The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1881-11-12
LOST BENNY.

"If 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
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; I saw
that at glance. He appeared to be
about forty-fve or fifty years of age,
although his dark gray hair and beard
gave a 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:
Il 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 p
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"
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 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 apollo
getically, ''we 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, l 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 a 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
III their location, and the admirable taste
shown in the general plan of half-fin-
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 nc
longer so when / was presented to the
presiding genius, the mistress of the es-
adjustment; for / was hardly prepared
10 find in western farmhouse so much
refinement and exquisite taste as were
displayed in the tout ensemble of their
charming home.
The lady herself was about forty years
of age; not beautiful, but interesting, a
cOfan0iSseur of female beauty would de-
eide, with a face still fresh and fair.
though, like her husbands, it wore an
expression that so far excited my curios-
ity that, at the first glance, | became
painfully conscious of a desire to learn
the history of this couple that had, evi-
IDENTIFY, so heroically relinquished the
luxuries and refnements of the east for
the hard and laborious duties of frontier
life. Mrs. Millmore babe me welcome
to her freside with an ease and grace
that only served to confirm my first i'm
preston of her education and culture.
After an exquisite supper, daintily
served, mine host invited me into the
library, remarking that [ might make
myself comfortable, far I 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
| Havanas, and, lighting one, l prepared
myself to hear the cause of nv hosts
/ singular desire to protect those ill-omened
birds, the crows.
1t is that story, told as nearly as I car
recall 1t, after all these years, in his OWL
/ words, that l propose to relate to you.
a" L was born in Oneida County. New
York, and was intended by my father fol-
a lawyer; but, after delving for year in
the office of an eminent practitioner oil
that county, became dissatisfied, re.
nounced the idea of acquiring profes
sion, and went to the city New York,
where I entered a mercantile house, one
of the wealthiest firms in the importing
line in that city. But promotion In the
counting-room comes slow; particularly
to one who has but little capital to adj
vance his interests.
While in the employ of this house,
met for the first time niece o.
one of the members of the firm
my wife; and when, two years
later, my father died, and left me small
competency, 1 took it and entered int,
business for myself, and, within year
married. From the date of our mar
rage, ny life was blessed one indeed
nothing seemed to disturb the even tenor
of our lives, for we drifted along in the
current, forgetful of all else save oul
own happiness, and now fear, selfshly