Evening star., 1942-01-30

Bedtime Stories
BY THORNTON w. BURGESS.

Jimmy Skunk ambled along the
Crooked Little Path down the hill.
He didn't hurry, because Jimmy
doesn't believe In hurrying. The
only time he ever hurries is when
he sees fat beetle trying to get out
of sight. Then Jimmy does hurry.
But just now he didn't see any fat
beetles, although he was looking
for them. So he just ambled along,
as If he had all the time in the
world, as indeed he had. He was
feeling very good natured, was
Jimmy Skunk. And why shouldn't
he? There was everything to make
him feel good natured. Mistress
Spring had arrived to stay. On
every side he heard glad voices.
Little green leaves were beginning
to peep out of their brown blankets
on the trees. Little green blades of
grass were beginning to peep out of
the brown earth. Bundle the Bee
was humming a spring song. Best
of all, Jimmy had found three
beetles that very morning, and he
knew that there were more If he
could find them. So why shouldn't
he feel good?
Jimmy had laughed at Peter
Rabbit for being so anxious for
MISTRESS Spring to arrive, but he
was just as glad as Peter that she
had come, although he wouldn't
have said so for the world. His sharp
little eyes twinkled as he ambled
along, and there wasn't much that
they missed. AS he walked he
talked. quite to himself of course,
because there was nobody near TO
hear, and this is what he was
saying:
Beetle, beetle, smooth and SNUG,
You are nothing but a bug!
Bugs we're made for Skunks to eat,
So come out from your retreat.
Hello! There's a nice, big piece
of bark over there that looks as If
1t ought to have a dozen fat beetles
under it. It's great fun to pull over
pieces of bark and see fat beetles
run all ways at once. III just have
to see what is under that piece"
Jimmy tiptoed softly over to the
big piece of bark, and then as he
made ready to turn it over he began
again that foolish little verse.
Beetle. beetle. smooth and SNUG.
You are nothing but a bug!
As he said the last word he sud-
denly pulled the bark over.
who's a bug?" asked a funny
voice, and it sounded rather cross.
Jimmy Skunk nearly tumbled over
backward in surprise, and for a
minute he couldn't find his tongue.
There, instead of the fat beetles he
had been so sure of, sat Old Mr..
Toad, and he didn't look at all
pleased.
who's a bug?" he repeated.
Instead of answering, Jimmy
Skunk began to laugh. who's a
bug?" demanded Old Mr.. Toad more
Grossly than before.
There isn't any bug, Mr.. Toad,
and I beg your pardon" replied
Jimmy. remembering his politeness.
II just thought there was. You see
I didn't know you were under that
piece of bark. I hope you will ex-
cuse me, Mr.. Toad. Have you seen
any fat beetles this morning?"
NO." said Old Mr.. Toad, grumpily,
and yawned and rubbed his eyes.
why" exclaimed Jimmy Skunk.
"I believe you have just walked up!"
What if I have?" demanded Old
Mr.. Toad.
"Oh, nothing; nothing at all, Mr..
Toad" replied Jimmy Skunk, "only
you are the second one I've met this
morning who has just walked up"
"Who was the other?" asked Old
Mr.. Toad.
"Mr. Blacksnake," replied Jimmy.
"He inquired for you"
Old Mr.. Toad turned quite pale.
I--I think I'll be moving along"
said he,