Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1892-02-04

the spot drew from andcr a thicket of
stunted. stormtwisted bushes not far
distant q rude but strongly-made lad
der and q coil of knotted .
What are you going to do?" ex-
claimed both the girls in one breath.
Martin laughed Il am going TO get
you a Young eagle
20 Martini" protested Grace. ''the
tree Is 80 high-what IL you should
fall7 You must not think of such a
thing"
And. urged Clara. you know what
will happen IL anyone NEEDLES with
the nest Pray. Ma-tin. let il be" and
she gave . little shudder
POOH" with a coutcmptuouS snap
of his fingers; what do yoa suppose !
cars for an old Indian supcrstitiou?
Besides. I'm not going 10 kill the
eagle or hurt them; I wouldn't do that
for anything II there is only one
Dir in the nest | won't touch IL; but IL
there are two. as ! hope there are.
am going 10 take one. We can take
good care OF it and feed it fish. and
just think what = grand thing il will
DO to have an eagle for a pet"
The possession of . pet eagle was q
tempting possibility that easily over
esme the little girls fears and seruples,
while ~ 20 danger. Martin scofed the
idea Many trees As I've climbed
and then see hereF' and he displayed .
pair of old shoes he had fitted with
sharp pointed nails 70 serve As climbers.
The old eagles had been seen to
leave the nest shortly before they ar
rived. and. taking advantage Of their
absence. Martin set up his ladder and
with . bag fastened around him I o
hold his prize and with n stout rope
on his arm. began the ascent In the
meantime the light wind that had
helped them over had died away and
been succeeded by an almost I'M
natural hush. with hardly n ripple to
break its surface. The lake stretched
before them as far as the eye could
reach. and up the sandy beach the
little waves erept softly towards the
great trees bare and knotted roots.
while overhead the leaves hung mo-
~tionless in the still sunshine. Up the
grra. bole pressed the young climber,
higher and higher: the branches were
reached. and he was lost TO the gaze OF
the eager watchers below; higher,
still higher. and then n loud. exul,ant
shout told hat h goal was reached
soon Martin was on his downward
way, carefully picking his steps with
his iron-shod feet and swinging and
s~teaiying himself by the aid of his
ropc till he reached the ladder. and
then the ground. with his proud and
hardly won trophy. not Que bird. but
twt, for, having found three feeble lit
tie esgletx in the nest, he had deter
mined to bring Grace and Clara each
one. For. you see," he explained.
that leaves the old birds one, just as |
intended"
A. that steps were heard.
and turning. they saw Mack worth. the
dian tradition to the Van Fleets and
who from n not distant field had seen
enough Of thr movements at the old
oak to rouse his suspicious As he saw
the eaglets in the children's band. his
face darkened with anger. Martin
Van Fleet, what have you been guilty
Off he demanded. s~ternly. In all the
years ! have lived mere never before
has \ soul, boy or man. disturbed the
eyre Nou ought to be shot for IL,
you had. and IL you have brought a
curse on yourself. il il no more than
you deserve"
But ! have left one in the nest for
the eagles" protested Martin. his high
spirits over his success suddenly fall
ing under this sharp arraignment
Il don't care il you have; you have
broken the prohibition; ron have tam
per~d with h nest But yonder,-
pointing to n black speck in the sky,
comes one OF the old eagles; IL she
eats you up to paw for what you have
dcue. I shan't care" and turning on his
heels he strobe wrathfully away.
With h old eagle 80 near. the ehil-
dren did not dare to escape. but hastily
aid d the low thicket where Mar
tin had concealed his ladder. Wheel
ing round and round in great circles.
the mother bird drew near her nest
There was a moments silence after she
reached II, and then a hoarse cry of
disappointment and rage told the
trembling listeners that she had dis
covered the robbery; then. stretching