The semi-weekly messenger., 1902-11-07

pinions again and search for fresh VIC
tins for the Fergusou-Trained Eagle
combination.
The tame eagle didn't seem over and
above pleased at having the duck
snatched away But he wasn't a bad
hearted bird and he evidently felt that
there was something due Tom for mis-
trouble in training him. So of the eagle
flew and about an hour later returned
with a second duck. This one Tom let
him eat in peace. Through the day the
eagle hunted, taking alternate ducks
until he had eaten all that he cared for.
Then Tom claimed all the birds that
were captured and the good-natured
eagle didn't make any protest
For nearly a month that eagle hunt
ed for Tom Ferguson. The combination
OF an eagles naturally keen sight and
pair OF good field glasses made il pos :
sible for him TO spot any duck for miles
around The eagle worked regularly
and caught more birds than half 4
dozen ordinary wild eagles. Tom was
selling the ducks and making money
fast. Then the inhorn meanness OF
man cropped out and put an end TO
what promised 10 be a fiourishing in
dustry.
There isn't any occasion for that
bird to eat a whole duck every other
time he returns from a hunting trip.
Tom said TO me one day. I've been at
all the trouble and expense of train
ing him and I'm entitled to at least
duck and a half out of every two
" There isn't another eagle in the
North Woods that would work for you
the way that bird does I told Tom.
Not a day has he missed and he hasr't
once been late for work If any one
ever deserved a raise of pay that eagle
OF yours does Even an eagle who uses
a field glass won't stand it TO be i'm
posed upon, and if you cut down the
food supply there is sure to be trouble.
An eagle that feels he has been gold
bricked is mean customer to deal
with
But Tom allowed he could fix iii so
that the eagle wouldn't know he WASN'T
getting his share of the ducks. So Tom
took trip to the city and brought a
pair of speotacles, the kind that magni-
fy. The next time the eagle brought
back duCrA Tom slipped the spectacles
over his beak. Then he cut the duck
in two and gave the eagle nalf of it,
The other half he reserved for the use
of honest old Tom Ferguson as he
called himself.
1T was pathetic 20 see the puzzled
perplexed expression on that poor
eagles face when he commenced eat
ing his half duck. He was accustomed
made the half look as big as a whole
one. He looked at Tom as if he wanted
advice on the subject. Tom didn't say
a word, but went on placidly smoking
his pipe. That eagle trusted Tom Fer
guson. When Tom didn't make a move
the eagle turned in and ate the half
duck. He wasn't quite satisfied, though,
for while it looked as if he had eaten
his usual quantity Of duck, his appetite
hn
flew off to catch more game for his
selfish owner.
That bird Will never know the diff
ference said Tom, chuckling with glee
as he watched the poor hungry bird
flying away. And he will be a health
ier and happier bird if he keeps in good
condition and doesn't overeat.
Tom was always careful ito put the
spetacles on the eagle before he fed
him, and while the poor bird was grow
ing thin, perhaps he wouldn't have dis
covered the deceit if it hadn't been for
an accident. One day, while the eagle
was eating, a party of lumbermen went
past the house There was the eagle
spectacles on his beak, tearing away at
half duck. 1t certainly was a ridicu-
lous sight, and, the lumbermen laughed
until they were most sick. An eagle
hates to be laughed at, especially when
he is eating. Toms pet stood it as long
as he could. Then he raised his head
with a quick motion as if he was con-
Sidering whether to fly away or do bat
tie with the men who were peering at
him. The little jerk he gave as he
raised his head shook off the glasses.
The eagle looked at the piece Of duck
which seemed to have shrunk in size
Then he looked at the spectacles. After
his experience in using field glasses he
knew in an instant that he had been
grossly deceived by Tom Ferguson, the
man he had trusted and for whom he
had worked so faithfully.
'Tom had seen the spectacles fall off
and came running up to put them on
again. But the enraged eagle was too
quick for him. He flew UP in the air,
taking the spectacles with him. When
he was about a hundred yards up he
dropped the spectacles. They struck
stone was broke to pieces. Then the
eagle flew up higher. He fumbled ait
the cord by which the field glasses We're
tied about his neck. In a moment with
the help of his beak and claw he had
cut through it. Then he sailed about
in the air until he was directly over
the place where he had been accus-
toned to deposit his ducks He let go
of the cord. The field glasses fell,
striking almost at Tom Ferguson's feet
and were smashed into a hundred
pieces Inc eagle gave one last look
at the scene of his former labors and
flew away to the north.
Tom was wild with rage
" Wicked, thieving, ungrateful bird
he shouted, shaking his fist at the
rapidly disappearing eagle. Not con-
tent with striking in the middle OF my
busy season, you destroy my spectacles
and field glasses, the capital that / had
inves ed in the business
r
Tom Ferguson.
% 1t serves you right said one of the
lumbermen decidedly. Any man who
tries TO deceive poor eagle by means
of half poT. ions and spectacles deserves
TO have his plant wrecked when the