Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-09-06
A FRIENDLY REVENGE.

| of retaliation which helms tn distin-
puish our species from the lower ami
mails. The oflense of INV friend Horn
beam was one OF those smiling little
social foil -thrusts. which must bo re-
septed courteously il they be resented
at all.
So gave him n pair of Young king
fishers. | must explain here that Horn
beam is an amateur student of natural
history, and that birds are his special
ty. Every feathercd creature. from .
chick to "A condor, he loves to infatua-
ton.
Now, while the kingisher species is
common everywhere in this wild state,
| a domestic kingiisher is truly rara
avis in terra 1t had been by mere
chance that | had secured tho pair
which presented to my friend, and no
received them with an elusive delight
which am sure was not simulated.
As soon ms the two aquatic beauties
arrived ut Hornbeam's country villa
he purchased for them magnificent
cage, the epitomc of all modern orni-
biological conveniences.
Shy and sullen, though by no means
silent, tho birds quickly made il under
stood that their solace after all was
put PRISON. anu that they were very
unhappy IN H. Ihey oegah 70 urooP
ana pine
| Liberty! tne kihu-hearteu horn
beam crieu.'hoerty ior ALL especially
'he io"is vi inc ar.
mere was spare room unuer the
ROOF Oh the VIVA. ms was cleared OF
lurhiture' the hoor was GraVclle"' ana
the room transformed INTO honei
aNiary. lhe kinghshcrs were turned
loose IN II; but instead OF rejoicing IN
their comparative ircc"ou'' 'hey s"iheu
more thah ever o,, >,
hat can they "ahtE hornoeah,
asked win great soicltu"e' when
caiie" 10 sec no" Tue Pets were scl'ihS
on. nave oohe everything can
thihk OF Tor the'r COMFORT an" yet IL
appears that something OF other Is
iacking'
w ater. Perhaps' suggested
water! he echoed, disdainiully
." ny you don suppo1 C. attcr all my
experience win o'ras' ! "ou'u neglect
thr'r water do your lucy nave more
tnan thcy can urihk, twice uay.
| Eh"l II 10 drink, douDtiess' re-
p'icd' "hectihg Il tone oi ii,cndiy coun-
sci; "but tnat is not enough. Kemem'
Der that in their natural state of free
dom these creatures haunt tho lakes
and streams"
Hornbcam was silent for a moment.
"You are right" he finally said, in
n troubled tone. Then. after an inter-
val of deep abstraction, he suddenly
frightened up, and cried: 81 have it!
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 workmcn. The
floor was torn up and the ceiling of
the bathroom cut through, SO that the
kingiishers might be free to descend
and disport themselves on the slashy
brink OF the ba,h-tub, which was or
dcred to be kept always full of fresh
water for their accommodation.
Hornbcam watched with eagernoss
the result of his novel though some
what costly device. But even before
he had finished looking over the bills
Of the carpenters. masons, painters,
plum bers. and upholslcrcrs, relative to
the "job," it became evident that the
work had been done in vain. The
birds perched moroscly in the corner,
as though afraid they might possibly
tumble down into tile water and be
drowned.
Suddenly it occurred to my friend
that the pool in his b,tb-tub was NJ
mirrOr-likc serenity, whereas the king
fishers, it 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 al
tered, and special contract would
have to be made with the water works
company. The financial outlay would
be considerable; but the stream of rum
ming water would be a triumphant re-
ality, and the poor birds would at last
be happy.
Alas! they were not.
Their unhappy master-I should
rather say slave-who,c devotion TO
them increased in direct ratio with tho
trouble they cost him, began TO de-
SPAR. lie poured into NV sympathetic
ear the whole history of his unsuccess-
full efforts to provide a pleasant home
for the precious birds had given him.
and besought my advice.
"My dear Hornbcam." | responded,
with MephistOphelian suavity, ..your
error seems to be in surprising that
the kingiishers love water for its own
sake"
What do you meanP"
IL 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 surruundinr. ~