The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-06-27
l was indignant at his treacherv. and

l was indignant at his treachery. and
resolved would have the bird carefully
examined; and should my suspicious
prove correct, would make Bob suffer
for it. Unluckily, as l mentioned, the
cage had been cleaned and the food and
water renewed; so could not get that
analysed; but next morning I placed
the dead cockatoo in the hands of a
competent person for investigation. 1
then, as in duty bound. went and in
formed the lawyer of my loss. He
sympathized with me, but of course
could only proceed to carry out my
aunts behests and divide the money be-
tween Bob Steele and myself.
Meanwhile I waited somewhat i'm
patiently for the result of Cookies post
norton. In few days 1 received the
report. Distinct traces of arsenic were
found in the birds stomach, and. seemed
to have been administered in the form
Of poisoned wheat, favorite species of
vermin-killer.
had note the next day from the
analyst asking what wished done with
the dead bird and inquiring if he would
send it to bird-stuffer. 1 answered at
once that he could pitch it out. How
ever valuable the bird was to me alive.
1T was no use dead, and l never wished
TO cast my eyes on the creature again.
AS for spending any money on stuffing
it-no, thank you! Master Cookie"
had been a nuisance to me all my life,
and now he was gone and L was not
going to cry over him, however much l
might mourn my lost annuity. The de-
funct birds cage was at once removed
from my sight, and 1 made up my mind
to make the best of a bad job.
A post or two afterwards I received a
small packet. On opening it found it
contained the birds silver collar, which
| had forgotten all about. There was
also note from the analyst saying he
had, as desired, put away the dead
bird, but thought it right to send me
the collar, which, being silver, was of
some little value, and might be inter-
esting as memento of an old pet! Pet
indeed! Poor man! he little knew my
feelings toward "the deceased" How
ever, the ring was silver and would
realize few shillings; so 1 replied,
thanking him for it. AS for the collar
itself, scarcely looked at it; indeed, I
never took it out of the tissue paper in
which it was wrapped, but uncere-
ANONYMOUSLY pitched it into a drawer in
my desk amongst some other odds and
ends.
Some months afterwards, whilst look
ing through my desk for something or
other, l came across the packet. At first
did not remember what it was, and it
was only when l opened it out l discov-
cred the cockatoo's silver collar. did
not replace it, however. thinking might
as well get quit of an article which
called up no remembrances of pleasing
nature. That evening, as 1 was sitting
n meditative mood over the fire, I,
Wlthout thinking, took up the ring and
began turning it round in my fingers.
The first thing that caught my eye was
ny aunt's name and address engraved
cound the outside. Then, just as 1 was
On the point of laying it aside. 1 OBJ
served something scratched on the in
side. This at once interested me; and
IN closer and more careful eXamina-
lion, l made out the following words:
ITO E. R." These were my initials
apply to North British Bank.-M. B."
These latter were my aunts initials.
Here was mystery. The words were
roughly scratched with some sharp in
strument, and evidently by my aunt
herself. Apply to North British Bank"
Certainly would. The message was
without doubt intended for me; but
what the result of it would be l had no
idea.
Next forenoon found me in the pri-
Vate room of the manager of the Lon
Ion branch of the North British Bank
told my story. He at once turned to
the bank ledger and, much to my amaze
ment informed me that there was
sum of five thousand pounds standing to
my credit! On further inquiry found
this sum had been paid in by my aunt
some two years previously, with instruc-
tions that it should lie until applied for
by me personally.
Her seeming unfair treatment of me
was now explained. She knew that so
long as the cockatoo lived 7 would be
pretty comfortable with my annual al
lowance, while the fear of losing it
made me pay due regard to the comfort
and well-being of her favorite. At the
same time, when the bird did die she
made certain would be none the worse.
Dear old lady! l do not believe ever
thought so we'll of her as did at that
moment AS for Bob Steele, all my an
mostly was fled. Instead Of Furnishing
him for killing the cockatoo-which /
still believe he did-why, / blessed him
for the deed. Goodness knows how
long the wretched bird might have
lived, and now, instead of losing by it's
untimely decease, 1 would benefit to
considerable degree. 1t was only an
other proof of the old saying. that bless
ings often come in disguise. Certainly,
did not in my widest moments ever con-
lecture it possible could benefit in the
smallest degree by the death of that
Dane of my existence, ''My aunt's cocka-
too. "--Chamb ers Journal.
In all things throughout the world
the men who look for the crooked will