Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-06-23
Bedtime Stories

BY THORNTON w. BURGESS.
In condemnation, pray be slow
Withhold your JUDGMENT IN you know.
Old Mother Nature.
p EDDY FOX and Mrs. Reddy had
had q narrow escape, although
they were not aware OF 1t. Farmer
Andrews had blamed them for the
killing Of his chickens. He knew that
they lived in Farmer Browns Old
Pasture and he had insisted that they
be trapped or shot It was not until
Farmer Browns Boy proved beyond
all doubt that Rats were the killers
and that Reddy was catching the
Rats, that Mr.. Andrews admitted his
mistake. 1t would have been q dread
full mistake had those Foxes been
killed.
Such mistakes are constantly being
made by man in his dealings with
the little people in feathers and fur.
He allows prejudice to rule his judg-
ment. The result is that all too often
the innocent are blamed for misdeeds
In which they have had no part. 1t
happens over and over again, and
when one who knows the truth pro-
tests he Is called an ignoramous and
IS not believed.
This year two pairs Of Black Ducks
had nested near the Smiling Pool,
to the Joy Of Farmer Browns Boy.
In course Of time there were two
happy families swimming about In
the Smiling Pool. The game warden
knew Of those two families. 1t was
hts business to know Of such mat
tiers and, 30 far as possible, to see that
they were protected. He knew that
on the farm Of Farmer Brown they
were safe from interference by men
and boys. but there were other dang
ers, and this the game warden know
only too we'll. So did Farmer Brown 8
Boy. So both kept sharp watch over
those two Duck families.
Now. Ducklings, unlike most babies,
are active from almost the moment
they are out Of the egg she'll Within
few hours they follow their proud
mother from the nest never to return
Straight to the water she leads them
They haven't the slightest fear Of
water They do not have to be taught
to swim. They begin q once to paddle
about. And from that time on they
are in constant danger from watchful
hungry enemies.
Farmer Browns Boy had counted
them when first the Dwellings, ap-
peared on the Smiling Pool. He pre-
viously had counted the eggs in the
two nests. He knew now that every
egg had Matched. Two days later he
went over to the Smiling Pool to
watch them and count them again.
The game warden joined him there
Farmer Browns Boy was counting the
little swimmers.
How many?" asked tho game
warden.
"One less than there was the first
day. Anyway, that's all can make.
OF course one may be hidden some
where. You count them" said Farmer
Browns Boy, and on his face was q
troubled look.
So the game warden counted, and
he got the same result. It seemed
to be certain that there was one
less baby Duck than there had been
1T first. The warden shook his head.
There is one missing" said he. I'm
not surprised. A pair Of Crows are
nesting over in the Green Forest"
"Oh, but they wouldn't bother the
Ducks" protested Farmer Browns
30.
The game warden shrugged. May
be not" said her, but I wouldn't
trust them. Crows like eggs and young
birds"
Some do, but not all Crows. ]
don't believe Blacky and his mate
over there in the Green Forest are
guilty. They have had plenty OF
chance to steal our little chickens
and never have taken one. 1t isn't
fair to blame all for what q few may
do" protested Farmer Browns Boy.
Again the warden shrugged. "Just
the same, I think that II I should
60 over and shoot those Crows these
Ducklings would have q bette,
chance" said he.
Don't you do It'll Don't you dare
do it," stormed Farmer Browns Boy
Prove them guilty and I won't say
4 word, but won't have them harmed
II they are innocent"
The warden grinned. "All right,
he promised. But you mark my
words, there will be 4 Duckling les
tomorrow and those Crows will know
what becomes Of It,"
The next day another Ducklinl
was missing and the face Of Farmer
Browns Boy wore troubled look
The game warden didn't appear thai
day and Farmer Browns Boy wa.
thankful. The following morning
another was gone. Early that morn.
ing Farmer Browns Boy had seer
Blacky over by the Smiling Pool
Could the game warden be right aftel
ALP
(Copyrisht. 1872
palestine.1raq Road Planned.