Ashtabula weekly telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1880-1886, 1880-10-01
CUDJO, THE KLRPTOMANIAC.
A True sto-y.


CUDJO first opened his eyes on this
beautiful world in an airy home at the
top Of big cottonwood tree. In that
retired spot. where the cradle was
rocked by every breeze, and nothing
could keep of the warm sun, Cudio's
father and mother had built 2 comforta-
BILE residence, of sticks and other suita-
BILE materials.
The cottonwood tree stood on the
grounds Of gentleman whom we will
call Mr.. Kent. The first thing that
came to disturb the happy life in the
tree was-a railroad. The men began
to cut it down, and at the first alarm,
the parent crows, after circling around
few times, became frightened and
flew away; and when the sturdy tree
fell, with terrific crash, every young
crow in the nest, except one. was killed
by the fall. That one was found by
Dan, who named himCudjo, and carried
him carefully home. It must be ad-
mitted that he was not particularly at
tractive. He was nearly all mouth, there
being only enough bird attached to open
it frightfully. He was too young to be
afraid. His only feeling in those
early days was hunger. Dan was
determined he should not starve, so
he fed him three times a day, a whole
egg each time. He would drop the raw
egg into the big mouth, there would be
gurgle or two, and it would be swal-
lowed, and the bird would appear satisf-
for a while. On this food Master Cudio
grew rapidly, and before long had
fine glossy black feather coat of his own,
and was promoted from egg to meat
diet. He had his regular meals at the
kitchen door, as did also the dog, but
he most enjoyed eating dinner with the
family, when he would take his place
on the table, and select to suit his
fancy. If any person tried to drive
him away, he would bite the fingers;
and if his leaving was insisted upon he
would snatch fork or spoon and fy
away with it. When he did this the
article was lost, for he would not Eeturn
till he had hidden it somewhere.
He was very bright fellow. He
soon learned his name, and would come
when called, unless It was grand
mother who spoke. He always had a
suspicion that her intentions were not
agreeable. for she was in the habit of
sweeping him out of the room with a
broom-an insult that no crow Of spirit
could be expected to endure. When
she called him, therefore, Cudio would
walk out with great dignity. He seem
ed to have a desire to improve his
mind, for often when a book was left
open on the table he would take his
stand by it, and look it over with the
greatest gravity and earnestness, as
though he was studying something
very serious and important. He was
fond of Kate, and would follow her
around like dog, catching hold Of her
dress, and trying to play with her; hut
to his little master he gave the whole
of his crowish heart. He would sit on
his knee by the hour, and poke his
treasures into his pockets and between
his vest buttons, with confidential little
croaks, rub his glossy head against his
cheek, and in every way show his warm
affection.
One day, after good deal of poking
and fussing, he left between Dams vest
buttons a two-dollar bill. Where the
bill came from no member of the family
knew or could discover.
With all his solemn manners, Cudio
had some fun in him, and could appre- :
ciate joke. One day, when he had no
particular business on hand. he hap
pened to see a man in a neighbOring
garden at work. The man wore a
broad-rimmed straw hat. and Cudjo ev-
identity thought he would have some
fun. He flew across the field, and
alighting on the rim, began running
round and round the mans head. Nat
urally the laborer put up his hands to
drive off the intruder, when Master
CudjO pounced upon it, bit his finger,
and resumed his ring performances.
Again the man tried to shake him of,
and again his finger received a nip that
was not agreeable. for the crows hard
beak brought blood every time it bit.
At last he ran for help, crying that an
insane bird was on his hat. AS soon as
help came near, CudiO quietly flew up
into tree, with an air that said as plain
as words, "Well, what are you going
to do about itP''
Another day an organ-grindeT stopped
vt the door, and began TO grind out his
dOleful music. Cudjo did not care
much for that, but the man carried
monkey dressed in red coat and cap,
and this queer-looking object attracted
the birds earnest attention. He turned
his head one side and then the other,
looked at him with the right eye and
then with the left, but plainly could not
decide to what species the strange ami
NAL belonged. He looked on quietly,
however, till the poor little creature
took off his cap and made low bow.
The bird evidently regarded that as a
personal affront, for quick as a flash he
swooped down, snatched the offensive
cap from the astonished and alarmed
monkey, and flew into tree. Neither
coaxing nor scolding could ever induce
him 70 return anything he had once
seized, so the family paid the enraged
organ-grinder the price he set upon the
cap, and the monkey went off bare
headed, though I don't suppose he felt
badly about that
Cudjo had strong fancies, and taking
a dislike to young ting at the
house, he resolve \lke on
her. One mornf