Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1889-04-12


source OF income. took. the trowel and
wo went out to dig expressly ON his
account. He got as close rs he could
to wherc my trowel moved and not the
smallest mite OF u living thing escaped
his sharp eyes.
ncctared sweets, rs soon as he saw me
take up the trowel, he was off over
the grass with skip. hop and jump.
screaming with delight. You may be
sure he soon knew where | kept that
precious trowel that unlocked for him
the treasures OF the earth, and II /
neglected my duty. soon saw Jack
come hopping painfully along, drag
ging it by the handle, as a polite in
timation that IL was time breakfast
was ready. a
Jack constituted himself guardian
and preserver for the peace OF the
promises. To ordinary visitors he
paid no attention. bat let tramps or
other suspicious-looking persons ap-
pear, and he flow directly at fheir feet,
spreading his wings angrlly, and utter
ing she most fcrocious screams, his
common way of attacking an enemy.
He was very strongly ruled by his
prejudicos in the case OF some little
negro boys who came every day for
milk. lie was rather friendly than
otherwise toward other children who
came oftan. but us soon rs he saw these
little fellows creeping in at the back
cato. he flew in "a rage at their feet,
spreading his wings and screaming.
He was always called off fand scoHed
forthis. and he always stalked away
trembling with Indignation, with tho
air OF gentleman whose feelings have
been needlessly outraged.
He sc-er became rccoacilcd TO the
cats. either. OF which we always had
goodly number around the place.
They wanted to be frieldly; with him
and manifested 1t rs they did with one
another by jumping at him and strik-
ing him softly with their paws. He
detested this familiarity and would
have nothing to do with them, but
took himself off with great dignity
whenever they came near.
But he revenged himself in way
that showed his lively sense OF humor
He was on hand ut their feeding-time
and while they stood around their pan
OF milk, tapping it up with their eyes
shut in lazy enjoyment, he would steal
slyly up and tweak the tail OF one OF
them.
BY the time puss had whirled around
with howl of pain, he was standing
of at safe distance, picking his toes
and rolling his eyes. the most inno-
cent and unconscious-looking crow in
the world. Puss with her ears laid
back. growing and splitting at him
suspiclously, slowly turned around and
resumed her milk. when the process
was repeated with the next cat, and so
on around the circle.
l might fill II small volume with
Jacks tricks and drolleries. He was,
indeed. fellow of infinite jest and
most excellent fancy, and berame the
favorite of all our many favorites. He
was very handsome for a 'colored
gentleman" large and finely formed,
black and glistening without fecls of
white from his polished bill TO his
polished toes and toe-nails. In the
sunlight his plumage was beautifully
iridescent, showing blue and bronze
tints about his neck and on his wings.
But, alasl 1t gives me n feeling OF
genuine sadness. even after several
years, that | should have to write it!
One day the jester to our little court
was out OF sorts. He refused to be
petted or talked tr.
II any one came near him, he walked
off grumbling.
The next morning rs we were about
ready to drive, we noticed that Jack
was really sick. We gave him some
simple remedies at q venture for we
had not the least idea what allied him.
When we came back, the first thing
was to look for Jack.
Poor fellow! we found him lying
close to the house. his splendid wings
stretched out his head on the ground,
stiff and dead.
We all Joined the children in mourn
ing for him, and he was buried with
afiectionate care under his pine-tree
Vines were planted on his grave, and
one of his older admirers was appointed
to write a suitable epitaph. George
Annable, in Youths Companion.
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