Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1902-12-06
/ "GR|P," THE
TALKING CROW |
A True, Fascinating Story.
BY Eudord Block.

~ RIP came into my possession
In this wise: One day in April
l CHANGED to meet couple
of urchns who had been rob-
bing crows nest. thinking they We're
doing a vast good for the farmers by
discriminating the robbers Of their
corntields. had long believed that
the crow was not so black as he was
painted, and that for every kernel of
corn he stole he destroyed many grubs
and insects, which would have injured
the crops far more than the bird could
have done with all Of his depredatons.
A SOrrier object l never saw than
this poor kidnapped baby crow crouch
ing in the folds of ragged and tat.
tered old hat. He was very ugly in his
half -hcdgcd feathers, with large head
and long bcak, but he looked SO pitiful
that my heart went out to him at once.
We soon had made a bargain. The
boys then ran off with happy faces and
still happier hearts, clutching n few
dimes in their little fists, while | pro-
cceded hOmeward with my newly
found pet wrapped in my handker-
chief.
AS soon rs l hau reached home l
placed him in n gOOdsized chicken
crate under a large pine tree in the
front yard, where l fed him bread and
milk. which lie gulped down greedlly,
and. like Oliver Twist, kept, crying for
moro, until | thought his appetite
never would he appeased. kept him
In the crate for several days, feeding
him very often. When he saw me ap-
preaching he would spread his wings,
open his mouth, and shrilly "Caw.
cav. caw.' for something to eat His
appetite was vOraciOus. He would eat
anything given to him: meat. bread,
cake. fruit eggs. all went greedily
into his gullet. / wondered how the
parent crows ever kept filed the maws
of hungry family.
Grips bnbyhood did not last long.
He grew so rapidly that In three week s
lie was full-hedged crow, with beau.
tiful glossy black feathers, of which
he was very proud.
"A large bed of pansies near the
house. which was my pride, was his
especial delight. Every morning
would pluck the blossoms, which were
so like little faces that smiled up to
me. Grip was always on hand to as.
sist me. but he would ruin every flow
er by shipping it Off. and he did 1t so
spitefully | knew that he was Jealous
OF The flowers I loved.
go way, Grip. go way l would
say to him. sometimes using little
switch to drive. him of. The moment
| was ont OF sight, however, down he
would swoop again into the pansy bed,
and snip, snip would 60 their heads.
There was scarcely an hour in the day
when some one was not calling out,
eco way. Grip. go way" for the
whole family kept watch over those
pansicS.
At times Grip would be very loving.
Alighting on my shoulder he would
cuddlc down close to my face, uttering
soft little crOaking notes. Then he
would slyly phil the pin from my col
lar. and begin snatching at the hair
pins in my braids. AT other times,
when called him he would not come
to me. but would alight near me- and
look at me so impishly while plead
ed, come here, Grip; come, Grippy.
come here"
One day was coaxing him thus as
he hoped along on the top board Of
the fence. He put his head down and
seemed to be choking and swallowing.
After several such spasms he uttered
the words. go way. Grip. 60 way"
very distinctly. l could hardly believe
my ears. Grip. my crow, could say
three words: go way, Grip" For a
long time he had chartered and made
cultural noises. He would scream and
laugh like 4 young imp. But now he
could talk, and. aside from being sur.