The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1889-12-13
rAi. last statement called forth loud sut.

.aw from saul
"A hundred dollarsl hawI Yer as crazy
as June bug, Clay Colel IL haint worth
the powder Ne wasted on H. ="
Clay did not attempt 10 argue with the tx
uoramus. but felt in his pocket Tor cord
with which io secure the feet of bis prize and
thus escgpe the sharp claws
What are ye goin' TO dor Saul inquired
a. he watched the movement
Clay informed him
Coin 10 carry thet old screech owl homer
Saul exclaimed WAL, ef you amt got EN-
bad! See hyer. do We know yer foolr
Clay made no answer, but made moose in
one end OF the cord, slipped II over one set Of
the vicious claws, and began 20 fashion
second moose In the opposite end for the other
set He meant 10 carry the owl as ho would
basket. with a cord for a handle.
Suddenly he was showed backward 50 for.
chilly that he almost lost his balance, and hls
ears were as~alled 10y "A loud oath.
Saul Rhodes meant trouble for him!
This blamed foolishncsS OF yourn might
as well lie stopped right hyer" the youns
ruflian cried Blame ef | amt sick o ser
crazy doins, an III put a stop TO 'em Nhen
I'm around. This owl amt dead, ! guess,
an I'm a-goin' TO turn IL loose, er # II can't
nv ! II throw W IN the river
Clay knew that he meant 20 do what he
SAID, for he was "A notorious ami heartless
bully and the young naturalist was for a
moment spelIbound at the thought Of losing
his precious capture
| Saul was larger, and evidently considered
himself stronger than he, II was certain that
! II Clay interfcred with his dastardly plan IL
would result i'm a hand to hand difficulty
A III
! love of nature, and he determined TO defend
his prize with all his power
lie had scarcely nu instant iu which 10 con.
slider his action, for Saul was proceeding at
once To carry ont his threat.
Just as the rough stopped TO pick up the
string which was attached 10 the owl, Clay
launched himself upon him with righteous
! fury Saul was hurled backward several
PAGES, but recovered himself aud got hold Of
his antagonist, and then the two boys en-.
| gagged la the herccst rough and tumble strug
| gle Of their lives
Saul was bent on giving his foe sound
! drubbing for daring 10 resist him, and Clay
knew that unless he mastered his enemy he
would suffer not only whipping but the loss
! OF his great gray owl
First up and then down the two wrcstlcd
coming IN hard gasps Presently locked to
gether, they began TO roll over and over each
other and approach the bank Of the river
The bank at this point was high and steep,
aud on the very edge of IL the two ceased 10
roll, and Clay, who had slightly the advan-
tage. tore himself suddenly from his enemy
clutches then, exercising all his force, he
showed the recalcitrant rough over the edge
Of the bank, down which he went like a sec
ond Tommy Twist, turning and tumbling
with amazing rapidity until he reached the
bottom
lie stopped, within a yard Of the waters
edge, so dizzy that he did not know what had
happened TO him, and with his eyes full OF
dirt. Clay could not resist "A laugh. nervou,
| though hc was, as he viewed him
II was well for Clay that the fight lasted
no longer, for during its continuance the owl
J had been doing its best 10 escape, and, ham
pcred as II wns, had already got "A consider
/ able distance away
! After "A little chase Clay secured 10, and
lifting IL 10y the loop 81 the string .fi,, fast
encd its feet, he shouldered his gun and with
no further attention 10 the disComiitcd foe
bore his treasure TO his home in high claton
! He paused IA moment ON his way 10 pick az
the two wild geese he had left In the bushes
Tho victory over the bully Of the ncghbOr
hood was signal one, aud ever after Sau
treated Clay with the utmost Difference
The capture of the great gray owl was re
ported 10 hls friend aud adviser, the author
Of his book who Immediately replied 10 con
gratuate him. aud 10 state that he had writ
ten 10 professional dealer la Kansas City
uho would probably visit him In the cours,
Of IA few days.
The dealer came aud examined the boyi
collection with manifest delight. Before b,
departed he gave Clay Sl2j for the owl anc
600 more Tor number Of other specimen
IN his collection.
Happy Clay Now he could get the school
ing he had ~ long dreamed Of, now he coul,
make a man Of himself, and now "Uncl,
Ezry' aud the neighbors would no lougei
sneer at his prOclyty for bird hunting.
Be It said, In conclusion, that all thcs'
things were realized, and more The finding
Of the great gray owl was the beginning o
a new life Tor Clay Cole, aud he has - fai
progressed Ia hI, ambition that hi, real uam'
is now familiar TO all devoters of bird lore
Arthur G. GrissOm IN Youths Companion