Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-06-06


sketch)
country gentleman. whose jolly figure
white hair. and, rel bronze cheek be
spoke hearty happy old age. / no
ticed that his sides were shaking will
genial laughter as he stood gazing In
tently a. something in one of the irregu
lar grass-pots to the left of the mair
pathway. and / passed by his rear anC
halted on his right flank. AS my shadow
fell across him he turned and said, will
hearty interest: Eyes, sir | wish yoI
would stop a moment, and tell me whal
you think those squirrels are doingg'
There were a couple OF the little fell
COWS beating about the grass intenty-
looking. feeling. smelling for something
In moment, one Of them gave sud
den spring forward, seized something
in his forepaws, and instantly sat up
squirrel fashion, back 10 his fellow. anC
tail curled over his back, forepaws {
his mouth. and mouth delightedly nibb.ina
at the sweet morsel he held. Quick =,
fash the other darted at him; but JUS
before No. 2 reached him squirrel No.
threw up his empty hands and scampere(
away. pursued by No. 2. who evidently
felt "he owed him one" which he was
very anxious 10 pay.
Why" / CALCULATED.
''Well," queried my companion ".ou
with it; what are the little devils at?"
Pooling one another" said /; "playine
at lost bail, and each pretending to find
it," No 2, meanwhile. in turn enactine
the same sham, and No. l giving chase
and seeking vengeance.
"Of course" said my companion. "that's
~ and tboW baVa beep nj IN fha a :
five minutes. The thing began this way
l threw a nut which both squirrels went
for, and one got; but the other was SC
quick and hot after him that he dropped
it. Neither has ever found the nut since
but each has pretended TO do so over and
over again-sometimes having nothing IN
hand, sometimes a twig or pebble. which
he let's fall when the other charges on
him"
Tho game was as obvious and as keen
~ enjoyed as such play ever was by a
couple of mischieyous boys
THEIR SENSE OF HUMOR.
To those familiar with these refreshing
fields Of observation. this suggestion wAl
not appear overstrained however it may
strike others who have heretofore con-
sidered man the only intellectual animal
would regard the belief-once expressed
TO me by one OF the most acute OBJ
servers of animal life L have ever
known-that not only the more highly
organized animals, but even insects.
possess a more or less defined Sense OF
humor." In support Of his position my
friend related the following:
once, on a summer noon in the country,
he was watching a half-fedged chicken
wandering through melon patch and
picking up bug here and there. when a
butterfly, who was laZily balancing and
dipping through the hot, still air. swooped
down upon the chicken, who, uttering
cries OF fright, covered and hid among
the vines. The butterfly disappeared. and
the timid chick, peering out after awhile.
and seeing the coast clear emerged from
his hiding place and continued his bug
hunt Suddenly, out and down again
upon him swept his flying terror. and
the chicken. with wild cries and Tapping.
again hid in the vine leaves. Again and
again this absurd farce was re-enacted.
until the butterfly. apparently firing of
the dreary repetition, sailed away in the
sunshine, and the silly chicken resumed
his search for dinner unmolested.
1t may be contended that my friends
explanation OF this simple incident IS but
an unfounded hypothesis. or at best, not
susceptible OF proof. Perhaps so; but
before we count too confidently upon
the a priori improbability of the hypo-
thesis. IL may be well TO consider the
fact that some OF US have seen trained
feas who recognized their individual
names and answered TO them-some
hitched as horses TO a tiny carriage,
while others sprang TO the box as driver
and footman and others still entered the
vehicle ard rode as passengers; and that
ants are said 10 have bigger brains
in proportion TO their bodies than any
other living organisms. so far as known.
Indeed. we recall that few years since
Professor Southall, then the learned and
able editor Of the Central Presbyterian,
In an elaborate article, contended, and,
as we think. demonstrated that these
almost imperceptible mites responded
fully to the main tests Of human ciyili-
zation and enlightenment.
And now, dear Dispatch, more anon,
II you say so; though / trust / shall
not. by this suggestion. draw down upon
myself the crushing retort OF grur, old
Sam. Johnson to a pert and self-sufii-
cient tyro. who asked his opinion OF a
production before submitted adding: at
this doesn't answer, l have plenty OF
other irons In the fire." Then, sIrr'
growled the savage critic, handing back
the manuscript. II advise you TO put
this where your other irons are"
My dear friend. IL you deem such a
rebuke necessary In my case. please ad-
minister 1t In private. Yours. ETC.,
ROBERT STILES.