The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-16
THE RELEASE OF THE EAGLE.
Friend or Enemy, the Farmer Freed
the Bird of Freedom.


From the Whittier of Whittier. Cal.
There was an interested crowd before a
large glass front Everybody that came
along stopped either to mako inquiries or
elbow i'm toward the window to see what
the attraction was. Inside was a magnifi-
cent white-headed eagle. There was
chain from its right foot to huge piece
of iron. some water in pan, an untouch-
ed piece of fish, few sods and a large
card with the words, For sale"
The big birds wings dropped, on either
side to it's feet. Its eyes were glazed ard
dim-looking. 1t opened and shut them
now and then, but never once turned them
70 the iostling, noisy crowd that seood
inst outside the glass. There were no
marks of violence to be seen, but the oull'
nathetic eyes, the dropping WINGS the
soiled white about the head and the ruI-
Aed feathers over the body showed mat
the captive had been in chains much long
or than it had been in the window.
one of the crowd In the street was
sturdy Young farmer who had come into
Town early that morning. He had pushed
his way to the front, and stood looking in
silence for a long time at the great, help
less bird. He was sure that he had seen IL
before. 1t had been captured, ne leafhto'
from what some of the crowd said, IN the
country from which he had come. mat
settled il; it was the same bird.
He had seem 1t on the mountain where
he sometimes had hunted for stray
sheen. He knew the big pine in the top
of which Il had its nest. He had noted it
soar maiestically and free about him. as
he worked in the valley, and had seen II
cit rnotionless for hours on the top OF some
tan. distant ranpike. Now and then ne nad
had a suspicion that it had carried OH an
occasional lamb. and had more than once
tried to shoot the bird, but had never sue
ceeded in getting near enough.
The young farmer elbowed MS way along
the window to the door Of the store; theh
he went in.
What we want for thar pro! ne salo
I'D like to buy i'm"
Two dollars" was the reply.
every well. I'll take i'm"
He maid over the money, and the bird
was handed out to him.
The crowd at the window watched eager
w as the farmer came out with the big
eagle under his arm and went stralgns
across the street TO where ladder leaned
against billboard that was some ten or
twelve feet high. Al the foot Of the lad
dor he STONED and took the chain from the
birds leg. then he went slowly up and
placed his old friend-or enemy, he was
not sure which, but no difference--on the
ton Of the billboard, and came down.
The great bird had been a prisoner 50
long thai it seemed for time TO have for
gotten how TO be free. IL sat for while
a Sc had sat in the window. But gradual
" IL came TO itself II lifted first one
dropping wing and tucked IL closely to its
side. then the osher II raised itself slowly
to lis full hight and stretched out its
great head toward the sky. The dizziness
went out Of the eyes and a fierce new
light flashed in; then, nervously stretch
ing out it's huge pinions on either side ana
taking a step or two forward, IL rose with
a hoarse scream and swept out toward
the sun.
A burst of applause from the crowd met
the farmer as he recrossed the street.
Il had seen him on the mountain" he
said, Fan / couldn't bear to see him
there" He pointed to the window; then,
an a moment, he was gone.