National Republican., 1875-06-21
BEN BUTTS CATCHES A CANARY.

How His Attempt was Crowned with Suecess.
BenismIn Butts, of L street, is one Of our most
respected and opulent citizens. He loves little
children, is full Of fun himself, and great hand
for pets A canary bird, one as complete In the
different qualifications Of beauty, music, spright-
illness and mirth as any in the town, has for many
DAYS past been loiteriuE about the trees in the
vicinity Of Mr.. Butts residence, during which
time he has used force, strategem and kindness IN
his efforts to secure the charming singer, but all
in vain up to Saturday evening, when his attempt
was crowned with success
As Butts was mounting the steps to his DWELL
ing he noticed the songster seated quietly on the
MINER landing picking its plumSRe and In o ther
ways trying to drive dull care away. He didn't
tell his wife to bring out the saltcelars and In this
himseif Hes sick; yes, that's It, he's sick, and
this is my opportunity he deployed his hands
on either side Of the bird and mSde quick, deci-
siye dash, but in an instant the canary was down
on the pavement, singing
IAN around the barber shop
The monkey chased the weasel"
Mrs. Butts came TO the door, and patting him
mirthfuIly on the shoulder told him to 90 in.
steps and brought up in the rear Of the bird. He
bent bowed, crawled, and held his breath until
he was close enough to put sat on, ana tnen na
on his elbows and knees, and few bits Of loose
SKIN drawn from his knuckles, the songster sat
on the next corner saying sweetly
That's the way the money goes,
Pop goes the weasel.h
"HanR it." said Butts, as be took side glance
at his wife "Ben," she cried, 'dont mind such
little thirgs; the bird Is waiting for you In the
next corner: hurry up,or he'll get tired and quit
Just as Butts reached 3 distance from which
he could have knocked the bird into paradise
with . fish pole, It shook itself and murmured
softly:
key be got mad" and Butts then interrupted by
making the third dash.
The feathered elf lodged him, and moving of
down Eleventh street with hopskip- and-a]ump,
carroled tauntingly:
"And IL you want to save your wind,
YOU'D stop, you better had"
This advice had no further influence upon Butts
than to inspire him in the chase; so he lighted
another button and rushed down Eleventh street
in hot pursuit. but in more ways than one. Small
boys dashed out OF front doors, and forsook their
Others patted their heels on the curbstones, and
shook their hats on high. yoclfersting, go IL lit
tie fraid or big fraid will catch you" A two
hundred and ten pound bundle Of respectability
and wealth in eager pursuit Of an ounce and
half canary bird is a sight we'll calculated TO
tempt a fellow out Of the tomb to see, and
naturally enough its effect on the living was
on sped the estimable Mr.. Butts, and on dashed
the crowd Of esger boys. while the dogs Jumped @
in every house, giving place TO scores OF hesds
from the toW-domed infant uD 70 the white hairs
along coat tails horizontal. with the agility Of
cat but q small boy terminated his career In the
chase by dashing in iront Of him Just as he was
making 'spurt." Both reached the ground
simultaneously, and It was hard for the crowd as
1t rushed over them to distinguish which was the
other. About five minutes Afterwards Butts came
Iimping up to the crowd with one knee exposed,
and taking the bird from small boy who had
captured II, quietly remRrken, ITO the victor be-
longs the spoils," and then limped home.
Butts says the gratitude Of the bird exceeds any
thing that eye hath seen or ear hath listened to.
1t will get up at midnight out Of pure love for him
and break the shutters with its melodeous strains
He say s the baby drinks from two TO three quarts
Of milk nightly IN order to keep awake and hear
the music AS q novelty this might do, but take
It nightly for Q thousand years, with fresh baby
and canary every year, and ten chances in q hun
dred il would tell on the mans constitution.