Working with tei draft.ipynb

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      "The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Tale of Solomon Owl by Arthur Scott\n",
      "Bailey\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no\n",
      "restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under\n",
      "the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or\n",
      "online at http://www.gutenberg.org/license\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "Title: The Tale of Solomon Owl\n",
      "\n",
      "Author: Arthur Scott Bailey\n",
      "\n",
      "Release Date: 2005-09 [EBook #16663]\n",
      "\n",
      "Language: American English\n",
      "\n",
      "Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1\n",
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      "            <titleStmt>\n",
      "                <title>The Tale of Solomon Owl</title>\n",
      "                <respStmt><resp>Illustrated by</resp> <name>John Tenniel</name></respStmt>\n",
      "                <author><name reg=\"Bailey, Arthur Scott\">Arthur Scott Bailey</name></author>\n",
      "            </titleStmt>\n",
      "            <publicationStmt>\n",
      "                <publisher>Project Gutenberg</publisher>\n",
      "                <date>2005-09</date>\n",
      "                <idno type=\"etext-no\">16663</idno>\n",
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      "                <availability>\n",
      "                        <p>This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and\n",
      "                        with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it\n",
      "                        away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg\n",
      "                        License online at www.gutenberg.org/license</p>\n",
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      "                <p>unknown</p>\n",
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      "        <encodingDesc>\n",
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      "                <p>Produced by Roger Frank\n",
      "                and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at\n",
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      "                  <date value=\"2005-5\">May 2005</date>\n",
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      "                    <name>Roger Frank </name>\n",
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      "                  </respStmt>\n",
      "                  <item>Project Gutenberg Edition</item>\n",
      "                </change>\n",
      "    <change>\n",
      "      <date value=\"2006-6\">June 2006</date>\n",
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      "      </respStmt>\n",
      "      <item>Added PGHeader/PGFooter.</item>\n",
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      "<text>\n",
      "\n",
      "<front>\n",
      "    <div>\n",
      "      <divGen type=\"pgheader\" />\n",
      "    </div>\n",
      "\n",
      "    <titlePage rend=\"page-break-before: right\">\n",
      "        <docTitle>\n",
      "            <titlePart type=\"main\" rend=\"font-size: x-large\">The Tale of Solomon Owl</titlePart>\n",
      "        </docTitle>\n",
      "        \n",
      "        <byline>\n",
      "            <lb />By <docAuthor>Arthur Scott Bailey</docAuthor><lb /><lb />\n",
      "            Author of \"The Tale of Sandy Chipmunk,\" \"The Tale of Tommy Fox,\" etc.\n",
      "        </byline>\n",
      "        \n",
      "        <docEdition>\n",
      "            <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">Illustrated by Harry L. Smith</hi><lb /><lb />\n",
      "        </docEdition>\n",
      "        \n",
      "        <docImprint>\n",
      "            New York<lb />\n",
      "            Grosset &amp; Dunlap<lb />\n",
      "            1917\n",
      "        </docImprint>\n",
      "    </titlePage>\n",
      "    \n",
      "    <div rend=\"page-break-before: always\">\n",
      "        <p rend=\"text-align: center\"><anchor id=\"image-fp\" />\n",
      "        <figure rend=\"w95\" url=\"images/image-fp.jpg\">\n",
      "        <head rend=\"text-align: center\">Solomon Owl Sat Up And Listened.\n",
      "        </head>\n",
      "        <figDesc><hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">Frontispiece</hi></figDesc>\n",
      "        </figure></p><p></p>\n",
      "    </div>\n",
      "\n",
      "    <div rend=\"page-break-before: right\">\n",
      "\n",
      "<index index=\"pdf\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<head rend=\"text-align: center\">Contents</head>\n",
      "      <divGen type=\"toc\" />\n",
      "    </div>\n",
      "        \n",
      "    <div rend=\"page-break-before: right\">\n",
      "        <index index=\"toc\" />\n",
      "        <index index=\"pdf\" />\n",
      "        <head>Illustrations</head>\n",
      "        \n",
      "        <list type=\"simple\">\n",
      "            <item>\n",
      "                <ref target=\"image-fp\">\n",
      "                Solomon Owl Sat Up And Listened <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">Frontispiece</hi>\n",
      "                </ref>\n",
      "            </item>\n",
      "            \n",
      "            <item>\n",
      "                <ref target=\"image-001\">\n",
      "                Solomon Found Mr. Frog's Shop Was Closed</ref>\n",
      "            </item>\n",
      "            \n",
      "            <item>\n",
      "                <ref target=\"image-002\">\n",
      "                Benjamin Bat Asked Solomon's Advice</ref>\n",
      "            </item>\n",
      "            \n",
      "            <item>\n",
      "                <ref target=\"image-003\">\n",
      "                <q>It's All Right!</q> Said Solomon</ref>\n",
      "            </item>\n",
      "        </list>\n",
      "    </div>\n",
      "</front>\n",
      "\n",
      "<body>\n",
      "<div rend=\"page-break-before: always\">\n",
      "<pb n=\"001\" /><anchor id=\"Pg001\" />\n",
      "<head>The Tale of Solomon Owl</head>\n",
      "<p></p>\n",
      "</div>\n",
      "\n",
      "<div rend=\"page-break-before: always\">\n",
      "<index index=\"toc\" level1=\"I - Scaring Johnny Green\" />\n",
      "<index index=\"pdf\" level1=\"I - Scaring Johnny Green\" />\n",
      "<head>I<lb />\n",
      "Scaring Johnny Green</head>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "When Johnnie Green was younger, it always\n",
      "scared him to hear Solomon Owl's\n",
      "deep-toned voice calling in the woods after\n",
      "dark.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"002\" /><anchor id=\"Pg002\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q><hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">Whoo-whoo-whoo, whoo-whoo, to-whoo-ah</hi>!</q>\n",
      "That weird cry was enough\n",
      "to send Johnnie Green hurrying into the\n",
      "farmhouse, though sometimes he paused\n",
      "in the doorway to listen&mdash;especially if\n",
      "Solomon Owl happened to be laughing.\n",
      "His <q><hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">haw-haw-hoo-hoo</hi>,</q> booming across\n",
      "the meadow on a crisp fall evening, when\n",
      "the big yellow moon hung over the fields\n",
      "of corn-shocks and pumpkins, sounded almost\n",
      "as if Solomon were laughing at the\n",
      "little boy he had frightened. There was\n",
      "certainly a mocking, jeering note in his\n",
      "laughter.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Of course, as he grew older, Johnnie\n",
      "Green no longer shivered on hearing Solomon's\n",
      "rolling call. When Solomon\n",
      "laughed, Johnnie Green would laugh, too.\n",
      "But Solomon Owl never knew that, for\n",
      "often he was half a mile from the farm\n",
      "buildings.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "A <q>hoot owl,</q> Johnnie Green termed\n",
      "him. And anyone who heard Solomon\n",
      "hooting of an evening, or just before sunrise,\n",
      "would have agreed that it was a good\n",
      "name for him. But he was really a <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">barred</hi>\n",
      "owl, for he had bars of white across his\n",
      "feathers.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"003\" /><anchor id=\"Pg003\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "If you had happened to catch Solomon\n",
      "Owl resting among the thick hemlocks\n",
      "near the foot of Blue Mountain, where he\n",
      "lived, you would have thought that he\n",
      "looked strangely like a human being. He\n",
      "had no <q>horns,</q> or ear-tufts, such as some\n",
      "of the other owls wore; and his great pale\n",
      "face, with its black eyes, made him seem\n",
      "very wise and solemn.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "In spite of the mild, questioning look\n",
      "upon his face whenever anyone surprised\n",
      "him in the daytime, Solomon Owl was the\n",
      "noisiest of all the different families of owls\n",
      "in Pleasant Valley. There were the barn\n",
      "owls, the long-eared owls, the short-eared\n",
      "owls, the saw-whet owls, the screech owls&mdash;but\n",
      "there! there's no use of naming them\n",
      "all. There wasn't one of them that could\n",
      "equal Solomon Owl's laughing and hooting\n",
      "and shrieking and wailing&mdash;at night.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"004\" /><anchor id=\"Pg004\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "During the day, however, Solomon Owl\n",
      "he was quiet about it. One reason for his\n",
      "silence then was that he generally slept\n",
      "when the sun was shining. And when\n",
      "most people were sleeping, Solomon Owl\n",
      "was as wide awake as he could be.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "He was a night-prowler&mdash;if ever there\n",
      "was one. And he could see a mouse on the\n",
      "darkest night, even if it stirred ever so\n",
      "slightly.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "That was unfortunate for the mice. But\n",
      "luckily for them, Solomon Owl couldn't\n",
      "be in more than one place at a time. Otherwise,\n",
      "there wouldn't have been a mouse\n",
      "left in Pleasant Valley&mdash;if he could have\n",
      "had <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">his</hi> way.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "And though he didn't help the mice, he\n",
      "helped Farmer Green by catching them.\n",
      "If he did take a fat pullet once in a while,\n",
      "it is certain that he more than paid for it.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"005\" /><anchor id=\"Pg005\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "So, on the whole, Farmer Green did not\n",
      "wood-lot. And for a long time Solomon\n",
      "raised no objection to Farmer Green's living\n",
      "near Swift River.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "But later Solomon Owl claimed that it\n",
      "would be a good thing for the forest folk\n",
      "if they could get rid of the whole Green\n",
      "family&mdash;and the hired man, too.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "</div>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"006\" /><anchor id=\"Pg006\" />\n",
      "<div rend=\"page-break-before: always\">\n",
      "<index index=\"toc\" level1=\"II - A Newcomer\" />\n",
      "<index index=\"pdf\" level1=\"II - A Newcomer\" />\n",
      "<head>II<lb />\n",
      "A Newcomer</head>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Upon his arrival, as a stranger, in Pleasant\n",
      "Valley, Solomon Owl looked about\n",
      "carefully for a place to live. What he\n",
      "wanted especially was a good, <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">dark</hi> hole,\n",
      "for he thought that sunshine was very dismal.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "<pb n=\"007\" /><anchor id=\"Pg007\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Though he was willing to bestir himself\n",
      "enough to suit anybody, when it came to\n",
      "<hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">hunting</hi>, Solomon Owl did not like to\n",
      "work. He was no busy nest-builder, like\n",
      "Rusty Wren. In his search for a house he\n",
      "looked several times at the home of old\n",
      "Mr. Crow. If it had suited him better,\n",
      "Solomon would not have hesitated to take\n",
      "that it was altogether <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">too light</hi> to please\n",
      "him.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "That was lucky for old Mr. Crow. And\n",
      "the black rascal knew it, too. He had noticed\n",
      "that Solomon Owl was hanging about\n",
      "the neighborhood. And several times he\n",
      "caught Solomon examining his nest.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "But Mr. Crow did not have to worry\n",
      "long. For as it happened, Solomon Owl\n",
      "at last found exactly what he wanted. In\n",
      "an old, hollow hemlock, he came across a\n",
      "cozy, dark cavity. As soon as he saw it\n",
      "he knew that it was the very thing! So\n",
      "he moved in at once. And except for the\n",
      "time that he spent in the meadow&mdash;which\n",
      "was considerably later&mdash;he lived there for\n",
      "a good many years.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"008\" /><anchor id=\"Pg008\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Once Fatty Coon thought that he would\n",
      "drive Solomon out of his snug house and\n",
      "live in it himself. But he soon changed\n",
      "Solomon Owl&mdash;so Fatty discovered&mdash;had\n",
      "sharp, strong claws and a sharp,\n",
      "strong beak as well, which curled over his\n",
      "face in a cruel hook.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "It was really a good thing for Solomon\n",
      "Owl&mdash;the fight he had with Fatty Coon.\n",
      "For afterward his neighbors seldom\n",
      "troubled him&mdash;except when Jasper Jay\n",
      "brought a crowd of his noisy friends to\n",
      "tease Solomon, or Reddy Woodpecker annoyed\n",
      "him by rapping on his door when he\n",
      "was asleep.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "But those rowdies always took good care\n",
      "to skip out of Solomon's reach. And when\n",
      "Jasper Jay met Solomon alone in the\n",
      "woods at dawn or dusk he was most polite\n",
      "to the solemn old chap. <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">Then</hi> it was\n",
      "<q>How-dy-do, Mr. Owl!</q> and <q>I hope\n",
      "you're well to-day!</q> And when Solomon\n",
      "Jasper, that bold fellow always felt quite\n",
      "uneasy; and he was glad when Solomon\n",
      "Owl looked away.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "<pb n=\"009\" /><anchor id=\"Pg009\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "If Solomon Owl chanced to <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">hoot</hi> on those\n",
      "occasions, Jasper Jay would jump almost\n",
      "out of his bright blue coat. Then Solomon's\n",
      "deep laughter would echo mockingly\n",
      "through the woods.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"010\" /><anchor id=\"Pg010\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "You see, though not nearly so wise as\n",
      "he appeared, Solomon Owl knew well\n",
      "enough how to frighten some people.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "</div>\n",
      "\n",
      "<div rend=\"page-break-before: always\">\n",
      "<index index=\"toc\" level1=\"III - Solomon Likes Frogs\" />\n",
      "<index index=\"pdf\" level1=\"III - Solomon Likes Frogs\" />\n",
      "<head>III<lb />\n",
      "Solomon Likes Frogs</head>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "It was a warm summer's evening&mdash;so\n",
      "warm that Mr. Frog, the tailor, had taken\n",
      "his sewing outside his tailor's shop and\n",
      "seated himself cross-legged upon the bank\n",
      "of the brook, where he sang and sewed\n",
      "without ceasing&mdash;except to take a swim\n",
      "now and then in the cool water, <q>to stretch\n",
      "his legs,</q> as he claimed.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "He was making a new suit of blue\n",
      "clothes for Jasper Jay. And since Jasper\n",
      "was a great dandy, and very particular\n",
      "Mr. Frog was taking special pains with his \n",
      "sewing.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "<pb n=\"011\" /><anchor id=\"Pg011\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Usually he did his work quickly. But\n",
      "now after every five stitches that he put\n",
      "into his work he stopped to take out ten.\n",
      "And naturally he was not getting on very\n",
      "fast. He had been working busily since\n",
      "early morning; and Jasper Jay's suit was\n",
      "further than ever from being finished.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Since he was a most cheerful person,\n",
      "Mr. Frog did not mind that. Indeed, he\n",
      "was more than pleased, because the oftener\n",
      "he took a swim the fewer stitches he lost.\n",
      "So he sang the merriest songs he knew.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "The light was fast fading when a hollow\n",
      "laugh startled Mr. Frog. It seemed to\n",
      "come from the willow tree right over his\n",
      "head. And he knew without looking up\n",
      "that it was Solomon Owl's deep voice.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"012\" /><anchor id=\"Pg012\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Mr. Frog tried to leap into the brook.\n",
