Evening star., 1938-05-13
Bedtime Stories.
By THORNTON w. BURGESS.

by IHOhNION w. DUnOESS.
WHEN Sammy Jay left Mr.. ouack
in the swamp over by the bank
Of the Big River he few straight back
to the Smiling Pool. At first he
thought of flying out over the Big River
and screaming the news to Mrs. Quack.
who, you know, was swimming about
out there. But he knew that If he did
that she would very likely fly right
over where Mr.. Quack was, and that
wouldn't do at all. No, indeed, that
wouldn't do at all. One of the hunters
would be sure to see her. So Sammy
wisely few back to the Smiling Pool
to wait until Mrs. Quack should come
back there for the night.
OF course, he told Peter Rabbit all
about Mr. Quick, and Peter was so
delighted at the thought that Mr..
Quack was alive that he capered about
in quite the craziest way. Does Mrs.
Quack know yet?" asked Peter.
Sammy shook his head. I'm going
to tell her when she comes back here
tonight" he explained. II was afraid
II told her before then that she would
fly straight to him and perhaps get
both Of them in trouble"
quite right, Sammy! Quite right"
Peter exclaimed. II wouldn't have
thought of that. My. won't she be
happy when you do tell her! wonder
what she'll say and what she'll do. I'm
going to stay right here so as to see
her when she hears the good news.
Here comes your cousin. Blacky the
Crow. Does he know yet?"
NO" replied Sammy. but I'm going
to tell him as soon as he gets here"
They watched Blacky draw nearer
and nearer, and as soon as he was
within hearing Sammy shouted the
news. Cav, cav, cav" replied Blacky,
hurrying little faster. AS soon as he
reached the Big Hickory Tree, Sammy
told the whole story over again, and
Blacky was quite as glad as the others.
While they waited for Mrs. Quack he
told how he had hunted and hunted
along the farther bank of the Big
River and how he had seen the hunters
with their terrible guns hiding there
and had warned Mrs. Quack just
where each one was.
Jolly, round, red Mr.. Sun was get
ting ready to go to bed behind the
Purple Hills and the Black Shadows
were beginning to creep over the Green
Meadows before Mrs. Quack came. In
fact, Sammy Jay and Blacky were get
ting very uneasy. It was almost bed
time for them, for neither of them
dared to stay out after dark. They had
almost made up their minds to leave
Peter to tell the news when they saw
Mrs. Quack coming swiftly from the
direction Of the Big River She locked
so sad and discouraged that even
Blacky the Grow was sorry for her,
and you know Blacky isn't much given
to such feelings.
WHATS the news, Mrs. Quackfl"
asked Peter, his eyes dancing.
There isn't any," replied Mrs.
Quack.
"oh, yes, there Isl" cried Sammy
Jay. who could keep still no longer.
Whats the news, Mrs. Quack?"
eagerly. and it seemed to Peter that
there was wee bit of hope in her
voice.
Did you happen to notice that just
Before the Laughing Brook joins the
Big River it flows through a little
swamp" asked Sammy.
Mrs. Quack nodded her head rap-
Idly. What of it?" she demanded.
Nothing much, only If I were you
would 60 down there after dark" re-
piled Sammy.
Mrs. Quack looked up at Sammy
sharply. why should I 60 down
there?" she asked.
If tell you, will you wait until I