The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-09-04
JACKS STARTLING.

JACKS STARTLING.
Jack Ellis was returning homo
through the woods. after II long days
work The silvery moon had risen, and
the stars were twinkling through the
dense foliage overhead.
Suddenly, as if awakened by his clear
whistling, Il shrill Voice fell upon his
ears.
Here l am-here l ami" it cried
with startling distinctness.
..Hallo!' cried Jack. "Who is thereP
where are yOu?"
Here l am-here l am"
jack looked round in vain for any
signs of life. though the voice did not
seem like that of human being-more
like bird.
Come out then and show YOURSELF"
cried Jack, impatiently.
Here | am-here l am"
Jack looked round, and there, in the
faint moonlight, he saw perched on
swaying bough bird.
Its tanned starting that has stray
ed away from some one, or am much
mistaken" he thought; then, pleased
with the birds sagacity, no caught the
tiny thing in his hand and bore it with
him to his nome,
jack Ellis lived in a little cottage on
the outskirts of the village OF Tryon.
There he dwelt alone. but happy and
contented.
The startling after it had grown to
know its new master, seemed very
much attached to him.
One evening. as Jack sat beside his
cottage door, smoking in peaceful quiz
e,ness, n childish voice broke the si-
lence which had fallen.
"Hallo, Jack! how are youP" and a
little blue-eyed boy, with bright
smile on his rosy face, came forward.
'.Ah, Ned. is that youP" cried Jack
''You are quito q stranger"
II have been away. bat returned
yesterday. so came over to SEQ you,"
Ned answered.
Il am glad you did not forget your
old friend. Ned. Bat. now that you
have come, have something new 10
show you. Speck!'
In obedience to his masters voice,
Speck hopped out of his cage and flew
toward Jack, perching on his shoulder.
See. Ned. my new little companion.
Hos clever. too-can talk us plainly
as you"
Anu WHcrc ulu you pcL nlin! Neu
said. gazing with admiring, envious
eyes ut the bird.
Il found him one night when l was
coming through the woods"
'.And did you teach him to talkP"
mo, he knew all he speaks before |
found him."
Il should like bird like that Give
him to me-do, Jack" Ned said plead
ingltyL.
grown to be quite part of myself; nei-
thcr Speck nor myself could get along
without each other-cOuld we, old boyP"
he added atfectionately to his feathered
companion.
Speck put his head knowingly on one
side, and his bright little eyes seemed
To sparkle AS they rested on his mas
ter's face.
Ned looked disappointed. and he
pouted.
Il am so sorry. But, Jack" hero
the pretty face frightened, zone day
you may wish to give him up; if SO,
don't forget me-"
mo; if the day should ever come
when l would consent to part with
Speck, you will be the one to whom l
shall give MIN.
But half content, yet forced to be sat-
istied. with his promise. Ned chatted
gaily for an hour with his friend, then.
with a bright '.good night" sped swift
ly homeward.
After this. Ned became constant
visitor at Elis's cottage, and the mole
he went the more desirous he was to
have possession of the pretty bird.
At last one dav. arriving earlier than
usual, he found Ellis had not returned,
but the door was only fastened from
without, SO Ned had no difficulty in en-
tering.
For some time he amused himself
with talking to Speck, teaching him
some new words.
II do wish Jack would give him to
me-" he thought, ''hc can't like him so
much as l would" and he looked long
ingly at the bird.
A sudden temptation entered his
head to take it and lot Jack think it had
flown away.
Il can easily hide 1t. and Jack would
never know" Then. afraid that Ellis
would return before he had carried out
his design, he took Speck in his hand
and thrust him into his pocket.
He made swiftly for the door. but ere
ho reached it n well known and now
vSly -awelcome footstep sounded out
side. and Jack came through the tiny,
fower-decked garden.
"Hallo, little NedI" he cried cheer
fully, ''you are early to-day"
'Yes; waited though for you." Ned
answered, shuffiing uneasily about
''But cannot stay now, mother wants
mo; l only came to say that father
wants &C see you tonight"
All right; will come directly after
I have had my tea. Have you been
talking to Speck? Halo! where is hep"
Jack added in sudden alarm. looking
around the room, for the first time
missing the noisy welcome his feather
ed friend always gave him.
II don't know. He was hero just
now." Ned said. perhaps he has
flown out"
He mover does that. But | will
look" and Jack went outside the cot
tage and called:
.'Speck! Speck! Where are youP"
At first no answer came TO his loud
calls, then the well remembered voice,
now low and mu1lled, said in faint ac-
cents:
.'Here 1 am-here | am"
''But whereP" said Jack in pcrplex-
ity. 'Surely he cannot have got some-
where and can't got away. Ho sooms
stined."
Ned grew red and uncomfortable.
The bird. rebellious at his confinement.
struggled hard TO get free.
Noting the boys discomfort and his
shamed face. a new suspicion entered
Jacks mind.
Med" he said rather sternly. "what
have you been doing? You have been
playing some trick with Speck. Who're
is hep"
Ned did not answer hut dnn his fists