Evening star., 1938-03-31
Bedtime Stories.
By THORNTON W. BURGESS.
Be satisfied to listen we'll:
Let other folks their troubles tell,
Johnny Chuck.

NOW that sweet Mistress Spring
had arrived and was making her
gentle presence felt everywhere, all
through the Green Forest, the Old
Pasture, the Old Orchard and over
the Green Meadows, there was a great
awakening. Most of those who had
slept through the winter were now
awake. Every day brought new ar
rivals from the Sunny South and
every day saw others leaving for points
farther North. Grasses and other
plants were springing up everywhere,
green, tender and luscious. Soon the
leaf buds on all the trees would throw
on their brown blankets that had kept
them warm and safe all winter.
1T Is the best time Of all the year."
declared Johnny Chuck as he and
Polly Chuck sat in front OF their home
in the Old Orchard.
They were happy, those two Already
there was difference in their ap-
peArance. No longer was 1t necessary
for them to travel far and wide to
find enough to eat. for all about them
the new grass was showing green
and growing SO fast that Johnny de-
clared he could hear it grow. So
they went no farther from home than
they felt like going, and this wasn't
far. They are great home bodies.
Johnny and Polly Chuck. Not having
to run about, they no longer were
50 painfully thin as when they had
been. Now they were content between
meals to sit in the sun and listen
to the neighborhood gossip They
sat and listened and took no part
themselves.
Winsome Bluebird and Welcome
Robin and their mates arrived in the
Old Orchard on the same morning
Have you come far?" asked Welcome
Robin OF Winsome Bluebird as they
sat in an apple tree near the Chuck
home.
Not too far" replied Winsome
Bluebird I'VE spent the winter just
far enough south to be sure OF being
comfortable and finding enough to
eat without too much trouble We
like to be near enough to get back
here as early as possible and have
our choice Of houses. Mrs. Bluebird
Is out looking them over now. She
just couldn't wait She Is fussy. Once
or twice when we have beent a bit
late in the spring she has found the
house she had set her heart on already
taken"
I'VE don't have to worry about any,
thing Of that kind" replied Welcome
Robin. THAT Is one advantage Of
building out in the open"
Then why are YOU in such hurry
to get back?" inquired Winsome Blue
bird.
Because this is home and we love
it," replied Welcome Robin
just then Mrs. Bluebird joined them.
What luck, my dear?" asked VIM
some
"Ive chosen the house. Well move
right in today. At least We will take
enough nest material in to show that
We have taken possession" said Mrs.
Bluebird.
But you have just arrived" pro-
tested Welcome Robin.
What has that to do with it? I've
found the house I want. II we don't
take it some one else is likely TO-
Bully the English Sparrow has been
following me about. He looked into
every house after I did. If he was
sure which house want he would
try to keep us out Of it just out Of
4
Il don't like those SparroWs. No.
body does They quarrel among them
selves and they fight with their neigh
bors, to say nothing of the noise they
make" replied Welcome Robin.
And dirty" exclaimed Mrs. Blue
bird You should see the mess they
left in one OF the houses looked at
this morning. That house will have
to be thoroughly cleaned before it Is
fit for respectable folks to live in
From all hear guess the Wrens
are not much better" said Welcome
Robin.
mot much." agreed Mrs. Bluebird
why any one wants to fill up house
with trash don't know. BY the way,
I believe that you and Mrs. Robin
use mud"
"Yes," agreed Welcome Robin 1T
is just for the foundation, something
firm on which to make the nest"
We'll. everybody to their taste.
don't want trash and I don't want
mud in home Of mine I do like q
clean house to start with" said Mrs.
Bluebird.
(Copyriaht 1889