Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1876-03-02
.WTSCELL.TN'EG US.
PAUL MILM0RE'S STORY.

'If you please, sir, don't shoot those
crows
The gun dropped from my shoulder,
and l angrily turned toward the intru-
der who had so startled me, as well as
spoiled my shot.
Don't shoot those crows?' replied 1.
'Wby not, pray? They're destructive
fellows: they pull up the corn and kill
the young grouse, besides making such
an infernrl noise that one can scarcely
think
We'll, sir, I'd rather you wouldn't
shoot them on my farm
The speaker was a gentleman, l saw
this at a glance. He appeared TO be
between forty-five and fifty years of
age, although his dark gray hair and
beard gave somewhat older express
sion to bis face, which bore all the
marks that some great sorrow had left,
for it was furrowed deep.
Regarding him attentively for mo-
ment, l said:
Il supposed every farmer was glad
to have such troublesome neighbors
made way with, especially, at this time
of the year, just as the young corn is
beginning to send forth its shoots
The crows are welcome, sir, to all
the corn they want on my farm. Pve
lived on this place more than six years,
and should be very sorry to think that
one had been killed during that time
It's very singular fancy you seem
to have-this penchant for crows; there
must be some reason for it. / certain
ly never heard of such thing befOre.'
There is a reason said the gentle
man, examining my face closely, as he
paused for a moment; then, as if salts
fed with the scrutiny, he resumed,
and if you care to hear it, and will
walk over to the house and take cup
of tea with US, Tll tell you the story
adding apologetically, we sometimes
get lonesome out here on the prairies,
and are glad to see gentleman's face.
AS the invitation had been proffered
in the spirit of genuine Western hospi-
tality, accepted it as frankly as it had
been given, and climbing over the
fence that had, up to this time separa-
ted us, started to accompany the farm
er to the house.
The conversation had taken place in
a newly planted corn field. had been
hunting all day without success. Chill
ed with the cold and weary and vexed
at my ill luck, / was returning toward
the farm house where [ was stopping.
when / noticed large flock of crows
busily engaged in tearing up the Just
sprouting corn in a.tield some distanse
from the road. Determined not to re-
turn empty handed, and thinking to
do the owner of the field favor, as
well as to test the truth Of the.old aXi-
ON that 'crcwS can smell gunpoWCer.
/ had crept quietly up until within gun
range, and was about to give the con-
tents of both barrels of my 80 Man.
tOn,' when | was interrupted as above
narrated.
A short walk brought us to the house,
which proved TO be cUmfOrtahle-in
fact, for Western Iowa, an elegant
cottage, rOmanticaliy situated upon
the banks of miniature lake. AS We
were walking toward it, ! handed my
companion my card, which he received
with bow, informing me that his
name was MillmOre, and that he was
pleased to greet me.
AS We approached the house, / could
but note the neat and comfortable ap
pearance of the buildings, as we'll az
lHo ROOd Judgment lnat DaQ Deen dis
played in their location, and the admi
rable taste shown in the general plan
of half finished flower garden that
occupied portion of the lawn between
the honse and the beautiful little lake
But, if surprised by the order and neat
ness everywhere visible upon the out
side, was no longer so when wa:
presented to the presiding genius, the
mistress of the establishment; for / wa.
hardly prepared to find in a Western
farm house so much refinement anC
exquisite taste as was displayed in tht
tout ensemble of the charming home.
The lady herself was about forty
years ofage; not beautiful, but inter
esting, a connOisseur of female beaut,
would have decided, with face still
fresh and fair, though, like the hus
bands it wore an expression that 81
far excited my curiaslty that, at tn,
first glance, L became painfully con
scious of desire to learn the history
of this couple that had evidently 30 he
roically relinquished the luxuries anC
refnements of the East for the hard anC
aborious duties of frontier life. Mrs
Millmore bade me welcome to her fire
dde with an ease and grace that only