The Forrest City times., 1896-02-07
sREsT CITY, ARK. FRIDAY AFTERNOON FEBRUARY 7 1896

l magnificent beings must have a soul. II have, who am ugly, ragged, dirty
 and -and-hungry."
 | lhis problem occupied his atten-
 ton for some time and he glanced with
 commiseration tt his gorgeous com
 panion whose feathers just then had as- - aumed their most imposing appear
 ance. It was a new aspect of their ! relationship. Heretofore he had been | the humble one, mutely adoriEg; now
 sense or superiority swept over him
 and he pityingiy surveyed his feathered Trend. But the latter was as dis
 dainful as ever. It seemed hardened
 sinner who cared not whether or no
 It Haunted it's gaudy feathers through
 the golden gates. Don't pity me; I'll
 have good time while Pm here" it
 seemed to say. Just watch ne strut
 around and admire myself" And the
 boy grieved greatly. But it's exulta-
 tion was of brief endurance A shad- ow fell upon them and harsh voice was heard:
 Hello, boy!"
 The lad looked up and saw a fierce
 bewhiskered man whose aspect would
 have terrified almost anyone.
 How do you do. sir" said Paola,
 politely. You're brigand, aren't you?"
 You've guessed it. Now don't cry out, youngster. If you do, I'll wiring your neck. Besides, it would do you no good for this is a lonesome spot" What do you want?"
 For answer the man seized the pea. | cock, killed it and strode off with it. leaving the lad weeping as if his heart would break. He was alone in the world, for after all his home was no home. and he preferred his hut of rushes to the tiny, stuffy house of stone, where grandam was always grumbling. Sadly the sea moaned at i his feet. It seemed to say: You have lost your last friend, little boy; first they took your donkey, then your goat and now the last of your beautiful pets" The world little knows how the heart of a lad may be bound up in 9 pet. When he grows up a stronger pIEs'on may consume him, but not truer or sweeter than this devotion for d dumb creature. It is, often, the ideal Platonic devotion. He shields and protects; he is father before he is man; a grand protector His heart is unselfish; the wants of the other are sometimes more than his wants. He is veritable Hindoo in his regard for some animal and like the Brahmin he is kind gentle and lovable. When he had wept until he could weep no more Paola arose sorrowfully and because his hut was now distastc- ful to him made his way toward their home. The sun was sinking; the sky had taken a pensiye dove color. Afar was distant sail or two and Paoia wished he were aboard one of those boats so distant. The rested motion less on the bosom of the sea. The boys heart arose in rebellion. 'I would like to be a Corsair; to rob and steal, others ; rob me; they take all have; will be d Corsair when 1 grow up. No; not a brigand, for I hate brigands; they but rob children. would take great vessels and be grand corsair and I would never steal from women and chil- dren." When he reached the house he heard a sound of merriment within and he hesitated to enter. Finally he sum- moned up courage and passed though the door. Then he stood still in sur prise.
 Around the table was a gay party Grandam had donned her finest gilded bonnet which she had worn in her gir.- hood: the mother was dressed in her best and his little sister was seated in a high chail with her hair all braided The table was set and there was stranger at the board. paola gave a great cry when he recognized in him the brigand who had robbed him and would have fled through the door. But granddam seized him by the arm, hold ing him.
 Where are you going, little fool?" she asi;ed. Are you afraid of your fatherf"
 "My father; he's a brigand! He robbed me! He stole from me! He is thief"
 "Hush." said grandam. sternly, shak- ing ais arm; it is your father" The man at the table turned bolster cusly to the boy:
 'So is's you, my lad. I did not know you. Curse the laws of land that separate father from his son! He meets him and does not recognize his own offspring. So that was your bird I took. We'll, we'll; l but robbed my own, after all, then. Behold it, all stuffed and roasted. 1 had determined to take dinner this day with my family. in spite of the hounds that are after