The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-26

a stroll" was the reply. Before leaving
my treasures I always turn them and put
| pinch OF dust on the top, lest tne su"
should injure the germ. which noats up
permost What's your name, SIR
| Folks call me the parson-bird, because
I'm such n quiet. respectable creature
| My real name is Mr. Crow added the
| speaker With his head on one side. NO"
| what you have just told me Is most w
| teresting. and gives me a notion how
may help you. DO you never fear enemies
| when you are away taking refreshments
Dear, no. because my husband keeps
watch always" said Mrs. Longegs. with
the warmth OF confidence.
| Believe me, I know the world ana
Mr.. Crow hoped nearer. lowering his
voice: "meerkats are sadly mischievous.
| and as 10 tackais. they've been actually
seen to roll away precious eggs that they
| might be devoured at leisure. Now take
my advice. accept a good offer and let
me keep guard while you have turn IN
| the sunshine. for it's hard on you mat
Mr.. LongHgs should take the lions share
| Of exercise and refreshment. | Will stay
| up there in that spekboom bush I'LL yoi
or your husband come back"
You're very kind" murmured the as
| tonished listener. 81 think | VIII. for TINS
l Is a chance hot lhtlN 10 hftNi SAN'''
You're sure it, not troubling you too
Dent mention it," broke in the par
son-bird politely, and soon after this Mrs.
| Longlegs stalked away on her clumsy
! supports. which were not unlike par
Of stills.
| As soon as her plumes had become
! cloudy mass i'm the distance. the sentinel
| on the spekbOom untucked his head from
| the wing. whence a bright eye had peer
| ed in the delight of expectation, ana ne
flew swiftly down to the eggs
"Now's my time" chuckied he. nat
| slmpletons people are to be taken IN by
| a grave face. and a statement made Win
out any foundation"
Dir. Crow next cutched a loose stone In
his claws and mounted slowly into the
air. When he had reached some height
no let the stone crash down on the eggs
beneath, and after this had been done
| several times the hard shell cracked
what a capital breakfast l shall have.
| thought the plotter. as he descended TO
feast a leisure on the stolen goods.
when he had done this he flew OF.
laughing heartily at the success OF his
plan, and troubled himself no more on the
subject For, like many selfish people.
Mr.. Crow had a heart which was not SOFT
where the griefs OF others were concern
back their feelings may be better imagin-
ed than described. and Mr.. Longlegs re-
lieved his by few tremendous kicks
1T must be those iackals,' said the
mother with a tear in each eye. our
kind friend told us OF their evil ways.
And here is our kind friend sneered
her husband. "Ah it's n pity you did
not sooner let me know about t'at rascal
whose tricks are quite tradition In our
family"
"Who would have thought it?" sobbed
Mrs. Lcnglcgs.
II should" was the fast rejoinder. DE
pend upon It, this f. the parson-birds
work. and. once for all, remember 1t IS
best 10 believe nothing you hear from
him. as well as only half you see. For
this is only another instance OF the we'll
Known truth that appearances are de-
ceptive.'"
Note-The above is founded on facts
well known TO dWellers on the harroo-
Exchange.