The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-06-05
"TOOTIE."
How We Came by Him, and the Manner
in Which We Lost Him.

~ i1'
How We Came by Him, and the Manner
in Which We Lost Him.
"Tootie' was our young robin. He
was blown from a neighboring tree in
to our yard, late in the autumn, and
found in a forlorn condition by the
children, who brought the wretched
little bird into the house to be cared
for until it should be able to fly.
The family cat was far from being
friendly, and the basket containing the
robin was hidden round in various cor
ners, until finally, vacant room up
stairs was devoted to its especial use.
Tootie was carefully fed with an
abundant supply of bread crumbs dip
ped in water, flies and dainty worms,
until he grew into a respectable looking
bird. 1t was surprising what an appe-
tte he had. His bill seemed always
cpeU and eager, for the outdoor food,
rariicularly. The children spent a
Great deal of time in digging up the
ground to supply his wants.
Tootie's intelligence increased with
his good looks, and by the time his
feathers were well grown he astonished
the family by exhibitions of his knowl-
edge and his amusing ways. He learned
very soon that the door of his room
opened into the children's chamber,
and early in the morning he would be-
gin TO sing as loud as he possibly could,
md fly impatiently against the door
until it was opened for him. Then he
would begin his loud screaming and
fly across the room to their bed, where
lie would hop on the children's heads
end be satisfied to stay awhile in their
l-ands, butsoon made known his desire
to be taken downstairs to breakfast.
When one of the boys was ready to
90, Tootie would perch on his shoulder
and ride down to the dining-room,
with perfect satisfaction. When there,
he did not hesitate to fly on the table
and help himself to any bit which hap
pened to please his taste; and as it was
useless to try to teach him good man
ners, he was not permitted to remain
long. The children's papa quite spoiled
him, however, giving him cream out
of silver teaspoon. He drank it very
gracefully. and evidently considered
that the proper way to take cream.
He liked to hop around down stairs
during the day; but if allowed to stay
in a lower room toward evening. he
became uneasy and wanted to be taken
to his own apartment. II carried into
the hall, he would fly upstairs and hop
around discontentedly, uttering his
shrili "cheep, cheep," until permitted
to enter the right door. He had perch
in his room which suited him, and he
never wanted it changed.
After awhile, Tootie was taken out
in the yard every day, and allowed to
fly up in the trees and on the roofs of
the nearest houses. He enjoyed that
greatly; but as soon as he heard one
of us calling 'Too-tier' he would
turn his little head on one side and
then on the other in coquettish way;
and, finally, after little more coax
ing, he would begin his shrill cry of
joy. and come futtering down right
into our hands, and be carried, con-
tentedly, into the house. We never
could think of putting Tootie into a
cage; and it became quite task to care
for him, keep him out of danger, and
yet allow him some desirable freedom
We loved Tootie; but we didn't know
what to do with him. 1t was too late
in the season to turn him out alone, to
care for HIMSELF and all the robins
seemed to have left the vicinity.
One morning Tootie was taken out
to enjoy his daily exercise, and he flew
far up in the tree-tops and upon the
roofs, singing and merry in the autumn
sunshine. The children lost sight of
him for awhile, and when they began
to look for him he was not to be found
They noticed, however, a large flock
of robins flying around and pausing in
the trees on the sidewalks, apparently
chatting gayly of their fight to more
Southern home. Tootie had disap-
peared, and then every one began to be
very sorry. The whole family went
out in the door-yard, and made them
selves ridiculous. calling in high-pitched
and what they intended to be musical
and enticing tones:
''Too-tie! Too-tier'
And the children's papa went along
the sidewalks downtown, stopping
under every tree where he fancied he
heard robin, Unlocking up in the
branches, saying: "Tootie!' zoo, while
people must have thought him very
queer indeed. .. -
But Toote did not come again.
We preferred to believe that our robin
had recognized his friends and joined
them in their southwark fight, and
that he had escaped all proving cats
and heartless boys, and was happy
with his own bird relations.
So, when spring came, the children
imagined that each pretty red-breast
thathopped. nnafraid, to our very doors,
or sang merrily in the trees, was our
lost pet, returned to his early home.
But ii he was indeed one Of them, he