Evening star., 1934-07-16
Bedtime Stories
BY THORNTON W BURGESS.

them. Already he had had lesson in
mixing a trail so that it would be
hard to follow. But that wasn't
enough to get rid of Bowser, who takes
delight in patiently working out diff
cult puzzles of this kind with that
wonderful nose of his. Then Wiggle-
nose had been shown how to change
off with another Rabbit, so that one
might rest while the other ran. This
had been great fun, but Bowser was
still on the trail
Wigglenose was beginning to get
little tired. He was not used to run
ming so long or so fast. Cant We
find some place where we can be safe
and not have to run?" he painted as
he and Mrs. Peter sat listening to the
oncomings voice of Bowser while they
rested for a few minutes.
Yes" replied his mother. Il know
of two or three holes, but it is never
wise to go into hole If you can help
1t. Do it only when there is no other
means of escape. And l know of some
bramble-tangleS where We would be
safe. We win 60 to one of them later
If we have to. But first you should
learn how to make use of briars and
brambleS besides just hiding under
them. Briars are the best friends we
have We can't fight, but they can
and will fight for us. 1t is all in know
ing how to use them, and you'll never
have better chance to learn than
right now. Some time you may find
yourself being chased by Dog where
there is no bramble- -tangle tlNck
enough to keep him out. but where
there are enough brambles to dis
courage him if you make the best use
of them. BowSer is getting too near
for comfort and we must be moving
on. Keep right at my tail and do just
as l do. Bowser has been having a
good time chasing us, but now we
will make him pay for his fun"
She led the way to where the bushes
grew thickly. with many bullbriar
vines entangled among them and
blackberry vines. There were little
paths cut through and under them,
They we're just big enough for Rab-
bit for they had been cut by Rabbit
teeth. and they twisted and turned
and crossed in all directions. Mrs.
Peter laid her ears back to keep them
from being scratched. WigglenoSe did
the same thing.
Behind them came Bowser the
Hound. baying joyously, for the trail
was easy to follow and he was enjoy
ing the run. Then he came to the
first briars. Being so much bigger
than Mrs Peter, he could not slip
under them untouched, although he
tried his best TO crawl under. He did
get under. but not without getting
pricked and his dropping, soft ears
scratched. More than once he yelped
sharply as a briar caught him. Had
there been a solid tangle there he
would have given up. But there were
brambles only here and there and the
love Of the hunt was SO strong that
he kept on.
Mrs. Peter deliberately picked out
the place where the going was hardest
for BowSer and he was forced to move
slowly. often to crawl to avoid having
his face too badly scratched and torn.
This meant that she and WigglenoSe
could stop often. And there were so
many paths crossing and recrosSing
that they had only to keep circling
about to keep out of Bowser's way
and at the same time keep him in
no end Of trouble. Every time he
yelped instead of barking Mrs. Peter
grinned Their friends. the briars,
we're not failing them. She had known
they wouldn't.
tCopyriEht, I934D