The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1894-01-03
The Generals Canary-Bird.
BY CLARENCE pULLES.


was creeping into the mir that had been
so genially warmed all the afternoon
by the sun now sinking behind the
distant Rocky Mountain peaks.
On the rolling, drab-tinted prairie
were to he seen two upright figures
between two patches of gray. They
were shepherds, going homeward with
their focks. Two cowboys, Looping
their horses along ridge, moved as
slhouettes against the wintry sky.
Three men who had been building n
wire fence about the hay meadow were
walking up the Creek Valley; half u
mile behind them rode hunter, lead
ing two packhorses with loads of ante
lope skins.
Far 10 the north teamster urged
his mules, as if fearful of being be-
lated
The poiut toward which all these
figures were moving was an unpainted,
waather-beaten building, about which
stood stable, haystacks and corrals
1t faced pleasantly to the south, and
commanded long valley view.
Through its open door came hearty
baritone voice singing of "My Sweet
Highland Mary" with varying accom-
paniment of rafting dishes and stove
irons and the grinding of coffee.
The song ceased. There was n
moments silence. Then Gagged can.
AIRY within the room chirped, twit-
tered and trilled into melody, full
round and sustained, that subsided to
warble ana died away in mellihu-
Gus quaver.
The first who had sung was the
veteran plainsman, Jim Sheridan,
commonly known as "the General >"
He was short, wiry, forid man with
n large head, thick, yellowish hair,
aquiline features, and gray, soldier
lymoustache. The General was NOV
ing actively about large cooking
range, preparing an abundant supper.
Busy though he was, he stopped his
work n moment to clap his hands and
shout:
''Bravo, Dick! You're the prirasr
donner of the cattle country y
After visit to Colorado Springs,
the General had astonished the ranch
men by bringing home with him the
cage and songster, bag of canary
seed, and "fsh bone" for the bird
to peck at. He hung the cage from a
rafter of the uncciled room, and there
were no bounds to the care he be-
slowed on the small male bird, which
survived, throve, and sang most
sweetly.
The lamps had been lighted when
the ranchmen, having gathered in
doors, sat down at the long table and
fell to hungrily. After the rattle of
knives and forks had subsidized, the
canary struck mp his song again. In
the midst of rough talk, tobacco smoke,
the clink of spurs and the show of
weapons on every hand, he was as
happy as if his cage swung in fine
lady's boudoir.
Some one stepped ont upon the ver-
anda, leaving the door open. From
the darkness without came the long
wailing chorus of gray wolves.
'Sassy, amt they?" said Ed Dyer
fWe'll have to get up hunt for 'em. "
The General was examining the
loaded magazine rife of tho antelope
hunter, when the bird-cage door.
which had in some way become un-
fastened, swung open. The men saw
tiny flash of yellow as the canary
few across the room and out through
the open doorway.
General Jim, still holding the maga-
zine rife, darted after his pet with a
yell of dismay. The others rushed to
the veranda just in time to see the
cooks check flannel shirt, blue trousers
and slippers disappear in the darkness.
"Leave us lock of your hair, Gen
eral!" roared Ed Dyer; but the Gen
eral made no reply.
The men had returned 10 the
kitchen, when gslloping hoofs were
heard. In few moments Tom Step
man. whose place adjoined the Horse
Greek Ranch, stood in the doorway,
breathless and speochless. His eyes
searched the room.
"Whst's tho matter, Tom? Is any
kh;no urou0ou aaid ona