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Show SP: : In the Vffi.ffH! 0 JlMGLF 0 WtfH Clieerupi andihe'Qjiixies W$ Mm Grace $&$$ Siewazi m&l MRS. TRAPDOOR SPIDER OHEERUPS gave a gasp of surprise when he discovered that the ground, was rising .under 'him. He was standing right in Ms own front yard, not a step from his little . palm-leaf house ; and where could any one be safer than in his own front yard? Yet there wiis no mistake about It,' the ground under Cheerups was moving. With a little spring he jumped to one side and then what do: you suppose sup-pose happened? A small piece of earth like a tiny lid popped right up just where he had been standing and out poked a- little head. "Good morning, Mr. Cheerups," said a small voice from under the lid. "I'm Mrs. Spider, Sirs. Trapdoor Spider, and our nearest neighbor. I guess, so I "I Am Glad to Know You," Replied Cheerups. thought I would be friendly and make the Mrs; call." With that. out climbed Mrs. Spider onto the ground ami stood eying Cheerups, as if a Utile doubtful of her welcome. VI aJii. .glad-un know you." replied Cheerups, as cordially as he could for his surprise, "but I never dreamed " "No', of course yon didn't." cried Mrs. Spider witii a merry twinkle in at least six of he:- eiudii r iund e;. es. "Xubody would be evpe.'ted to dream of a neighbor's neigh-bor's hmise right under his nose, or his toes rather. Hut that's the best part of !t. you see, sir! My house Is lucked away so snugly under your yard that you would hardly notice that I'm there. Do you think you'll mind?" "Not. at all, not at all," chuckled Cheerups, .beginning to be amused. "But I would like to know something about this curious house of yours; How do you build it?" "I don't l I just dig it," hummed Mrs Spider. "I dig with my fangs -way down deep Into the earth oh, about two feet then I carry away all the dirt I've dug out and hide it, so no one will know I have been digging. Now I call that clever, don't you'.'" "I should say so," gasped Cheerups. growing more and more astonished every minute. "And now you are wondering why my house doesn't get wet in a heavy shower," continued Mrs. Spider. "Hut you see. I always choose a location where the water will run off the side of a bank, for Instance and I make my tunnel turn a little to one side at the bottom." "Then it's just the shape of a stocking, stock-ing, isn't It?" cried Cheerups, clapping his hands. "Well, whatever a stocking may be I don't know," sniffed Mrs. Spider, "but I find that a comfortable way to build anyway." "Why, don't you know about stockings, stock-ings, Mrs. Spider?" said Cheerups. "They are such useful things ! They are what boys and girls hang up on Christmas Eve and find full of sweetmeats sweet-meats and nuts and lovely presents in the morning." "Bless me. but you do say funny things, Mr. Cheerups!" sputtered Mrs. Spider, growing a little cross. "These above-earth folks, with their queer ways and big words, are beyond my understanding. The sensible ones all live below ground. I guess." "Oh. please do excuse me. Mrs. Spider," pleaded Cheerups. "I was (inly teasing a little, and honestly, I wouldn't miss the rest of your story for anything. I just can't wait to hear more about that wonderful bouse." "Well, it isn't very polite to interrupt, inter-rupt, I must say. Mr. Cheerups," said Mrs. Spider with a gentle little hum. ' But If you be good, I'll go on, and maybe I will tell you how I furnish my house, too." lij Little Brown & Co. : - j |