Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1882-10-28

Inc sun was rising when he reached
the wooden cross by the notary's
garden.
Early as it was, Mr.. vedal was
standing at his gate, smoking his
mserschaum. He had book in one
hand and his tobacco pouch in the
other.
"Ahal" he cried. briskly, ''it's my
little friend. How is ] cques ?"
Jacques bowed and blushed, and
blushed and bowed again. as he an
swered that he was quite well, and
hoped his honor was the same.
"Put on your cap, child" said Mr..
vedal, kindly. 80 father has plenty
of toys ready for our villagers yonder,
has he?"
The notary's manner was one OF the
cheeriest ever known. jacques had a
great respect for him.
In neighboily, unpretending way
Mr.. VedaI had been very kind to the
toymaker and his family, and they had
no firmer friend in the world.
'Father expects to be busy this
year, sir" the boy explained "We
are afraid he will be away for some
weeks"
"Ah |" said Mr.. vedal, all the merri-
ment dying out of his face. "When
will he start p
II can't tell, sir. Is there any mes
sage from your honor that I can give
him ?"
"lhank you, Jacques-no. l shall
see him before that. Good morning" !"
As Jacques doffed his cap and went
away, it struck him that his patron was
not in his usual good spirits. But he
quickly reflected that it was no busi-
ness of his. No doubt, such gentle
man as Mr.. Vedal had great deal to
occupy his thoughts and make him
grave at times.
The boy had .oaly gone few steps
further. when he suddenly stopped.
"Here's bird !" he exclaimed.
And such bird, tool An uglier
specimen of it's kind it would have been
hard to discover. He had q huge head,
set on a gaunt, ungainly body, short
wings, and enormous feet and claws.
His eyes we're bright and piercin 6,
with curious, far-away gaze in them,
his voice hoarse, defying scream.
The boy stood still in surprise, un-
able to stir. The bird made an fort
and wriggled on u little way, Tapping
his dwarfed wings and clutching
viciously with his formidable claws
at any obstacle in the path. He was
evidently young and unused to act for
himself.
Without more ado Jacques decided
to take the stranger home. Wrapping
his handkerchief round his hand, he
managed, at the cost of some severe
scratches, to capture him. But even
then the getting him into the nut was
no easy task. He plunged and screamed
and tore.
At last, breathless and heated, the
boy stumbled into the kitchen with his
prize.
Clock what I've found, fatherp' he
gasped, and dropped, painting, into a
chair.
Father and mother were at breakfast.
The toymaker paused in the act of con.
veying slice of black bread to his
mouth, and laid down his knife.
."Oh, what frightful monsterl'' cried
the toymaker's wife, retreating.
Jacques's proud look fell.
"Motherl But he is only crow he
pleaded.
"Crow, Jacquesl With those eyes,
Well, 1 neverl What do you think,
father?"
The toymaker rubbed his chin in
thoughtful silence; then, rising, pro
ceeded to examine the bird with a
searching scrutiny.
"Hes young" he remarked. "Do
you know what he is, wIfe?'
"No."
"Can't you guess-or you, Jacques?'
Thus appealed to, they both shook
their heads.
The other smiled superior.
"I'll leave you to penetrate the mys-
terry yourselves, them" he said, and
continued his breakfast.
The stranger could certainly eat as
well as Ba-ba did; nevertheless his
taste in the matter of diet was remarka-
BILE. For the seeds and grain which
they brought him he showed thorough
contempt, but he literally devoured
meat of every kind. Then he moved
across the floor and perched himself or
the edge of broken stool, whence he