The San Francisco call., 1909-11-06
BID TnE HONING PIGEON

him. hoping that he was going to feed
them once again while Red perched on
his wrist and begged for some more
grain, not seeming to be one bit afraid
when he was placed in the basket, only
he fused and grumbled because his
quarters were so limited. Carrying the
basket with the greatest care, the boy
went back into the house and then with
his uncle set out upon the walk that
usually marked their Sunday after
Moons.
Wen give him something just lit-
tie harder than usual" the man said;
"he seems to be so bright and smart
that we'll let him try a mile for his
baby trip"
"Ill bet he does better than any
young pigeon you ever had" the boy
said lifting up the basket and peeping
in; he's not bit afraid"
South of the park they walked and
climbed up on the hills until they saw
the ocean over the Presidio dotted with
white sails making for the west, or
.homeward bound, and when they had
almost gained the top the man reached
into the basket and took the pigeon in
his hand stroking his feathers gently,
while the bird grumbled at everything
and looked around with bright, inquis-
tive eyes
Now, Red. yon're going to get
chance to look around a little" said the
man and tossed him up into the air.
with wings that fairly roared, the
pigeon caught his balance and swung
round in circles that lifted him up into
che air. Watching him the boy could
see that he was looking for something
looking for something that would
point out the homeward way.
r1i ivph Ing
nervous and searching. searching
everywhere. for the church steeple and
the cottage with the vine covered
porch. and as he looked far off he saw
the shining cross upon the church, the
barn behind the cottage, and with just
one moments poise to give him balance
he few, straight to the loft
II knew he would; knew he would"
his owner said; ''he just went like
streak of lightning, didn't he?"
Indeed he did" was the reply. II
think I gave away the best bird I ever
raised, but am glad gave him to you,
for you help me very much, and no one
who does not love pigeons could go
into my loft and care for my birds.
Now we will go and see how he feels
after his first experience of travelling
When they had reached the loft there
was nothing to show that Red had ever
been out in the open. He sat upon a
perch and looked as comfortable as IL
>he had been at rest all day. and when
the boy took him in his hand he fused
and quarreled as though he were really
angry. which was far from being true.
He knew that he was safe and that the
boy would not have hurt him for the
world but he did not like to have his
feathers rumpled, it was so much
trouble to set them straight again, and
so he fused and FUSED.
You're just the finest pigeon that
ever was" the boy said, holding him
against his cheek, "and I'm proud of
you Some of these days you'll make
me prouder still"
IT think he WILL" the man said. II
really believe that Red is going to be
wonderfully fast bird, but we will have
to wait and see Next Sunday we will
give him another chance to show what
he can do; perhaps We'll go over to
Berkeley to hear the music, and then
we'll take him along"
When Sunday came however another
trip presented itself. and instead of
going to Berkeley sailing party up
young red pigeon in basket, while
the boy who owned him related proudly
how smart his pet was. The party was
a merry one, a sort Of birthday cele-
bration given by the boy whose father
owned the boat aside from whom there
was no other grownup present, only
boys with lots of tempting lunch, and
Red, the pigeon. fussing In his basket.
not knowing what 1t was that made the
boat jump so, not used to being cooped
up in such narrow quarters for such a
long time.
Continued Next Saturday,