Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1895-12-24
INTELLIGENCE IN FEATHERS.
The Remarkable Affection Displayed by a
Faithful Little Mockins. Bird.

INTELLIGENCE IN FEATHERS.
The Remarkable Affection Displayed by a
Faithful Little uocking Bird.
The following story Of remarkable
Intelligence and affection on the part
Of bird is almost without preoe.
dent:
Some years ago there resided in
Kirkwood, S. c., an old couple, DR..
B. and his wife, who were noted for
their exceeding kindness. In fact
their goodness and gentleness were
proverbial. Their little home on
the hill behind the college was the
most comfortable in the place, and
their flowers and fruit were the de-
light OF the whole town. Both the
doctor and Mrs. B. were fond of
birds, and many Of our native song
sters found ample accommodation in
their gardens and orchards. There
was scarce trellis or tree on the
whole place that did not have its lit
tic "bird table," as Mrs. B. called it,
which was simply board nailed up
whereon crumbs might be left for,
the numerous little feathered fell.
lows that abounded on the hill
While all birds found a welcome
and the most hospitable entertain.
ment always at these bountiful
boards still now and then some little
fellow with more affection than the
rest perhaps would take up perma-
nent abode in the doctors trellis and
become one of the family. Conspicu-
GUS among these was mockingbird,
Pat by name, that was for several
years a regular pensioner upon the
doctors hospitality. When only just
free from the nest, Pat had the mis-
fortune to have two toes of his right
foot eaten off by rat and conse-
quently set out upon his career with
pretty good claim for sympathy.
In the coul So of time Pat found his
way not only into the hearts Of the
doctor and his wife, but tho whole
village knew and loved him. Famil-
lar as all were with the notes of the
mockingbird, Pats singing seemed
always finer and sweeter than the
rest, and his fame spread through
the whole community. Gradually
he came to be a regular institution
at the doctors place, and visitors felt
sighted indeed if Pat did not enter.
tain them with his music.
It was when Pat was about wears
old that Mrs. B. died. The doctor
of course was inconsolabl at his loss
and determined to broak up his old
home and remove to Shreveport to
reside with his son. In the grief and
confusion consequent upon the death
and removal poor Pat was forgotten
for some days, and when the doctor
was at last ready to start off he could
not find the bird nor make prepara-
tons for his future. The servants
who had been left in charge of the
house used every effort to find Pat
and provide for his comfort after
their master s departure, hut in vain.
He was lost to his old home forever.
Now comes the strange part Of
the story. The doctor had been in
Shreveport not more than a month
when one morning early he was
awakened by hearing bird tapping
on his window which looked upon
the garden. At onco opening the win
dow, what was his astonishment to
see poor Pat, limp and bedraggled but
still eager and joyous, hop in on his
little lamo foot. The meeting may
be better pictured than described,
but the reunion was of short dura-
ton. The so miles of journeying in
his helpless condition had been too
much for poor Pat, and by and by he
died, passing away quietly as both
would have wished, resting in the
doctors hand. -Philadelphia Times.