Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-02-11
FIDO'S LITTLE FRIEND.
Why He Did Not Answer Those
Who Called to Him.

One morning in May Fido sat on the
front porch, and he was deep in
thought. He was wondering whether
the people who were moving into the
next house were as cross and unfeelino
as the people who had just moved out.
He hoped they were not, for the peo-
pie who had just moved out had never
treated Fido with that respect and kind
ness which Fido believed he was on all
occasions entitled to.
1.-The newcomers must be nice
folks" said Fido to himself, '.for their
feather-beds look big and comfortable,
pnd their baskets are all ample and
generous-and see, there goes bright
gilt cage, and there is a plump yellow
canary bird in it! Oh, how glad Mrs.
Tabby will be to see it-she SO dotes on
dear little canary brdsr'
Mrs. Iahby was the old brindled cat,
who was the mother of the four cum
ming little kittens in the hay-mow.
FIdo had heard her remark very purr-
ingiy only a few days ago that she
Ionged for canary bird, just to amuse
her little ones and give them correct
musical ears. Honest old Fido! There
was no guile in his heart, and he never
dreamed there was in all the wide
world such sin as hypocrisy. SO
when Fido saw the little canary bird in
the cage he was glad for Mrs. Tabbv's
sake
When Fido sat on the front porch
and watched the people moving into
the next house another pair of eyes
peeped out of the old hollow maple
over the way. This was the red-head-
ed woodpecker, who had q warm, COW
nest far down in the hollow maple. and
an the nest there were four beautiful
eggs, of which the red-headed wood
pecker was very proud.
Good morning, Mr.. Fido," called
the red-headed woodpecker from her
high perch. you are out bright and
early to-day. And what do you think
OF our new neighbors?"
Upon my word, can not tell" re-
piled Fido, wagging his tail cheerily,
''for l am not acquainted with them.
But | have been watching them closely
and by to-day noon l think shall be
on speaking terms with them-pro-
vlded. of course, they are not the cross,
unkind people our old neighbors
were"
''Oh, DO so hope there are no little
boys in the family" sighed the red
headed woodpecker; and then she
added, with much determination and a
defiant toss of her beautiful head Il
hate little boys!"
"Why SOP" inquired Fido. GAS for
myself. love little boys. l have al
ways found them the pleasantest of
companions. Why do you dislike
them9"
because they are wicked,' said the
red-headed woodpecker. ''They climb
trees and break up the nests we have
worked so hard to build, and they steal
away our lovely eggs-oh, hate little
boys!"
Good little boys don't steal birds
eggs" said Fido, land I'm sure
never would play with bad boy"
But the red-headed woodpecker in
sisted that all little boys were wicked,
and. firm in this faith. she few away to
the linden over yonder, where, she had
heard the thrush say. there lived a
family of fat, white grubs. The red
headed woodpecker wanted her break
fast, and it would have been hard to
find more palatable morsel for her
than white, fat grub.
As for Fido, he sat on the front
porch and watched the people moT-
ing in. And as he m.tched them lie
thought of what the red-headed wood
pecker had said. and he wondered
whether it could be possible for little
BOYS to be so cruel as to rob birds nests.
AS he brooded over this sad possibility
his train of thought was interrupted by
the sound of voice that fell pleasantly
on his ears.
Google, google, goggier" said the
voice. ..Tum here. little goggie-tum
bere, google. google, goggie?