The Tale of Peter Mink | Page 4

never once realized what he had done. He went off to
take a swim in the brook, and maybe catch a trout.
Later when Mrs. Rabbit saw that in spite of what Peter had said, he had
moved her wood-pile for her, she wondered why he had not asked for

something to eat. But Peter Mink never knocked on her door again. He
kept away from Mrs. Rabbit ever afterward, because she was the only
person who had ever been able to make him work.
[Illustration]

THE LECTURE
Peter Mink was going to give a lecture. He had invited everybody.
"It's something you all ought to hear," he said. "And it will cost you
nothing to come. Another time," he explained, "whoever hears my
lecture will have to pay. But this one is free."
Old Mr. Crow remarked that he supposed Peter Mink was going to tell
people how to catch ducks. And since he never cared anything at all
about ducks, he said he didn't expect to be present.
"I'm glad you're not coming," Peter Mink answered, "because I'm afraid
there won't be room for all the people who intend to hear me. As for
ducks--I'd no more think of giving a lecture about ducks than I would
about crows."
Old Mr. Crow pretended not to hear what Peter said. He did not care
even to be seen talking with such a worthless fellow.
But there were many other people living in Pleasant Valley and on Blue
Mountain who decided to go to Peter Mink's lecture--when they learned
that they might get in free.
And when the night of the lecture arrived even Peter himself was
surprised to see how many were present.
To be sure, Peter noticed that some of the audience were smiling; and
some of them were nudging one another, as if they thought the whole
thing was nothing but a joke. And when the full moon climbed over the
top of Blue Mountain, and Peter Mink climbed on top of an old stump

and faced the gathering, a few rude persons laughed aloud.
"What about ducks?" somebody called from a tree above Peter's head.
Everybody tittered at that, because everybody knew that Peter was very
fond of ducks and spent much of his time at Farmer Green's duck pond.
It was old Mr. Crow who asked that question. He had come to the
lecture, in spite of what he had said.
"My lecture," Peter Mink began, when all was quiet, "my lecture
to-night is going to be about a poor boy who has no one to take care of
him. He has no home. And very often he goes about in rags. Sometimes
he begs for food and clothes. I think," Peter said, "we all ought to be
very sorry for him."
As soon as Peter said that, Mrs. Squirrel and Mrs. Woodchuck took out
their pocket-handkerchiefs and wiped their eyes. And Mrs. Squirrel's
husband was heard to remark that it was a shame, and that he thought
something ought to be done.
Well, Peter Mink went on and told them as many as twenty-three
different tales about that poor boy, to show them what a hard life he led.
Every tale was sadder than the one just before it. And by the time Peter
had finished the twenty-third, there were very few dry eyes in the place.
And Mr. Squirrel spoke up loudly and said once more that something
ought to be done about it.
When he said that, Uncle Jerry Chuck rose hurriedly and hobbled away
from the lecture. He had sat in one of the best seats, because it was free.
And he had wept quite noisily, once or twice, because it cost no more
to weep and he wanted all he could get for nothing. But when Mr.
Squirrel said what he did, Uncle Jerry at once thought of a collection.
And he decided that he had better leave before it was too late.
Peter Mink saw him go. And here and there he noticed other people
who looked as if they would like to leave, too. And he knew that there
was no time to lose.

"I see one gentleman leaving," Peter Mink said in a loud voice. "I hope
no more will go--unless, of course, they're so stingy that they wouldn't
care to give a little something to help this poor boy I've been telling you
about."
After that, nobody wanted to leave, because nobody wanted to be
thought stingy.
"I appoint Mr. Rabbit and Mr. Woodchuck to take up a collection for
this poor boy," Peter Mink said. "And I've no doubt that they will be
glad to give all they can, themselves."
Mr. Rabbit and Mr. Woodchuck saw that everybody was looking at
them. And they at once emptied