Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-02-20


SO old and lazy now that you ought to
Then. turning to Freddie, she went
on: "You see, that bird is very old
one. He never sings any more, and
we just keep him for sympathy's sake.
He used to be fine singer, but years
ago his voice gave out from old age.
| would like to get rid Of him, but |
don't know who would relieve me of
him. He is such bother, too. Now,
you have just called my attention to
his being in the beating sun. But ]
can't very well reach his cage to carry
it some place, and Jane has gone to
market, so l guess he'll have to stay
where he is till she returns.
But can't l hang his cage some
other placer" asked Freddie, his heart
touched by the misery of the poor lit
tie prisoner. ooh, yes, If you will be
SO kind" agreed the old lady. Just
hang the cage in the kitchen. You'll
find hook over the sink"
Freddie took down the cage and
went to the kitchen with it. But he
did not hang it on the hook over the.
sink. for Jane the cook, had made up
to market and the kitchen was hot
to suffocation. Carrying the cage in
to the living room Freddie explained
the condition of the atmosphere in the
kitchen, and also asked if he might
not Fut some seed and water in the
cage and not oblige the poor little sui
ferer to wait till Jane should return.
"Oh, but that would put you to so
much bother" said Mrs. Jones, tying
a Irvine about the parcel of books and
magazines. II couldn't think Of hav-
ing you do it. Besides, Jane should
have a reminder that she neglected
Pee-wee yesterday. 1t is her work, and
she must do it."
II am not thinking of Jane" said
Freddie, his face flushed with indig-
nation at the old lady's heartless man
ner towards the poor old pet In his
prison. II am only thinking of your
bird, Mrs. Jones. You say he Is so old
and has lost his voice, and can sing
no more. If we are to tire of poor
creatures as soon as they become old
and useless the world will be a cruel
place to live in. Old people should
not be neglected and treated heartless-
| ly just because they can no longer
work and are Of no use in the world.
Wouldn't that be worse than sava-
gerry, Mrs. Jones?"
Freddies voice vibrated with ex-
element as he talked and his inno-
stood by her, for her own wrinkled
cheek colored bit and she showed
confusion. ooh. Of course" she STAN
mered, Eve must always look out for
the aged. They cannot look out for
themselves. But with pet birds and an
imals it is different. They never did
anything for any person, you know.
They are cared for from their in
fancy to their old age, and are mere
pets-nothing more"
But your poor old Pee-wee used to
sing for you when he had voice.
protested Freddie "And that was
why you kept him. call that doing
something for others, Mrs. Jones
But see how tired and thirsty he is.
must give him some water"
eff he We're of any account I'd give
him to you" said the old lady, sitting
down YEARLY. "But he would only be
bother to you and would afford you
no pleasure"
Freddie looked up brightly. "Glve
him to me-" he said eagerly. "I'd Just
love to have him. I don't mind his
being old and his not being able tc
sing any more. I want to make him
happy, and by so doing shall be
hanpv, too"
Mrs. Jones smiled, then said: ever,
we'll son. Pee-wee Is yours, and
shall be glad to get rid of him. But
will you please fetch me glass O
! water? Jane forgot to bring in my
customary pitcher of water before
y she left this morning. And-will yot
be SO good as to open the kitchen
windows so that the fresh air will
come In? I have rheumatism so badly
in my shoulders that I cannot do these
things for myself"
Freddie was only too happy to be O
assistance to his old neighbor, bu
while he was performing the little da
ties for her he said to himself: "Wha
1T I had said to her, Just wait til
Jane returns for your glass of water
: for 1t is her work. and she should
have reminder that she neglected
IT. guess poor old Mrs Jones would
have had taste Of poor old Pee-wee'
loioSShhAoit ShlJ oilSe SOulu uldHdS6 "
, get to the kitchen to get a drink
} while he. poor. Gagged fellow, couldn'
: get outside his bars. and must sta,
: there and suffer-
After handing the old lady the glas
5 Of water, and opening the kitchel
, windows. Freddie filled the cage glas
with water and gave old Pee-wee tim
to drink-which he did as If hal
l famished- before starting to hi
| home. Then, begging her to call upo
' him whenever she needed some on
. to perform errands for her. he ra
/ away, happy in the ownership Of tn
A old bird.
, And old Pee-wee soon found that h
l.. had fallen into other and better hand!
a He was fed regularly, given fres
p fruit and water every few hours du
. ing the day; his cage was kept in
+ comfortable place by big wfndo'
;, through which he could look into
y leafless but pleasant park. The oil
i birdie was neglected no more, br
:, loved and made much Of and bega
,, to hop about his cage with ne