Arthur Scott Bailey

The Tale of Daddy Longlegs Arthur Scott Bailey

THERE was great excitement in the neighborhood of Farmer Green's house. Rusty Wren had foundsome strange tracks. And nobody knew whose they were. Now, when they were puzzled like that the field- and forest-folk usually went straight to Mr. Crow for advice. But this time it happened that the old gentleman had gone on an excursion to thefurther side of Blue Mountain, where Brownie Beaver lived. And there seemedp. 2 to be no one elseat hand who was likely to be able to explain the mystery. Being quite old, Mr. Crow was very wise. And people often sought his opinion, though later theyfell into the habit of consulting Daddy Longlegs upon matters they did not understand. But this wasbefore Daddy was known in Pleasant Valley. Upon hearing Rusty Wren's news a good many of his neighbors hurried to the place where Rustyhad noticed the strange tracks."They were there in the dust of the road," Rusty Wren explained to his friends. "I could see themplainly, I assure you. And there's no doubt that a large company crossed the road right here.""Why can't we see the tracks now?" several people wanted to know.p. 3"A horse and wagon passed this way and spoiled the footprints," Rusty said."They couldn't have been very big," somebody remarked.