      "But when he uncrossed his legs, in his\n",
      "haste he tangled them up in his sewing.\n",
      "And all he could do was to turn a somersault\n",
      "backward among some bulrushes,\n",
      "hoping that Solomon Owl had not seen\n",
      "him.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "It is no secret that Mr. Frog was terribly\n",
      "afraid of Solomon Owl. Some of\n",
      "Mr. Frog's friends had mysteriously disappeared.\n",
      "And they had last been seen\n",
      "in Solomon's company.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "As it happened, Mr. Frog had hoped in\n",
      "vain. For Solomon Owl only laughed\n",
      "more loudly than before. And then he\n",
      "said:\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>What are you afraid of, Mr. Frog?</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "The tailor knew at once that he was\n",
      "caught. So he hopped nimbly to his feet\n",
      "and answered that there was nothing to\n",
      "be afraid of, so far as he could see.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "It was a true statement, too; because\n",
      "Mr. Frog had not yet discovered Solomon\n",
      "Owl's exact whereabouts.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"013\" /><anchor id=\"Pg013\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "But he learned them soon; for Solomon\n",
      "immediately dropped down from the big\n",
      "willow and alighted on the bank near Mr.\n",
      "Frog&mdash;altogether <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">too near</hi> him, in fact,\n",
      "for the tailor's comfort.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon looked at Mr. Frog very solemnly.\n",
      "And he thought that he shivered.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>What's the matter? Are you ill?</q>\n",
      "Solomon Owl inquired. <q>You seem to be\n",
      "shaking.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Just a touch of chills and fever, probably!</q>\n",
      "replied Mr. Frog with an uneasy\n",
      "smile. <q>You know it's very damp here.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>You don't look in the best of health&mdash;that's\n",
      "a fact!</q> Solomon Owl remarked.\n",
      "<q>You appear to me to be somewhat green\n",
      "in the face.</q> And he laughed once more&mdash;that\n",
      "same hollow, mirthless laugh.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Mr. Frog couldn't help jumping, because\n",
      "the sound alarmed him.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Don't be disturbed!</q> said Solomon\n",
      "Owl. <q>I like all the Frog family.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"014\" /><anchor id=\"Pg014\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "At that remark, Mr. Frog started violently\n",
      "That was exactly the trouble!\n",
      "Solomon Owl was <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">altogether too fond</hi> of\n",
      "frogs, whether they were old or young, big\n",
      "or little.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "It was no wonder that Mr. Frog swallowed\n",
      "rapidly sixteen times before he\n",
      "could say another word.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"015\" /><anchor id=\"Pg015\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "</div>\n",
      "\n",
      "<div rend=\"page-break-before: always\">\n",
      "<index index=\"toc\" level1=\"IV - An Odd Bargain\" />\n",
      "<index index=\"pdf\" level1=\"IV - An Odd Bargain\" />\n",
      "<head>IV<lb />\n",
      " An Odd Bargain</head>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "While Mr. Frog was swallowing nothing\n",
      "rapidly, he was thinking rapidly, too.\n",
      "There was something about Solomon\n",
      "Owl's big, staring eyes that made Mr.\n",
      "Frog feel uncomfortable. And if he had\n",
      "thought he had any chance of escaping he\n",
      "would have dived into the brook and swum\n",
      "under the bank.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "But Solomon Owl was too near him for\n",
      "that. And Mr. Frog was afraid his caller\n",
      "would pounce upon him any moment. So\n",
      "he quickly thought of a plan to save himself.\n",
      "<q>No doubt&qdash;</q> he began. But\n",
      "Solomon Owl interrupted him.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"016\" /><anchor id=\"Pg016\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>There!</q> cried Solomon. <q>You <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">can</hi>\n",
      "speak, after all. I supposed you'd swallowed\n",
      "your tongue. And I was just waiting\n",
      "to see what you'd do next. I thought\n",
      "maybe you would swallow your <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">head</hi>.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Mr. Frog managed to laugh at the joke,\n",
      "though, to tell the truth, he felt more nervous\n",
      "than ever. He saw what was in Solomon\n",
      "Owl's mind, for Solomon was thinking\n",
      "of swallowing Mr. Frog's head himself.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>No doubt&mdash;</q> Mr. Frog resumed&mdash;<q>no\n",
      "doubt you've come to ask me to make you\n",
      "a new suit of clothes.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Now, Solomon Owl had had no such idea\n",
      "at all. But when it was mentioned to him,\n",
      "he rather liked it.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Will you?</q> he inquired, with a highly\n",
      "interested air.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"017\" /><anchor id=\"Pg017\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Why, certainly!</q> the tailor replied.\n",
      "And for the first time since he had turned\n",
      "his backward somersault into the bulrushes,\n",
      "he smiled widely. <q>I'll tell you\n",
      "what I'll do!</q> he said. <q>First, I'll make\n",
      "you a coat free. And second, if you like it\n",
      "I will then make you a waistcoat and\n",
      "trousers, at double rates.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon Owl liked the thought of getting\n",
      "a coat for nothing. But for all that,\n",
      "he looked at the tailor somewhat doubtfully.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Will it take you long?</q> he asked.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>No, indeed!</q> Mr. Frog told him. <q>I'll\n",
      "make your coat while you wait.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Oh, I wasn't going away,</q> Solomon assured\n",
      "him with an odd look which made\n",
      "Mr. Frog shiver again. <q>Be quick, please!\n",
      "Because I have some important business\n",
      "to attend to.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"018\" /><anchor id=\"Pg018\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Mr. Frog couldn't help wondering if it\n",
      "wasn't he himself that Solomon Owl was\n",
      "going to attend to. In spite of his fears,\n",
      "to work to cut up some cloth that hung\n",
      "just outside his door.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Stop!</q> Solomon Owl cried in a voice\n",
      "that seemed to shake the very ground.\n",
      "<q>You haven't measured me yet!</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>It's not necessary,</q> Mr. Frog explained\n",
      "glibly. <q>I've become so skilful\n",
      "that one look at an elegant figure like\n",
      "yours is all that I need.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Naturally, Mr. Frog's remark pleased\n",
      "Solomon Owl. And he uttered ten rapid\n",
      "hoots, which served to make Mr. Frog's\n",
      "fingers fly all the faster. Soon he was sewing\n",
      "Solomon's coat with long stitches; and\n",
      "though his needle slipped now and then,\n",
      "he did not pause to take out a single stitch.\n",
      "For some reason, Mr. Frog was in a great\n",
      "hurry.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"019\" /><anchor id=\"Pg019\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon Owl did not appear to notice\n",
      "that the tailor was not taking much pains\n",
      "with his sewing. Perhaps Mr. Frog\n",
      "worked so fast that Solomon could not see\n",
      "what he was doing.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Anyhow, he was delighted when Mr.\n",
      "Frog suddenly cried:\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>It's finished!</q> And then he tossed the\n",
      "coat to Solomon. <q>Try it on!</q> he said.\n",
      "<q>I want to see how well it fits you.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon Owl held up the garment and\n",
      "looked at it very carefully. And as he examined\n",
      "it a puzzled look came over his\n",
      "great pale face.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "There was something about his new coat\n",
      "that he did not understand.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "<pb n=\"020\" /><anchor id=\"Pg020\" />\n",
      "</div>\n",
      "\n",
      "<div rend=\"page-break-before: always\">\n",
      "<index index=\"toc\" level1=\"V - The Cold Weather Coat\" />\n",
      "<index index=\"pdf\" level1=\"V - The Cold Weather Coat\" />\n",
      "<head>V<lb />\n",
      "The Cold Weather Coat</head>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Yes! As he held up his new coat and\n",
      "looked at it, Solomon Owl was puzzled.\n",
      "He turned his head toward Mr. Frog and\n",
      "stared at him for a moment. And then he\n",
      "turned his head away from the tailor and\n",
      "gazed upon the coat again.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Mr. Frog was most uncomfortable&mdash;especially\n",
      "when Solomon looked at <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">him</hi>.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Everything's all right, isn't it?</q> he inquired.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon Owl slowly shook his head.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>This is a queer coat!</q> he said.\n",
      "<q>What's this bag at the top of it?</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"021\" /><anchor id=\"Pg021\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Oh!</q> exclaimed Mr. Frog. <q>That's\n",
      "the hood! Knowing that you spend your\n",
      "winters here in Pleasant Valley, I made a\n",
      "hood to go over your head.... You'll\n",
      "find it very comfortable in cold weather&mdash;and\n",
      "it's the latest style, too. All the winter\n",
      "coats this year will have hoods, with\n",
      "holes to see through, you know.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon Owl looked relieved at Mr.\n",
      "Frog's explanation. But there was still\n",
      "something more that appeared to trouble\n",
      "him.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>How shall I get into the coat?</q> he inquired.\n",
      "<q>It doesn't open in front, as it\n",
      "should.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Another cold-weather style!</q> Mr.\n",
      "Frog assured him. <q>It's wind-proof!\n",
      "And instead of buttoning the coat, you\n",
      "pull it on over your head.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon Owl said he didn't like that\n",
      "style very well.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"022\" /><anchor id=\"Pg022\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Then I can easily change it,</q> the tailor\n",
      "told him. <q>But just try it on!</q> he urged.\n",
      "<q>It may please you, after all.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "So Solomon Owl pulled the coat over his\n",
      "head. And it fell down about him, almost\n",
      "reaching his feet. But the coat did not\n",
      "seem to suit him at all, for he began to\n",
      "splutter and choke.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>What's the matter now?</q> Mr. Frog\n",
      "asked him.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>I can't see&mdash;that's what's the matter!</q>\n",
      "Solomon Owl cried in a voice that sounded\n",
      "hollower than ever, because it was muffled\n",
      "by the hood, which covered his head.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>I declare&mdash;I haven't cut the holes for\n",
      "your eyes!</q> the tailor exclaimed. <q>Just\n",
      "wait a moment and I'll make everything\n",
      "satisfactory.</q> He clinked his shears together\n",
      "sharply as he spoke.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "But Solomon Owl told him that he\n",
      "wouldn't <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">think</hi> of letting anybody use\n",
      "shears so near his eyes.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p rend=\"text-align: center\"><anchor id=\"image-001\" />\n",
      "<figure rend=\"w95\" url=\"images/image-001.jpg\">\n",
      "<head rend=\"text-align: center\">Solomon Found Mr. Frog's Shop Was Closed\n",
      "</head>\n",
      "<figDesc><hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">Illustration 1</hi></figDesc>\n",
      "</figure></p><p></p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"023\" /><anchor id=\"Pg023\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>I'll take off the coat,</q> he said. <q>And\n",
      "I know now that you're a very poor tailor,\n",
      "or you wouldn't have made such a mistake.</q>\n",
      "He began to tug at the coat. But\n",
      "he soon found that taking it off was not so\n",
      "easy as putting it on. Solomon's sharp\n",
      "claws caught in the cloth; and his hooked\n",
      "beak, too, fastened itself in the hood the\n",
      "moment he tried to pull the coat over his\n",
      "head. <q>Here!</q> he cried to Mr. Frog.\n",
      "<q>Just lend me a hand! I can't see to help\n",
      "myself.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "But Mr. Frog did not even answer him.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Don't you hear me?</q> Solomon Owl\n",
      "shouted, as he struggled with his new coat,\n",
      "only to become tangled in it more than\n",
      "ever.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Still, the tailor said never a word,\n",
      "though something very like a giggle, followed\n",
      "by a splash, caught Solomon's ear.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>He's left me!</q> Solomon Owl groaned.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"024\" /><anchor id=\"Pg024\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Mr. Frog has left me to get out of this\n",
      "coat alone. And goodness knows how I'm\n",
      "ever a-going to do it.</q> He threshed about\n",
      "so vigorously that he tripped himself and\n",
      "fell upon the bank of the brook, rolling\n",
      "over and over toward the water.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "He had a very narrow escape. If he\n",
      "hadn't happened to bring up against an\n",
      "old stump he would certainly have tumbled\n",
      "into the stream.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Though Solomon couldn't see, he knew\n",
      "that he was in danger. So he lay on his\n",
      "back on the ground and carefully tore his\n",
      "new coat into strings and ribbons.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "At last he was free. And he rose to his\n",
      "feet feeling very sheepish, for he knew\n",
      "that Mr. Frog had played a sly trick on\n",
      "him.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"025\" /><anchor id=\"Pg025\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Nevermind!</q> said Solomon Owl, as he\n",
      "flew way. <q>I'll come back to-morrow\n",
      "and ask Mr. Frog to make me a waistcoat\n",
      "and trousers. And then&qdash;</q> He did not\n",
      "finish what he was saying. But there is\n",
      "no doubt that whatever it was, it could not\n",
      "have been very pleasant for Mr. Frog.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Just as he had planned, Solomon Owl\n",
      "returned to the brook the next day. And\n",
      "he was both surprised and disappointed\n",
      "at what he found.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "The door of Mr. Frog's tailor's shop was\n",
      "shut and locked. And on it there was a\n",
      "sign, which said:\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "TO LET\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>He's moved away!</q> cried Solomon\n",
      "Owl. And he went off feeling that he had\n",
      "been cheated out of a good dinner&mdash;to\n",
      "say nothing of a new waistcoat&mdash;and new\n",
      "trousers, too.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"026\" /><anchor id=\"Pg026\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "He had not been gone long when the\n",
      "door opened. And Mr. Frog leaped nimbly\n",
      "outside. He took the sign off the door;\n",
      "and sitting down cross-legged upon the\n",
      "bank, he began to sew upon Jasper Jay's\n",
      "new blue suit, while his face wore a wider\n",
      "smile than ever.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "He had suddenly decided not to let his\n",
      "shop, after all.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"027\" /><anchor id=\"Pg027\" />\n",
      "</div>\n",
      "\n",
      "<div rend=\"page-break-before: always\">\n",
      "<index index=\"toc\" level1=\"VI - Solomon Needs a Change\" />\n",
      "<index index=\"pdf\" level1=\"VI - Solomon Needs a Change\" />\n",
      "<head>VI<lb />\n",
      "Solomon Needs a Change</head>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "For some time Solomon Owl had known\n",
      "that a queer feeling was coming over him.\n",
