The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1880-08-26

if his pan Of water was forgotten he
would fly upon the pump-handle and
call for it.
In the matter of food Grip was all
epicure, and liked best to help himself,
flying into the pantry, carefully lifting
the corners of napkins with his bill
until he found what suited him, and in
his fondness for pie showing himself to
be true American He would stow
away food in an old barrel, and was
prone to accumulate more ginger-cnaps
than the housekeeper approved of.
Cunning asa crow is time-worn
saying, and most appropriate COM
parison, too. Grip was cunning enough,
and it was impossible to play joke
upon him. One day there was boiled
sweet-corn for dinner, and, as he was
very fond of it, the end of an ear just
from the kettle and very, very hot, was
given him to see how he would manage
with it; he seized it with his bill. flew
to the old-fashioned well-bucket, which
was full, held the corn in the water a
moment, then dipped it in and out un-
| til cool, when he flew to the threshold
with it and daintily picked off the kerr
nels with triumphant and self-satisfied
air, while the would-be jokers acknowl-
edged themselves outwitted.
Having no kinsfolk, Grip would fra
ternize with whatever came in his way,
and entertained most friendly feelings
toward some black chickens, caring
nothing for those having white or
mixed feathers. The chickens hardly
knew what to make of his advances,
for they were queer-such as pulling
their feathers, picking at their feet
and eyes; sometimes, though, he would
fill his throat with corn and disgorge
for their benefit, which soon placed
them on the best of terms. And it was
a sorry day for Grip when his chums
were selected for fricasse. The exc
cutioner came along carrying pair of
black chickens squalling loudly. Grip
heard their cry of distress and fastened
to the rescue; the head of one was
placed upon the block, but their cham
pion made such furious onslaught
upon the executioner, flying in his
face, pecking and scratching, that the
sentence was suspended, at least until
the indignant bird was secured and
placed in. the hands of the authorities.
ga friend in need is friend indeed;"
and the crows championship for his
suffering friends would put to shame
the constancy and bravery of some of
mankind.
The wild crows were at variance with
our pet, probably despising him because
he ate pie instead of dead horses, and
if he flew toward the woods he was i'm
mediately driven back by them, and
often it was necessary to go to his
rescue. So, an outcast from crow soci-
ETY., what wonder that he sought that
of humankind-lik liking best to be in
his mistress room, when he would fly
upon her chair-back and take down her
hair as deity as any lady's maid. He
would carefully pull out the hair-pins,
and when the last was out and the hair
came tumbling about her shoulders,
would whirl and hop about and chuckle
with delight at the mischief he had
done.
This is true tale, and it is pity to
end it as do the fiction writer's of the
day. by drowning the hero; but such
was poor Grips fate. He was fond of
standing on the well-curb, and of look
ing into the wells mysterious depths.
He had often been scolded and driven
away, but, like some boys and girls,
he thought he knew best, and the re-
suit was that he lost his balance and
his life. He had been in the water
but few minutes, but the well was
SO deep that it was impossible to get
him out until he was quite dead. He
was enshrouded in white paper, which
was pinned with black pins and tied
with black ribbon, and his funeral was
conducted with great ceremony-his
mistress being chief mourner. It was
matter of great regret that he could
not be put beside that famous crow in
the Appian Way; as it was, spot
of unclassical ground received his re-
mains, and was duly decorated with
scarlet flowers.
Poor Grip! His untimely death was
much regretted, and his mischievous
pranks missed; but now that June has
come again, perhaps the sharp-eyed boy
will bring another tledgling of the crow
family, one that will in measure fill
his place.-M. y Tribune.