The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-01-31

This last statement eAI1sd forth loud guf
faw from Saul
IA hundred dollarsl hawi YER rs crazy
as June bug, clay Cole 1t haint worth
the powder We wasted on it,"
Clay did not attempt to argue with the ig-
noranus, but felt in his pocket for a cord
with which to secure the feet of his prize and
thus escape the sharp claws.
what are ye goin' to dot" Sonl inquired
as he watched the movement.
Clay informed him.
"Goin' to carry thet old screech owl home2"
Saul exclaimed. "Waal, eff you amt got 'em
badl See hyer, do ye know yer a fool"
Clay made no answer, but made moose in
one end of the cord, slipped it over one set Of
tho vicious claws, and began to fashion
second moose in the opposite end for the other
set. He meant to carry the owl as he would
a basket with cord for a handle.
Suddenly he was showed backward so for
chilly that he almost lost his balance, and his
ears were assailed by a loud oath.
Saul Rhodes meant trouble for him!
"This blamed foolishness of yourn might
as well be stopped right hyerl" the young
ruffian cried. "Blame eff l amt sick o. yer
crazy doin's, an I'll put a stop to 'em when
I'm around. This owl amt dead, guess,
an I'm a-goin' to turn it loose. er eff it can't
fly I'll throw it In the river"
Clay knew that he meant to do what he
said, for he was notorious and heartless
bully, and the young naturalist was for a
moment spellbound at the thought of losing
his precious capture.
Saul was larger, and evidently considered
himself stronger than he; it was certain that
into Ixx,itI h
would result in hand to hand difficulty.
But the smaller boy had courage as well as a
love of nature, and he determined to defend
his prize with all his power.
He had scarcely an instant ia which TO, con-
slider his action, for Saul was proceeding at
once to carry out his threat.
Just as the rough stopped to pick up the
string which was attached to the owl, Clay
launched himself upon him with righteous
fury. Saul was hurled backward several
PAGES, but recovered himself and got hold Of
his antagonist and then the two boys ell
gagged in the fiercest rough and tumble strug-
gle of their lives.
Saul was bent on giving his foe u sound
drubbing for daring to 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 wrestled
and fought, tn ir teeth set and their breath
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,
and on the very edge of it the two ceased to
roll, and Clay, who had slightly the advan-
tage, tore himself suddenly from his enemy's
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.
He stopped, within 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 laugh, nervous
though he was, as he viewed him.
1t was well for Clay that the fight lasted
no longer, for during its continuance the owl
had been doing its best to escape, and, ham
pered as it was, had already got a consider
able distance away.
After a little chase Clay secured it, and
lifting it by the loop of the string that fast
ened it's feet, he shouldered his gun and with
no further attention to the discounted foe,
bore his treasure to his homo in high elation.
He paused moment on his way to pick up
the two wild geese he had left in the bushes.
The victory over the bully of the neighbor-
hood was signal one, and ever after Saul
treated Clay with the utmost Difference.
The capture of the great gray owl was re-
ported to his friend and adviser, the author
of his book, who Immediately replied to con-
graduate him. and to state that he had writ
ten to a professional dealer in Kansas City,
who would probably visit him in the course
of a few days.
The dealer came and examined the boy IS
collection with manifest delight. Before he
departed he gave Clay Sl25 for the owl and
500 more for a number Of other specimens
in his collection.
Happy Clayl Now he could get the school
ing he had so long dreamed Of; now he could
make a man of himself, and now "Uncle
Ezry" and the neighbors would no longer
sheer at his proclivity for bird hunting.
Be it said, in conclusion, that all these
things were realized, and more. The finding
of the great gray owl was tho beginning Of
new life for Clay Cole, and he has so far
progressed in his ambition that his real name
is now familiar to all devotees of bird lore
Arthur c. Grssom in Youths Companion