      "And he could not think what it meant. He\n",
      "noticed, too, that his appetite was leaving\n",
      "him. Nothing seemed to taste good any\n",
      "more.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "So at last, one fine fall evening he went\n",
      "to see Aunt Polly Woodchuck, who was an\n",
      "herb doctor; for he had begun to worry\n",
      "about his health.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"028\" /><anchor id=\"Pg028\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>It's lucky you came to-day,</q> said Aunt\n",
      "Polly. <q>Because to-night I'm going to begin\n",
      "my winter's nap. And you couldn't\n",
      "have seen me again till spring&mdash;unless you\n",
      "happened to come here on ground-hog day,\n",
      "next February.... What appears to be\n",
      "your trouble?</q> she inquired.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>It's my appetite, partly,</q> Solomon\n",
      "Owl said. <q>Nothing tastes as it did when\n",
      "I was a youngster. And I keep longing\n",
      "for something, though what it is I can't\n",
      "just tell.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Aunt Polly Woodchuck nodded her\n",
      "head wisely.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>What have you been eating lately?</q>\n",
      "she asked.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon Owl replied that he hadn't\n",
      "eaten anything but mice since the leaves\n",
      "began to turn.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>H-m&mdash;the leaves are nearly all off the\n",
      "trees now,</q> the old lady remarked. <q>How\n",
      "many mice have you eaten in that time?</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"029\" /><anchor id=\"Pg029\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon said that as nearly as he could\n",
      "remember he had eaten twenty-seven&mdash;or\n",
      "a hundred and twenty-seven. He couldn't\n",
      "say which&mdash;but one of those numbers was\n",
      "correct.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Aunt Polly Woodchuck threw up her\n",
      "hands.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Sakes alive!</q> she cried. <q>It's no wonder\n",
      "you don't feel well! What you need\n",
      "is a change of food. And it's lucky you\n",
      "came to me now. If you'd gone on like\n",
      "that much longer I'd hate to say what\n",
      "might have happened to you. You'd have\n",
      "had dyspepsia, or some other sort of misery\n",
      "in your stomach.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>What shall I do?</q> asked Solomon Owl.\n",
      "<q>Insects are scarce at this season of the\n",
      "year. Of course, there are frogs&mdash;but I\n",
      "don't seem to care for them. And there\n",
      "are fish&mdash;but they're not easy to get, for\n",
      "they don't come out of the water and sit\n",
      "on the bank, as the frogs do.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>How about pullets?</q> Aunt Polly inquired.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"030\" /><anchor id=\"Pg030\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "At that Solomon Owl let out a long row\n",
      "of hoots, because he was pleased.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>The very thing!</q> he cried. <q>That's\n",
      "what I've been wanting all this time. And\n",
      "I never guessed it.... I'll pay you for\n",
      "your advice the next time I see you,</q> he\n",
      "told Aunt Polly. And Solomon Owl hurried\n",
      "away before she could stop him.\n",
      "Since he had no intention of visiting her\n",
      "on ground-hog day, he knew it would be\n",
      "spring before he saw Aunt Polly Woodchuck\n",
      "again.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "The old lady scolded a bit. And it did\n",
      "not make her feel any pleasanter to hear\n",
      "Solomon's mocking laughter, which grew\n",
      "fainter and fainter as he left the pasture\n",
      "behind him. Then she went inside her\n",
      "house, for she was fast growing sleepy.\n",
      "And she wanted to set things to rights before\n",
      "she began her long winter's nap.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"031\" /><anchor id=\"Pg031\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Meanwhile, Solomon Owl roamed restlessly\n",
      "through the woods. There was only\n",
      "one place in the neighborhood where he\n",
      "could get a pullet. That was at Farmer\n",
      "Green's chicken house. And for some\n",
      "reason he did not care to visit the farm\n",
      "buildings until it grew darker.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "So he amused himself by making the\n",
      "woods echo with his strange cry, <q><hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">Whoo-whoo-whoo,\n",
      "whoo-whoo, to-whoo-ah!</hi></q>\n",
      "And now and then he threw in a few\n",
      "<q><hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">wha-whas</hi>,</q> just for extra measure.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Many of the forest folk who heard him\n",
      "remarked that Solomon Owl seemed to be\n",
      "in extra fine spirits.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Probably it's the hunter's moon that\n",
      "pleases him!</q> Jimmy Rabbit remarked to\n",
      "a friend of his. <q>I've always noticed\n",
      "that old Solomon makes more noise on\n",
      "moonlight nights than at any other time.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"032\" /><anchor id=\"Pg032\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "The hunter's moon, big and yellow and\n",
      "round, was just rising over Blue Mountain. \n",
      "But for once it was not the moon\n",
      "that made Solomon Owl so talkative. He\n",
      "was in fine feather, so to speak, because\n",
      "he was hoping to have a fat pullet for his\n",
      "supper. And as for the moon, he would\n",
      "have been just as pleased had there been\n",
      "none at all that night. For Solomon Owl\n",
      "never cared to be seen when he visited\n",
      "Farmer Green's chicken house.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"033\" /><anchor id=\"Pg033\" />\n",
      "</div>\n",
      "\n",
      "<div rend=\"page-break-before: always\">\n",
      "<index index=\"toc\" level1=\"VII - The Blazing Eyes\" />\n",
      "<index index=\"pdf\" level1=\"VII - The Blazing Eyes\" />\n",
      "<head>VII<lb />\n",
      "The Blazing Eyes</head>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "It was some three hours after sunset when\n",
      "Solomon Owl at last reached Farmer\n",
      "Green's place. All was quiet in the\n",
      "chicken house because the hens and roosters\n",
      "and their families had long since gone\n",
      "to roost. And except for a light that shone\n",
      "through a window, the farmhouse showed\n",
      "not a sign of life.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Everything was as Solomon Owl wished\n",
      "it&mdash;or so he thought, at least, as he alighted\n",
      "in a tree in the yard to look about him.\n",
      "He wanted no one to interrupt him when\n",
      "he should go nosing around the chicken\n",
      "house, to find an opening.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"034\" /><anchor id=\"Pg034\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "To his annoyance, he had not sat long\n",
      "in the tree when the wood-shed door opened.\n",
      "And Solomon stared in amazement at\n",
      "the strange sight he saw.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "A great head appeared, with eyes and\n",
      "mouth&mdash;yes! and nose, too&mdash;all a glaring\n",
      "flame color. Solomon had never seen\n",
      "such a horrible face on man or bird or\n",
      "beast. But he was sure it was a man, for\n",
      "he heard a laugh that was not to be mistaken\n",
      "for either a beast's or a bird's. And\n",
      "the worst of it was, those blazing eyes were\n",
      "turned squarely toward Farmer Green's\n",
      "chicken house!\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon Owl was too wary to go for his\n",
      "fat pullet just then. He decided that he\n",
      "would wait quietly in the tree for a time,\n",
      "hoping that the man would go away.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"035\" /><anchor id=\"Pg035\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "While Solomon watched him the\n",
      "stranger neither moved nor spoke. And,\n",
      "of course, Solomon Owl was growing hungrier \n",
      "every minute. So at last he felt that\n",
      "he simply <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">must</hi> say something.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Who-who-who-are-you?</q> he called out\n",
      "from his tree.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "But the strange man did not answer.\n",
      "He did not even turn his head.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>He must be some city person,</q> Solomon\n",
      "Owl said to himself. <q>He thinks he's\n",
      "too good to speak to a countryman like\n",
      "me.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Then Solomon sat up and listened. He\n",
      "heard a scratching sound. And soon he\n",
      "saw a plump figure crawl right up into his\n",
      "tree-top.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "It was Fatty Coon!\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>What are you doing here?</q> Solomon\n",
      "Owl asked in a low voice, which was not\n",
      "any too pleasant.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>I'm out for an airing,</q> Fatty answered.\n",
      "<q>Beautiful night&mdash;isn't it?</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"036\" /><anchor id=\"Pg036\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "But Solomon Owl was not interested in\n",
      "the weather. <q>I don't suppose you've\n",
      "come down here to get a chicken, have\n",
      "you?</q> he inquired.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Fatty Coon seemed greatly surprised at\n",
      "the question.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Why&mdash;no!</q> he exclaimed. <q>But now\n",
      "that you speak of it, it reminds me\n",
      "that Farmer Green's saving a pullet for\n",
      "me. He was heard to say not long ago\n",
      "that he would like to catch me taking one\n",
      "of his hens. So he must have one for me.\n",
      "And I don't want to disappoint him.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "At first Solomon Owl didn't know what\n",
      "answer to make. But at last he turned\n",
      "his head toward Fatty.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Why don't you go and get your pullet\n",
      "now?</q> he asked.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"037\" /><anchor id=\"Pg037\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>There's that man down below, with the\n",
      "glaring eyes&mdash;</q> said Fatty Coon. <q>I've\n",
      "been waiting around here for quite a long\n",
      "time and he hasn't looked away from the\n",
      "chicken house even once.... Do you\n",
      "know him?</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>No! And I don't want to!</q> said Solomon\n",
      "Owl.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>S-sh!</q> Fatty Coon held up a warning\n",
      "hand. <q>Who's that?</q> he asked, peering\n",
      "down at a dark object at the foot of their\n",
      "tree.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Then both he and Solomon saw that it\n",
      "was Tommy Fox, sitting on his haunches\n",
      "and staring at the big head, with its blazing\n",
      "eyes and nose and mouth.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Not looking for chickens, I suppose?</q>\n",
      "Solomon Owl called in a low tone, which\n",
      "was hardly more than a whisper.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "But Tommy Fox's sharp ears heard him\n",
      "easily. And he looked up, licking his\n",
      "chops as if he were very hungry indeed.\n",
      "And all the while the stranger continued\n",
      "to stare straight at the chicken house, as\n",
      "if he did not intend to let anybody go\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"038\" /><anchor id=\"Pg038\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "prowling about that long, low building to\n",
      "steal any of Farmer Green's poultry.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "It was no wonder that the three chicken-lovers\n",
      "(two in the tree and one beneath it)\n",
      "hesitated. If the queer man had only\n",
      "spoken they might not have been so timid.\n",
      "But he said never a word.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"039\" /><anchor id=\"Pg039\" />\n",
      "</div>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<div rend=\"page-break-before: always\">\n",
      "<index index=\"toc\" level1=\"VIII - Watching The Chickens\" />\n",
      "<index index=\"pdf\" level1=\"VIII - Watching The Chickens\" />\n",
      "<head>VIII<lb />\n",
      "Watching The Chickens</head>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon Owl and Fatty Coon couldn't\n",
      "help laughing at what Tommy Fox said to\n",
      "them, as they sat in their tree near the\n",
      "farmhouse, looking down at him in the\n",
      "moonlight.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>I'm here to watch Farmer Green's\n",
      "chickens for him&mdash;</q> said he&mdash;<q>to see that\n",
      "no rat&mdash;or anybody else&mdash;runs away with\n",
      "a pullet.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"040\" /><anchor id=\"Pg040\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Farmer Green has someone else watching\n",
      "for him to-night,</q> said Solomon Owl,\n",
      "when he had stopped laughing. <q>There's\n",
      "that strange man! You can see how he\n",
      "keeps his glaring eyes fixed on the chicken\n",
      "house. And unless I'm mistaken, he's on\n",
      "the lookout for <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">you</hi>.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>No such thing!</q> Tommy Fox snapped.\n",
      "And he looked up at Solomon as if he\n",
      "wished that he could climb the tree.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Here comes somebody else!</q> Fatty\n",
      "Coon exclaimed suddenly. His keen eyes\n",
      "had caught sight of Jimmy Rabbit, hopping\n",
      "along on his way to the vegetable garden,\n",
      "to see if he couldn't find a stray cabbage\n",
      "or a turnip.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon Owl called to him. Whereupon,\n",
      "Jimmy Rabbit promptly sat up and\n",
      "looked at the odd trio. If it hadn't been\n",
      "for Tommy Fox he would have drawn\n",
      "nearer.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Do you know that stranger?</q> Solomon\n",
      "Owl asked him, pointing out the horrible\n",
      "head to Jimmy.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>I haven't the pleasure,</q> said Jimmy\n",
      "Rabbit, after he had taken a good look.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"041\" /><anchor id=\"Pg041\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Well,</q> said Solomon, <q>won't you\n",
      "kindly speak to him; and ask him to go\n",
      "away?</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Certainly!</q> answered Jimmy Rabbit,\n",
      "who always tried to be obliging.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>I hope the stranger won't eat him,</q>\n",
      "remarked Tommy Fox, <q>because I hope\n",
      "to do that some day, myself.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "It was queer&mdash;but Jimmy Rabbit was\n",
      "the only one of the four that wasn't afraid\n",
      "of those glaring features. He hopped\n",
      "straight up to the big round head, which\n",
      "was just a bit higher than one of the fence\n",
      "posts, against which the stranger seemed\n",
      "to be leaning. And after a moment or two\n",
      "Jimmy Rabbit called to Solomon and\n",
      "Fatty and Tommy Fox:\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>He won't go away! He's going to stay\n",
      "right where he is!</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Come here a minute!</q> said Tommy.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Jimmy Rabbit shook his head.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"042\" /><anchor id=\"Pg042\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>You come over here!</q> he answered.\n",
      "And he did not stir from the side of the\n",
      "stranger. He knew very well that Tommy\n",
      "Fox was afraid of the man with the head\n",
      "with the glaring eyes.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "As for Tommy Fox, he did not even\n",
      "reply&mdash;that is, to Jimmy Rabbit. But he\n",
      "spoke his mind freely enough to his two\n",
      "friends in the tree.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>It seems to me one of you ought to do\n",
      "something,</q> said he. <q>We'll eat no pullets\n",
      "to-night if we can't get rid of this meddlesome\n",
      "stranger.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Fatty Coon quite agreed with him.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>The one who was here first is the one\n",
      "to act!</q> Fatty declared. <q>That's <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">you</hi>!</q>\n",
      "he told Solomon Owl.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "So Solomon Owl felt most uncomfortable.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"043\" /><anchor id=\"Pg043\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>I don't know what I can do,</q> he said.\n",
