Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-03-16

l.nory. but Jim only laughed at his dis
comfiture from the top of neighborlng
tree. q.
! OF . little girl who was visitor IN the
4 family, he was very fond. Al nrst, nc
was somewhat afraid of her, never having
seen such tiny creature IN human
shape, but when he once discovered tnat
she was harmless, he became devoted 10
her. and followed her about everywhere.
nerchipg upon her head or shoulder with
an air Of touching confidence. He seemed
To be saving, I'VE understand each
other, in ali his intercourse with he
family. Even when his master had gun
in his hand. Jim showed no fear. The
oun might be discharged dozen times
and Jim might witness. close at hana' It's
deadly effects. but so long as his frlends
were shooting, Jim seemed 10 know tnas
he should not be hurt.
Jim's pan of water stood close beside
the pump, and was usually renewed by
each person who came near; for jim, so
far from being uncleanly, as birds of his
race are sometimes supposed to be, was
scrupulously neat and most persevering
bather. When his pan had been renewed,
and he had drank from his cup, he was
in the habit of eating his breakfast. When
this consisted of crusts, as it often did. he
usually soaked them in his pan. until they
were soft. One day he caught an enor-
nous grasshopper, and evidently found
| it too hard to make good meal, so he
patiently soaked it for some time, hoping
apparently that the tough morsel might
grow tenderer. His disgust was very
amusing, when, after repeated soakings.
Mr. Grasshopper remained as tough as
ever. Jim scolded at him hoarselv, and
finally threw him away in a pet.
He had equally hard luck with a small
toad, which also stubbornly refused to
ter for long time.
Oh, if Jim could only have talked, what
remarks he would have made! Talking
crows are not unknown, and had the little
muscle beneath Jim's tongue been severed
when he was very young, he would un,
doubtedly have been able to say some
thing, for that he had plenty of ideas no
one could doubt. His efforts to articulate
were patent to all his attendants. If ever
anybody tried to talk, it was Jim Crow.
AS the time approached for the family
to return to the city, the question present
ed itself, what should be done with Jim !?
He did not like any of the neighbors, and
would not probably stay with them. He
would die if left to himself, never having
traternized with his kindred, and being
unused to providing for his own wants.
Clearly, he must 60 to New York. So a
hattie house was fitted up for him in the
rear of the Review building on Lafayette
Place, and the colored janitor, though he
insisted that he ''hadn't no use" tor him.
was pressed into Jim's service.
He passed very comfortable winter.
Once he escaped through a window which
had carelessly been left open. and disap-
peared from view. but a call from his anx-
ious young master, who, from the top of
the Review building, detected his truant
pet wandering in bewildered way in an
adjoining yard, caught Jim's ear at once,
and stretching his beautiful, glossy black
wings joyfully. he flew upward, and
perched upon his masters shoulder.
1t was well into April. and the precau-
tons which had been taken during the
winter to shield the cherished pet from
the weather, had been somewhat relaxed,
when terribly cold night came, and Jim
Crow was seized with pneumonia. He
was attended faithfully, ard everything
that love and skill could suggest was done
for him. His speaking eyes pleaded af-
fectionately with his friends for relief, but
nothing seemed to help him. His step
became more and more uncertain, and his
bright eyes grew dull and filmy. At last
he fell quite off his porch, and dear little
Jim Crow was dead.
1t almost seemed as though human
life had gone out
He was buried in paper casket under
a wlde-spreading tree in the rear of the
Review building, where his grave is
marked by wooden cross. inscribed with
the name, Jim Crow GOOD Cheer.