Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-07-24
Bedtime Stories

n RS. POSTUM was what might
M be called peevish. That is to
say. she was short In temper
Il and likely to speak GROSSLY
and quickly. Perhaps she should not
have been blamed for this. You see.
she had big family, and big family
means lot Of anxiety. Some mothers
worry themselves almost sick over one
baby, while Mrs. Postum had nine
babies to worry about. Furthermore,
she carried them about with her.
She was going up the Lone Little
Path through the Green Forest when
she saw some one coming down the
Lone Little Path. Mrs. Postum
stopped and looked sharply. Out of
the Black Shadows into the Moon
light stepped none other than Mrs.
Skunk. Mrs. Skunk moved slowly
and confidently. Mrs. Postum. as soon
as she saw who it was. stepped to
one side She did it rather hur-
riedly.
IT'S a nice evening, Mrs. Postum"
said Mrs. Skunk.
Mrs. Postum nodded. Are you all
alone, Mrs. Skunk" she asked.
No" replied Mrs. Skunk, the chill
dren are tagging along behind some
where. Here come the darlings now"
Sure enough. out from the Black
Shadows came five youngsters, dressed
very much alike in black and white.
Their mother turned to look them
over She was counting noses. so to
speak Then she stamped impa tent
ly. At once another youngster. with
only a spot or two of white in his
coat, came hurrying up. Mrs. Skunk
sighed. Such a care as children
are" said she. There is always one
so needless that he is constant
worry. Now, that youngster that Just
appeared causes me more worry than
all the others together. Once out OF
sight I never know where the rascal
is. see you have your family with
you, Mrs. Postum"
Mrs. Postum nodded and at the
same time sighed deeply. All always
have nah family with me-" said she.
Even as she spoke the youngsters In
her big pocket came scrambling out
until all nine were clingine to her
back and sides while they stared at
the skunk family.
Mrs. Skunk shook her head. Land
sakes!" she exclaimed. DO you mean
to tell me that you carry your chill
dren round all the time?"
Mrs. Postum nodded, "Ah do when
I'm travelling" said she.
How absurd" exclaimed Mrs.
Skunk. why don't you teach your
children to follow you and be indie
pendent? I never carry my youngsters.
lead the way and they follow. II
they don't keep up it's Just too bad"
oh" exclaimed Mrs. Postum. "Ah
wouldn't dare have nah chill'n tag
ging along after me All never would
know whar they were. When they
are on nah back All know just whar
they are"
And you look worn out" declared
Mrs. Skunk. Never have l seen any
one who looked more morn out than
you do. LIES too short to make q
slave of yourself for your children.
How do you expect that they ever
will learn to take care of themselves
if you don't teach them to be iude-
pendent?"
But supposin' we'uns should sud-
denly meet an enemy. What would
we'uns do If the chill'n were all scat
tered?" protested Mrs. Postum.
II would soon show you what my
children would do If any enemy should
appear" said Mrs. Skunk. But ]
suppose your children are rather
helpless. Mine are not, thank good
ness. They are independent almost
from the time they can walk. ] don't
know what I'd do II ! had A lot Of
youngsters so helpless as yours. But,
then, you are rather helpless yourself.
If I remember rightly. Just what
would you do, Mrs. Postum, If Reddy
Fox should appear right now?"
Copyright. 1889