paratively easy to keep out of Flip's
way. There were shocks of corn to
dodge and hide behind. There were
piles of vines which had not yet been
burned. So Peter once more breathed
easily and kept out of F1ip's sight and
was just little bit scornful of him.
After a time Flip became tired Of
looking for Peter. Flip never was one
for great patience. AS long as he could
keep Peter in sight he would never tire
Of chasing him, but there was no fun
in hunting for him without being able
to see him at all. So Flip soon gave
up hunting and trotted off up the Long
Lane toward home. Peter waited only
long enough to make sure that Flip
was not likely to return then once more
started for the dear Old Briar Patch,
and this time he got there without dif-
ficulty.
Where are the carrots you went
after?" asked Mrs. Peter as Peter en-
tered through one of the little openings
he had cut through the brambles for
this purpose.
Peter grinned. Il ate them, my
dear" said he.
And didn't bring me even one teeny-
weeny one?" questioned Mrs. Peter
plaintively
mot even one teeny, weeny one"
confessed Peter. But I tried to-" he
added hastily. Truly I did Flip the
Terrier made me drop it. When did
see chance to get back home here I
didn't stop for carrots or anything else"
Little Mrs. Peter grinned THAT is
quite all right, Peter my DEAR" said
she. las long as you bring yourself
home safe and sound what do care
for carrots? And was afraid you
wouldn't get home in time"
What do you mean by that?" de-
nanded Peter. He looked bit puzzled.
"Reddy Fox has just entered Farmer
Browns garden replied Mrs Peter,
who all the time had been peeping out
Of the dear Old. Eriar Patch.
Peter chuckled. Hell be disap-
pointed Fox" said he.
But Reddy was not a disappointed
Fox Far from it. Almost at once he
discovered that Peter had been there
that day and that was what he most
wanted to know He grinned as he
found the carrots Peter had dug up
and the tops of those he had eaten.
He didn't stay long. Later he joined
Mrs. Reddy ~
"It is all right. my dear" said he.
"Peter has been over in Farmer Browns
garden today. He didn't dare go over
there at night for fear one of us would
be waiting for him, and he thinks we
went dare go over there in daylight.
That is just what We want him to
think. He thinks We are afraid Of
Farmer Brown and Farmer Browns
Boy when all the time we both know
that without guns they are harmless"
1T might be good idea for you to
drop around to the Old Briar-patch and
drop a hint to Peter that in a night
or two the moon will be out and then
it will be fine time for him to harvest
those carrots. He'll be sure to suspect
at once that you want him to go there
at night, so instead he will go over
there in the daytime as he did today"
said Mrs. Reddy.
And what pleasant surprise he will
get when he does chuckled Reddy.
Mrs. Reddy chuckled, too. Then they
put their heads together and plotted
and schemed. and Peter Rabbit, all un-
knowing, was the subject Of 1t all.
(Copyright, 1880