Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-06-30
Mr.. D0UBLEAGLE'S PETS.

Il have had a great many funny board
ers," began Mrs, Cleanie, but the funniest
/ one of all was Mr.. Alonzo Doubleagle
Mr. Doubleagle. you know, is very rich
| president of the First National Bank OF
! FitzborO, besides holding many more i'm
| pOrtant offices OF trust OF FitzbOro He
used to be bachelor; and for over ten
years he occupied my two front rooms
overhead
20, but he was close-fste You never
saw such stingy man. All he thought
Of, or about all, was how he might in
crease his wealth. Ten per cent. seemed
mighty small to him; it was only when he
could extract 8 per cent a month from
some poor fellow that a genuine smile of
satisfaction lit his cOuntenanCe at least SO
the men said, and do not doubt it one
bit But | suppose | should not talk SO
freely about one of my former patrons. He
was always prompt in paying me for his
board and rent and as regular as clock
To his meals
We'll, as | was going TO say, Mr..
Doubleagle had my two square rooms up
stairs, and he spent a great deal of his
time in them after business hours, tigur-
ing, reading. and smoking He really
smoked. lcOuld never see through this
indulgence on his part, for he did abomni-
ate cheap tobacco.
in one Of these rooms was arranged Il
desk, facing the bay window, and just TO
the left of il hung a cage containing a
beautiful canary. This bind was Mr.
Doubleagle's pet And IL was the one liv-
ing thing ever saw him take interest in
except, of course, some victim for loan.
The hirI WaS nnnsnally infalliuanl It's
master had taught it number of cute
tricks of which he WAS very fond, and eA
hibited Dicks knowledge frequently to
the boarders with truly museum like
satisfaction
When Mr.. Doubleagle was in the room
alone, he frequently let the bird out of the
cage. 1t would fly about and chirp and
play a real game OF hide and seek, or il
would jump through his clasped hands
like q cat. waltz. sing or scold at his bid
ding. And it had way, all of its own, Of
pecking al its masters pen or pencil
whenever re knit his bushy brows over a
row of fig ares. II was the only creature
that did not seem afraid of the grim capi-
talist
Mr.. DOubleagle was said TO be very un-
kind TO his blood relations, especially to
his orphan nephew, but to this small pet
bird he never showed anything but the
tenderest love and devotion Strange?
Perhaps it is. OF course, am not speak
ing from a monetary point of observation
now.
Once Dick was taken sick He would
not stir in his cage; no inducement could
make him bathe. His seed, and the most
tempting cutie bone and green things
failed to start more than a slight winking
Of the lids AlonZo-excuse me, ! have
been SO accustomed TO call him by his
given name-Mr Douhleagle could not
have been troubled any more over a pros
trate friend. And when, after TO or three
days, the bird recovered his wOnted spir-
its and would do his old tricks again. the
miser seemed himself once more. Thus
the friendship went II WAS like that of
two fond lovers Folks said, when they
learned Of his attachment, that the
banker must have had at some
period OF his life. much more sympa-
thetic and unselfish heart than in his
later years And they said. as you
know people will talk, that AlonZo's 5 heart
was not cOmmOdious enough to admit of
a more substantial tisme-s really lOvable
occupant OF this | am in no wise able to
judge. Sometimes these old men, like the
prOverbial Celtic flea are very uncertain
IN their movements; they get absurdly
singular notions into their hearts quite
late in life; Mr.. Boldman, for instance,
with his lgyear-Old wife, and he rs bald
as the great American eagle.
As | was going to say, one day, one
evening rather, Mr.. Doublesgle seemed TO
be making considerable noise in his
room. ! knew what il was about, how
ever, or | should have raped on the stove
pipe for him to be still, as occasionally
did in playful mood He was having
rOmp with Dick at hide and seek | could
hear him jump around desk, chair and
table, first in one room, now in the other,
now laughing heartily, now talking to the
bird as if it understood every word he said.
And then would come a few moments of
or broken only by Dicks peep
Being in the living room,
Just below, / heard all the fun. | laid
aside my sewing to enjoy the game the
best might
Again Mr.. Doubleagle trotted about
until the house fairly shook with his pom
derous tread, and calling 'Dick-Dick- |
Dick, you rascal you, where can you be-
And then such n groan as came from
above! 1t frightened me. Twas Alonzo's |
voice rushed out into the hall and ran
up the stairs as fast as possible. thinking
TO find my old boarder dead or dying But |
no, met him on the landing crying like
Il baby and holding Dick in his hand.
I've killed him! I've killed him. he I.
said. i was looking behind the bureau
for him and crushed his head against the .
castor with my boot"
Let me take him, said |; perhaps he /
is not dead yet: we may save him Then .
held the little thing TO the light and eX-
amined its wound, while that great man
just stood and wiped away real tears from .
his eyes. They were bigger tears, too, and .
more of them than he shed when his only .
brother died. The bird was net dead. 1t /
was stunned badly and one eye protruded .
The lower bill was also out of
place, seeming to be dislocated. Cold .
water soon revived the tiny sufferer Then .
made a weak wash of iodine and bathed .
The bruised parts with soft sponge. / .
also set the njured member the best |
could. Dick appeared to be conscious Of .
my attempts to aid him. He would lay
MS head against the COOL damp sponge,
and yielded manfully to ali | did
or him, but kept up con-
.inuous low peeping After an
hours tender nursing, we fixed him up
or the night in a small basket, lined with
,otton. He looked very comical, indeed,
With bandage about his head When
applied this, Mr.. Doubleagle smiled for
he first time since the accident.
Pm afraid he'll die, Mrs. Cleanie', he
aid. And then he bent down and kissed
he bird, and brushed his cheek with his
land. 1t was all could do to persuade
he man to let his pet remain behind the
toVe in the parlor. At last he consented.