      "<q>I spoke to the stranger&mdash;asked him who\n",
      "he was. And he wouldn't answer me.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Can't you frighten him away?</q> Tommy\n",
      "Fox inquired. <q>Fly right over his\n",
      "head and give him a blow with your wing\n",
      "as you pass!</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon Owl coughed. He was embarrassed,\n",
      "to say the least.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>He's afraid!</q> Fatty Coon cried. And\n",
      "both he and Tommy Fox kept repeating,\n",
      "over and over again, <q>He's afraid! He's\n",
      "afraid! He's afraid!</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "It was really more than Solomon Owl\n",
      "could stand.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"044\" /><anchor id=\"Pg044\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>I'm not!</q> he retorted angrily.\n",
      "<q>Watch me and you'll see!</q> And without\n",
      "another word he darted out of the tree\n",
      "and swooped down upon the stranger, just\n",
      "brushing the top of his head. Solomon\n",
      "Owl knew at once that he had knocked\n",
      "something off the top of that dreadful\n",
      "head&mdash;something that fell to the ground\n",
      "and made Jimmy Rabbit jump nervously.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Then Solomon returned to his perch in\n",
      "the tree.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>He hasn't moved,</q> he said. <q>But I\n",
      "knocked off his hat.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>You took off the top of his head!</q>\n",
      "cried Fatty Coon in great excitement.\n",
      "<q>Look! The inside of his head is afire.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "And peering down from the tree-top,\n",
      "Solomon Owl saw that Fatty Coon had\n",
      "told the truth.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"045\" /><anchor id=\"Pg045\" />\n",
      "</div>\n",
      "\n",
      "<div rend=\"page-break-before: always\">\n",
      "<index index=\"toc\" level1=\"IX - Hallowe'en\" />\n",
      "<index index=\"pdf\" level1=\"IX - Hallowe'en\" />\n",
      "<head>IX<lb />\n",
      "Hallowe'en</head>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon Owl was afraid of fire. And\n",
      "when he looked down from his perch in the\n",
      "tree and saw, through the hole in the stranger's\n",
      "crown, that all was aglow inside his\n",
      "big, round head, Solomon couldn't help\n",
      "voicing his horror. He <q><hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">whoo-whooed</hi></q>\n",
      "so loudly that Tommy Fox, at the foot of\n",
      "the tree, asked him what on earth was the\n",
      "matter.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"046\" /><anchor id=\"Pg046\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>His head's all afire!</q> Solomon Owl\n",
      "told him. <q>That's what makes his eyes\n",
      "glare so. And that's why the fire shines\n",
      "through his mouth and his nose, too. It's\n",
      "no wonder he didn't answer my question&mdash;for, \n",
      "of course, his tongue must certainly\n",
      "be burned to a cinder.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Then it ought to be safe for anybody\n",
      "to enter the chicken house,</q> Tommy Fox\n",
      "observed. <q>What could the stranger do,\n",
      "when he's in such a fix?</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>He could set the chicken house afire, if\n",
      "he followed you inside,</q> replied Solomon\n",
      "Owl wisely. <q>And I, for one, am not going\n",
      "near the pullets to-night.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Nor I!</q> Fatty Coon echoed. <q>I'm going\n",
      "straight to the cornfield. The corn is\n",
      "still standing there in shocks; and I ought\n",
      "to find enough ears to make a good meal.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "But Solomon Owl and Tommy Fox were\n",
      "not interested in corn. They never ate it.\n",
      "And so it is not surprising that they should\n",
      "be greatly disappointed. After a person\n",
      "has his mouth all made up for chicken it\n",
      "is hard to think of anything that would\n",
      "taste even half as good.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"047\" /><anchor id=\"Pg047\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>It's queer he doesn't go and hold his\n",
      "head under the pump,</q> said Solomon Owl.\n",
      "<q>That's what I should do, if I were he.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Jimmy Rabbit had better not go too\n",
      "near him, or he'll get singed,</q> said Tommy\n",
      "Fox, anxiously. <q>I don't want anything\n",
      "to happen to <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">him</hi>.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Jimmy Rabbit is very careless,</q> Solomon\n",
      "declared. <q>I don't see what he's\n",
      "thinking of&mdash;going so near a fire! It\n",
      "makes me altogether too nervous to stay\n",
      "here. And I'm going away at once.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Tommy Fox said that he felt the same\n",
      "way. And the moment Fatty Coon, with\n",
      "his sharp claws, started to crawl down the\n",
      "tree on his way to the cornfield, Tommy\n",
      "Fox hurried off without even stopping to\n",
      "say good-bye.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q><hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">Haw-haw-haw-hoo</hi>!</q> laughed Solomon\n",
      "Owl. <q>Tommy Fox is afraid of\n",
      "you!</q> he told Fatty Coon.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"048\" /><anchor id=\"Pg048\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "But Fatty didn't seem to hear him. He\n",
      "was thinking only of the supper of corn\n",
      "that he was going to have.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Better come away!</q> Solomon Owl called\n",
      "to Jimmy Rabbit, turning his head toward\n",
      "the fence where Jimmy had been\n",
      "lingering near the hot-headed stranger.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "But Jimmy Rabbit didn't answer him,\n",
      "either. He was no longer there. The moment\n",
      "he had seen Tommy Fox bounding\n",
      "off across the meadow Jimmy had started\n",
      "at once for Farmer Green's vegetable garden.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "So Solomon Owl was the last to leave.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>There's really nothing else I can do,</q>\n",
      "he remarked to himself. <q>I don't know\n",
      "what Aunt Polly Woodchuck would say if\n",
      "she knew that I didn't follow her advice\n",
      "to-night and eat a pullet for my supper.... But\n",
      "I've tried my best.... And\n",
      "that's all anybody can do.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"049\" /><anchor id=\"Pg049\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon Owl was upset all the rest of\n",
      "that night. And just before daybreak he\n",
      "visited the farmyard again, to see whether\n",
      "the strange man with the flaring head still\n",
      "watched the chicken house. And Solomon\n",
      "found that he had vanished.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "So Solomon Owl alighted on the fence.\n",
      "There was nothing there except a hollowed-out\n",
      "pumpkin, with a few holes cut\n",
      "in it, which someone had left on one of the\n",
      "fence-posts.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Good!</q> said he. <q>Maybe I can get my\n",
      "pullet after all!</q> He turned to fly to the\n",
      "chicken house. But just then the woodshed\n",
      "door opened again. And Farmer\n",
      "Green stepped outside, with a lantern in\n",
      "his hand. He was going to the barn to\n",
      "milk the cows. But Solomon Owl did not\n",
      "wait to learn anything more.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"050\" /><anchor id=\"Pg050\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "He hurried away to his house among\n",
      "the hemlocks. And having quickly settled\n",
      "himself for a good nap, he was soon fast\n",
      "asleep.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "That was how Johnnie Green's jack-o'-lantern\n",
      "kept Tommy Fox and Fatty Coon\n",
      "and Solomon Owl from taking any chickens\n",
      "on Hallowe'en.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"051\" /><anchor id=\"Pg051\" />\n",
      "</div>\n",
      "\n",
      "<div rend=\"page-break-before: always\">\n",
      "<index index=\"toc\" level1=\"X - A Troublesome Wishbone\" />\n",
      "<index index=\"pdf\" level1=\"X - A Troublesome Wishbone\" />\n",
      "<head>X<lb />\n",
      "A Troublesome Wishbone</head>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon Owl had pains&mdash;sharp pains&mdash;underneath\n",
      "his waistcoat. And not knowing\n",
      "what else to do, he set off at once for\n",
      "Aunt Polly Woodchuck's house under the\n",
      "hill, in the pasture, which he had not visited\n",
      "since the previous fall. Luckily, he\n",
      "found the old lady at home. And quickly\n",
      "he told her of his trouble.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>What have you been eating?</q> she inquired.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>I've followed your advice. I've been\n",
      "eating chickens,</q> said he&mdash;<q>very small\n",
      "chickens, because they were all I could\n",
      "get.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"052\" /><anchor id=\"Pg052\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Aunt Polly Woodchuck, who was an\n",
      "herb doctor&mdash;and a good one&mdash;regarded\n",
      "him through her spectacles.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>I'm afraid,</q> said she, <q>you don't chew\n",
      "your food properly. Bolting one's food is\n",
      "very harmful. It's as bad as not eating\n",
      "anything at all, almost.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon Owl showed plainly that her\n",
      "remark surprised him.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Why,</q> he exclaimed, <q>I always swallow\n",
      "my food whole&mdash;when it isn't too big!</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Gracious me!</q> cried Aunt Polly,\n",
      "throwing up both her hands. <q>It's no\n",
      "wonder you're ill. It's no wonder you\n",
      "have pains; and now I know exactly\n",
      "what's the matter with you. You have a\n",
      "wishbone inside you. I can feel it!</q> she\n",
      "told him, as she prodded him in the waistcoat.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>I wish you could get it out for me!</q>\n",
      "said Solomon with a look of distress.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"053\" /><anchor id=\"Pg053\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>All the wishing in the world won't\n",
      "help you,</q> she answered, <q>unless we can\n",
      "find some way of removing the wishbone\n",
      "so you can wish on that. Then I'm sure\n",
      "you would feel better at once.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>This is strange,</q> Solomon mused.\n",
      "<q>All my life I've been swallowing my food\n",
      "without chewing it. And it has never\n",
      "given me any trouble before.... What\n",
      "shall I do?</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Don't eat anything for a week,</q> she\n",
      "directed. <q>And fly against tree-trunks as\n",
      "hard as you can. Then come back here\n",
      "after seven days.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon Owl went off in a most doleful\n",
      "frame of mind. It seemed to him that he\n",
      "had never seen so many mice and frogs\n",
      "and chipmunks as he came across during\n",
      "the following week. But he didn't dare\n",
      "catch a single one, on account of what\n",
      "Aunt Polly Woodchuck had said.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"054\" /><anchor id=\"Pg054\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "His pains, however, grew less from day\n",
      "to day&mdash;at least, the pains that had first\n",
      "troubled him. But he had others to take\n",
      "their place. Hunger pangs, these were!\n",
      "And they were almost as bad as those that\n",
      "had sent him hurrying to see Aunt Polly\n",
      "Woodchuck.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "On the whole, Solomon passed a very\n",
      "unhappy week. Flying head foremost\n",
      "into tree-trunks (as Aunt Polly had instructed\n",
      "him to do) gave him many bumps\n",
      "and bruises. So he was glad when the time\n",
      "came for him to return to her house in the\n",
      "pasture.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"055\" /><anchor id=\"Pg055\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon's neighbors had been so interested\n",
      "in watching him that they were all\n",
      "sorry when he ceased his strange actions.\n",
      "Indeed, there was a rumor that Solomon\n",
      "had become very angry with Farmer\n",
      "Green and that he was trying to knock\n",
      "down some of Farmer Green's trees. Before \n",
      "the end of that unpleasant week Solomon\n",
      "had often noticed as many as twenty-four\n",
      "of the forest folk following him\n",
      "about, hoping to see a tree fall.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "But they were all disappointed. However,\n",
      "they enjoyed the sight of Solomon\n",
      "hurling himself against tree-trunks. And\n",
      "the louder he groaned, the more people\n",
      "gathered around him.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"056\" /><anchor id=\"Pg056\" />\n",
      "</div>\n",
      "\n",
      "<div rend=\"page-break-before: always\">\n",
      "<index index=\"toc\" level1=\"XI - Cured At Last\" />\n",
      "<index index=\"pdf\" level1=\"XI - Cured At Last\" />\n",
      "<head>XI<lb />\n",
      "Cured At Last</head>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>How do you feel now?</q> Aunt Polly\n",
      "Woodchuck asked Solomon Owl, when he\n",
      "had come back to her house after a week's\n",
      "absence.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>No better!</q> he groaned. <q>I still have\n",
      "pains. But they seem to have moved and\n",
      "scattered all over me.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Good!</q> she exclaimed with a smile.\n",
      "<q>You <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">are</hi> much better, though you didn't\n",
      "know it. The wishbone is broken. You\n",
      "broke it by flying against the trees. And\n",
      "you ought not to have any more trouble.\n",
      "But let me examine you!</q> she said, prodding\n",
      "him in the waistcoat once more.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"057\" /><anchor id=\"Pg057\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>This is odd!</q> she continued a bit later.\n",
      "<q>I can feel the wishbone more plainly\n",
      "than ever.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>That's my own wishbone!</q> Solomon\n",
      "cried indignantly. <q>I've grown so thin\n",
      "through not eating that it's a wonder you\n",
      "can't feel my backbone, too.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Aunt Polly Woodchuck looked surprised.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Perhaps you're right!</q> said she. <q>Not\n",
      "having a wishbone of my own, I forgot\n",
      "that you had one.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "A look of disgust came over Solomon\n",
      "Owl's face.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>You're a very poor doctor,</q> he told\n",
      "her. <q>Here you've kept me from eating\n",
      "for a whole week&mdash;and I don't believe it\n",
      "was necessary at all!</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Well, you're better, aren't you?</q> she\n",
      "asked him.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"058\" /><anchor id=\"Pg058\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>I shall be as soon as I have a good\n",
      "meal,</q> replied Solomon Owl, hopefully.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>You ought not to eat anything for another\n",
      "week,</q> Aunt Polly told him solemnly.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Nonsense!</q> he cried.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>I'm a doctor; and I ought to know\n",
      "best,</q> she insisted.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "But Solomon Owl hooted rudely.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>I'll never come to you for advice any\n",
      "more,</q> he declared. <q>I firmly believe\n",
      "that my whole trouble was simply that I've\n",
      "been eating too sparingly. And I shall\n",
      "take good care to see that it doesn't happen\n",
      "again.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "No one had ever spoken to Aunt Polly\n",
      "in quite that fashion&mdash;though old Mr.\n",
      "Crow had complained one time that she\n",
      "had cured him <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">too quickly</hi>. But she did\n",
      "not lose her temper, in spite of Solomon's\n",
      "jeers.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"059\" /><anchor id=\"Pg059\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>You'll be back here again the very\n",
      "next time you're ill,</q> she remarked.\n",
