The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-02
The Duck That Didn't Know As Much As Its Pa=
 rents Did.
BY GEORGE E. WALSH.

There was a little duck born on the coast of Labrador which didn't know as much as it's parents did, but they could not convince It sd. When 1t was very young bird It flew away from it's nest and got into trouble with pair of Sand Pipers which were teaching their young nestling how to swal- low worm at one gulp. They supposed the noisy duckling was fishhawk or ray enous owl, and they futtered with excite ment. When they discovered that It was only a duckling they bounced upon 1t to teach 1t better manners.
 Another time the young duck which thought 1t knew it all, tried to fly across stream of water that was too wide for It's young wings. It's parents had warned it not to try such a venture, and when half way over 1t began to wish 1t had minded its parents command. for when it tried to fly home again the wind blew 1t back twice as far as 1t advanced. It tried to rise in tAe air and shoot downward against the wind, but 1t again lost ground. Slowly and surely 1t was being blown out to sea. Then it began to cry, ealing for the other birds 10 come to its rescue, but the wind carried its voice in the opposite direction.
 The wind was increasing now, and pretty soon the beach faded away, and nothing but the great ocean was all around The waves were frothy with foam, and they dashed up and wet the duck whenever it flew near the surface.
 TUT Il lOup l11He IL tOuSnI ugH1USt the wind and then it became so tired that it could fly no more. It dropped on the sea and tried to float. But foating was hard work in such a wind and rough ocean, The oil from its body and wings didn't seem to do much good, and then 1t really thought the end had come.
 The sea spray dashed in its face tbe wind buffeted it about like a cork and the tides and currents rushed up to meet it and drag it along. To make matters worse night was coming on. In a short time 1t was twi light, and then all was so dark it could hardly see.
 Exhausted with It's struggles, the duck was about ready to give up the fight when suddenly it heard breakers, and it knew that land was near. This gave it new courage and it tried to raise its dropping head,
 In few minutes the first line of breakers loomed up ahead and then with the last of its strength the duck hopped out of the water and tried to swim across them.
 The wind this time helped 1t and carrioa it along so fast that when 1t finally fell plump down, completely exhausted. if lav m strange beach. The bird was so thank. ful for this rescue that it didn't mind he. ing lost. It walked up away from the wa. ter and hid in some meadow grass uptiI morning.
 It didn't sleep much that night. and if was wide awake very early in the mornino When 1t tried to explore the beach 1t found that fog had come up from the sea and ,t couldn't see far. So 1t could only walk and fly around little at time, and try hard to find out what beach 1t had been lost m
 It lived on few mussels and clans that day, but when night approached once more 1t grew desperate. It could not always stay on the beach, and 1t was getting very lonely and homesick. The duck now wished that it had minded its parents and could see them again.
 But wishing would not help matters and finally t decided to do another very foolish thing Instead of having patience and wait ing until the fog lifted, the little duck de-