Evening star., 1937-06-12

~ LUFFER, the Adder, whose
- real name is Hog nosed
Snake, is just about the ugli-
- est looking member OF the
Snake family. He looks much uglier
and far more dangerous than his
really dangerous cousin, Buzztail, the
Rattlesnake, who is. as you know, one
Of the poison people. Yes, sir, should
you meet the two together, knowing
nothing about either OF them, am
sure you would be much more afraid
Of Buffer than Of Buzztail.
Buffer had been prowling in
Farmer Browns garden and finally
had come to the shady corner where
lived Old Mr.. Toad and the young
Toads. for whom a special home had
been made there by Farmer Browns
Boy. This was . big, wide board,
slightly raised from the ground, so
that the Toads could creep under it.
When Buffer came to this he
promptly decided that this was just
the place for him. and he would stay
while. He had no doubt about 1t
when he started under and found
three or four panic-stricken young
Toads there. Buffer is very fond of
Toads. regardless Of size. He is fond
Of them for breakfast. lunch or din
ner, or between meals.
He darted at the nearest and
caught 1t without difficulty, while
the others took to their heels and
scattered through the garden. Bluff
fer regretted that he couldn't swal-
low more than one at 4 time, but
he couldn't. However, it didn't really
matter This was such 4 wonderful
home for Toads that some would be
sure to return. Even II they didn't,
he felt sure he could find some Of
them in the garden. So he made
himself comfortable there, never once
suspecting that the biggest Of the
Toads living there, Old Mr.. Toad
himself, was still there. He had
buried himself in the earth and was
right beneath Buffer all the time.
1t was along toward noon that
Buffer heard heavy footsteps ap-
preaching. Suddenly that board was
lifted and a flood OF light poured in
on Buffer. Had he had eyelids, he
would have blinked, but, as you
know. Snakes have no eyelids. This
Is why they stare at you 50 unwink-
ingly. There was Farmer Browns
Boy. He had come to sprinkle his
friends. the Toads, . way he had
Of adding to their comfort on very
hot days. Instantly Buffer nattened
and spread his neck until he seemed
to have = very large, broad head. He
partly coiled and his head was raised
as he faced Farmer Browns Boy. His
tail vibrated rapidly, after the man.
ner Of the tail Of Buzztail the Rattle
snake. He hissed, and such q hiss
as 1t was! The very sound was enough
to scare any one.
Farmer Browns Boy was 50 startled
by the unexpectedness Of it all that
he jumped back, tossing the board
aside as he did so. Then he saw
just who 1t was and chuckled. He
knew Buffer Of old. He knew that
all this appearance Of ugliness, this
looking more dangerous than a really
dangerous Snake could look, was all
q blu1 and that despite all his brave
showing Buffer was himself afraid.
Yes, sir, he was just blumng. He
was utterly powerless to hurt Farmer
Browns Boy. So far Is he was con-
cerned, Buffer was as harmless as
Old Mr.. Toad himself,
Farmer Browns Boy scowled. what
have you done with my Toads?" he
demanded. How many Of them have
you caught? This won't do At all,
not at all. We don't want you around
here"
He took couple Of steps toward
Buffer and the latter struck at him
viciously. Yes, sir, that Is what he
did Had you been there. looking on,
suspect that you would have been
certain that Farmer Browns Boy had
been bitten. He hadn't. You see,
when Bluf{er struck he hadn't eve1
opened his mouth. He had no teeth
long enough to really bite with. His
striking was all part Of his BLUM.
Then Farmer Browns Boy went
into action. He found q stone and
threw It 80 that 1t struck close to
Buffer, taking care that 1t shouldn't
hit him. He found stick and struck
the ground sharply all around Bluff
fer, but without hitting him. He
poked Buffer with 1t. Buffer forgot
to look ugly and fierce. He was afraid.
He was terribly afraid. He started
to try to crawl away. He, the buffer,
had been bluf1ed, for Farmer Browns
Boy hadn't the slightest intention Of
hurting Buffer. the Adder.
| (Copyrikht 1Q37)