Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-11-09
LOST BENNY.

eff you please, sir, don't shoot those
crows"
The gun dropped from my shoulder,
and / angrily turned toward the intruder
who had so startled me as well 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, besides making such
an Internal noise that one can scarcely
think"
"Well, sir, I'd rather you'd not shoot
them on my farm"
The speaker was gentleman; saw
that at a glance. He appeared to be
about forty-fve or fifty years of age,
although his dark gray hair and beard
gave somewhat older expression to his
face, which bore all the marks that some
great sorrow had left, for it was furrowed
deeply.
Regarding him attentively for mo-
ment, said:
Sc 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. I've lived
on this place for more than six years, and
should be very sorry to think that one
had been killed during that time"
g It's a very singular fancy you seem
to have for crows; there must be some
reason for it. [ certainly never heard of
such thing before"
''Tbere is reason" said the gentle.
man, examining my face closely, as he
paused for moment; then, as if salts
fed with the scrutiny, he resumed, "and
if you care to hear 1t, and will walk over
to the house and take cup of tea with
us, I'll tell you the story" adding apollo
getically, swe sometimes get rather
lonesome out here on the prairies, and
are glad to see a gentleman's face"
As the invitation had been proffered
In the spirit of genuine western hospi-
tality, accepted 1t as frankly as it had
been given, and, elm bing. 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, Economically
situated upon the banks of miniature
lake. AS we were walking towards it, I
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 well as the
good Judgment which had been displayed
In their location, and the admirable taste
shown in the general plan of half-fn-
ished flower garden that occupied por-
ton of the lawn between the house and
the beautiful little lake. But, if sur
prised by the order and neatness every
where visible upon the outside, was no
longer so when / was presented to the
presiding genius, the mistress of the es-
adjustment; for was hardly prepared
to find III a western farmhouse so much
refinement and exquisite taste as were
displayed IL the tout ensemble of their
charming home.
The lady herself was about forty years
of age; not beautiful, but interesting. a
congaOisseasr of female beauty would de-
eide, with face still fresh and fair,
though, like her husbands, it wore an
expression that SO far excited nv curios-
ity that, at the first glance, became
painfully conscious of desire to learn
the history of this couple that had, evil
IDENTIFY, so heroically relinquished the
luxuries and reinements of the east for
the hard and laborious duties of frontier
life. Mrs. MIllmore babe me welcome
to her Preside with an ease and grace
that only served to confirm my first i'm
preston Of her education and culture.
After an exquisite supper, daintiIy
served, mine host invited me into the
library, remarking that I might make
myself comfortable, far 1 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 couple of fragrant
Hayanas, and, lighting one, [ prepared
myself to hear the cause of my hosts
singular desire to protect those ill-omened
birds, the crows.
Lit Is that story, told as nearly as I can
recall it. after all these years. in his own
words, that | propose to relate to you.
L was born in Oneida County. New
York, and was intended by nv father for
a lawyer; but, after delving for year in
the Office of an eminent practitioner of
that county, / became dissatisfied. re-
nounced the idea of acquiring profess
sion, and went to the city New York.
where I entered mercantile house. one
of the wealthiest firms In the importing
line In that city. But promotion in the