Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-06-15
The story or the Secretary BIRD.

There wasma time when the Secretary
Bird lived on fish, like the other long
legged and crane-like birds, and he was
30 well satisfied with this fare that he
never cared for any other kind Of food.
One day, large Secretary Bird was
standing In the water, on the edge of
river, busily engaged in fishing. When
he caught fish, he would wade ashore.
and there eat it. While he was thus en-
gagged in fishing, o large serpent came
winding his way along the river-bank,
and, as soon as he perceived the bird, he
stopped to see what it was doing. When
the Secretary Bird came ont of the wa
ter to eat the fish, the Snake remarked:
Friend, it seems to me you would
make pleasanter meal if you would
toss your fish upon the bank as fast 90
you catch ttem, and then, when you
have enough. come out and eat them of
your leisure"
81 should like that plan very well, :"
said the Secretary Bird; "butif Ishould
toss freshly caught fish upon the bank
he would flop into the water as soon as
had gone to catch another. Thus I
should always be catching fish, and
eating none."
"There need be no trouble OF that
kind to-day said the Snake; ''for, IL
y III will throw the fish on shore, L will
see that they do not get into the water
again"
"Thank you very kindly" said the
Secretary Bird, eff you will do that,
it will save time, and / shall soon catch
enough fisb for n dinner y
IL shall be only too glad to oblige
you, said the Serpent.
Thereupon the bird waded into the
river, and as soon as he caught fish he
threw il ashore, where the Snake took
care that it did not get into the water
again. When the Bird thought he bad
carght enough fish, he came on shore
and saw the Snake slowly moving away.
''What Is yodr hurry?" he cried.
Stop and take dinner with me. Ihave
now caught twelve fish, and as / had
eaten some before you came, six will be
all shall want. You can have the other
SIX, and We can take a pleasant meal
together.
Il am very much obliged TO you,
said the Snake, still moving away; but
| do not believe that anything could in-
duce me to eat fish atpresent. Ibave
no appetite at all for such food" And
he glided into the bushes, and was lost
to sight.
"He need not be SO dainty" said the
Secretary Bird to himself; ''for fish is
very good food, indeed; but since he
will not accept my Invitation, / shall
have all the more dinner for myself.
Bat where are the fsh2"
The Secretary Bird looked anxiously
about, on the shore aud on the grass
but he could tind no sign of the fish he
had caught At length he came TO
little pile of twelve fish-tails lying be-
hind bush. The Snake did not like
fish-tails, and had bitten these eff before
eating the fish Instantly the truth
flashed through the mind of the Secre-
tary Bird.
''Thet wretched Serpent!" he ex-
claimed. ''He has. indeed, taken good
care that my fish shall not esclpe into
The water. He has eaten them, one by
one, IS fast as | threw them on shore
never heard of such an infamous trick.
But will be revenged on him. L viii
find hlm, no matter where he has hidden
himself" So saying, the angry Bird
rushed away in pursuit of the crafty
acquaintance who had taken care OF his
fish. Soon he saw a movement among
the tall reeds.
There he ISL he shouted, and he
dashed toward the place.
In a moment he had pounced among
the reeds, and attacked the Snake with
great fury.
You infamous crcature!" he cried.
81 will teach you how to deceive bird
of my standing" And in epite of the
Snakes efforts to get away, he stamped
upon him and pecked him until he had
killed hum.
"You have cheated me of my dinner"
said the angry Bird, ''and it would
serve you right if / were to make din
ner of you."
So saying,-his appetite whetted by
the mornings work,-he began to
eat the Snake, and did not stop until he
had entirely devoured him.
''Upon the WHOLE" said the Secretary
Bird, when he hal finished, "I prefer
snakes to fish, and think that for the
future shall make my meal upon these
deceitEul creatures, who go about play
ing tricks upon honest folks" After that,
this bird gave up eating fish and fed
entirely upon snakes Hedidnot trouble
himself TO catch the small ones, because
it took too many of them to satisfy his
hunger, but he preferred the large
ones, as one of them was enough for o
meal. His wife and children soon
learned that snakes were easy to catch
and good to eat, and they also gave up
eating fish. This Secretary Bird was
a very Influential member of his tribe.
and the new diet soon became q ite
fashionable; and the descendants OF the
Secretary Birds of that day have since
lived entirely upon large snakes. 1t
may be noticed, also, that the serpents
of that part of the country, remember
ing. perhaps, this old story, have great
d@taste for fish.
V1Fo