      "<q>And if you continue to swallow your\n",
      "food whole&qdash;</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "But Solomon Owl did not even wait to\n",
      "hear what she said. He was so impolite\n",
      "that he flew away while she was talking.\n",
      "And since it was then almost dark, and a\n",
      "good time to look for field mice, he began\n",
      "his night's hunting right there in Farmer\n",
      "Green's pasture.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "By morning Solomon was so plump that\n",
      "Aunt Polly Woodchuck would have had\n",
      "a good deal of trouble finding his wishbone.\n",
      "But since he did not visit her again,\n",
      "she had no further chance to prod him in\n",
      "the waistcoat.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Afterward, Solomon heard a bit of gossip\n",
      "that annoyed him. A friend of his\n",
      "reported that Aunt Polly Woodchuck was\n",
      "going about and telling everybody how she\n",
      "had saved Solomon's life.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"060\" /><anchor id=\"Pg060\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Mice!</q> he exclaimed (he often said\n",
      "that when some would have said <q>Rats!</q>).\n",
      "<q>There's not a word of truth in her claim.\n",
      "And if people in this neighborhood keep\n",
      "on taking her advice and her catnip tea\n",
      "they're going to be sorry some day. For\n",
      "they'll be really ill the first thing they\n",
      "know. And then what will they do?</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"061\" /><anchor id=\"Pg061\" />\n",
      "</div>\n",
      "\n",
      "<div rend=\"page-break-before: always\">\n",
      "<index index=\"toc\" level1=\"XII - Benjamin Bat\" />\n",
      "<index index=\"pdf\" level1=\"XII - Benjamin Bat\" />\n",
      "<head>XII<lb />\n",
      "Benjamin Bat</head>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon Owl was by no means the only\n",
      "night-prowler in Pleasant Valley. He had\n",
      "neighbors that chose to sleep in the daytime,\n",
      "so they might roam through the\n",
      "woods and fields after dark. One of these\n",
      "was Benjamin Bat. And furthermore, he\n",
      "was the color of night itself.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"062\" /><anchor id=\"Pg062\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Now, Benjamin Bat was an odd chap.\n",
      "When he was still he liked to hang by his\n",
      "feet, upside down. And when he was flying\n",
      "he sailed about in a zigzag, helter-skelter\n",
      "fashion. He went in so many different\n",
      "directions, turning this way and that, one\n",
      "could never tell where he was going. One\n",
      "might say that his life was just one continual\n",
      "dodge&mdash;when he wasn't resting\n",
      "with his heels where his head ought to be.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "A good many of Benjamin Bat's friends\n",
      "said he certainly must be crazy, because\n",
      "he didn't do as they did. But that never\n",
      "made the slightest difference in Benjamin\n",
      "Bat's habits. He continued to zigzag\n",
      "through life&mdash;and hang by his heels&mdash;just\n",
      "the same. Perhaps he thought that all\n",
      "other people were crazy because they\n",
      "didn't do likewise.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Benjamin often dodged across Solomon\n",
      "Owl's path, when Solomon was hunting\n",
      "for field mice. And since Benjamin was\n",
      "the least bit like a mouse himself&mdash;except\n",
      "for his wings&mdash;there was a time, once,\n",
      "when Solomon tried to catch him.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "But Solomon Owl soon found that chasing\n",
      "Benjamin Bat made him dizzy. If\n",
      "Benjamin hadn't been used to hanging\n",
      "head downward, maybe he would have\n",
      "been dizzy, too.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "<pb n=\"063\" /><anchor id=\"Pg063\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Though the two often saw each other,\n",
      "Benjamin Bat never seemed to care to\n",
      "stop for a chat with Solomon Owl. One\n",
      "night, however, Benjamin actually called\n",
      "to Solomon and asked his advice. He was\n",
      "in trouble. And he knew that Solomon\n",
      "Owl was supposed by some to be the wisest\n",
      "old fellow for miles around.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "It was almost morning. And Solomon\n",
      "Owl was hurrying home, because a terrible\n",
      "storm had arisen. The lightning was\n",
      "flashing, and peals of thunder crashed\n",
      "through the woods. Big drops of rain\n",
      "were already pattering down. But Solomon\n",
      "Owl did not care, for he had almost\n",
      "reached his house in the hollow hemlock\n",
      "near the foot of Blue Mountain.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"064\" /><anchor id=\"Pg064\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "It was different with Benjamin Bat.\n",
      "That night he had strayed a long distance\n",
      "from his home in Cedar Swamp. And\n",
      "he didn't know what to do. <q>I want to get\n",
      "under cover, somewhere,</q> he told Solomon\n",
      "Owl. <q>You don't know of a good place\n",
      "near-by, do you, where I can get out of the\n",
      "storm and take a nap?</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Why, yes!</q> answered Solomon Owl.\n",
      "<q>Come right along to my house and spend\n",
      "the day with me!</q>    \n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "But Benjamin Bat did not like the suggestion\n",
      "at all.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>I'm afraid I might crowd, you,</q> he\n",
      "said. He was thinking of the time when\n",
      "Solomon Owl had chased him. And sleeping\n",
      "in Solomon Owl's house seemed far\n",
      "from a safe thing to do.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p rend=\"text-align: center\"><anchor id=\"image-002\" />\n",
      "<figure rend=\"w95\" url=\"images/image-002.jpg\">\n",
      "<head rend=\"text-align: center\">Benjamin Asked Solomon's Advice\n",
      "</head>\n",
      "<figDesc><hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">Illustration 2</hi></figDesc>\n",
      "</figure></p><p></p>\n",
      "        \n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon was wise enough to guess what\n",
      "was going on inside Benjamin's head.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"065\" /><anchor id=\"Pg065\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Come along!</q> he said. <q>We'll both be\n",
      "asleep before we know it. I'm sorry I\n",
      "can't offer you something to eat. But I\n",
      "haven't a morsel of food in my house. No\n",
      "doubt, though, you've just had a good\n",
      "meal. <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">I</hi> ate seven mice to-night. And I\n",
      "certainly couldn't eat anything more.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "   \n",
      "<p>\n",
      "When Solomon Owl told him that, Benjamin\n",
      "Bat thought perhaps there was no\n",
      "danger, after all. And since the rain was\n",
      "falling harder and harder every moment,\n",
      "he thanked Solomon and said he would be\n",
      "glad to accent his invitation.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Follow me, then!</q> said Solomon Owl.\n",
      "And he led the way to his home in the hemlock.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "For once, Benjamin Bat flew in a fairly\n",
      "straight line, though he did a little dodging,\n",
      "because he couldn't help it.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "There was more room inside Solomon's\n",
      "house than Benjamin Bat had supposed.\n",
      "While Benjamin was looking about and\n",
      "telling Solomon that he had a fine home,\n",
      "his host quickly made a bed of leaves in\n",
      "one corner of the room&mdash;there was only\n",
      "one room, of course.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "<pb n=\"066\" /><anchor id=\"Pg066\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>That's for you!</q> said Solomon Owl.\n",
      "<q>I always sleep on the other side of the\n",
      "house.</q> And without waiting even to\n",
      "make sure that his guest was comfortable,\n",
      "Solomon Owl lay down and began to snore&mdash;for\n",
      "he was very sleepy.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "It was so cozy there that Benjamin Bat\n",
      "was glad, already, that he had accepted\n",
      "Solomon's invitation.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"067\" /><anchor id=\"Pg067\" />\n",
      "</div>\n",
      "\n",
      "<div rend=\"page-break-before: always\">\n",
      "<index index=\"toc\" level1=\"XIII - The Lucky Guest\" />\n",
      "<index index=\"pdf\" level1=\"XIII - The Lucky Guest\" />\n",
      "<head>XIII<lb />\n",
      "The Lucky Guest</head>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "In the middle of the day Solomon Owl\n",
      "happened to awake. He was sorry that he\n",
      "hadn't slept until sunset, because he was\n",
      "very hungry. Knowing that it was light\n",
      "outside his hollow tree, he didn't want to\n",
      "leave home to find something to eat.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Then, suddenly, he remembered that he\n",
      "had brought Benjamin Bat to his house\n",
      "early that morning, so Benjamin might\n",
      "escape the storm.... Why not eat Benjamin\n",
      "Bat?\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "As soon as the thought occurred to him,\n",
      "Solomon Owl liked it. And he moved\n",
      "stealthily over to the bed of leaves he had\n",
      "made for his guest just before daybreak.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "<pb n=\"068\" /><anchor id=\"Pg068\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "But Benjamin Bat was not there.\n",
      "Though Solomon looked in every nook and\n",
      "cranny of his one-room house, he did not\n",
      "find him.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>He must have left as soon as it stopped\n",
      "raining,</q> said Solomon Owl to himself.\n",
      "<q>He might at least have waited to thank\n",
      "me for giving him a day's lodging. It's\n",
      "the last time I'll ever bring any worthless\n",
      "vagabond into my house. And I ought to\n",
      "have known better than to have anything\n",
      "to do with a crazy person like Benjamin\n",
      "Bat.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Anybody can see that Solomon Owl was\n",
      "displeased. But it was not at all astonishing,\n",
      "if one stops to remember how hungry\n",
      "he was, and that he had expected to enjoy\n",
      "a good meal without the trouble of going\n",
      "away from home to get it.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"069\" /><anchor id=\"Pg069\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon Owl went to the door of his\n",
      "house and looked out. The sun was shining\n",
      "so brightly that after blinking in his\n",
      "doorway for a few minutes he decided that\n",
      "he would go to bed again and try to sleep\n",
      "until dusk. He never liked bright days.\n",
      "<q>They're so dismal!</q> he used to say.\n",
      "<q>Give me a good, dark night and I'm\n",
      "happy, for there's nothing more cheering\n",
      "than gloom.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "In spite of the pangs of hunger that\n",
      "gnawed inside him, Solomon at last succeeded\n",
      "in falling asleep once more. And\n",
      "he dreamed that he chased Benjamin Bat\n",
      "three times around Blue Mountain, and\n",
      "then three times back again, in the opposite\n",
      "direction. But he never could catch\n",
      "him, because Benjamin Bat simply\n",
      "wouldn't fly straight. His zigzag course\n",
      "was so confusing that even in his dream\n",
      "Solomon Owl grew dizzy.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"070\" /><anchor id=\"Pg070\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Now, Benjamin Bat was in Solomon's\n",
      "house all the time. And the reason why\n",
      "Solomon Owl hadn't found him was a very\n",
      "simple one. It was merely that Solomon\n",
      "hadn't looked in the right place.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Benjamin Bat was hidden&mdash;as you\n",
      "might say&mdash;where his hungry host never\n",
      "once thought of looking for him. And\n",
      "being asleep all the while, Benjamin didn't\n",
      "once move or make the slightest noise.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "If he had snored, or sneezed, or rustled\n",
      "his wings, no doubt Solomon Owl would\n",
      "have found him.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "When Benjamin awakened, late in the\n",
      "afternoon, Solomon was still sleeping.\n",
      "And Benjamin crept through the door and\n",
      "went out into the gathering twilight, without\n",
      "arousing Solomon.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>I'll thank him the next time I meet\n",
      "him,</q> Benjamin Bat decided. And he\n",
      "staggered away through the air as if he did\n",
      "not quite know, himself, where he was going. \n",
      "But, of course, that was only his\n",
      "queer way of flying.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "<pb n=\"071\" /><anchor id=\"Pg071\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "When he told his friends where he had\n",
      "spent the day they were astonished.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>How did you ever dare do anything so\n",
      "dangerous as sleeping in Solomon Owl's\n",
      "house?</q> they all asked him.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "But Benjamin Bat only said, <q>Oh!\n",
      "There was nothing to be afraid of.</q> And\n",
      "he began to feel quite important.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"072\" /><anchor id=\"Pg072\" />\n",
      "</div>\n",
      "\n",
      "<div rend=\"page-break-before: always\">\n",
      "<index index=\"toc\" level1=\"XIV - Hanging By The Heels\" />\n",
      "<index index=\"pdf\" level1=\"XIV - Hanging By The Heels\" />\n",
      "<head>XIV<lb />\n",
      "Hanging By The Heels</head>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "It was several nights before Solomon Owl\n",
      "and Benjamin Bat chanced to meet again\n",
      "in the forest.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Hullo!</q> said Solomon.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Hullo!</q> said Benjamin Bat. <q>I'm\n",
      "glad to see you, because I want to thank\n",
      "you for letting me spend the day in your\n",
      "house, so I wouldn't have to stay out in\n",
      "the storm.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>You must be a light sleeper,</q> Solomon\n",
      "observed. (He did not tell Benjamin\n",
      "that he was welcome!)\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>What makes you think that?</q> Benjamin\n",
      "Bat inquired.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"073\" /><anchor id=\"Pg073\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Why&mdash;you left my house before\n",
      "noon,</q> Solomon told him.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Oh, no!</q> said Benjamin. <q>I slept\n",
      "soundly until sunset. When I came away\n",
      "the crickets were chirping. And I was\n",
      "surprised that you hadn't waked up yourself.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>You were gone before midday,</q> Solomon\n",
      "Owl insisted. And they had something\n",
      "very like a dispute, while Solomon\n",
      "Owl sat in one tree and Benjamin Bat\n",
      "hung head downward from another. <q>I\n",
      "ought to know,</q> said Solomon. <q>I was\n",
      "awake about noon; and I looked everywhere\n",
      "for you.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>What for?</q> asked Benjamin.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Naturally, Solomon didn't like to tell\n",
      "him that he had intended to eat him. So\n",
      "he looked wise&mdash;and said nothing.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>You didn't look on the ceiling, did\n",
      "you?</q> Benjamin Bat inquired.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"074\" /><anchor id=\"Pg074\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>No, indeed!</q> Solomon Owl exclaimed.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Well, that's where I was, hanging by\n",
      "my feet,</q> Benjamin Bat informed him.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon Owl certainly was surprised\n",
      "to hear that.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>The idea!</q> he cried. <q>You're a queer\n",
      "one! I never once thought of looking <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">on\n",
      "the ceiling</hi> for a <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">luncheon</hi>!</q> He was so\n",
      "astonished that he spoke before he thought\n",
      "how oddly his remark would sound to another.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "When he heard what Solomon Owl said,\n",
      "Benjamin Bat knew at once that Solomon\n",
      "had meant to eat him. And he was so\n",
      "frightened that he dropped from the limb\n",
      "to which he was clinging and flew off as\n",
      "fast as he could go. For once in his life\n",
      "he flew in a straight line, with no zigzags\n",
      "at all, he was in such a hurry to get away\n",
