The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-10-24
DENIONSTRATIVE DON.
Bullhnch That Seemed to Talk and
Liked Company.

Don was very unhappy when 1 was
out of sight. His cage was hung at
first in a glass conservatory, where he
had sunshine. flowers and two canary
birds for company. But he did not
care for them. He wanted something
else. He was silent and moping. So
the loving little bird was made happy
by being placed in my room upstairs.
1t was wonderful how soon he learn
ed to distinguish my step. Often his
clear, sweet tune could be heard
pouring from his dainty throat. Or
perhaps he was silent. 1t was all the
same. The instant my steps sounded
in the hall below or on the stairs. the
whistle ceased, or the silence was
broken. Come he-ere, come he-ere,
come he-ere!" was the eager cry. OF
course 1 always did come he-ere."
And then the delight of the dear little
fellow was touching. Down he jump
ed to the door of his cage post haste.
Then, putting out like ball, he bowed
right and left. dancing to and fro as
if wound up to run for hours. And
such a sweet piping as there was, too!
But he never played about the room
when I was away. He was too sorrow
full for that. His favorite haunt, next
to my head or shoulder, was my bu-
reau. He loved to hop all over it; but
he loved best of all to mount the big
fat pincushion. 1t was such fine fun
to pull out the pins and drop them on
the bureau scarf. Sometimes he car
ried them to the edge of the bureau
and dropped them on the floor.
One day 1 bent the point of a large
pin and twisted it we'll into the cush-
ion. 1t was rather naughty, to be
sure, but L wished to see what Don
came out and We're dropped as usual
Then came the tug of war" The
poor little bird pulled and pulled, and
tugged and tugged. The big pin
moved but did not come out. He put
his head on one side and eyed it Sc
verely. He was not one of the give
up" sort. He had made I'D his mind
to conquer that pin. He worked very
hard for at least ten minutes. Then
1 waited to see what he would do next.
And what do you think? He thought a
little, then mounted the cushion again,
and whistled and danced to that obstinate
pin. But it stayed right where it was;
so hard that his tiny feet slipped and he
sat right down. Next he got up and stared
reau and called again: Come he-ere,
I could not tease him any longer and
went to the rescue. The moment that pin
was loose Don seized it with happy
chuckle. Hopping to the back part of
the bureau, he dropped the pin down, be-
tween it and the wall 1t was in disgrace,
One day the dear little fellow had been
very busy indeed. The cushion had been
freshly filled with pins. That gave him
a great deal of work to do, of course. The
pins had all to be carried to the edge of
the bureau and dropped overheard That
task finished, he went into his house to
get his dinner.
l went to work to pick up the pins. tell
ing Don that he was a naughty bird to |
make me so much trouble. 1t seemed as
If he understood every word. At once he !
stopped eating his seeds, came out and |
peeped at me over the edge of the bureau. |
Then down he came, making steps of my |
head. shoulder and arm until he reached |
the floor. And there the dear little bird |
hurried around with all his might, pick |
ing UP the pins. He flew up to the cuSh- |
ion, laid them down and came back for !
more, until they were all gathered up. I
Then he sat my chair, whistIed his |
tune and finally went to sleep-St. Mich |
olaS.