Evening star., 1937-07-20
Bedtime Stories

ny THORNTON w. BURGESS.
When charity becomes abused
1t then and there should be refused.
-Scrapper the Kinsbird.
IT is not easy to impose on Scrap
per the Kingbird. No, sir. Scrap
per is not easily imposed upon. He
is too independent for that He knows
his rights and he isn't afraid to stand
up for them. In this respect he is
fearless
In common with most of the feath-
cred folk in the Old Orchard, he felt
that the presence there of the thlee
frauds, as three young Cowbirds were
called, was q disgrace to the Old
Orchard and all who lived there He
was scornful of the foster parents Of
these three because of allowing them
selves to be so imposed upon.
Why, those children of Sally Sly's
are just as well able to hunt their
own food and look out for themselves
as ever they will be-" he declared as
he and Mrs. Scrapper talked the mat
ter over. They are just taking ad-
vantage OF tender hearts, and they will
keep right on doing it for the rest
OF the Summer unless some one in
terferes. Just listen to that one over
there, crying As II he were half starved,
when it was all he could do to swal-
low the last mouthful Mrs. Chippy
brought him. There she is now, with
a mouthful she needs herself but do
you think he will let her have it? Not
much! Rather than allow her to have
it, he would take 1T II he strangled
trying TO swallow it. There What
did tell you?"
Il saw his mother. Sally Sly, sneak
ing about here early this morning. I
guess she was just looking to see how
her youngsters are getting along
guess she didn't have any cause for
complaint. She didn't bring them so
much As = worm," said Mrs. Scrap
per.
IT had seen her she would have
left in 4 greater hurry than she did"
declared Scrapper. There is nothing
l would like better than to chase
those youngsters Of hers after her out
OF the Old Orchard Look, here
comes Mrs. Chippy this way. and
that young fraud right behind her,
crying rs II he, not she, Is half
starved. Watch me, my dear"
What are you going to do?' asked
Mrs. scrapper anxiously.
Give that young fraud q present."
replied Scrapper.
"A present" exclaimed Mrs. Scrap
per, looking perplexed. What kind
Of a PRESENT."
I'm going to present him with his
independence" chuckled Scrapper.
With this scrapper flew out from
the top OF the apple tree in which he
had been sitting, and with a scream
of anger darted straight down at the
young Cowbird just As Mrs Chippy
WAS thrusting 4 bit OF food into his
mouth.
In fright Mrs Chippy dropped the
food and took to her wings, not I'M
derstanding the nature OF this seem-
ing attack. She knew Scrapper and
his reputation Is fighter She had
had no quarrel with him, but in the
hasty glance she had given him it
seemed to her that he was heading
straight for her.
But Scrapper wasn't heading for
her at all. 1t was that young Cow
bird he was after, and before the
latter understood what was hap
pening Scrapper had struck him and
knocked him over With 4 scream
OF fright he took to his wings. and
there was nothing helpless about the
way in which he flew. He forgot his
foster parents, Chippy and Mrs.
Chippy. He didn't even see which
way Mrs. Chippy had flown. He had
but one idea, and that was to get
away from there as fast As he could
Away he flew, not knowing where
he was going, and not caring. so
long as he got away from this terrible
fellow. who actually was no big
ger than himself. Away he few, and
after him few scrapper. Little Mrs
Chippy. having recovered from her
own fright, started after the others.
fearful that her foster child might
come to some harm, but soon gave
up the chase As hopeless. BY this
time the young Cowbird was out OF
the Old Orchard and over the Green
Meadows, heading toward the Old
Pasture. scrapper followed a little
way. Then. screaming 4 final threat,
he returned in triumph to the Old
Orchard.
The young Cowbird didn't return,
He kept on to the Old Pasture, where
he discovered \ number OF Cowbirds
feeding, among them his own mother.
although he didn't know this. He
Joined the flock. No one fed him. 50
soon he was busy hunting for food,
His welfare days were over, scrapper
had in truth given the young fraud
his independence.
(Copyright. 1879
Top Hats Deserted.