The sun., 1891-06-08
DICKS FRIENDS.
The Outcome OF u Bre mp IN Four Bach
elors' Quarters Down Town.


elor-' Quarters Down Town.
In gilded cage in tho top fiat of q big house
in East Sixteenth street is q little ball q
yellow feathers that Is cared for as tenderly -
any baby in the land. 1t is only very tiny
canary bird, with the unpretentious name Of
Dick, but in spite OF its size and its name Il 10
the master OF great wealth OF music. Dtck
never knew the pleasures OF liberty, having
been born OF captive parents In another 9ildsd
cage in another big fiat further MP town. Up
to the time when he was months old hs mover
did anything that was worthy Of especial attsn.
ton. Then be was removed from the parental
cage and a private cage was bought for him. and
he was sent down town under the charge Of
harum -scarum boy as a present to four young
men. who lived In a fiat In Ninth street. He
was accepted as a matter OF courtesy. and the
cage which imprisoned him! was hung on Q
string In rear window. and the servant WAS
instructed to feed him whenever 1t became
necessary. The young men were free and
easy. and It was their habit to lean out Of this
window in their idle ments and whistle
at Blind Tom. who used TO exercise on the
rear piazza OF q house In Eighth street, and As
other times to whistle at tho neiehbors' dsuRh-
ters In the nearby buildings. Blind Tom ~
sponded with whirlwlnd OF music on the
piano. and the neighbors' daughters freousnt-
ly showed their appreciation OF the attention
bestowed on them BY the young men By sing.
Ing One OF the young Ss men SSscssiTna
Nobody paid any attention to Dick until one
iamp i iI Of gold. he trilled a bar or two sweet
One hI q them W histled. and he instantly saasht
the refrain and H returned It promptly. Nothine
at him piayfully. Dick dtd not futter away
at the same time pecked his way into the
hearts Of all the occupants Of the dat. ,Aster
Ha ne Sn 10. II ips
sa no ssr MSa End q
S %Ssa %Sa matter 70 S e
neas and clenrness that would have filled tho
authors soul with delight. One morning the
press on Of wonder in his little bead.iike eyes.
the table. and began to eat a loaf OF bread.
wish he was bigger. so l could pet him."
Every morning afterward Dick had breakfast
with the young men: he would hor on tue
6atp o o ce
Breakfast over. Dick would fly back to his cage.
and getting into the little swing at the top of it
thing he knew. That was reGn. ded ~ an
Offering Of praise, md quiet reigned during
the performance Tho trial came when Inc
young men failed to agree. and 1t was resolved
to sever the family. Each Of them was willing
that the other should take ever, thing else In
the fiat If they would give Dick to him. But
that was not to be thought Of for u momant.
and the young men kept toeether for month
longer than they intended IN order not to ~
separated from p their pet pet Iinally, one one Of the
aud kept him in hiding for several months
and guarded him as careful rs miser wstcheS
over his money. Then he rented the fiat In
Sixteenth street. nnd lew nights ago
invited his former companions to see
Dick; As he ushered his guests tnto
tho hall they were greeted with huIat Of
music. They recognized the voice of Dick.
The moment they entered the room whore the
little songSter was he flew near them as he
could and cnocd softly and ruflied his feathers
gently. There may be persons in the world
who would scout the suggestion OF a bird re-
Wondering faces for SO long q time. but there
is not the slightest doubt that Dick remem.
bored the young men and that he was welcon1.,
ing them with all his heart. During all the
tmo they were in the fiat Dick sang all the old
spoke to him. and then he would be silent and
tclligently. The young men readily accepted
an invitati on to remain all night. and the next
morning before they were out OF bed. they
heard the magic music of the little songster,
At breakfast he hopped on the table and
nopred into all their glasses OF water in order
to let them see that ali were dear IN him. Bee
fore the three visitors lett. the man who had
stolen Dick from them made each one promise
that he would not attempt to steal the bird.