      "from Solomon Owl, who&mdash;for all he knew&mdash;might\n",
      "still be very hungry.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"075\" /><anchor id=\"Pg075\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "But Solomon Owl had caught so many\n",
      "mice that night that he didn't feel like\n",
      "chasing anybody. So he sat motionless in\n",
      "the tree, merely turning his head to watch\n",
      "Benjamin sailing away through the dusky\n",
      "woods. He noticed that Benjamin didn't\n",
      "dodge at all&mdash;except when there was a tree\n",
      "in his way. And he wondered what the\n",
      "reason was.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Perhaps he's not so crazy as I supposed,</q>\n",
      "said Solomon Owl to himself.\n",
      "And ever afterward, when he happened\n",
      "to awake and feel hungry, Solomon Owl\n",
      "used to look up at the ceiling above him\n",
      "and wish that Benjamin Bat was there.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "But Benjamin Bat never cared to have\n",
      "anything more to do with Solomon Owl.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "He said he had a good reason for avoiding\n",
      "him.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"076\" /><anchor id=\"Pg076\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "And ever afterward he passed for a very\n",
      "brave person among his friends. They\n",
      "often pointed him out to strangers, saying,\n",
      "<q>There's Benjamin Bat! <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">He</hi> doesn't\n",
      "know what fear is. Why, once he even\n",
      "spent a whole day asleep in Solomon Owl's\n",
      "house! And if you don't think <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">that</hi> was a\n",
      "bold thing to do, then I guess you don't\n",
      "know Solomon Owl.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"077\" /><anchor id=\"Pg077\" />\n",
      "</div>\n",
      "\n",
      "<div rend=\"page-break-before: always\">\n",
      "<index index=\"toc\" level1=\"XV - Disputes Settled\" />\n",
      "<index index=\"pdf\" level1=\"XV - Disputes Settled\" />\n",
      "<head>XV<lb />\n",
      "Disputes Settled</head>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon Owl looked so wise that many\n",
      "of his neighbors fell into the habit of going\n",
      "to him for advice. If two of the forest\n",
      "folk chanced to have a dispute which\n",
      "they could not settle between them they\n",
      "frequently visited Solomon and asked him\n",
      "to decide which was in the right. And in\n",
      "the course of time Solomon became known\n",
      "far and wide for his ability to patch up a\n",
      "quarrel.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "At last Jimmy Rabbit stopped Solomon\n",
      "Owl one night and suggested that he hang\n",
      "a sign outside his house, so that there\n",
      "shouldn't be anybody in the whole valley\n",
      "that wouldn't know what to do in case he\n",
      "found himself in an argument.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "<pb n=\"078\" /><anchor id=\"Pg078\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon decided on the spot that Jimmy\n",
      "Rabbit's idea was a good one. So he\n",
      "hurried home and before morning he had\n",
      "his sign made, and put out where everyone\n",
      "could see it. It looked like this:\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "DISPUTES SETTLED WITHIN\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "There was only one objection to the\n",
      "sign. As soon as Jimmy Rabbit saw it he\n",
      "told Solomon that it should have said:\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "DISPUTES SETTLED WITHOUT\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Without what?</q> Solomon Owl inquired.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"079\" /><anchor id=\"Pg079\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Why, without going into your house!</q>\n",
      "said Jimmy Rabbit. <q>I can't climb a tree,\n",
      "you know. And neither can Tommy Fox.\n",
      "We might have a dispute to-night; and\n",
      "how could you ever settle it?</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Oh, I shall be willing to step outside,</q>\n",
      "Solomon told him. And he refused to\n",
      "change the sign, declaring that he liked it\n",
      "just as it was.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Now, there was only one trouble with\n",
      "Solomon Owl's settling of disputes.\n",
      "Many of the forest folk wanted to see him\n",
      "in the daytime. And <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">night</hi> was the only\n",
      "time <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">he</hi> was willing to see them. But he\n",
      "heard so many objections to that arrangement\n",
      "that in the end Solomon agreed to\n",
      "meet people at dusk and at dawn, when it\n",
      "was neither very dark nor very light. On\n",
      "the whole he found that way very satisfactory,\n",
      "because there was just enough\n",
      "light at dusk and at dawn to make him\n",
      "blink. And when Solomon blinked he\n",
      "looked even wiser than ever.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"080\" /><anchor id=\"Pg080\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Well, the first disputing pair that came\n",
      "to Solomon's tree after he hung out his\n",
      "new sign were old Mr. Crow and Jasper\n",
      "Jay. They reached the hemlock grove\n",
      "soon after sunset and squalled loudly for\n",
      "Solomon. <q>Hurry!</q> Mr. Crow cried, as\n",
      "soon as Solomon Owl stepped outside his\n",
      "door. <q>It will be dark before we know it;\n",
      "and it's almost our bedtime.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>What's your difficulty?</q> Solomon\n",
      "asked them.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Mr. Crow looked at Jasper Jay. And\n",
      "then he looked at Solomon again.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Maybe you won't like to hear it,</q> he\n",
      "said. And he winked at Jasper. <q>But\n",
      "you've put out this sign&mdash;so we've come\n",
      "here.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>You've done just right!</q> exclaimed\n",
      "Solomon Owl. <q>And as for my not liking\n",
      "to hear the trouble, it's your dispute and\n",
      "not mine. So I don't see how it concerns\n",
      "me&mdash;except to settle it.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"081\" /><anchor id=\"Pg081\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Very Well,</q> Mr. Crow answered.\n",
      "<q>The dispute, then, is this: Jasper says\n",
      "that in spite of your looking so wise,\n",
      "you're really the stupidest person in\n",
      "Pleasant Valley.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>He does, eh?</q> cried Solomon Owl,\n",
      "while Jasper Jay laughed loudly. <q>And\n",
      "you, of course, do not agree with him,</q>\n",
      "Solomon continued.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>I do not!</q> Mr. Crow declared.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Good!</q> said Solomon, nodding his\n",
      "head approvingly.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>No, I do not agree with Jasper Jay,</q>\n",
      "Mr. Crow said. <q>I claim that there's one\n",
      "other person more stupid than you are&mdash;and\n",
      "that's Fatty Coon.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Well, Solomon Owl certainly was displeased.\n",
      "And it didn't make him feel any\n",
      "happier to hear Jasper Jay's boisterous\n",
      "shouts, or the hoarse <q><hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">haw-haw</hi></q> of old\n",
      "Mr. Crow.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"082\" /><anchor id=\"Pg082\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>I hope you can decide which one of us\n",
      "is right,</q> Mr. Crow ventured.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>I am, of course!</q> cried Jasper Jay.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>You're not!</q> Mr. Crow shouted. And\n",
      "to Solomon Owl he said, <q>We've been disputing\n",
      "like this all day long.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon Owl didn't know what to say.\n",
      "If he announced that Jasper was right it\n",
      "would be the same as admitting that he\n",
      "was the stupidest person in the whole\n",
      "neighborhood. And if he said that old\n",
      "Mr. Crow's opinion was correct he would\n",
      "not be much better off. Naturally he\n",
      "didn't want to tell either of them that he\n",
      "was right.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>I'll have to think about this,</q> Solomon\n",
      "observed at last.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>We don't want to wait,</q> said Mr.\n",
      "Crow. <q>If we keep on disputing we're\n",
      "likely to have a fight.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"083\" /><anchor id=\"Pg083\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Now, Solomon Owl hoped that they\n",
      "would have a fight. So he was determined\n",
      "to keep them waiting for his decision.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Come back to-morrow at this time,</q>\n",
      "he said.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"084\" /><anchor id=\"Pg084\" />\n",
      "</div>\n",
      "\n",
      "<div rend=\"page-break-before: always\">\n",
      "<index index=\"toc\" level1=\"XVI - Nine Fights\" />\n",
      "<index index=\"pdf\" level1=\"XVI - Nine Fights\" />\n",
      "<head>XVI<lb />\n",
      "Nine Fights</head>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "The next evening, just at dusk, Jasper\n",
      "Jay and old Mr. Crow returned to Solomon\n",
      "Owl's house, looking much bedraggled.\n",
      "One of Mr. Crow's eyes was almost\n",
      "closed; and Jasper Jay's crest seemed to\n",
      "have been torn half off his head.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>What's the matter?</q> asked Solomon,\n",
      "as soon as he saw them.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>We've had three fights,</q> said Jasper\n",
      "Jay.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Yes! And I've whipped him each\n",
      "time!</q> cried Mr. Crow. <q>So I must be in\n",
      "the right. And you'd better decide our\n",
      "dispute in my favor at once.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"085\" /><anchor id=\"Pg085\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "But Solomon Owl was still in no hurry.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>It's a difficult question to settle,<q> said\n",
      "he. </q>I don't want to make any mistake.\n",
      "So I shall have to ask you to come back\n",
      "here to-morrow at this time.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Both Jasper and Mr. Crow seemed disappointed.\n",
      "Although Mr. Crow had won\n",
      "each fight, he was very weary, for he was\n",
      "older than Jasper Jay.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "As they went off, Solomon Owl began\n",
      "to feel much pleased with himself.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "The following evening, at sunset, old\n",
      "Mr. Crow and Jasper Jay visited Solomon\n",
      "Owl once more. And they looked\n",
      "more battered than ever.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>We've had three more fights,</q> said\n",
      "Mr. Crow.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Yes! And I won each time!</q> Jasper\n",
      "Jay piped up. <q>So I must be in the right.\n",
      "And you'd better decide in my favor without\n",
      "any further delay.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"086\" /><anchor id=\"Pg086\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon Owl thought deeply for some\n",
      "time.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Maybe I ought to wait until to-morrow&qdash;</q>\n",
      "he began.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "But his callers both shouted <q>No!</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Well,</q> said Solomon, <q>Mr. Crow has\n",
      "won three fights; and Jasper Jay has won\n",
      "three. So it is certain that each must be\n",
      "in the wrong.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "But that announcement did not satisfy\n",
      "Jasper and Mr. Crow. And they left the\n",
      "hemlock grove, disputing more loudly than\n",
      "ever.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "And the next day, at dusk, they came\n",
      "back again.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>We've had three more fights; and I\n",
      "won!</q> they both cried at the same time.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>That proves my claim,</q> said Solomon\n",
      "Owl. <q>You're both wrong.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "They whispered together for a few minutes.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"087\" /><anchor id=\"Pg087\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>We don't like your way of settling disputes,</q>\n",
      "Mr. Crow remarked shortly. <q>But\n",
      "we've decided to stop quarreling.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Good!</q> said Solomon Owl. <q>That\n",
      "shows that you are sensible.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Yes!</q> replied Jasper. <q>We've decided\n",
      "to stop quarreling and fight <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">you</hi>!</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Wait a moment!</q> said Solomon Owl\n",
      "hastily, as they drew nearer. <q>I don't\n",
      "want my new suit spoiled.</q> And he\n",
      "ducked inside the hollow tree before they\n",
      "could reach him.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Jasper and Mr. Crow waited and\n",
      "waited. But Solomon Owl did not reappear.\n",
      "And since his two visitors did not\n",
      "dare follow him into the dark cavern\n",
      "where he lived, they decided at last that\n",
      "they would go home&mdash;and get into bed.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Let's take away his sign, anyhow!</q>\n",
      "Jasper Jay suggested.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"088\" /><anchor id=\"Pg088\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "So they pulled down Solomon's sign,\n",
      "which said <q>Disputes Settled Within,</q>\n",
      "and they carried it off with them and hid\n",
      "it in some bushes.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "That same night Solomon Owl hunted\n",
      "for it for a long time. But he never found\n",
      "it.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "He decided not to hang out another,\n",
      "for he saw that settling disputes was a\n",
      "dangerous business.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"089\" /><anchor id=\"Pg089\" />\n",
      "</div>\n",
      "\n",
      "<div rend=\"page-break-before: always\">\n",
      "<index index=\"toc\" level1=\"XVII - Cousin Simon Screecher\" />\n",
      "<index index=\"pdf\" level1=\"XVII - Cousin Simon Screecher\" />\n",
      "<head>XVII<lb />\n",
      "Cousin Simon Screecher</head>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon Owl had a small cousin named\n",
      "Simon Screecher. He was unlike Solomon\n",
      "in some respects, because he always\n",
      "wore ear-tufts, and his eyes were yellow\n",
      "instead of black. But in some other ways\n",
      "he was no different from Solomon Owl, for\n",
      "he was a noisy chap and dearly loved mice&mdash;to\n",
      "eat.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "It happened that the two met in the\n",
      "woods one fine fall evening; and they\n",
      "agreed to go hunting mice together.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"090\" /><anchor id=\"Pg090\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Now, being so much smaller than Solomon,\n",
      "Simon Screecher was all the spryer.\n",
      "In fact, he was so active that he could\n",
      "catch mice faster than Solomon Owl could\n",
      "capture them. And they had not hunted\n",
      "long before Solomon discovered that\n",
      "Simon had succeeded in disposing of six\n",
      "mice to his three.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "That discovery did not please Solomon\n",
      "at all.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Look here!</q> he said. <q>Since we are\n",
      "hunting together it's only fair to divide\n",
      "what we catch, half and half.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Simon Screecher hesitated. But after\n",
      "reflecting that his cousin was very big and\n",
      "very strong, he agreed to Solomon's suggestion.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "So they resumed their hunting. And\n",
      "every time one of them caught two mice,\n",
      "he gave one mouse to his cousin.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Still Solomon Owl was not satisfied.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"091\" /><anchor id=\"Pg091\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Wait a moment!</q> Solomon called to\n",
      "Simon Screecher. <q>It has just occurred\n",
      "to me that I am more than twice as big\n",
      "as you are; so I ought to have twice as\n",
      "many mice as you.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "This time Simon Screecher hesitated\n",
      "longer. He did not like the second suggestion\n",
