Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-07
NATURE NOISE FAKE
TumuIt of Animal Cries at 0ys-
ter Bay.
SECRETARY LOEB ANNOYED
Dogs Bark, Parrots Swear and Rio.'
Gus Tomcats Yowl.
EXECUTIVE FORCE PERPLEXED
Uncanny Mystery Trailed to Its Lair
at Last in Cobbler's
Little Shop.
Special Disratch to The Star.

Special Dispatch TO The Star.
OYSTER BAY n. Y, August THE
village has had it's share of freaks and
nature takers but the latest is a cobbler
on East Main street who can initiate the
cries of animals SO realistically that John
Burroughs or President Roosevelt them
selves would be deceived. The cobbler Is
Tom Scruggs. who moved into a little shop
directly in the of the executive Office
above MOores grocery store last week.
Toms proficiency in nature taking, while
at first a matter of interest and wonder,
developed into nuisance to Secretary
Loeb's executive force.
MI. Loeb Sadly Annoyed.
1t was the secretary who first discovered
the cobblers peculiar talents The shoe
shop being considerably off the street, the
sounds could not be heard by the passersby.
but they fioated into the open windows of
the executive office all day, and the noise
was distracting, to say the least. Mr.
Loeb was sitting at his desk one day when
he heard a peculiar cry as of dog in dis
tress. He went to the window, but could
see nothing. and a few minutes later the
sound was succeeded by a particularly
vltuperative parrot The secretary knitted
his hrows in annoyance and called to one
OF the clerks to close the window. 1t
being hot day, however the window had
To he reopened. Then several birds began
to sing. That wasn't SO bad, as the sylvan
sounds had soothing effect. But when
a tomcat began to yowl the secretary
threw his pen down In disgust
Mystery Becomes Uncanny.
A menagerie must have come to town."
ne muttered savagely, but l don't know
why 1t should camp directly under our win
dow. The secretary grew more interested,
however, when he found it impossible to To-
cate the sounds. They came from directly
under the office window but whenever he
looked into the yard it was absolutely va.
cant Inc thlns took on an unranny as
pect. and the office force began to get
nervous.
There's wolf out there. or l will eat
my hat said Assistant Secretary Latta
positively.
I've heard hyenas," remarked Chief
Stenographer McGrew. and ri bet a
watermelon that there's one down in the
yard there somewhere. You can't fool me
when ii comes to wild animals"
There certainly are a dog cat mar
rot ana several BIRDS added William Du-
iahey circus must have struck town"
Mr.. Loeb Investigates.
Just then rooster began to crow Justify.
The wonder is said Mr.. Loeb, that
they should camp out here instead of in the
vacant lot near the station"
For time everything was quiet but soon
dog began 10 bark furiously, and then the
weird boot of an owl broke the stiffness
This was answered by the clucking of in
BILE hens, and then lot Of pigeons
began to coo. 1t was too much for the
Presidents secretary. He put on his hat
and went downstairs to investigate. After
and nervous.
Il can't find -goned thing" he an
nounced. IF this keeps up I'm going to
move back into the woods somewhere. If
where shall we find it?'
Just then the long, sonorous low of a
COW smote the air and a horse began to
whinny. In a few minutes a sheep's bleat
came through the window, and that SET
tied it.
I'm going to find that noise or resign. -
said Mr.. Loeb, with fnality. Lets or
ganize a hunt" suggested some one SO
all the force went down stairs After a
long search, guided by occasional sounds
OF wild and tame beasts the hunters came
upon Tom Scruggs sitting peacefully on mis-
bench In his cobbler shop.
Ventriloquial Cobbler.
Have you got any wild animals in here?'
asked one of the clerks.
Tom chuckled quietly to himself and then
uttered a quick warning. Right at his
ear the clerk heard the ominous hiss of a
snake. He jumped about four feet and then
looked around cautiously. The cobbler was
still grinning and the Jig was up. When
the force closed in on him he admitted
cheerfuly that he was the author Of all
the strange noises, and he added that he
practiced the art to while away the time
Long practice had made him extremely
proficient, but when ne heard that his little
diversion was giving annoyance he prom
Used to cut II out
Force Of habit is strong with Tom how
ever. and every little while he forsets him
self and lets out howl. The executive
force has gone back to work, and IL the
cobbler does not keep the peace Constable
Townsend will be asked TO find way TO
make him.