The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1901-02-07
SALTWATER MINNESOTA, THURSDAY FEBRUARY Z 1901
Written for The P,rsOn Mirror.
Perky Little Creatures.

|
There are several hundred gray squir-
rels, alive, happy and prosperous in
the heart of the great city of New
\ ork where nearly a mile square of
woods and lawns are preserved in the
celebrated Central Park. Their num-
Der varies from year to year, for the
young cannot be protected from cats
or other dangers. 1t seems to me as if
the place would in few years be over
run and the squirrels would become a
pest, but nevertheless everybody there
loves the little creatures and the park
board feeds them in winter, besides the
park abounds in nut-bearing trees.
The perky little creatures are abun-
dainty fed by the people, who derive
great pleasure from their presence and
do them no harm. There is no end to
the people that bring nuts to the park
for them. They cannot get the squir-
rels to take them from their fingers; if
they are about to do so, something
startles them and holds them back, so
they toss the nuts to the squirrels for
they enjoy feeding them. The squirrels
do not eat all the nuts they get; some
they store, if they have place to store
them, and some they plant here and
there in the ground.
| There was one old gentleman that
|
came to the park, bringing pocketfuI
of nuts for them every afternoon,
| carrying can0 Sitting on bench in
the park he holds his cane upright be-
side him, ferrule resting upon the
ground, and with the fingers of the
hand with which he holds it, taps
gently on the head of the cane with a
nut. Squirrels would come and run
up the cane and take this nut from his
| fingers.
Another man often came with a
pocketful of nuts and would sit down
on a bench with his pocket widely
open, reading a newspaper Soon
squirrels would come hopping along
on the ground, mount the bench and
trip along to where the man is sitting.
Alongside of him they would sit up,
and glance around in their quick way,
then dip their head into his pocket and
help themselves, to nuts. They were
very careful not to disturb the man
and the man was also very careful not
to disturb the squirrels.
Some of the park squirrels will come
to carriage for nuts. Many times l
noticed lady stop her carriage at
some favorable spot and tap with a
nut gently on the rim of one Of the
carriage wheels. A squirrel would
come near, his bushy little banner wav-
ing, cautiously coming nearer, with his
characteristic approaches, he would
finally make dash for the carriage, fly
up the wheel and be rewarded with the
nut at its sFmmit.
L have seen many a youngster whose
heart would fairly flutter with joyous
pride when at last one of these charm
ing little creatures of the forest came
up to him and took nut from his
fingers.
Among the many sights to be seen in
Central Park none are more pleasing
than that of some father trying to give
his child this pleasure. He kneels be-
side the little fellow to steady him and
encourage him, calling at the same
time to the willy little squirrel that is
taking his time in approaching. The
man waits patiently and the boy
eagerly, while the perky little squirrel
with electrically quick but silent moves
works nearer and nearer.
1t is common thing for people who
come upon such group, as for in
stance on rounding bend in path,
to sheer off as far as possible and pass
by quietly so as not to trighten the
squirrel.
The children love the little creatures,
and so does everybody else
STRABo.