The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-03-17
MADELINE's CROW.
BY NARY oRxs.


~ have clipped his wings, Miss Madeline, and
you may tame him and have him for company. /
have killed the old ones, and can't bear IT, kin
he lives with You he will never do auy mischief"
: Tears were in the great boys eyes who had
brought me the young crow.
II wish l did not ever have to kill anything. I
would rather share the corn with the crows If It
was mine, but father win have them killed."
al am sure, john" said /, "that crow can
never be famed"
"You are mistaken, Miss Madeline. Brother
George had one two or three years, that was tame
as cat, but so full of mischief that he came to
bad end But nothing will go wrong that you have
the care of. Ihave been better boy ever since
you came here, and wish had something to give
you beside crow"
lam, sure, John, am very much obliged to
you, and hope you will always be good boy
y will you will stay here, and nOtgo away OF
Now, John Pollard was great, good natured
boy, about my own age and who seemed much
younger. had stopped his quarrelling with other
boys, and had otherwise improved him, from .
feeling of general good will to his species and be-
cause he had taken boy'sliking to me, and would
do what advised.
was motherless child, and lived with the
family of Mr. Allen. The Aliens we're friends of my
rents, or brothers and sisters to love- made friends
with oil the children in our school, was good
scholar wrote verses and stories, and loved pets
much that every little while was made dreadfully
miserable by the death Of a chicken or kitten, or
some one Of my large and varied family. Somehow
l never had pets enough-I suppose because
loved them in general sort Of way had been very
lonely and unhappy, mourning for my dear mother,
and feeling my fathers absence very much, though
everybody was kind to me, when that tender
hearted boy gave me the crow.
believe very few people know what real home
sickness is For two years after my father LEFT me
friends with whom lived to confess the fact but
SO it was. And / comf0rted myself with much
study, and writing, and petting the children espe-
ciany the Pollards, who were good, honest souls,
and who looked up to me a. being Of higher
sphere.
When was fifteen Mr.. Aliens brother came to
reside with him. He opened an Office in the village
and added himself to our family, though he spent
his time mostly at his Office, and in his own room
Though grave and taciturn, he was very pleasant
man, and all loved or admired him in sort of far
OF way. never could tell how he won all hearts,
but such was the fact Everybody loved him, Just
as John Pollard loved me.
As was very timid and shy, ! made almost all
my friends among children and animals I soon be-
came very much attached to my bird. called him
Night in compliment to his dark plumsge and he
had many ways of showing affection for me. We
soon became inseparable companions. He nestled
in my lap, or my sleeve, when was studying or
writing, and he perched on my shoulder when
walked over the village.
John Pollard was happy boy when he saw how
delighted was with my black pet Ieven grudged
the time ] spent in church, because could not
take my bird with me.
One evening was in the yard in front of the
house, which was q small flower garden, amusing
myself with Night, when Mr.. William Allen came
home from his Office. He had never noticed me
before, though he had been some time at home. l
would hardly dare tell what hero of romance that
tall, dark, grave man was to me. knew he was .
fine scholar, and Miss Abbott, who was my teacher,
had great awe Of his erudition. / had dreamed
twice about him, before he had been two weeks in
the house, and longed, and yet dreaded, TO have
him speak to me.
I had given Night piece of cheese, and he had
as it was fairly buried he dug IL up, and bit OLA
piece and ate it; then he buried it again, and dew
up on my shoulder, but immediately he fitted
back, and again dug up his cheese, and having
ate with great delight, he assain. buried it.
He went on this way till he had eaten the
last crumb Of his cheese, and then few back to
me, pecking my band IN : teszing manner, that
ssd Svs ne some m %srs Shses s
from his brother, watched my pet through his pro-
cess of boarding and eating his cheese till it was
gone, and then he said TO me, "Thats . dron fel-
fow-are you fond Of him, Madsline9"
Ny heart thrilled a. Mr.. William spoke nv name.
He had never called me Madeline-he had hardly
spoken to me before. His voice was sweet and
many-a full, round, deep voice, and yet a tender
as II he were reading poetry. felt myself blush
all oyer my face and neck when he spoke to me,
always did, for never look in any ones eyes till
know certainly that look at friend. said At
love Night very dearly
mot bad name for the black rascal" said he.
Ter, who had come from New York the week be.
fore, TO make visit.