The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1889-02-08
JACK.
Dolnss Of the Intelligent Gentle
man In Black.

- -
The Roscoe family was dogless for
the first time in its history Ivanhoe,
the black spaniel, had been stolen;
Federal, the Newfoundland, had died
OF old age. and Lady Jane, the black
Rnd-tan, had fallen victim to the
habit Of chewing bOOk-cOvers. and
mysteriOusly disappeared-t the chill
dreu never knew where.
Father Roscoe had promised the little
Ro scoes. with his hand on an ivy leaf
from Federal's grave, that he would
improve the first opportunity for buy
ing flne dog. While he was gone on
journey through the central part Of
the State, card came 70 the children
saying, with delightful brevity: "a
gentleman Of color, named Jack, will
arrive by the express tomorrow"
Every one said: Its a dog, OF
course" and the Roscoe boys turned
somersaults, while the Roscoe girls
shrieked with delight, and they all fell
20 guessing what he would be like.
Tomorrow came, although it seemed
TO them that it never would, aud John
was sent to the express ONCE with many
iniunctions and warnings from the
children, who sat in row on the fence
TO wait his return. He came back with
a small box not more than two feet
long.
'Oh pshawi It's another terrierp'
exclaimed Joe, with loOh OF disgust.
and all felt disappointed The stats
were nailed SO tightly over the top of
the box that they could only see in
distinctly small black object inside,
and they rushed of to the basement
with their booty.
AS soon as the Stats were torn of,
Out'there stepped. no dog at all. but a
stately crow. black as charcoal, and
glossy as satin. He shook out his
feathers sOlemnly, and strutted about
the room indifferently, amidst the ex-
CARNATIONS OF the children, with the
air Of gentleman OF travel and ex-
perience. We all crowded around him,
and he goOd-naturedly allowed himself
60 be stroleed. giving occasionally a
husky little oroak, and looking de-
cidedly bored.
appeared to be very tired with
his journey, and we prepared a perch
for him in one corner OF the room.
where he Immediately settled down for
nap. He dOzed the most OF the time
for the next two days, and theehildren
began to think he was a stupid fellow.
But by the morning OF the third day
he came down of the perch, shook out
his wings and gave his tail a firt, as
much as to say: Richard Is himself
again. ~ We soon found that his
solemn, Indifferent air was only cloak
for the slyest, most miscellaneous spirit
that ever animated the breast Of q
bird; but every thing he: did was SO
novel and entertaining. that we gave
him great many privileges which we
came afterWRrd to regret.
AT first Il seemed to embarrass him
20 have amy one stand before him. and
look at him long. He would turn his
head 20 one side, open and shut his
eyes slowly, turn mp his toes and pick
his toe-nails. and act very much like
an awkward schOol-boy. But this
slight trace OF mOdesty soon wore
away. and he established himself on
the basis that mau was made for the
crow, and not the crow for man.
As the weather was still too cold for
him to stay out Of doors, we gave him
the freedom Of the basement Never
was there a happier bird, For several
days he busted himself nearly every
moment, prying into cracks and cor
ners, and examining every thing great
and small with intense interest.
he carried potatoes from the bins
and laid them IN long rows on all the
empty shelves He made choice col
iectiOns OF apples and carrots in dark
corners, and had his favOrite hiding
places for any small objects he hap
pened TO come across.
In one Of the cellars there was an
open cupboard devoted to empty bottles,
aud various odds-and-ends of crocxery
that we're not good enough TO be Of any
use out too good 90 throw away.
When all other sources OF amusement
palled upon him, he sought this spot
with ever new delight. He arranged
and rearranged the pepper-boxes and
teacups and salt-cellars, croalring
eOftly TO himself as he ratified back
ana forth, stopping now and then to
view the effect with an air Of great
satisfaction
he was passionately fond Of play
ing IN the water, and II did not take
MIN long TO find out where we went
Tor It, He would ny up into the sink
twenty times a day. where he ALWAYS
found basin Of water standing. Agter
walking back and forth THROUGH n Co..
few minutes, he invariably Gathered
UP all the small objects within easv
reach, and commenced Washing them
For instance. he took the comb In
his bill, aud splashed II around ia the
water. Then he carried IL to the edge
Of the sink, looked IL all over very