      "even as well as the first. And in\n",
      "the end he said as much, too.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "But Solomon Owl insisted that it was\n",
      "only fair.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>You surely ought to be glad to please\n",
      "your own cousin,</q> he told Simon.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>It's not that,</q> said Simon Screecher.\n",
      "<q>It seems to me that since I'm not half\n",
      "your size, I ought to have twice as many\n",
      "mice to eat, so I'll grow bigger.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Well, Solomon Owl hadn't thought of\n",
      "that. He was puzzled to know what to\n",
      "say. And he wanted time in which to\n",
      "ponder.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"092\" /><anchor id=\"Pg092\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>I'll think over what you say,</q> he told\n",
      "Simon Screecher. <q>And now, since it's\n",
      "almost dawn, we'd better not hunt any\n",
      "longer to-night. But I'll meet you again\n",
      "at dusk if you'll come to my house.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Very well, Cousin Solomon!</q> Simon\n",
      "answered. <q>I'm sure that after you've\n",
      "had a good sleep you'll be ready to agree\n",
      "with me.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>If that's the case, I may not take any\n",
      "nap at all,</q> Solomon replied.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Oh! You ought to have your rest!</q>\n",
      "his cousin exclaimed. Simon knew that if\n",
      "Solomon went all day without sleep he\n",
      "would be frightfully peevish by nightfall.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Well&mdash;I'll try to get forty winks,</q>\n",
      "Solomon promised. <q>But I don't believe\n",
      "I can get more than that, because I have\n",
      "so much on my mind that I'm sure to be\n",
      "wakeful.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"093\" /><anchor id=\"Pg093\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Simon Screecher was somewhat worried\n",
      "as they parted. His wailing, tremulous\n",
      "whistle, which floated through the shadowy \n",
      "woods, showed that he was far from\n",
      "happy.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"094\" /><anchor id=\"Pg094\" />\n",
      "</div>\n",
      "\n",
      "<div rend=\"page-break-before: always\">\n",
      "<index index=\"toc\" level1=\"XVIII - A Cousinly Quarrel\" />\n",
      "<index index=\"pdf\" level1=\"XVIII - A Cousinly Quarrel\" />\n",
      "<head>XVIII<lb />\n",
      "XVIII - A Cousinly Quarrel</head>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "It proved to be just as Solomon Owl had\n",
      "told his cousin, Simon Screecher. Solomon\n",
      "had so much on his mind that he had\n",
      "no sooner fallen asleep than he awoke\n",
      "again, to study over the question that perplexed\n",
      "him. He certainly did not want\n",
      "Simon to have twice as many mice as he.\n",
      "But Simon's argument was a good one.\n",
      "He had said that since Solomon was more\n",
      "than twice his size, it was proper that he\n",
      "should have a chance to grow. And everybody\n",
      "knew&mdash;Solomon reflected&mdash;everybody\n",
      "knew that <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">eating</hi> made one larger.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"095\" /><anchor id=\"Pg095\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "The longer Solomon pondered, the farther \n",
      "he seemed from any answer that he\n",
      "liked. And he had begun to fear that he\n",
      "would not succeed in getting more than\n",
      "thirty-nine winks all day&mdash;instead of\n",
      "forty&mdash;when all at once an idea came into\n",
      "his mind.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon knew right away that he had\n",
      "nothing more to worry about. He dropped\n",
      "into a sound sleep with a pleasant smile\n",
      "upon his usually solemn face. And when\n",
      "he opened his eyes again it was time for\n",
      "Simon Screecher to arrive.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Yes! Solomon could hear his cousin's\n",
      "whistle even then. So he hurried to his\n",
      "door; and there was Simon, sitting on a\n",
      "limb of the big hemlock waiting for him!\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>It's all right!</q> said Solomon to his\n",
      "cousin. <q>I agree to your suggestion.\n",
      "We'll hunt together again to-night; and if\n",
      "you will give me one-third of all the mice\n",
      "you catch, I promise to give you two-thirds \n",
      "of all the mice that I capture.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "<pb n=\"096\" /><anchor id=\"Pg096\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Good!</q> said Simon Screecher. And\n",
      "he looked vastly relieved. <q>Just hoot\n",
      "when you have any mice for me!</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Whistle when you have any for me!</q>\n",
      "Solomon Owl replied.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "And at that they started out for their\n",
      "night's sport. It was not long before\n",
      "Simon Screecher's well known whistle\n",
      "brought Solomon hurrying to him. Simon\n",
      "already had three mice, one of which he\n",
      "gave to Solomon, according to their agreement.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "That same thing happened several\n",
      "times; until at last Simon Screecher began\n",
      "to grumble.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>What's the matter?</q> he asked his\n",
      "cousin. <q>You are not hooting, as you\n",
      "promised you would.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>But I haven't caught any mice yet!</q>\n",
      "Solomon Owl replied.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p rend=\"text-align: center\"><anchor id=\"image-003\" />\n",
      "<figure rend=\"w95\" url=\"images/image-003.jpg\">\n",
      "<head rend=\"text-align: center\"><q>It's All Right,</q> Said Solomon\n",
      "</head>\n",
      "<figDesc><hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">Illustration 3</hi></figDesc>\n",
      "</figure></p><p></p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"097\" /><anchor id=\"Pg097\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Again and again and again Simon's\n",
      "call summoned Solomon. But not once\n",
      "did Solomon's summon Simon. And all\n",
      "the time Simon Screecher grew more discontented.\n",
      "Toward the end of the night\n",
      "he declared flatly that he wasn't going to\n",
      "hunt any more with his cousin.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>I've done exactly as I agreed!</q> Solomon\n",
      "Owl protested.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>You're altogether too slow and\n",
      "clumsy,</q> Simon Screecher told him bluntly.\n",
      "<q>If I'm going to hunt with anybody\n",
      "after this I'm going to choose someone\n",
      "that's as spry as I am. There's no sense\n",
      "in my working for you. Here I've toiled\n",
      "all night long and I'm still hungry, for\n",
      "I've given you a third of my food.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "They parted then&mdash;and none too pleasantly.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"098\" /><anchor id=\"Pg098\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "In Simon's whistle, as he flew away toward\n",
      "his home, there was unmistakable\n",
      "anger. But Solomon Owl's answering\n",
      "hoots&mdash;while they were not exactly sweet&mdash;seemed\n",
      "to carry more than a hint of\n",
      "laughter.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "One would naturally think that Solomon\n",
      "might have been even hungrier than\n",
      "his small cousin. But it was not so. He\n",
      "had had more to eat than usual; for he had\n",
      "been very busy catching locusts and katydids&mdash;and\n",
      "frogs, too. Solomon Owl had\n",
      "not tried to catch a single mouse that\n",
      "night.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "You know now the idea that had come\n",
      "to him while he was lying awake in his\n",
      "house during the daytime. He had made\n",
      "up his mind that he would not hunt for\n",
      "<hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">mice</hi>. And since he had not promised\n",
      "Simon to give him anything else, there was\n",
      "no reason why he should not eat all the\n",
      "frogs and katydids and locusts that he\n",
      "could find.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"099\" /><anchor id=\"Pg099\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Perhaps it was not surprising that\n",
      "Simon Screecher never guessed the truth.\n",
      "But he seemed to know that there was\n",
      "something queer about that night's hunting,\n",
      "for he never came to Solomon Owl's\n",
      "house again.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"100\" /><anchor id=\"Pg100\" />\n",
      "</div>\n",
      "\n",
      "<div rend=\"page-break-before: always\">\n",
      "<index index=\"toc\" level1=\"XIX - The Sleet Storm\" />\n",
      "<index index=\"pdf\" level1=\"XIX - The Sleet Storm\" />\n",
      "<head>XIX<lb />\n",
      "The Sleet Storm</head>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "It was winter. And for several days a\n",
      "strong south wind had swept up Pleasant\n",
      "Valley. That&mdash;as Solomon Owl knew\n",
      "very well&mdash;that meant a thaw was coming.\n",
      "He was not sorry, because the weather had\n",
      "been bitterly cold.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Well, the thaw came. And the weather\n",
      "grew so warm that Solomon Owl could\n",
      "stay out all night without once feeling\n",
      "chilled. He found the change so agreeable\n",
      "that he strayed further from home\n",
      "than was his custom. Indeed, he was far\n",
      "away on the other side of Blue Mountain\n",
      "at midnight, when it began to rain.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"101\" /><anchor id=\"Pg101\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Now, that was not quite so pleasant.\n",
      "But still Solomon did not mind greatly. It\n",
      "was not until later that he began to feel\n",
      "alarmed, when he noticed that flying did\n",
      "not seem so easy as usual.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon had grown heavy all at once&mdash;and\n",
      "goodness knows it was not because he\n",
      "had overeaten, for food was scarce at that\n",
      "season of the year. Moreover, Solomon's\n",
      "wings were strangely stiff. When he\n",
      "moved them they <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">crackled</hi>.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>It must be my joints,</q> he said to himself.\n",
      "<q>I'm afraid this wetting has given\n",
      "me rheumatism.</q> So he started home at\n",
      "once&mdash;though it was only midnight. But\n",
      "the further he went, the worse he felt&mdash;and\n",
      "the harder it was to fly.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>I'll have to rest a while,</q> he said to\n",
      "himself at last. So he alighted on a limb;\n",
      "for he was more tired than he had ever\n",
      "been in all his life.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"102\" /><anchor id=\"Pg102\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "But he soon felt so much better that he\n",
      "was ready to start on again. And then,\n",
      "to his dismay, Solomon Owl found that he\n",
      "could hardly stir. The moment he left\n",
      "his perch he floundered down upon the\n",
      "ground. And though he tried his hardest,\n",
      "he couldn't reach the tree again.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "The rain was still beating down steadily.\n",
      "And Solomon began to think it a bad\n",
      "night to be out. What was worse, the\n",
      "weather was fast turning cold.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>I'm afraid I'll have to stay in bed a\n",
      "week after this,</q> he groaned. <q>If I sit\n",
      "here long, as wet as I am, while the thaw\n",
      "turns into a <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">freeze</hi>, I shall certainly be ill.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Now, if it hadn't been for the rain, Solomon\n",
      "Owl would have had no trouble at all.\n",
      "Or if it hadn't been for the freezing cold\n",
      "he would have been in no difficulty.\n",
      "Though he didn't know it, his trouble was\n",
      "simply this: The rain froze upon him as\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"103\" /><anchor id=\"Pg103\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "fast as it fell, covering him with a coating\n",
      "of ice. It was no wonder that he felt\n",
      "strangely heavy&mdash;no wonder that he\n",
      "couldn't fly.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "There he crouched on the ground, while\n",
      "the rain and sleet beat upon him. And\n",
      "the only comforting thought that entered\n",
      "his head was that on so stormy a night\n",
      "Tommy Fox and Fatty Coon would be\n",
      "snug and warm in their beds. <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">They</hi>\n",
      "wouldn't go out in such weather.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "And Solomon Owl wished that he, too,\n",
      "had stayed at home that night.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "From midnight until almost dawn Solomon\n",
      "Owl sat there. Now and then he tried\n",
      "to fly. But it was no use. He could\n",
      "scarcely raise himself off the ground.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "At last he decided he would have to <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">walk</hi>\n",
      "home. Fortunately, a hard crust covered\n",
      "the soft snow. So Solomon started off on\n",
      "his long journey.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"104\" /><anchor id=\"Pg104\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Flying, Solomon could have covered the\n",
      "distance in a few minutes. But he was a\n",
      "slow walker. By the time he reached his\n",
      "home among the hemlocks the sun was\n",
      "shining brightly&mdash;for the rain had stopped\n",
      "before daybreak.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon wondered how he would ever\n",
      "succeed in reaching his doorway, high up\n",
      "in the hollow tree. He gazed helplessly\n",
      "upward. And as he sat there mournfully\n",
      "the bright sunshine melted the ice that\n",
      "bound his wings. After a time he discovered\n",
      "that he could move freely once more.\n",
      "And then he rose quickly in the air and in\n",
      "a twinkling he had disappeared into the\n",
      "darkness of his home&mdash;that darkness\n",
      "which to him was always so pleasant.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"105\" /><anchor id=\"Pg105\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "</div>\n",
      "\n",
      "<div rend=\"page-break-before: always\">\n",
      "<index index=\"toc\" level1=\"XX - A Pair Of Red-Heads\" />\n",
      "<index index=\"pdf\" level1=\"XX - A Pair Of Red-Heads\" />\n",
      "<head>XX<lb />\n",
      "A Pair Of Red-Heads</head>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "In the woods there was hardly one of Solomon\n",
      "Owl's neighbors that couldn't point\n",
      "out the big hemlock tree where he lived.\n",
      "And mischievous fellows like Reddy\n",
      "Woodpecker sometimes annoyed Solomon\n",
      "a good deal by rapping loudly on his door.\n",
      "When he thrust his head angrily out of his\n",
      "house and blinked in the sunlight, his tormentors\n",
      "would skip away and laugh. They\n",
      "laughed because they knew that they had\n",
      "awakened Solomon Owl. And they dodged\n",
      "out of his reach because he was always ill-tempered\n",
      "when anybody disturbed his rest\n",
      "in the daytime.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"106\" /><anchor id=\"Pg106\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon Owl did not mind so <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">very</hi> much\n",
      "so long as that trick was not played on\n",
      "him too often. But after a time it became\n",
      "one of Reddy Woodpecker's favorite\n",
      "sports. Not only once, but several times\n",
      "a day did he go to the hemlock grove to\n",
      "hammer upon Solomon's hollow tree. And\n",
      "each time that he brought Solomon Owl\n",
      "to his door Reddy Woodpecker laughed\n",
      "more loudly than ever before.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Once Solomon forgot to take off his\n",
      "nightcap (though he wore it in the daytime,\n",
      "it really was a nightcap). And Reddy\n",
      "Woodpecker was so amused that he\n",
      "shouted at the top of his lungs.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>What's the joke?</q> asked Solomon Owl\n",
      "in his deep, rumbling voice. He tried to\n",
      "look very severe. But it is hard to look\n",
      "any way except funny with a nightcap on\n",
      "one's head.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"107\" /><anchor id=\"Pg107\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "As luck had it, Jasper Jay came hurrying \n",
      "up just then. He had heard Reddy\n",
      "Woodpecker's laughter. And if there\n",
