Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1889-02-02

and preserver for the peace of the
premises. To ordinary visitors he
paid no attention, but let tramps or
other suspicious-looking persons ap-
pear, and he few directly at their feet,
spreading his wings angrily, and utter
ing the most ferocious screams. his
common way of attacking an enemy.
He was very strongly ruled by his
prejudices in the case of some little
negro boys who came every day for
milk. He was rather friendly than
otherwise toward other children who
came often, but as soon as he saw these
little fellows creeping in at the back
gate, he flew in IA rage at their feet,
spreading his wings and screaming.
He was always called off and scolded
for this, and he always stalked away
trembling with Indignation, with the
air OF a gentleman whose feelings have
been needlessly outraged.
He never became reconciled to the
cats, either, of which we always had
a goodly number around the place.
They wanted to be friendly with him
and manifested it as 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 a way
that showed his lively sense of humor.
He was on hand at their feedirg-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 a howl of pain, he was standing
of at a 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
sus%piciously, slowly turned around and
resumed her milk, when the process
was repeated with the next cat, and 50
on around the circle.
| might fill II small volume with
Jacks tricks and drolleries. He was,
indeed, a fellow of infinite Jest and
most excellent fancy, and became the
favorite of all our many favorites. He
was very handsome for II 'colored
gentleman" large and finely formed,
black and glistening without a heck 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, alas! 1t gives me Il 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 t..
If any n came near him, he walked
off grumbling.
The next morning as we were about
ready to drive, we notice1 that Jack
was really sick. We gave him some
simple remedies at a 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
allectionate 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
A~nnable, in Youths Companion.