Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1902-05-21
Jock, the Talking Crow.


In the northern part Of Connecticut
IS a lovely little lake, almost four miles
in length. 1t sparkles in the sunshine
like blue ribbon striped with silver.
On the north are mountains, tall and
woody, on the western bank many
hotels and cottages where people
from the city come to rest during the
summer. They row their boats for
pleasure, and catch fish in the bright
water, or gather lilies with golden
hearts, and greatly enjoy the life on
the lake among the hills. On the east
ern shore are fine and productive
farms, which furnish good things for
the people in the hotels and cottages.
Mr.. Beeman's farm was at the north
east corner Of the lake. He was car
penter as we'll as farmer, and had
shop near one OF his farms, where he
did all sorts of work with his yalu-
able tools. He had contrived an ar
rangement to catch fish, too, that was
not only convenience to him, but
a great source of profit. Near
his farm was the beginning of the
stream called the Asptuck. This is
the outlet of the lake and rushes along
through the valley with considerable
force. Many mills are run by 1t
saw mill, grist mills and cider mills.
The trap Mr. Beeman constructed
was designed to catch the fish alive.
The trap was so arranged that they
entered a boX-like affair, from which
they could not escape. The water
flowed through it and the fish apparent
ly were contented and could be caught
at any moment. Mr.. Beeman supplied
some of the hotels with bass, pickerel,
suckers and ellis. 1t was SourGS
income to him and no trouble, as
he had to do was to open the door at
the top of the trap and take out what
ever was needed.
Some time ago Mr.. Beeman thought
his fish were not so abundant as they
should be, so he determined to watch
for the thief. At last he saw flock
of crows stealing some of the fish out
of the trap. They would wait for
shiny beauty to come to the top OF
the trap, then seize it and fly off
with it. The farmer brought his gun
and shot several of the crows; one was
merely lamed, as he was very hand
some fellow he fitted the ring to his
leg with a little chain attached and
fastened the chain to post where
Master Grow could sit at his ease. He
fed him and called him Jack. Jack
grew very tame after little, and Mr.
Beeman grew very fond Of him. He
fed him himself, and always bade him
good morning.
Jack" he would say, "Say Good
morning"
Jack would cock up his head and
snap his bill over and over again; but
no sound came. When Mr.. Beeman
gave him his food he repeated
"Tt1nksn several +ir,-e--- h..t ~ '''.'
..-..,. ci t.l LiiiIos, uuL Luv plrQ
made no sound.
This went on for a long time, and
Jack had never uttered word Mr..
Beeman clipped Jacks wings so he
could not fly, and gave him his liberty.
He thought perhaps the bird would
be happier free. One morning as he
went out to find Jack he did not see
him as usual, and called Jack! Jack!"
All at once over his head he heard
hoarse and plaintiye cry of Jack!
Jack! Jack"
He was very much surprised and
could hardly believe it was Jack really
speaking: but it was. Jack was in
trouble. He had flown into some
bushes, and was so caught that he
could not free himself. Mr.. Beeman
went to the rescue. Jack, solemn as
ever, hung by one Of his legs; in a
short time he would have been dead.
No doubt he was glad to be rescued,
for as MIR. Beeman took him out of the
briers, and smoothed his gloosy feath-
ers, he opened his mouth '..?ral times,
and said Morning, morning; thanks,
thanks; Jack Jack!
People came from far and near to
hear Jack speak. He was never shy,
but those three words were the only
ones he ever said. He began to be
very mischievous, and stole all the
keys he could find.
The farmer one day missed the key
of his tool chest He got another,
and that was taken. The neighbors
began to complain of losing little
things, and at last Jack was discovered
in the act of taking door key. He
was watched and followed. Chatter
ing and muttering his three words,
Jack" Morning" and Thanks" he
hoped over to a corner of the garden
and tug away for some time. Then
he went to his perch and fell asleep.
Mr.. Beeman went to investigate the
corner of the garden, and such an
array of stolen articles he found there!
keys, spoons, bits of tin = anything
bright that had attracted Jack had been
carefully hidden.
Poor Jack! his day of freedom was
short. Once more the ring was put
upon his leg, and the little chain fas-
tened to a tree. His proud spirit re-
sented the loss of his liberty, and he
became sullen and peevish. His bill
snapped sometimes, and he seemed
about to speak, but he never did. Mr..
Beeman kept him, however, and gave
him the best of care as long as he