Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-03-03
STORY OF A GROW.
Checkered Career of Jim, the Children
Pet.

Once upon time there lived in the
backwoods of Michigan with their ia
ther and mother, two children named
Dick and Florence Smith.
Mr.. and Mrs. Smith were not well-to-
do people, so Dick and Florence had
scarcely any of the toys and other
things that help TO make life enjoyable
to most little folks The Smiths had
bought piece of wild land, and by
dint of hard work and careful saving
had managed to clear few acres, and
become possessors of several cows, a
horse and some chickens. The chill
dren had helped along by picking up
sticks and chips to throw upon the
burning log-heaps, and feeding the
cattle and fowls. Their only play
mates were white calf they called
Rosa, and two kittens named Molly
and Brownie, until one day crow was
added to the company. Mr. Smith had
shot it and wounded one of its wings,
but the careful nursing of its new
friends soon made it as strong and
well as ever, and by that time inn was
perfectly tame and on the best of terms
with the whole family.
Even the kittens who at first arched
their backs and greeted him with loud
Kisses, gradually grew accustomed to
his society, and made no objection
when he walked up to them and peeped
iuto their faces with comical express
sion as much as TO say: well now,
you're queer birds aren't you?"
Jim quickly learned to answer to his
name and would come out of the dark
corner in which he was fond of hiding
the moment he heard Dick or Florence
calling: where's Jim? Here Jim,
Jim, and perch on their knees or
shoulders.
Jim had great fancy for anything
bright. and all shining objects small
enough 10 carry in his beak he carried
off whenever they were left in his
reach.
Mrs. Smith complained over and over
again that no matter how often she
filed her cushion with pins and needles,
She never could find any when she
needed them. She also missed a num-
Der OF buttons from small box, minus
lid, which she kept on the mantel-
shelf Both children disclaimed all
knowledge of them, so all their mann
ma could do was TO wonder where they
went.
Mr.. Smith somewhat prides himself
on being able to play on a clarinet,
but had found no time to practice since
he came TO the woods until the first
clearing had been made Then one
evening he said: "DiclS, go up over
head and get my clarinet and Wen
have tune or two
Now, overhead-which was the UNI
finished upper story of the cabin-was
a favorite haunt of Jim's, and he spent
many hours there hopping about and
talking TO himself. and when Dick
brought down the clarinet he cooked
his head to one side and looked at it in
mysterious manner. Dicks father took
1t, put it to his lips, and blew intoit ex-
pecting tohear its tones ring out loud and
clear, but 10 and behold! it did not give
forth the slightest sound. "Why, what
in the world is the matter with it?"
said Mr.. Smith, giving it brisk shak.
ing, to which brisk rafting respond
ed. And an investigation following,
what do you suppose they found in that
musical instrument? All the pins, nee
dies and buttons that had been missed.
and many other small articles that had
not been missed.
'It's that rascal Jim's work" and as
all the family burst out laughing Jim
joined in with a loud "Caw-caw-caw,"
as though he enjoyed the joke as well
as any of them.
One day the Smiths went to pay a
visit at the neighbours leaving Jim Crow
and the kittens home to keep house.
The kittens settled down for good,
long nap, but Jim thought he would
take a look into the pantry and see
what refreshments he could find there.
A curtain served as pantry door, SO
he got in very easily and hoped around
for awhile in self-satisied way.
But his satisfaction soon turned to
dismay when, making misstep, he
tumbled into crock of pancake batter
which. by some oversight had been left
uncovered. Alasl for poor Jim's glossy
black plumage. Such a sight as it
was now. With the batter streaming
from his back he scrambled out of the
crock. crept under the curtain and
down the cat-hole-a hole made in the
kitchen floor to allow the kittens to
come and go at pleasure. When the
family came home in the evening, there
were Molly and Brownie purring well
come, but Jim was nowhere to be seen.
The children called and called. but in
vain, and they went to bed wondering
what had happened to their funny pet,
and whether they should ever see him
again. Il don't believe we ever shall"
said Dick. And don't either. added
Florence, shaking her head mournfully.
Bot the next morning. while they
were sitting at breakfast. they heard a
Gismal croak. which they at once knew /
came from beneath the floor, and run
ming to the cathode they discovered /