The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-05-24
A FRIENDLY REVENGE.
Henry TyrreIl in the Current,

obedience to that noble instinct Of retalia-
ton which helps TO distinguish our species
from the lower animals. The offence of my
friend Hornbeam was one of those smiling
little social foil-thrusts, which must be re-
sented courteously il they be resented at all
So gave him pair of young kingfshers
/ must explain here that Hornbeam is an
amateur student of natural history, and that
birds are his speciality. Every feathered
creature, from q chick TO condor. he loves
to infatuation.
Now, while the kingfsher ~~ecies is COM
mon everywhere in this wild s.atc, domes-
ticated king-f,her is truly rara avis In
terra 1t had been by a mere chance that
had secured the pair which / presented to
my friend, and he received them with an ef-
fusive delight which am sure was not simu-
lated.
As soon as the two Aquatic beauties ar
rived at Hornbeam's country villa, he pur-
chased for them magnificent cage, the cpl
tome Of all modern pathological conven-
fences.
Shy and sullen, though by no means silent,
the birds quickly made it understood that
their solace after all was but a prison, and
that they were very unhappy in it. They be-
gan to droop and pine.
Liberty" the kind-hearted Hornbeam
cried-'liberty for all, especially the fowls
Of the air."
There was a spare room under the roof Of
the villa. This was cleared of furniture, the
floor was gravelled, and the room trans
formed into a model aviary. The kingfsh-
ers were turned loose in it; but, instead Of
rejoicing in their comparative freedom, they
sulked more than ever.
"What can they want?" Hornbeam asked,
with great solicitude, when called to see
how the pets were getting on. II have done
everything can think of for their comfort,
and yet it appears that something or other
is lacking"
water, perhaps" suggested.
"Waterl" he echoed, disdainfully. "Why,
you don't suppose after all my experience
with birds would neglect their water, do
your They have more than they can drink,
twice u day"
Enough to drink, doubtless" I replied,
affecting tone of friendly counsel; "but
that is not enough. Remember that in their
natural state of freedom, these creatures
haunt the lakes and streams"
Hornbeam was silent for a moment
"You are right" he finally said, in q
troubled tone. Then, after an interval Of
and Cried II have It'll my bathroom is
directly under the chamber they occupy.
I'll establish a communication"
The next day that part of the house was
surrendered to workmen. The floor was
torn up, and the ceiling of the bathroom
cut through, so that tbs kingfshers might
be free to descend and disport themselves on
the slashy brink of the bathtub which was
ordered to be kept always full of fresh water
for their accommodation.
Hornbeam watched with eagerneSs the
result of his novel though somewhat costly
device. But even before he had finished
looking over the bills Of the carpenters,
masons painters, plumbers and upholsterers
relative to the "job," it became evident that
the work had been done in vain. The birds
perched morosely in corner, as though
afraid they might possibly tumble down into
the water and be drowned.
Suddenly it occurred to my friend that
the pool in his bath-tub was of mirrow- like
serenity, whereas the kingfishers, 1t was
more than likely, had been accustomed to
running water. No doubt a gushing.
sparkling stream was what they longed for.
Hornbeam did not hesitate. He called
back the mechanics. The whole Of the
plumbing would have to be altered, and q
special contract would have to be made with
the water works company. The financial
outlay would be considerable; but the stream
of running water would he a triumphant
reality, and the poor birds wo uld at Last be
happy.
Alas they were not.
Their unhappy master-I should rather
say slave-whose devotion to them increased
in direct ratio with the trouble they cost
him, began to despair. He poured into
my sympathetic ear the whole history of his
unsuccessful efforts to provide a pleasant
home for the precious birds had given
him, and besought my advice.
my dear Hornbeam," l responded, with
Mephistophelian suavity. "your error seems
to be in supposing that the kingfishers love
water for its own sake"
"What do you mean"
II mean that what they really care for Is
the fish that are in it. Put some fish in your
running water. and think you will find
that your birds will be as content with their
surroundings as the fish in their own natural
element"
"rll do It'll" the enthusiastic Hornbeam
cried. "Tll stock that bath-tub with live
fish, and the kingfshers can amuse them
selves diving for them"
Two weeks later HOrnbeam found the ex-
pense of procuring the daily supply of live
fish SO enormous that he determined to catch
them himself OF course. an anglers outfit
must be purchased A boat, also, would
be necessar-, and man to row it, for the
seine-drawing would be no holiday sport.
Hornbeam was a far-sighted man. Id
was not one to stop at an expenditure which
once made, world in the long run result il
an immense saving.
He bought steam launch.
There were days when the fish were shy,
and then the task of the provider was very
hard one indeed On other days the hau
would be so large that place to store tn,
superfluous fish became necessity. An ar
tificial pond, and large reservoir to feed it.
were accordingly constructed just back o.
the Hornbeam villa
An army of Italian laborers are now a.
work digging a system of canals to extend
| over the entire grounds. All the trees have
been cut down, and contracts are out for q
series of hydraulic works on a vast scale
and representing moderate fortune.
Tho fvvo EinDfSharS ara doing we'll a