The Falls City tribune., 1909-09-03
POOR
LITTLE DICK
He Wa the Subiec.
Of a Stormy Dispute

AA'oh "h odlu MIS-. COlIeHS. lie
isn't feeling we'll; that's all"
"All right, then" said John. Have
1t your own way"
And as for John, he threw his right
leg over his left knee with consider
able force and hid his face In his news.
paper as though, for him. the subject
was ended and the incident was
closed.
Poor Dick!" said Mrs. Cozzens.
Poor Dick,"
20, make less noise!" cried John.
Cant o see that I'm trying to
read?"
Read Yesi" cried Mrs. Cozzens,
and here this poor little bird is she'd
ding his feathers right and left, and
well you know that it isn't moulting
season! And there you sitl Reading
the paper! You ought to be ashamed
of yourself, John Cozzens, and you
know right well you had"
81 tell you he wants exercise and
a little fresh air. cried Mr.. Cozzens.
81 tell you he Doesn't" cried Mrs.
Cozzens.
Does, too"
Doesn't, neither!"
Il tell you he does!"
IL tell you he doesn't, It's all you're
good for; to let the poor little pet
out Of his cage and make him fly
around the room, ~grinning like a fool
and running after him with a bit Of
1attucp IN ono ebouTdop opd N pfncb
of bird seed on the other. Making
him pant again and soaring him half
to DEATH"
We'll" grumbled John, shutting
his feet, that's the way to tame
them"
ooh, that's the way to tame them,
is it?"
"Yes, That's the way to tame them,
Is it,
Tame them!" cried Mrs. Cozzens.
$50 he's wild, is he? Mercy sakes!
Suppose he bit his way out of his
cage some night and came and pecked
us to DEATH"
Don't be a fool" urged John.
Don't you be a fool" cried Mrs.
Cozzens.
MOI" said John, cts you that's the
fool"
"Oh, no, it isn't" cried Mrs. Coz.
zens. ITS you that's the fool" And
having settled this mooted question
she cried in a spirited voice: You
get your things on now and go to the
bird store and get something to cure
HIM"
"Huh!" snorted John behind his pa
per, and he shuffied his feet as shut
fle the feet of an army.
WELL" cried Mrs. Cozzens, what
are you huh-ing about?"
"Huh!" snorted John again. I'D
like to see myself"
you put your hat and coat on"
cried Mrs. Cozzens, and out you go
this very minute!"
mo, sir!' cried John. no, sir! And
if any one thinks that I'm going to be
n messenger boy for a canary bird
well, they're mistaken, that's all I
sayl"
20. that's all you say, is it?" cried
Mrs. Cozzens.
Yes" said John. That's all l say.
well, anyhow said Mrs. Cozzens,
I'm going out to get him something.
He hasn't lifted his little head or
chirped for the last two hours and,
rain or no rain, I'm going out"
She went out, too, and when she re-
turned she heard Dick chirping the
mpn,ant che aptaraI tho baI
"The little pet" she cried, "he
knows my step"
But as for John, John never spoke.
Pretty little Dick!' cried Mrs, Coz
zens, advancing along the hall. I've
got something for him!"
And as for John, John assumed a
serious cast of c%ountenance and
looked around for his hat. And as
for Dick, l wish to say that the mo-
ment Mrs. CoZzens entered the room
Richard jumped up in the corner of
his cage that was nearest to her. and
fixing his eye on his mistress, he re-
lieved himself of such a series of in-
dignant and outraged Grips that Mrs.
Cozzens viewed him with mingled
pride and alarm.
"Why, what's the matter with
Dick?" she cried.
"How do I know" grumbled John.
I'm not a bird doctor, am l? Isn't he
spry enough to suit you now?'
"Spry enough" cried Mrs. Cozzens.
"Nhy, he's all wet,'
well, a little rain won't hurt him."
grumbled John, but all the same he
carefully folded the newspaper and
slowly arose from his chair.
What have you been doing to
cried Mrs. Cozzens. What have
you been doing to that poor innocent
little bird?"
What do you suppose I've been do
ing to him?' cried the indignant Mr..
Cozzens.
John Cozzens, l demand to know!
Did you put that birdcage out in the
rain to get all wet?'
mo, l didn't
0Nyau tbap how did hN got wet ."