Evening star., 1943-04-12

Of her. They even darted down close
to Black Pussy and made dreadful
threats of picking her eyes out, but
they took the greatest care not to get
too near. Black Pussy paid not the
least attention to them. save that
the tip of her black tail twitched
angrily. All the screaming and
harsh things they could say wouldn't
hurt her, and she knew it.
Presently Farmer Browns boy
came out Of the barn. OF course, he
heard the racket the birds were max
ing and. of course, he was interested
right away. He long ago had learned
that when a lot of birds get together
and scream that way there is al
ways reason. For few minutes
he stood still and watched them
darting down toward the ground and
then back into the trees, and all the
time screaming as If they were try
ing to split their throats.
Il wonder" said Farmer Browns
Boy, IF Mr.. Blacksnake is over
there I think I'll have a look. I
simply can't have him bothering my
little feathered friends
He walked slowly toward the place
where the birds we're so excited and
presently he saw Black Pussy. so
it's you, is it Puss?" said he. "You
really ought to know better than
to scare my friends so. I am afraid
I shall have to punish you if you
don't keep away from the Old Or
chard."
Then he saw that Black Pussy
wasn't paying the least bit of at
tention to the birds. but was keep
ing her eyes fastened on an opening
in the old stone wall. He knew
right away that that meant that
there was some one in there. and
that she was waiting for him to
come out
Probably it Is Chatterer the Red
Squirrel or Striped Chipmunk."
thought he. I'm either case, 1t
won't do to let Black Pussy catch
them"
So he walked over to Black Pussy
and picked her up. He scolded her
as he took her over to the dooryard
Then he put her down and cried,
"Scat!" Black Pussy ran a little
way and then sat down to watch
Farmer Browns boy. He went back
to the old stone wall and peeped in
at the opening between the stones,
but 1t was dark inside and he couldn't
see any one. Then he lifted off one
of the big stones and this let the
light in. There crouched Peter
Rabbit!
Hello, you little brown scamp!"
exclaimed Farmer Browns boy, in
surprise. "'What are you doing up
here in the Old Orchard, I'd like to
know? Don't you know that If you
60 where you have no business you
are bound to get into trouble sooner
or later? guess it's lucky thing
for you that came over here to
find out what was going on"
He reached in and very gently
picked Peter up. Peter kicked
little, but Farmer Browns boy held
him firmly and Peter found that it
was Of no use to struggle. Farmer
Browns boy smoothed Peters coat
with one hand and there was some
thing in that touch that seemed to
remove all fear from Peter. He
didn't know what would happen to
him next, but somehow he felt sure
that 1t would be nothing bad.
Farmer Browns boy carried him
across the Old Orchard to the edge
Of the Green Meadows. Then he
headed him toward the dear Old
Brier Patch and put him down Nov
run along home. you scamp, and tell
Mrs. Peter all about your wonderful
adventures" said he.
And Peter did. He ran lipperty-
lpperty lip Is fast as ever he could.
and Farmer Browns boy laughed
to see him 60.