Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1904-08-25
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The Messenger
O. Cupid
BY FORBES WIGHT
Copyright. 1904, by X. NJ. Whitehead
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innumerable digniilcd societies on both
sides Of the Atlantic, sat on the top
rider OF a ricllety rail fence. a seraphc
smile on his intellectual countenance
and dlsreputahle brer pipe between
his teeth. Before him stretched vista
of sloping fields and level meadow
lands already taking on hopeful
green in the mellow warmth of the
early spring sunshine.
O. Z. Trevor was enjoying 1t all inn
mensely. The air was soft and balmy:
the sunshine warmed his blood, and,
best of all, he was possessed the
pleasing sense Of duty done. Tor the
last corrected proof sheets of his latest
technical work on antennae had been
returned to the publishers, and at pres
ent there was nothing to do but idle
on this rlckety fence and drink in the
glories of the day.
Ii had created considerable stir In
this little community when the eminent
young naturalist had decided to tarry
here awhile and rest from his arcluous
labors on antennae. a number of WON
en- socially ambitious had arranged
round of receptions and teas in his
honor, but these delicate attentions he
deftly and politely evaded by quoting
his physicians orders for absolute rest.
1t was a happy thought to armor him
self thus with physicians orders before
setting out. He smiled grimly as he
pulled his battered old hat over his
eyes. Rather clever bit of strategy,
he concluded. 1t effectually did away
with the lionizing and left him free to
daily in the courts of his beloved na-
ture. He blew a great cloud of smoke
and watched it trail away indolently.
Suddenly his whole bearing changed
from one of idle repose to alert at
tentlon. He pushed up the hat; he
took the pipe from his mouth; he
leaned forward perilously on the fence
and listened eagerly.
NO" he muttered frowning in per-
plexity the while no. it can't be-"
Then he listened again.
1T is" he declared LAS I'm liv-
ing sinner, that's Il scarlet tanager.
Phenomenal phenomenal. What
oll dltl ID Inc Illle bcBSdT dolLlS as
far north as this"
The plalntlye, piping notes came
from Il clump of trees far down the
field, and that Ii, eyes might prove the
theorem his ears had suggested Og
den Patterson Trevor slid from the
fence and started cautiously forward
to investigate. He had trayersed
scarce half the distance to the trees
when small bird rose from the
branches and few to another tree some
distance away
"AmaZingly like a scarlet tanager,'
the pursuer calculated, amazingly
so"' And, being a man of some de-
termination, O. =. settled down to the
chase.
And the chase was il merry one. The
man would be almost near enough to
the birds latest resting place to de-
termine surely whether or not it was
tanager, when away the provoking bit
of feathers would fly, with Ogden
Patterson Trevor and his innumerable
alphabetical distinctions in hot pur-
suit. He followed the flight across
the open fields and through the BRAN
bly, underbrush of clump of woods;
he waliowed through an alder swamp
fun of hummochs, and one of the hum
Knocks was treacherous and sent him
sprawltng into a pool of muddy water.
He lost his pipe and tore the rim half
of the battered hat, but with untlag-
ging zeal he followed the flight OF the
elusive bird.
Now on the other side of the swamp
was a slopinG garden back of sub
stantial house, and iii the garden was
pear tree, ana in the pear tree the
bird alighted, The tired, persplring,
dishevelel naturalist saw the bird
light on the branch, and he started
| cautiously thither, worming his way
up the slope HAT on his stomach. Care
fully he worked himself to within a
few rods of the pear tree where the
bird was still perched lie lifted his
head from the surrounding grass. took
long look in the direction of the
| pear tree and smiled beatiacally.
1T is scarlet tanager. he exclaim-
ed, with unbounded satisfaction.
I've found you at last. So that's
how You do t. eh?" exclaimed a tri-
| umphant voice close al hand Get
| up and stand just where you are"
Sull smiling beatimdes, O. Il. turned.
| Near another pear tree stood girl
charM.uS girl, despite the cold CLEAN
in her eyes and the tight lines about
| her mouth IN her hand aud pointed
Mt tile man Of science was Il long bar
relied revolver
Q r Trevor did MS he was hidden
lie rose u stupeHcd manner and
| stood before her-a ridiculous. mud
stained figure
y, itloalel, madam?" he asked, with
nervous dignity
"lt yan anempt TO take step in
any direction youn ind out" said the
girl -eHIy
Il don't understand" Trevor began.
Neither Jill we understand where
the lettuce AMI radishes from our hot
bel went To, but we DO now size said
Significantly "0h, such contemplate
bushes. She burst ont "Of an
thieves j sneak thief Is the lowest and
neanest Ii YOU were hungry why
didn't yuu come to the kitchent You'd
have been fed for the asking"