The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1886-01-22
FIDO'S LITTLE FRIEND.
Why He Did Not Answer Those
Who Called to Him.

One morning in May Fido sat on the
front porch. and he was deep in
thought. He was wondering whether
the people who were moving into the
next house were As cross and unfeelinR
a. the people who had just moved out.
He hoped they we're not, for the peo-
pie who had just moved out had never
treated Fido with that respect and kind
ness which Fido believed he was on all
occasions entitled to.
The newcomers must be nice
folks" said Fido to himself. "for their
feather-bcds look big and comfortable.
and their baskets are all ample and
gencrous-and see, there goes bright
gilt cage, and there is . plump yellow
canary bird in il! Oh. how glad Mrs.
Tabby will be 70 see it-she SO dotes on
dear little canary birds!''
Mrs. Tabby was the old brindled cat,
who was the mother OF the four cum
nlng little kittens in the hay-mow.
FId0 had heard her remark very purr-
lngly only . few days ago that she
!ongcd for canary bird, Just TO amuse
ner little ones and give them correct
musical ears. Honest old Fid0! There
was no guile in his heart, and he never
dreamed there was in all the wide
world such sin as hypocrisy. So
when Fido saw the little canary bird IN
the cage he was glad for Mrs. Tabby's
sake.
When Fido sat on the front porch
and watched the people moving into
the next house another pair Of eyes
peeped out Of the old hollow maple
over the way. This was the red-head-
ed woodpccker, who had q warm. coy
nest far down in the hollow maple, and
in the nest there were four beautiful
eggs, Of which the red-hcaded wood
pccker was very proud
Good morning. Mr.. Fido." called
the red-headed woodpcckcr' from her
high perch. you are out bright and
early to-day. And what do YOU think
Of our new neighborsP"
Upon my word. can not tell" re-
Piled Fido, wagging his tail cheerily.
FOR | am not acquainted with them.
But have been watching them closely
and BY to-day noon / think / shall be
on speaking terms with them-pro-
vided, Of course. they are not the cross,
unkind people our old neighbors
were"
"Oh, ! do 50 hope there are no little
boys in the family" sighed the red
headed woodpccker; and then she
added, with much determination and .
defiant toss Of her beautiful head: II
hate little boysl'
why SOP" inquired Fido. "As for
myself, ! love little boys. I have al
ways found them the pleasantest Of
companions. Why do yon dislike
themPr
because they are wicked" said the
red-headcd woodpecker. s'They climb
trees and break up the nests We have
worked 80 hard TO build, and they steal
away our lovely eggs-oh. Ihate little
Good little boys don't steal birds
eggs" said Fido. land I'm sure
never would play with bad boy"
but the rcd-hcaded woOdpecker in
sisted that all little boys were wicked,
and, firm In this faith, she few away to
snc linden over yonder, where. she had
heard the thrush say. there lived .
,amily Of fat, white grubs. The red
headed woodpccker wanted her break
last, and Il would have been hard TO
ma more palatablc morsel for her
man = white, lat grub.
As for Fido, he sat on the front
porch and watched the people NOV
ng IN. And rs he watched them he
thought Of what the red-headcd wood
peckcr had said. and he wondered
whether Y could be possible for little
.oys 70 be 80 cruel a. to rob birds nests.
a. he brooded over this sad possibility
\. ~ Train o. thought was interrupted BY
on his ears.
.Goggie, google, goggie!' said the
voice. "Tum here, Title roaric--tum
s''s' google, google, goggieW