The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-12-09
LOST BENNY.

crows
The gun dropped from MY shoulder,
and I angrily turned toward the in
truder who had so startled me, as we'll
as spoiled my shot.
."Don't shoot the crows! !" replied I.
Why not, pray? They're destructive
fellows. They pull up the corn and kill
the young grouse, beside making such
an Internal noise that one can scarcely
think"
"Well, sir, I'd rather you wouldn't
shoot them on my farm"
The speaker was gentleman I SAW
that at glance. He appeared to be
between As and SO years Of age, although
his dark gray hair and beard gave some
what older expression to his face, which
bore all the marks that some great sor-
Tow had lett, for it was furrowed deeply.
Regarding him attentively for mo-
ment, I said
81 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
tho corn they want on my farm. I've
lived on this place more than six years,
and should be very sorry to think that
one had been killed during that time"
cts very singular fancy you seem
to have for crows there must be some
reason for it. I certainly never heard
of such thing before" ....
There is q 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, I'll tell you the story"
adding alphabetically, "we sometimes
get rather lonesome out here on the
prairies, and are glad to see a gentle
mans face" ..... !.
AS the invitation had been proffered
in the spirit of genuine Western hospi-
tality, I accepted it as frankly as it
had been given, and, climbing over
the fence that had, up to this time,
separated us, started to accompany the
farmer.
The conversation had taken place in a
newly planted corn-feld. A short walk
brought us to the house, which proved
to be comfortable cottage, romantical-
ly situated upon the banks of minia-
ture lake. AS we were walking toward
it I handed my companion my card.
which he received with q bow, inform
ing 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 as the
good judgment which had been dis
played in their location, and the admira-
BILE taste shown in the general plan of
haIf-finished flower garden that occupied
a portion Of the lawn between the house
and the beautiful little lake. But, if
surprised by the order and neatness
everywhere visible upon the .'outside, I
was no longer so when I was presented
to the presiding genius, the mistress Of
the establishment; for was hardly pre-
pared to find in Western farm house
so much refinement and exquisite taste
as were displayed in the tout ensemble
of their charming home.
The lady herself was about 40 wears
of age, not beautiful, but interesting
connoisseur of female beauty would have
decided, with face still fresh and fair.
though, like the husbands, it. wore an
expression that SO far excited my curl
osity that at the first glance L became
painfully conscious of desire to learn
tho history Of this couple that had evil
IDENTIFY SO hcroically relinquished the
luxuries and refnements of the East for
the hard and laborious duties of from
tier life. Mrs. Millmore babe me well
come to her freside with an ease and
grace that only served to confirm my
first impressions of her education and
culture.
After an exquisite supper, daintily
served, mine host invited me into the IL
brary, remarking that I might make my
self comfortable, for must remain his
guest for the night, at the same time
wheeling one of the large Turkish easy
chairs before the blazing hickory fire.
He then produced a couple Of fragrant
Havanas, and, lighting one, prepared
myself to hear the cause Of my hosts
singular desire to protect those i'll
omened birds, the crows.
It is that story, told, as nearly as I can
recall it after all these years, in his own
words, that I propose to relate to you ::
was born in Oneida county, New
York, and was intended by my father
for lawyer; but after delving year in
the office Of an eminent practitioner of
that county became satisfied, re-
nounced the idea of acquiring profess
ion, and went to the city of New York,
where I entered mercantile house, one
OF the wealthiest firms in the importing
line in that city. But promotion in the
countlng-room comes slow, particularly
so when one has but little capital to adj
vance his interests.
While in the employ of this house
met for the first time niece Of one
Of the members of the firm, my wife !;
and when, two years later, my father
died, and left me small competency. T
took it and entered into business for nv
self, and, within year, married. From
the date of our marriage my life was a
blessed one indeed nothing seemed to
disturb the even tenor of our lives, for
we drifted along in the current, forget
ful OF all else save our own happiness.
and, I now fear, sel6shly needless of the
cares and troubles of others.