The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-10-12
Ghildreu's Column.
Stories About Crows.

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Mary's little lamb, cit went to school
with him, one day." and enjoyed the
sport so much that it formed habit of
going there on every day. Scolding did
no good, Jacks keen eyes watched every
move of his master, and when he saw the
little dinner pail in his masters hand
away he flew, and was on the play ground
first.
On the days when the boys were kept
at home to "help on" the farm, Jack had
some way of his own for deciding about
the school, and fearing that he might
be captured, his master clipped one
wing.
Jack attempted to fly; finding that
he could not do that, he started off along
the dusty road on foot, scolding all the
way, no doubt, about the trick which
had been played on him. He was very
angry when his master overlook him and
carried him back home. Day after day
he would run away to have play with
the scholars, until he found that hustle
along as fast as he could, he was sure to
be caught on the road, then he gave up
and turned his attention to some new
mischief
One of his tricks was to call the farm
hands to dinner, and if the mistress of the
house called them first without speaking
to Jack, he would come to the kitchen
door and scold at her until she caught
up her broom and started after him; that
would end his noise for that time he
hated the broom, for he had been pun
ished with the brush end so many times
that he knew all about the discomfort of
it.
Then there was crow I knew whose
name was Dick his home was in Illinois.
Dick was very droll bird, and Harry
had many hours of fun with him, but
Harry's papa, who was very dignifed
clergyman, detested Dick and the wise
bird knew it very well, and appeared to
derive actual pleasure from any annoy
ance with he could create in the path of
that gentleman. He would hop along
just out of reach of his enemy's cane and
croak in the sauciest way, perking his
head on one side and then on the other
until the gentleman would be SO vexed
that he would threaten to have Dick
killed.
Harry would plead for his pet and
Dick would fly up on Harry's shoulder
and give expression to his gratitude in
many odd maneuvres-for he seemed to
know when dispute had been settled
about him.
One day when he had torn up some
papers, and scattered them over the door
yard, some one began to sweep them up.
Dick was almost frantic, and soon had
the fragments all back again, placing
them about apparently with great care !;
then he flew up into tree and scolded
away at great rate, as though he were
saying, Nov, see here, all you people,
/ have put those things there they suit
me, and you must let them alone"
Another day Harrys mamma had a
tub OF green crab apples placed on the
porch. They had been gathered with
great care, and were intended to be pre-
served with the stems all perfect. Great
preparations were made for the event,
but when all else was ready, the apples
were missing.
Dick !" called the lady.
"Cawl" answered Dick, in his mild
est tones, hopping up the steps.
Did you steal my apples3"
"Cawl |"
"Out of there, did you steal them P"
Cav, cav, cawl" answered Dick
excitedly.
81 have mind to wiring your neck,
you little thief"
Cawl" answered the culprit, his head
on one side.
Find them now" commanded the
lady.
Dick scuttled off, the lady following,
around the house, across the garden, in
the hennery, through the berry bushes,
but no apples rewarded his peeking and
chattering.
Just then Harry came whistling along
the road from school. (The truth is,
Harry was quite as noisy as Dick.) Away
went Dick to meet his friend, and made
known to him that he was in trouble
again.
Mamma" shouted Harry, what bas
Dick been doing now ?"
He has stolen nearly every crab apple
out of that tub"
Harry laughed, and Dick was encour-
aged by that to offer some important
comments, if any one could have under
stood his language.
Never mind, mamma, I'll find them
for you shut the door and leave the rest
there. / will watch and find out where
he has hidden them"