The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1908-02-27

duck in his claws and the field gfas-e,
dangling from his neck. He deposited
the duck in Toms yard. Then he
started TO eat II. But Tom didn't soe
IL that way.
The tame eagle didn't seem over
and above pleased at having the duck
snstched away. But he wasn't a bad.
hearted bird. and he evidently felt
that there was something due Tom for
his trouble IN training him. so on
the eagle flew, and about an hoar later
returned with second duck. This
one Tom let hin cat IN peace. Through
the day the eagle hunted. t9xing al.
ternate ducks until he had eaten al
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
hunted for Tom Ferguson. The com.
bination Of an eagles naturally keen
sight and a PAIR OF good field glasses
made II possible for him to spot any
duck for miles around The eagle
worked regularly and caught mere
birds than half dozen ordinary wild
eagles. Tom was selling the ducks
and making money fast. Then the in.
born meanness cf man cropped out
and put an end to what promised to
be nourishing industry.
There isn't any occasion for that
bird to eat a, whole duck every other
time he returns from hunting trip,
Tom said to me one day. I've been at
all the trouble and expense of training
him and I'm entitled to at least duck
and half out OF every two.
NJo Tom took trip to the city and
bought pair of spectacles, the kind
that magnify. Tho next time the eagle
brought back duck Tom slipped the
spectacles over his beak Then he
cut the duGk I'm two and gave the
eagle half OF II. The other half he re-
served for the use of honest old Tom
Ferguson, as he called himself.
1T was pathetic to see the puzzled,
perplexed expression on that poor
eagles face when he commenced eat
ing his half duck. He was accustomed
to n whole duck, but the spectacles
made the half look MS big as a whole
one. He looked at Tom as IL he
wanted advice on the subject. Tom
didn't say word, but went on placid
ly smoking his pipe. That eagle trust.
ed Tom Ferguson. When Tom didn't
make a move the eagle turned in and
ate the half duck. He wasn't quite
satisfied. though. for while II looked
as II he had eaten his usual quantity
of duck. his appetite showed him this
wasn't so. Then he few off to catch
more game for his selfish owner
Tom was always careful to put the
spectacles on the eagle before he fed
him, anu wnrie tine ,,,sf slrd was
growing thin, perhaps DO would.ft
have discovered the deceit II 1t hadn't
been for an accident. One day, while
the eagle was eating. a party OF h,m.
bermen went past The house Tber,,
was the eagle, spectacles on his beak,
tearing away at half duck II GER
tainly was n ridiculous sight, and the
lumbermen laughed until they were
most sick. An eagle hates to be
laughed at, especially when he is eat
ing. Toms pet stood II as long as he
could. Then he raised his head witH
a quick motion rs II he was consider
ing whether TO fly away or do battle
with She men who were jeering 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
OF and came running up to put them