      "was a joke he wanted to enjoy it, too.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Jasper Jay, alighting in a small hemlock\n",
      "near Reddy Woodpecker, asked the\n",
      "same question that Solomon Owl had just\n",
      "put to his rude caller.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>What's the joke?</q> inquired Jasper\n",
      "Jay.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Reddy could not speak. He was rocking\n",
      "back and forth upon a limb, choking\n",
      "and gasping for breath. But he managed\n",
      "to point to the big tree where Solomon Owl\n",
      "lived.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "And when Jasper looked, and saw Solomon's\n",
      "great, round, pale, questioning face,\n",
      "all tied up in a red nightcap, he began to\n",
      "scream.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"108\" /><anchor id=\"Pg108\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "They were no ordinary screams&mdash;those\n",
      "shrieks of Jasper Jay's. That blue-coated\n",
      "rascal was the noisiest of all the feathered\n",
      "folk in Pleasant Valley. And now he fairly\n",
      "made the woods echo with his hoarse\n",
      "cries.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>This is the funniest sight I've ever\n",
      "seen!</q> Jasper Jay said at last, to nobody\n",
      "in particular. <q>I declare, there's a pair\n",
      "of them!</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "At that, Reddy Woodpecker suddenly\n",
      "stopped laughing.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>A pair of what?</q> he asked.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>A pair of red-heads, of course!</q> Jasper\n",
      "Jay replied. <q>You've a red cap&mdash;and\n",
      "so has he!</q> Jasper pointed at Solomon\n",
      "Owl (a very rude thing to do!).\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Then two things happened all at once.\n",
      "Solomon Owl snatched off his red \n",
      "night-cap&mdash;which he had quite forgotten. And\n",
      "Reddy Woodpecker dashed at Jasper\n",
      "Jay. He couldn't pull off <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">his</hi> red cap, for\n",
      "it grew right on his head.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"109\" /><anchor id=\"Pg109\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>So that's what you're laughing at, is\n",
      "it?</q> he cried angrily. And then nobody\n",
      "laughed any more&mdash;that is, nobody but\n",
      "Solomon Owl.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon was so pleased by the fight that\n",
      "followed between Jasper Jay and Reddy\n",
      "Woodpecker that his deep, rumbling\n",
      "laughter could be heard for half an hour&mdash;even\n",
      "if it <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">was</hi> midday. <q><hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">Wha-wha!\n",
      "Whoo-ah!</hi></q> The sound reached the ears\n",
      "of Farmer Green, who was just crossing\n",
      "a neighboring field, on his way home to\n",
      "dinner.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Well, well!</q> he exclaimed. <q>I wonder\n",
      "what's happened to that old owl!\n",
      "Something must have tickled him&mdash;for I\n",
      "never heard an owl laugh in broad daylight\n",
      "before.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"110\" /><anchor id=\"Pg110\" />\n",
      "</div>\n",
      "\n",
      "<div rend=\"page-break-before: always\">\n",
      "<index index=\"toc\" level1=\"XXI - At Home In The Haystack\" />\n",
      "<index index=\"pdf\" level1=\"XXI - At Home In The Haystack\" />\n",
      "<head>XXI<lb />\n",
      "At Home In The Haystack</head>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "After what happened when he came to\n",
      "his door without remembering to take off\n",
      "his red nightcap, Solomon Owl hoped that\n",
      "Reddy Woodpecker would stop teasing\n",
      "him.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "But it was not so. Having once viewed\n",
      "Solomon's red cap, Reddy Woodpecker\n",
      "wanted to see it some more. So he came\n",
      "again and again and knocked on Solomon's\n",
      "door.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"111\" /><anchor id=\"Pg111\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon Owl, however, remembered\n",
      "each time to remove his nightcap before\n",
      "sticking his head out. And it might be\n",
      "said that neither of them was exactly\n",
      "pleased. For Reddy Woodpecker was\n",
      "disappointed; and Solomon Owl was angry.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Not a day passed that Reddy Woodpecker\n",
      "didn't disturb Solomon's rest at\n",
      "least a dozen times. Perhaps if Solomon\n",
      "had just kept still inside his house Reddy\n",
      "would have grown tired of bothering him.\n",
      "But Solomon Owl&mdash;for all he looked so\n",
      "wise&mdash;never thought of that.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "But he saw before a great while that he\n",
      "would have to make a change of some\n",
      "sort&mdash;if he wanted to enjoy a good, quiet\n",
      "sleep again.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "For a long time Solomon Owl pondered.\n",
      "It was a great puzzle&mdash;to know just how to\n",
      "outwit Reddy Woodpecker. And Solomon\n",
      "almost despaired of finding a way out\n",
      "of the difficulty. But at last an idea came\n",
      "to him, all in a flash. He would take his\n",
      "daytime naps somewhere else!\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"112\" /><anchor id=\"Pg112\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon spent several nights looking \n",
      "for a good place to pass his days. And in\n",
      "the end he decided on the meadow. It\n",
      "would be convenient, he thought, when he\n",
      "was hunting meadow mice at dawn, if he\n",
      "could stay right there, without bothering\n",
      "to go into the woods to sleep.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Since there were no trees in the\n",
      "meadow, but only a few scrubby bushes\n",
      "along the stone wall, one might naturally\n",
      "make the mistake of thinking that there\n",
      "could not possibly be a nook of any kind\n",
      "that would suit Solomon Owl, who could\n",
      "never sleep soundly unless his bedroom\n",
      "was quite dark.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "But there was one hiding place that Solomon\n",
      "liked almost as well as his home in\n",
      "the hollow hemlock. And that was Farmer\n",
      "Green's haystack. He burrowed into one\n",
      "side of it and made himself a snug chamber,\n",
      "which was as dark as a pocket&mdash;and\n",
      "ever so much quieter. What pleased Solomon\n",
      "most, however, was this: Nobody\n",
      "knew about that new retreat except himself.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "<pb n=\"113\" /><anchor id=\"Pg113\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Even if Reddy Woodpecker should succeed\n",
      "in finding it, he never could disturb\n",
      "Solomon by drumming upon the haystack.\n",
      "If Reddy tried that trick, his bill would\n",
      "merely sink noiselessly into the hay.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "So Solomon Owl at last had a good day's\n",
      "rest. And when he met Reddy Woodpecker\n",
      "just after sunset, Solomon was\n",
      "feeling so cheerful that he said <q>Good-evening!</q>\n",
      "quite pleasantly, before he remembered\n",
      "that it was Reddy who had\n",
      "teased him so often.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Good-evening!</q> Reddy Woodpecker\n",
      "replied. He seemed much surprised that\n",
      "Solomon Owl should be so agreeable.\n",
      "<q>Can you hear me?</q> Reddy asked him.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Perfectly!</q> said Solomon.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"114\" /><anchor id=\"Pg114\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>That's strange!</q> Reddy Woodpecker\n",
      "exclaimed. <q>I was almost sure you had\n",
      "suddenly grown deaf.</q> And he could not\n",
      "understand why Solomon Owl laughed\n",
      "loud and long.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q><hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">Wha-wha! Whoo-ah!</hi></q> Solomon's\n",
      "deep-voiced laughter rolled and echoed\n",
      "through the woodland.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "But Reddy Woodpecker did not laugh\n",
      "at all.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"115\" /><anchor id=\"Pg115\" />\n",
      "</div>\n",
      "\n",
      "<div rend=\"page-break-before: always\">\n",
      "<index index=\"toc\" level1=\"XXII - It Was Solomon's Fault\" />\n",
      "<index index=\"pdf\" level1=\"XXII - It Was Solomon's Fault\" />\n",
      "<head>XXII<lb />\n",
      "It Was Solomon's Fault</head>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Reddy Woodpecker had a very good reason\n",
      "for not laughing when he met Solomon\n",
      "Owl. Of course, he knew nothing\n",
      "whatever of Solomon's new hiding place\n",
      "in the haystack. And that very morning\n",
      "Reddy had invited a party of friends to\n",
      "go with him to the hemlock grove where\n",
      "Solomon Owl had always lived, <q>to have\n",
      "some fun,</q> as Reddy had explained.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "For a long time he had knocked and\n",
      "hammered and pounded at Solomon Owl's\n",
      "door. But for once Solomon's great pale\n",
      "face did not appear.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"116\" /><anchor id=\"Pg116\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Where's the fun?</q> Reddy's friends\n",
      "had wanted to know, after they had\n",
      "waited until they were impatient.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "And Reddy Woodpecker could only\n",
      "shake his head and say:\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>I can't understand it! It's never happened\n",
      "like this before. I'm afraid Solomon\n",
      "Owl has lost his hearing.</q>\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Reddy Woodpecker's friends were no\n",
      "more polite than he. And they began to\n",
      "jeer at him.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>You didn't hammer loud enough,</q> one\n",
      "of them told him.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "So he set to work again and rapped and\n",
      "rapped until his head felt as if it would\n",
      "fly off, and his neck began to ache.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Still, Solomon Owl did not appear.\n",
      "And the party broke up in something very\n",
      "like a quarrel. For Reddy Woodpecker\n",
      "lost his temper when his friends teased\n",
      "him; and a good many unpleasant remarks\n",
      "passed back and forth.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"117\" /><anchor id=\"Pg117\" />\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Somehow, Reddy felt that it was all Solomon\n",
      "Owl's fault, because he hadn't come\n",
      "to the door.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Of course, Reddy had no means of\n",
      "knowing that all that time Solomon Owl\n",
      "was sleeping peacefully in Farmer\n",
      "Green's haystack in the meadow, a quarter\n",
      "of a mile away.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "It was a good joke on Reddy Woodpecker.\n",
      "And though no one had told Solomon\n",
      "Owl about it, he was not so stupid\n",
      "that he couldn't guess at least <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">a little</hi> that\n",
      "had happened.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "<milestone unit=\"tb\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon Owl continued to have a very\n",
      "pleasant time living in the meadow. Since\n",
      "there were many mice right close at hand,\n",
      "little by little he visited the woods less and\n",
      "less. And there came a time at last when\n",
      "he hardly left the meadow at all.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"118\" /><anchor id=\"Pg118\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Not flying any more than he could help,\n",
      "and eating too much, and sleeping very\n",
      "soundly each day, he grew stouter than\n",
      "ever, until his friends hardly knew him\n",
      "when they saw him.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<q>Solomon Owl is a sight&mdash;he's so fat!</q>\n",
      "people began to say.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "But his size never worried Solomon Owl\n",
      "in the least. When he became too big for\n",
      "his doorway in the haystack, it was a simple\n",
      "matter to make the opening larger&mdash;much\n",
      "simpler than it would have been to\n",
      "make himself <hi rend=\"font-style: italic\">smaller</hi>. And that was another\n",
      "reason why he was delighted with\n",
      "his new home.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "At last, however, something happened\n",
      "to put an end to his lazy way of living.\n",
      "One day the sound of men's voices awakened\n",
      "him, when he was having a good nap\n",
      "in the haystack. And he felt his bedroom\n",
      "quiver as if an earthquake had shaken it.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"119\" /><anchor id=\"Pg119\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Scrambling to his doorway and peeping\n",
      "slyly out, Solomon saw a sight that made\n",
      "him very angry. A hayrack stood alongside\n",
      "the stack; and on it stood Farmer\n",
      "Green and his hired man. Each had a\n",
      "pitchfork in his hands, with which he tore\n",
      "great forkfuls of hay off the stack and\n",
      "piled it upon the wagon.        \n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "Solomon Owl knew then that his fine  \n",
      "hiding place was going to be spoiled. As\n",
      "soon as the horses had pulled the load of\n",
      "hay away, with Farmer Green and the\n",
      "hired man riding on top of it, Solomon\n",
      "Owl crept out of his snug bedroom and \n",
      "hurried off to the woods.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "He was so fat that it was several days\n",
      "before he could squeeze inside his old home\n",
      "in the hollow hemlock. And for the time\n",
      "being he had to sit on a limb and sleep  \n",
      "in the daylight as best he could.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<pb n=\"120\" /><anchor id=\"Pg120\" />\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "But to his surprise, Reddy Woodpecker\n",
      "troubled him no more.  Reddy had\n",
      "drummed so hard on Solomon's door, in\n",
      "the effort to awake him when he wasn't\n",
      "there, that Aunt Polly Woodchuck told\n",
      "him he would ruin his bill, if he didn't look\n",
      "out. And since the warning thoroughly\n",
      "alarmed him, Reddy stopped visiting the\n",
      "hemlock grove.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "In time Solomon Owl grew to look like\n",
      "himself again. And people never really\n",
      "knew just what had happened to him. But\n",
      "they noticed that he always hooted angrily\n",
      "whenever anybody mentioned Farmer\n",
      "Green's name.\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "<p>\n",
      "<lb /><lb />\n",
      "THE END\n",
      "</p>\n",
      "\n",
      "</div>\n",
      "\n",
      "</body>\n",
      "\n",
      "  <back>\n",
      "  <div rend=\"page-break-before: always\">\n",
      "  <divGen type=\"pgfooter\" />\n",
      "  </div>\n",
      "  </back>\n",
      "\n",
      "    </text>\n",
      "</TEI.2>\n",
      "\n",
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      "\n",
      "-->\n",
      "\n"
     ]
    }
   ],
   "source": [
    "filename = 'corpus/16663-tei.tei.xml'\n",
    "\n",
    "with open(filename, 'r') as fin:z\n",
    "    text = fin.read()\n",
    "    \n",
    "print(text)"
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "markdown",
   "metadata": {},
   "source": [
    "At times, you may want to work only with certain tagged portions of your text. For example, if the document has footnotes or marginal notes, you may want to ignore them when running various NLP tasks. There are serveral ways one might go about pulling out the text of a particalar tag, and BeautifulSoup has two methods built-in. The following bit of code will use SoupStrainer to parse only the p tag of the Illiad and the later one will use the extract() to remove something tag."
   ]
  },
  {
   "cell_type": "code",
   "execution_count": null,
   "metadata": {},
   "outputs": [],
   "source": [
    "from bs4 import BeautifulSoup, SoupStrainer\n",
    "\n",
    "filename = 'Novels_XML/Tobit.xml'\n",
    "\n",
    "with open(filename, 'r') as file_in:\n",
    "    raw_text = file_in.read()\n",
    "\n",
    "only_p_tags = SoupStrainer('p')\n",
    "\n",
    "soup = BeautifulSoup(raw_text, 'lxml', parse_only = only_p_tags)\n",
    "\n",
    "clean_tei = soup.text\n",
    "\n",
    "print(clean_tei)"
   ]
  }
 ],
 "metadata": {
  "kernelspec": {
   "display_name": "Python 3",
   "language": "python",
   "name": "python3"
  },
  "language_info": {
   "codemirror_mode": {
    "name": "ipython",
    "version": 3
   },
   "file_extension": ".py",
   "mimetype": "text/x-python",
   "name": "python",
   "nbconvert_exporter": "python",
   "pygments_lexer": "ipython3",
   "version": "3.8.5"
  }
 },
 "nbformat": 4,
 "nbformat_minor": 4
}