The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-01-15
CECIL !QlI' So. WING.
SATURDAY, JANUARY Is, 1898.
STORIES OF DIR. EVANS.
His Well-Trained Pet Duck and His
Moment of Fear With Empress
Eugene.

Moment of Fear With Empress
Eugenie.
When party of visitors called at Dr.
Evans house, near the Champs Elysees, in
Paris, some years ago, says the Chicago
beneath the white marble steps where they
STOOD, as they rang the bell, and directly
afterward DIR. Evans emerged from below
in his shirtseeves, covered with cobwebs,
but not in the least disconnected by being
caught in such guise. He laughingly
exclaimed that he was in search of his pet
duck, Columbia, which could not be found.
AS he seemed much distressed, his visitors
followed him through the garden, peering
here and there. They had heard of DIR.
Evans $1,000 dogs, his horses and his won
derful collection of birds brought from
every part of the globe, but were surprised
at the evident pleasure with which he told
the story OF the duck
1t seemed that when very young the
duck showed strong affection for Mrs.
Evans, followed her about the garden and
even into the house, where she perched on
the back Of Mrs. Evans chair during meals
and made herself quite at home in the
drawing-room. The bird proved SO intel
ligent and affectonate that Mrs. Evans
devoted considerable time to teaching her
different tricks and the proper manners for
polite society till the duck finally became
an acknowledged member OF the family,
much admired by all who came to the
house.
During the commune, when Paris was
starving, this adored duck suddenly disap-
peared and great was the grief in the
Evans household. Rewards were offered
and every effort made to discover the thief,
but all to no purpose, and the family
mourned the loss of the duck with sincere
grief, trembling as to the probable fate Of
their pet Some nonths afterward, while
entertaining number of friends at dinner,
a servant whispered with much excitement
that soldier was outside who said the
duck had been found. The good news ran
around the table. The man was brought
into the room, and there, perched on his
shoulder was Columbia, much bedraggled
as to plumage and far from being the sleek
and naughty bird of the past. She blinked
her eyes in the candle light and then, sud
denly recognizing Mrs. Evans voice as the
hostess called her name, gave a joyful
quack and tapped across the flower
bedecked table to Mrs. Evans bare
shoulder, where she nestled, rubbing
her head lovingly against her mistress
cheek
Then the history of the previous months
was explained 1t seems that the garden
gate having been left aiar one day, the
soldier spied Columbia waddling comfort,
ably along the path, fat, sleek, and, TO
his hungry eyes, the embodiment of good
meal. In a trice he had the duck beneath
his coat and was speeding down the side
ssltCt, Stlllln1 IDS DGSt us uO CUllU the
dignant quacks of his prey. But on arriv-
ing at the barracks and being set down in
the midst of the men, Columbia straight
way began her programme Of tricks
waltzing, bowling, kissing, etc, ending by
nesting lovingly against her captor's neck
with gurgle of satisfaction Her faith in
human kindness saved her life. The men,
one and all, voted to remain hungry rather
than eat so delightful a creature and Col
umbia was their pet from that hour.
His story finished, the soldier received a
substantial reward, and all drank his
health with much laughter, while Column
bia nodded approval from Mrs. Evans
shoulder.
As DIR. Evens ceased speaking, the heroine
of the tale emerged from beneath lilac
bush and came waddling across the lawn tt
meet the visitor, stopping now and then IL
bow deeply to her master with much dig
nifty. When she was quite near Dr. Evan.
began to whistle waltz. Columbia stop
ped, then began to dance, keeping perfec
time to the music, and surely nothing wa.
ever more irresistibly ludcrous than tn,
awkward gravity with which she wen
through her steps, with head cooked
coquettishly on one side and neck out
stretched.
The host then led his visitors to thu
house, stopping on the way to show hi.
ayiary. When they entered the large hall
filled with palms, divans and Eastern
lamps hanging from the groined stone cell
ing, he called attention to a small bras.
tablet set in the floor at the foot OF the
stairs
sit is there" he said, where the Em-
press Eugene first learned she was nc
longer an Empress. She was brave
woman"
From there he led the way to a long gal
leIy opening out on the garden and filled
with beautiful things. The walls were
hung with portraits of many OF the crowned
heads Of Europe, given to DR.. Evans by the
originals. Splendid tables OF onyx and
| N, alanb;ta also rovo1 uifts we're filled with