The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1886-02-24
0,Iin CrOH.n

panther; the minerals are gold and silver"
"Jim Crow"
"A true story by Kate Epson Clark, in Good Cheerl
Last summer, when the young son of Mr..
L. S. Metcalf, then on the editorial staff of
The North American Review, found baby
crow in a nest and brought it home, the fam
lily hardly knew whether to 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 Crow, as the
youngster was christened, should be adopted
into the family, and his manners and NOR
ais as well as his physical wants, receive
close attention. Accordingly, warm Indian
meal-and-water was served up to him daily,
and Jim Crow grew and f1Ourished.
AT an early age, he became addicted to
warm mullins, and the first strength of his
wings was exerted to fly to the window
whence the mullins had been first dealt out
to him, where he pecked and peeked on the
glass until his wants were supplied. As Jim
awoke at peep of dawn, and was free to go
when and where he liked, it was somewhat
inconvenient that his desire for mullins
should awake at the same time, but argu-
ment had no effect upon him, and his per-
sistent patter, patter on the pane was usually
kept up, until, as in the Scripture story, the
family were glad to arise ana minister unto
the impOrtunate beggar
As he became older, his intelligence and
his affectionate ways made him great favor
tie. He was literally petted, and he seemed
to appreciate fully all TIE kind attention he
received. He was always ready for frolic,
and exhibited signs of great pleasuse when
he found that anyone was ready to play with
him. His favorite pastime was to hold lit
tie stick Just within reach of his companion,
and then playfully jerk it away. He was
never weary OF this sort of fun.
Jim Crow was very fond of anything
bright land would mischievously pick up
thimbles and all such light and g1ittering
objects, and carry them off whenever he
could find them. Manv a chase through
dewy grass and cornfelds did Jim Crow lead
the ladies of the family, until they learned
to be careful. He early discovered where
gentlemen carry their watches, and would
insinuate himself neatly between their coats
and waistcoats, capturing their shining time
pieces, if they were not well secured. But
it is recorded no 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 straying
away from home. As the members of the
family would sally forth for long walks, or
drives, Jim Crow was in the habit of perch
ing upon their shoulders, and would travel
on for awhile in great apparent enjoyment;
but when a half mile or so was turned, he
would begin to grow apprehensive, and by
the time mile was reached, he would I'M
tremendously spread his wings and make for
home.
He was always on hand when there was
game in progress upon the croquet-ground,
and would enter into it with great zest push
ing the ball 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 of
neighbor, was also very fond of watching
the game, and would often come and
stretch himsif out beside the wickets
where he was allowed to remain
an honored spectator. For some reason, Jim
did not like Joe. He always began to scold
yociferously when the good old dog APP
peared, and manifested strong disapprOval
OF Joe's most innocent actions, though real
lzing fully the estimation in which the OBJ
ject of his dislike was held he did not usu-
ally dare to directly modest him. One day,
however, the players were all gathered in one
corner. discussing knotty point in the
game, and Joe was fast asleep. Jim saw his
chance, darted down like an arrow, pinched
Joe with his sharp beak, and flew back before
the old dog could open his eyes. Joe sprang
up, looked reproachfully at the gay company,
who had, all, seen Jim's naughty vancouver
and were laughing, and then he moved off
slowly, and with fine assumption of dig
nifty. Joe did not seem to suspect Jim at all
hoarsely on bough, well out of reach. The
poor dog thought that some member of the
company had pinched him, and from that
time he went no more to the croquet-
ground.
One day gentleman came to the well,
which was famed far and wide for its pure,
cold water, drew up the bucket, took down
cup frem the peg, and dipping from the
OVERLOOKING pail, drank his FIJI. Thereafter,
Jim, who had carefully watched the proceed
ing and who had hitherto been content to
drink from pan beside the well, provided
himself with a cup also, and, skitlfully dip
ping Up his portion, slipped only from his
cup.
A carpenter employed about the place was
the object of Jim's special aversion. The in
slant he appeared, Jim would drop every
thing else, and devote his entire attention to
scolding at him. The man himself was gen.
orally as much amused as anybody else at
Jim's unreasonable antipathy, but on one
occasion, he did not find it so funny. A
sewer was to be laid, and he was brrie1 up
TO the very crown Of his hat in a great hole
which he had dug, when some particular
process obliged him to rest his hand for q
moment upon the turf above. Jim instantly
perceived his opportunity, and, darling mis-
chieyeusly downward, gave the hand several
severe peeks before its owner could with
draw 1t. The carpenter, naturally, was very
angry. but jim only laughed at his discom-