Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1895-07-09
INTELLIGENCE IN FEATHERS.

Tho Remarkable Affection Displayed by a
Faithful Little hooking Bird.
Tho following story of remarkable
intelligence and affection on the part
Of bird is almost without prece-
dent:
Some years ago there resided in
Kirkwood, S. c., an old couple, DIR.
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 tho 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 it's lit
tie "bird table, - as Mrs. B. called it,
which was simply board nailed up
whereon crumbs might DO 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 a mookingbird,
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 a rat and conse-
quently set out upon his career with
a pretty good claim for sympathy.
In the coul 80 of time Pat found his
way not only into the hearts of the
doctor and his wife, but the 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 years
old that Mrs. B. died. The doctor
of course was inconsolable at his loss
and determined to break up his ole
home and remove to Shreveport tt
reside with his son. In the grief ant
confusion consequent upon the deatf
and removal poor Pat was forgotten
for some days. and when the doctor
was at last ready to start off he coult
not find tho bird nor make prepare
tions for his future. The servants
who had been left in charge of th'
house used every effort to find Pa
and provide for his comfort afte
their masters departure, hut in vain
He was lost to his old home forever
Now comes the strange part q
the story. The doctor had been il
Shreveport not more than mont]
when one morning early he wa
awakened by hearing bird tapping
on his window which looked upo,
the garden. Atonce opening the win
dow, what was his establishment t
see poor Pat, limp and bedraggled bu
still eager and joyous, hop in on hi
little lamo foot. The meeting ma
be better pictured than described
but the reunion was of short dura
ton. The SO miles of journeying i
his helpless condition had been to
much for poor Pat, and by and by b
died, passing away quietly as bot
would have wished, resting in til
DOCTORS hand. -Philadelphia Time!
Embarrassing For Her.
! The clerks in the big store WEI
in their usual state of ease and WEI
exchanging the greetings of the SCI
son across the various counters ali
| o;o1oo All %l,;o rr,.,c x,orxr orrovir