Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-09-17
THE STRIPED SQUIRREL.


girl only four years old while Harry
was five years older Harry was her
brother; but they were not very much
alike. Harry called Lucy "a chicken
hearted cry baby" and while he
loved her, he often made her very I'M
happy. Lucy was a dear lover Of
pets; bringing into the house every
now and then some poor bird which
ghad been crippled by the cruel air.
guns that the boys of the village used
Her mother never scolded her. always
setting the hurt wing or leg. and
back to health. Harry did not inter-
fere with Lucy's Chicken hearted
work" as he called 1t, but still kept
shooting the innocent singers when
ever he could
Lucy tried in vain to have her
mother to hide Harry's gun, but her
mother did not do it, and so the
shooting birds went on as also did
Lucy's Chicken hearted healing
Harry had been out one spring
morning. looking for a chance to
shoot a golden-winged oriole, and
while peering about the thick bushes
saw little stripped squirrel sitting
upon its hind feet, calling "chick,
chick, chick" He never stopped to
think how happy this squirrel was
and the sweet peace and comfort 1t
was taking this beautiful morning.
Here was a good mark-never think
ing that squirrels life was as sweet
to It as was his own, but intent on
seeing if he could hit it with his air,
gun. Harry got good aim and pulled
the trigger. the lead struck the
squirrel in the breast, knocking 1t
over upon it's back.
The pet cat. Polly, was a, silent
locker on and seemed to know that
Harry was trying to kill the squirrel;
and the moment he fired, pussy
sprang forward and caught the little
animal in her mouth. Harry tried
to get the squirrel away from her, but
her eyes glared and she held her
paws tightly on the squirrel, starting
for the house..
Lucy had just finished curling and
combing her bright. sunny hair, and
looked as sweet and happy as al
angel, when she heard Polly new At
the door. She loved to greet Polly
with "good-morning," SO she rau
to the door to meet her
When she opened the door, there
stood Polly, and at her feet lay the
| little squirrel Polly's back was arched
ed, her tail standing proudly up
while she greeted Lucy with hel
nature purring.
"You good for nothing ugly Polly
cried Lucy. II don't love you at ALL
Polly was frightened, for she ex
pected to be patted and praised.
| Lucy stopped to take the squirrel
her eyes already full with tears
when Harry came running up; fol-
he meant to get the squirrel before
Lucy should see j..
He did not feel bad about killing
the squirrel, but he did not like te
have Lucy feel bad-and he knew she
would If she saw it. In fact, now
that he had shot it. he felt little
unhappy when he saw it lying there
with its eyes closed and its bod,
limp. Lucy had seen it. however
and Harry must make the best of it.
"Only see, mamma cried Lucy
what naughty Polly has done!"
She held up the little, delicate
striped squirrel for her mother to see
Harry was truthful lad, and dit
not want pussy blamed for what III
had done.
Polly did not do 1t; I shot it will
my gun.
Lucy's sorrow turned to anger. :"
do not love you; l will not call yo1
brother, you cruel. wicked boy!"
Her tears came fast and she hell
the squirrel close to her breast.
Her mother gently took 1t iron
her hands and as she held it she fel
the throbbing of its heart, quick an
fast. Life was either going out rapid
ly or it was coming back Lucy
come here; see, It's heart is beating
think 1t is not dead" said he
mother. Lucy looked tenderly upo
it, put her fingers over the beatin
heart. stood looking at it when
gave a little faint gasp; its limbs be
gan moving quietly, opened its eye
and tried to regain its feet back !
the lap Of Lucy's mother
Harry had been looking on, wishin
with all his heart that he had nc
shot it, and that it would come bac
to life. He felt bad when he saw
struggling for life, with It's prett!
smooth body trembling with pain.
He noticed it was gaining strengt
, | fast and hurried to get a hoy to n,