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Page 42
"No, no! that would be cruel; the poor little thing will soon be all
right if you put it back on its tree. We'll go with you and help you
put it up," replied Alice. "Come on, girls."
"It ain't hardly worth the trouble," and the boy looked at the frog
disdainfully. "It's uglier than a toad, if anything. But I never kill
toads; I know better'n to do that."
"I am glad to hear it," said the visitor from town as they turned
toward the elm tree. "Toads enjoy life and it's wicked to molest 'em."
"Oh, I don't know about their enjoyin' life. The reason I let 'em
alone is, coz if you kill a toad, your cow'll give bad milk."
Alice did not dispute this wise statement. She could not help wishing
that the same law of retaliation protected all birds, beasts, and
insects.
After seeing the frog deposited in safety in a hole in one of the big
boughs, she with Matilda and Esther scampered back to the swing
expecting to find the others there. To their surprise the big
grapevine was unoccupied, and the shouts and screams issuing from the
schoolhouse led them too, to hurry on to see what was the matter.
"Maybe Jim Stubbs has got a mus'rat, or somethin' in there a-scarin'
the children," suggested Esther, as they entered the door.
A crowd had gathered in front of the teacher's desk on which was placed
the large dictionary, and seated on the book was the boy who winked
with his nose.
"Stand back!" he called, "I'm going to let it out, and then you'll see
fun."
With that he jumped down, removed the dictionary, raised the lid of the
desk, and out popped a red squirrel. Round and round over the floor
flew the frightened animal, dodging here and there and wildly darting
into corners to evade the books and other missiles that were thrown at
it. Not only the boys took a part in the cruel sport, but some of the
girls helped with sticks, sunbonnets, and whatever they could lay their
hands on. Two or three times the little creature was struck. At last,
helpless, it stood panting while one of its tormentors dealt it a blow
that killed it.
A cry of protest broke from Alice's lips, but her voice was lost in the
roar of applause that followed the big boy's action, as he tossed the
lifeless squirrel across the room into the face of another boy, who in
turn pitched the animal at his neighbor.
"The poor little creature! How could they abuse it and take its life?"
cried Alice, turning to those nearest her. The other girls shrank back
abashed at her reproachful tones, which were noticed by Jim Stubbs, and
that hero felt called upon to make a speech.
"Bah! boys, that girl is getting ready to cry over a dead squirrel.
What d'ye think of that?" And a heartless chorus echoed his laughter.
"No, I'm too indignant to cry," replied Alice with spirit. "I never
knew boys could be so awfully wicked, yes, and girls too. I should
think you would love these dear little creatures, and pet and protect
them. They are what make country life pleasant. I wouldn't give a fig
for your pretty woods if there were no living things to be seen there."
This was an aspect of the situation the boys had never before
considered. They did not realize that to a lover of nature the
humblest form of animal life is interesting. Did other people really
prize squirrels and frogs and lightning bugs and such things?
Just at this moment the teacher entered, and the crestfallen pupils
busied themselves in gathering up the scattered books and other
articles used in storming the squirrel.
"My young visitor is quite shocked by such an exhibition of cruelty,"
said Miss Harper, when she had learned how matters stood. "Think what
the woods would be without the song of birds and the chirp and hum of
insects. Your playground teems with happy beings that love the warmth
and sunlight as well as you do. Would not the forests be robbed of
half their beauty and interest if the squirrels and chipmunks and birds
and butterflies were killed off?"
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