The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1886-08-21
"TooTIE."
How We Came by Him, and the Manner
in Which We Lost Him.

WI
How We Came by Him, and the Manner
in Which We Lost Him.
"Tootie" was our young robin. He
was blown from neighboring tree in
to our yard. late in the autumn, and
found in 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, a 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 respectable looking
bird. 1t was surprising what an appe-
tite he had. His bill seemed always
open and eager, for the outdoor food,
particularly. 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.
and 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
he would hop on the children's heads
and be satisfied to stay awhile in their
hands, butsoon made known his desire
to be taken downstairs to breakfast
When one of the boys was ready to
go, 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
thst the proper way to take cream.
IS He liked 70 hop around down stairs
during the day; but if allowed to stay
in lower room toward evening, he
became uneasy and wanted to be taken
to his own apartment. If carried into
the hall, he would fly upstairs and hop
around .discontentedly, uttering his
shrill ''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-tie!'' he would
turn his little head on one side and
then on the other in a 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 a task to care
vet allow him some Jss;rahia fseada aa
W. loved Toot;e. Int VIC d;an,t lnn,r
what IN do With him II was tor ia,e
In the season IN t;,rn hin, ont - aiono ~
carr for' b;SsaIf. and a,is the rnh;r W.
sean,ed r. haze Iaft The v;a;r;tr '
One morn;ns Toot;o was taL.n o,.
n. eninv his aaiiv-exarc;se and ha f, low
fsr-nn' IN the t:sa-sors end d- ,,nnu u III" Nv
roots s;nr;ac, snd I, o.. :, ~ p ",,t, uo
- -; "u 49,. IT, ~ .ao "asu III
him for awb;le ond whan thov Sara =,
20 iooI fer h;,, he a. Nc. "S sn4 o" 10y "san
Thev rnt;cad I'D 1885, ~ - nv ~ 49," u ALL Soar
~ roh,nS av;,,r arorgJ .nd ~ rs,,s; nU;n