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Show A. I -A. BEBMTIIBSIE STSlf q I By TIIOItNTOX V CUItGESS JERRY MUSKRAT WAKES UP JUST IN TIME NEVER In all his life had Jerry Muskrat been quite so flattered as he wus by the admiration of Reddy Fox for his skill as a builder of houses. Listening to the praise which fairly dripped from Reddy's smooth tongue, Jerry actually forgot for-got who was talking. At least, he forgot that Reddy always had been an enemy. It was hard to believe that such a handsome fellow and such a pleasant spoken fellow could possibly mean any harm. And he seemed so much In earnest when he said that If only Jerry would come with him and show him how to build a house he would be the happiest hap-piest fox In the world that Jerrj had It on the tip of 'his tongue to say that he would do that very thing and be glad to. Jerry actually had paddled Id' to the bank and was beginning to climb out as Reddy said this. And himself out from the bank and swam far enough out in the Smiling Pool to feel absolutely safe. Then he looked up at Reddy to see If the latter had noticed the haste with which he had left the bank Instead of climbing out on it. He thought there was just a trace of disappointment disappoint-ment in Reddy's eyes, but It passed so quickly he couldn't be sure. Apparently Reddy could think of nothing but a new house like Jerry's ouiy on land and big enough for him. He went right on talking, just as if he hadn't i oticed Jerry's action ac-tion at all. "If you only could show me how, I believe I could build a house. Anyway, I would be willing o try and to work hard," said he with his eyes half closed, as if trying try-ing to picture to himself what such a house would look like. "I certain ly would be the envy of everybody on the Green Meadows and In the Green Forest 1 believe such a house would tickle Mrs. Reddy almost to death. I must bring her over here to see your house." Once more Jerry was growing so interested in the idea of that house that without really knowing It he was paddling toward the bank. Then as his feet touched bottom he remembered and made a half circle to deeper water and there floated lazily. "I'll be glad to have you bring Mrs. Reddy to see my house." he said. "I am afraid it I isn't possible for me to show you how to build, but as I told you before be-fore I will be glad to tell you how." Reddy jumped lightly to his feet "That will be fine," he replied. "I have an engagement now, but if you have time to spare tomorrow night I will come over at about this time and we'll talk the idea over. I certainly would like a house like that." He glanced longingly at Jerry's new house out in the Smiling Smil-ing Pool, then, wishing Jerry goodnight, good-night, trotted away. 1933. by T. W. Burgess. WNU Service. Ji s Reddy Jumped Lightly to His Feet. then, as so often happens with a tongue that is too smooth, Reddy's tongue tripped him up. If only he hadn't said that Jerry would make him the happiest Fox in the world ! That word Fox waked Jerry up lust in time. He wasn't really asleep, you know, but he was so flattered and so interested in what Reddy had said that he had quite forgotten forgot-ten who was talking. But at that word Fox he sudden ly realized what he was about to do. In just one wee little minute more he would have been right out on the bank within easy jumping distance of Reddy. Hastily he pushed |