its colony of chipmunks. Eighteen 

 years ago they became such a nuisance 

 that a trapper was employed, and 28,- 

 ooo small striped pelts were the results 

 of his first year's work. 



This year it was noticed that an un- 

 "usual number were about, even in the 

 early spring, when the chipmunks first 

 appear after a winter's sleep. Now it 

 is estimated that there are at least 

 20,000 chipmunks in the cemetery, and 

 a great deal of damage has been done. 

 Through their burrowing habits they 

 have undermined the gravestones, and 

 even in many cases caused graves to 

 sink in, when rainwater has helped to 

 hollow out their burrows. 



The chief enemies of the chipmunks 

 are the florists, for the animals nip 

 growing plants at the roots to reach 

 the sap. One Brooklyn florist says 

 that since Decoration Day he has had 

 to put in 250 new plants to keep up an 

 original plat of 150. Florists with con 

 tracts to keep graves in condition have 

 entered strong protests, but outside 

 florists, who work by the piece, have 

 been making money. 



The eight special policemen on the 

 grounds have been furnished with poi 

 soned nuts to scatter about. No di 

 minution has yet appeared in the chip 



munk army, as they reproduce three or 

 four times a year and increase fourfold 

 in a season if not checked. But if poi 

 son fails another trapper may be called 

 in. 



Our Animal Friends says that some chil 

 dren were feeding chickens with some 

 stale bread one day, and two or three 

 chipmunks appeared. They wanted 

 the bread, too, and every time the chil 

 dren threw a bit down, both chickens 

 and chipmunks would make a rush for 

 it; and nearly always the chipmunks 

 got it. One of them was particularly 

 smart; he gathered all his pieces in a 

 little pile between two stones, and he 

 seemed to keep one eye on them 

 and the other on the lookout for 

 fresh pieces all the time. At last 

 one of the chickens saw the pile and 

 made a run for it, but its owner got 

 there first, and he just sat right down 

 on the top of the heap and chattered. 

 The chicken kept on coming nearer 

 and looking rather as if he would fight 

 for it, so Mr. Chipmunk sat straight up, 

 twirled his tail, and just seemed to 

 shake with anger. Then another came 

 along to help him, and the two tucked 

 all the pieces into their pockets and 

 off they darted, leaving the poor 

 chicken looking awfully disappointed. 



TED'S WEATHER PROPHET. 



GRANVILLE OSBORNE. 



Flittin' along from tree to tree, 

 Chipper 'n friendly ez he kin be; 

 Dancin' erbout on the'r talks' lim', 

 Jes' the likeliest place fer him. 

 Bound ter foller 'n seems to know 

 Very bes' places I like to go; 

 Bobbin' his head 'n winkin' his eye, 

 'S if he knew all erbout ther sky; 

 'Nen he nods an' sez as plain, 

 "Goin' ter rain; goin' ter rain!" 



Little feller 'ith coat all brown, 

 Vest uv red wher' the wings come down, 

 Primpin' his feathers 'n winkin' at me, 

 Mincin' er-round so he kin see; 

 'Taint no use ter hide erway, 



'At's a game what two can play; 

 'Course he finds me, 'nen he tries 

 Ter make believe he's awful wise. 

 All uv a suddin he sez again, 

 "Goin' ter rain, goin' ter rain!" 



Climbed way up ter his nest one day, 

 "Better be careful," I heard him say; 

 Ruffled his coat 'n looked so mad, 

 I didn't 'spose he could be so bad. 

 Coziest nest 'at ever you seen, 

 Snuggled way up amongst ther green; 

 Four little eggs, ther purtiest blue, 

 Didn't touch one uv 'em, honest 'n true! 

 Robin hops on 'n begins ter explain, 

 "Goin' ter rain, goin' ter rain!" 



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