When Brownie Beaver heard of that he said it was just as well, because
he seldom walked far on land and there wasn't much use in a person's
carrying a cane when he swam, anyhow. Although it was sometimes done,
he had always considered it a silly practice--and one that he would
not care to follow.




VI

A HAPPY THOUGHT


Brownie Beaver liked to know what was going on in the world. But
living far from Pleasant Valley as he did, he seldom heard any news
before it was quite old.

"I wish--" he said to Mr. Crow one day, when that old gentleman was
making him a visit--"I wish someone would start a newspaper in this
neighborhood."

Mr. Crow told Brownie that he would be glad to bring him an old
newspaper whenever he happened to find one. "Thank you!" Brownie
Beaver said. "You're very kind. But an old newspaper would be of no
use to me."

"Why not?" Mr. Crow inquired. "They make very good beds, I've been
told. And I suppose that is what you want one for."