The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1909-02-24
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PeregrineFalc
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BY W. Seward Wallace.

the Hudson. River shore. HIS nome,
where he lived with his mother and an
elder sister, stood at one end OF the
town, while at the other end rose a
great mountain called the North Gilt.
Lin was fourteen years of age and
knew more about wood and field than
about arithmetic or history
On hot August day Lincoln started
for the North Cliff, his shot gun over
one shoulder, and lunch in his pocket.
AS his mother watched him go she
gave shake Of her head and long
sigh; for her son was not turning out
as she would have him, and they were
very poor However, she loved his
manliaess and knowledge Of woodlore,
and she hoped that some day he would
turn toward practical things.
A tramp OF an hour brought the lad
out ON top CT the great hill. The view
from this spot was wonderful; the
town lay like map at his feet, and
beyond the great hver stretched blue
as the sky above. He could see his
home street, but not the house, which
was hidden by a grove of tall trees. He
knew his mother was watching for his
accustomed signal, and waved his hand
keIch!ef toward the town, knowing
that his mother could see that tiny
speck against the mountain green. As
he turned away, large falcon sailed
slowly by far oVer his head. Lin at
once sank into The shelter of friendly
cedar tree, his eyes following the bird.
The falcon sank toward nearby cliff,
wheeling in wide circles.
IF can only find her nest" thought
Lin, II may be able to get splendid
present for the school museum"
But 1t was so easy as gathering hazel
nuts to follow that bird and he
wormed his way along the cliff edge,
little by little, as the bird flew onward.
About midday, he was rewarding by
spying the nest on narrow shelf of
the cliff, some way from the top. There
were two little falcons in 1t, and the
mother bird sat on the edge. 1t was
cruel thing to do to shoot them, but
lin was anxious to get reward Offer
ed for these birds by the village au-
thorities. They said the falcons de-
stroyed chickens and Belgians, which
was true. Lin crouched on the nearest
point Of rock, and took careful aim.
Bang, bang! went both barrels Of his
gun. The echoes startled him, they
seemed so loud, and the falcon dropped
down behind the nest in place almost
inaccessa able. 1t was dead. But how
was he to get it? AS he stood there.
q great stiffness followed the shot, and
he distinctly heard the sounds from the
distant village below The bark of a
dog, the whistles of the trains. and
even the sounds of alarm bells, and the
whistling of fire engines. There was
q fire somewhere.
Lin's next thought was about the fall
con. How was he to get down to 1t
and bring it up. Below the ledge on
which the bird lay dropped a vertical
precipice 500 feet to the rivers edge.
And the ledge was several feet below
the top. But Lin was above all things
able to climb about ricky Places So
he tightened his belt and started to
find way down. A low, guarded
cedar clung to fissure few feet be-
low, and II he could reach that he
might slide down the fissure. Lin cut
of a piece off heavy grapevine that
clung to tree near by, and, using
that as rope, slid into the stunted
cedar. Then he slid onward down the
fissure to the bird. The young birds
and the sticks that compose the nest
he stued into his dffeep coat pocket
that was made to include the whole of
the coat lining.
But to ascend was matter Lin had
quite omitted to consider How could
one slide up a fissure in a rocky wall?
He was we'll boxed up. He decided af-
ter while that the only way to get
up was to be helped up. So he start
ed to shout. At his third yell head
suddenly popped over the edge above
him. and the owner said:
"Ah, there you are! And by the
Great Horned Toad, if he has not got
my bird, too. What's the matter; can't
you get up oCain?" The man appeared
TO be a well dressed sportsman. He
smiled as he understood Lin's predica-
ment
mo, sir; I'm trapped, but if you will
please let down that long grapevine
''Just one moments this your gun
up hereT
"Yes, that is mine; the one with the
old Stock" answered Lin.
"And you were trying to steal my
bird, there, l suppose?" returned the
sportsman angrily. Lin flushed at this
and for a moment his anger prevented
speech
why, this-this is public p-place,
ISN'T it?" he stammered.
"Oh, yes; but as it happens l shot
that bird myself. You fired at the
eagle at the same time-but hit her."
Lin remembered the loud echo and
answered:
Il beg your pardon, but think you
are mistaken; | killed that bird my