Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1909-07-15
POOR
LITTLE DICK
He w. the Subject
q . Stormy Dispuss

air, said John. "Thate all ne wants..
mo, he doesn't want exercise and
fresh air." said Mrs. CozEens. He
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 you see that I'm trying to
read?"
Read Yes!" cried Mrs. Coxzens,
and here this poor little bird is she'd
ding his feathers right and left, and
well you know that II 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"
Il tell you he wants exercise and
little fresh air!" cried Mr.. Cozzens.
Il tell you he Doesn't" cried Mrs.
Cozzens
Does, tool"
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 pct
out of his cage and make him ~
around the room, grinning like fool
and running after him with a bit Of
lettuce on one shoulder and q pinch
of bird seed on the other. Making
him pant again and soaring him hak
to DEATH"
Well" grumbled John. stunning
his feet. that's the way to tame
them"
"Oh, that's the way to tame them,
is it?"
yes! That's the way to tame them,
is it,"
Tame theml" cried Mrs. Cozzens,
$50 he's wild. is he? Mercy sakesi
Suppose he bit his way out of his
cage some night and came and pechsd
us to DEATH"
Don't be fool" urged John.
Don't you be a fool" cried Mrs.
Cozzens
MOI" said John, its you that's the
fool"
ooh, no. it isnti" cried Mrs. Cor
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
himl"
HUH" snorted John behind his pa
per, and he shuffied his feet as shut-
fie the feet Of an army.
WELL cried Mrs Cozzens, what
are you huh-ing about?"
HUH" snorted John again. 'rd
like to see myself"
You put your hat and coat on,*
cried Mrs. Cozzens, "and out you 20
this very minute!"
mo, sirl" cried John. mo, siYl And
If any one thinks that I'm going to be
a messenger boy for canary bird
well, they're mistaken, that's All !
say,"
20, that's all you say, il itr' cried
Mrs Cozzens.
Yes" said John. That's all / say"
We'll, anyhow" said Mrs. Cozzens,
I'm going out to get him something
He hasn't lifted his little head a
chirped for the last two hours and.
rain or no rain, I'm going out"
She went out. too, and when she 70
turned she heard Dick chipping the
moment she entered the hall
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 .
serious cast of countenanoe 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-
lieyed 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 | know?" grumbled John.
I'm not bird doctor, am 1? Isn't he
spry enough to suit you now?"
"Spry enough" cried Mrs. Cozgens.
why, he's all wet!"
We'll, 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
him?" 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 MI.
Cozzens.
John Cozzens, | demand to knowi
Did you put that birdcage out In the
rain to get all wetf"
mo. I didn't"
We'll. then, how did be get wet7"
He few outside"
"Grrrl Flew outside? Orr, Sun
pose he'd have flown away"
oniAnsf houa stxf,-