Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-03-16
miscellaneous.
''Jim Crow
BY KATE UPSON CLARK.


be sorry or glad. They were at their
country place in Maine. and there was
plenty of room, so permission was finally
given that Jim Grow. as the youngster
was christened, should be adopted into
the family. and his manners and morals.
as well as bis physical wants. receive close
attention. Accordingly, warm Indian
meal-and-water was served up to him
daily, and Jim Crow grew and flourished.
At an early age, he became addicted to
warm mullins, and the first strength of
his wings was exerted to fly to the win
dow whence the mullins had been first
dealt out to him, where he pecked and
pecked on the glass until his wants were
supplied. As Jim awoke at peep of dawn,
and was free to 90 when and where he
liked, it was somewhat inconvenient that
his desire for mullins should awake at the
same time, but argument had no effect up
on him, and his persistent patter, patter
on the pane was usually kept up, until. as
in the Scripture story. the family were
glad to arise and minister unto the i'm
Fortunate beggar.
| As he became older, his intelligence
and his affectionate ways made him great
favorte. He was literally petted, and he
seemed to appreciate fully all the kind
attention he received. He was always
ready for frolc. and exhibited signs OF
great pleasure when he found that any
one was ready to play with him. His
tavorite pastime was to hold little stick
just within reach of companion, and then
playiully jerk it away. He was never
weary of this sort of fun.
l g
bright. and would mischievously pick up
thmbles and all such light and glittering
objects. and carry them off whenever he
could find them. Many chase through
dewy grass and cornfelds did Jim Crow
lead the ladies of the family, until they
learned to be careful. He early discov.
cred where gentlemen carry their watch
es, and would insinuate himself neatly
between their coats and waistcoats, cap
turing their shining time-pieces, if they
were not secured. But it is recorded nc
less to the credit of Jim Crows heart
than his head, that he never pecked at the
eyes of his friends. however close he
might be held to them
He was very much afraid of stravine
away from home. As the members OF
the family would sally forth for long
walks or drives, Jim Crow was in the
habit of perching upon their shoulders
and would travel on for awhile in grea
apparent enjoyment ,Sbut when half mile
or so was turned, he would begin to grow
apprehensive, aud by the time mile was
reached, he would unceremoniously spread
his wings and make for home.
He was always on hand when there
was game In progress upon the croque
ground, and would enter into it with grea
zest, pushing the balls this way and that
when he thought no one was observing
him, to the dire confusion of the players.
Old Joe, the large Newfoundland dog o.
a neighbor, was also very fond of watching
the game, and would often come and
stretch himself out beside the wickets
where he was allowed to remain an hon
ored spectator. For some reason Jim die
not like Joe. He always began to scold
vociferously when the good old dog ap
peared. and manifested a strong disappro
val of Joe's most innocent actions, though
fully realizing the estimation in which the
object of his dislike was held, he did moi
usually dare to directly modest him. One
day. however. the players were all gath
cred in one corner, discussing a knotty
point in the game, and Joe was fast asleep
Jim saw his chance, darted down like ar
arrow, pinched Joe with his sharp beak
and flew back before the old dog could
open his eyes. Joe sprang up, looked re.
proachfully at the gay company, who had
after all seen .im's naughty vancouver
aud were laughing, and then he moved
off slowly, and with fine assumption OF
injured dignity. Joe did not seem to sus
pect Jim at all though that little wretch
was chuckling hoarsely on bough, well
out of reach. The poor dog thought tina,
some member of the company had pinched
him, and from that time he went no more
TO the croquet ground.
One dav gentleman came to the we'll,
which was famed far and wide tor its
pure cold water. drew up the bucket, took
down cup from the peg, and drinking
from the overlooking pail, drank his fill.
Thereafter, Jim, who had carefully
watched the proceeding. and who had
hitherto been content to drink from pan
beside the we'll. provided himself with a
cup also. and, skillfully dipping up his
portion, slipped only from his cup.
A carpenter employed about the place
was the object of Jim's special aversion.
The instant he appeared, Jim would drop
everything else. and devote his entire at
tention to scolding at him. The man him.
self was generally as much amused as
anybody else at Jim's unreasonable antip-
athy, but on one occasion, he did not find
it so funny. A sewer was to be laid. and
he was buried IN to the very crown of his
hat in q great hole which he had DUG.
/ When some particular process obliged him
to rest his hand for a moment uDon the
turf above. Jim instantly perceived his
/ opportunity. and, darling mischievouslv
downward, gave his hand several severe
pecks before its owner could Withdraw
IT. The carpenter, naturally, was very