Evening star., 1942-04-10
Bedtime Stories
BY THORNTON w. BURGESS.

BY THORNTON w. BURGESS.
When little Nanny Meadow Mouse
timidly peeped out through the
grasses that hung over her doorway
and saw two callers approaching,
a fat. gray, important-looking Mea-
dow Mouse coming from one direc-
ton, and young, trim handsome
Danny Meadow Mouse coming from
the other way, her little heart was
all a-flutter with excitement. She
hadn't met either. but she knew
that they were coming to call on
her, and right away she began to
wonder which one she would like
best and If she could really love
either of them. The fat, gray Mouse
looked as If he had sll the good
things in life and as If the world had
used him very well indeed. To be
sure he was a little old and a little
stout, but If she should marry him
Nanny's heart gave funny little
Jump at the very thought-he would
surely give her good home and
plenty to eat.
Danny-she didn't know his name
was Danny then-was not as i'm
portant looking. He was not so fat
and he didn't look as If he had
had so many of the good things of
this world, but he was young and
very handsome. He seemed very,
very bashful as he came forward a
few steps. then stopped. came on
again, and stopped once more. He
didn't seem so sure of himself as
did the important looking visitor.
Nanny wished that he didn't seem
so bashful and that he looked as
well-to-do as the other. Then there
would be no doubt as to which one
she would love.
1t was right at the very minute
that she was thinking this that the
fat. important-l looking visitor dis
covered Danny and in a sharp,
angry, squeaky voice ordered him
away. Nanny was Just on the point
of running away and hiding herself,
but when she heard that she just
had to stop and see what would
happen. Would Danny run? If he
did that would settle the matter.
She would never, never love cow
ard. Hadn't she been saying over
and over to herself that very morn
ing that her love must have a heart
both stout and true.
Danny didn't run. Oh, my no!
When he heard that sharp angry
voice ordering him to go away he
replied Just as sharply and just as
angrily. He wasn't bashful any
more. He didn't hesitate. He just
came right on, swapping his teeth
and saying ugly things and daring
that important-looking Mouse to
fight. Nanny held her breath as
she watched. She didn't want either
of them to be hurt but wasn't 1t
wonderful and perfectly splendid
that they should be willing to fight
for her! She felt as If she must
be very important person.
The fat visitor didn't 60 back a
single step. He just waited for
Danny to come and all the time
he worked himself into q terrible
rage. All Of a sudden Danny darted
forward and there they were fight
ing on her very doorstep! They
kicked and scratched and bit, for
that is the only way in which a
Meadow Mouse can fight, and they
rolled over and over down Nanny's
private little path. And how they
did squeal and squeal! Sometimes
Danny was on top and sometimes
the other was on top. She didn't
know which she wanted to win, and
so she just held her breath and
watched.
Now it is hard work to fight if
you are fat, and it wasn't long before
Danny was on top most OF the time.
How splendid he was! Anyway
that is what little Miss Nanny
thought. After a little the fat visitor
seemed to think Of nothing but
getting away, and at the very first
chance he started down the private
little path as fast as he could 60.
He didn't look important at all now.
His sleek coat was torn and all
rumpled up. He was covered with
dirt and his face was scratched.
And as he ran he squeaked with
fear and pain. Danny ran after
him nipping at his heels and tail and
warning him never, never to show
himself there again.
His heart is stout and true"
murmured little Miss Nanny, mean
ing Danny of course, as she watched
them disappear down the private
little path.