The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1909-12-22
THE GOLDEN BLUE.JAY. ;
<>><N BY M. +. SAVAGE. ~<<es

>>%<1 BY M. T. SAVAGE. ~<<e4
One clustering March night, in
1852, three men were playing cards
in a cabin near the Manzanita Dig
gings. Billy Price and Dick Hertle,
In whose cabin the game was pro-
crossing, were miners. Foxy Smith
made up the trio. He kept little
supply store, where hardtack biscuits
and dried fruits, gum boots and over
alls were jumbled together.
The door opened and in walked n
man, bold and free. He hardly
looked at the other men, but went
directly to the fire, took a pack from
his back and began busying himself
with It,
Where the devil did you cor e
FROM" asked Dick, throwing his
cards upon the table and staring at
the pan
"The devil probably knows. Ask
him." answered the stranger.
"My dear and no doubt illustrious
young man." began Billy, winking at
Dick, "I'm sure you'll excuse our
showing some degree of curiosity
concerning you. May we not have
the exquisite pleasure of learning
your name? Will you not give us
some information regarding your last
place of residence, ct cetera? You
have no idea how we would treasure
any little"
Get out!" squeaked a sharp, high
pitched voice, breaking into Billy's
harangue.
Billy turned on the stranger-he
was not the man to stand nonsense of
that sort from anybody.
IF you want satisfaction, my high
flown friend" said the stranger,
there's your provocator" The man
stopped over and blue jay hoped
up on his shoulder. The bird first
fired off volley of shrieks and then
began to laugh. ''Haw, haw, haw!"
laughed the jay, and "Haw, haw,
haw!" they answered him till the
cabin shook.
When they had quieted down the
stranger turned to them and said:
Now I'll tell you as much of my
history as l think necessary. My
name is Jim Carter. I've been in
this confounded country more than a
year, and l haven't made a blasted
cent. My money is very near gone,
but as long as | stay among you I'll
pay my way. One thing certain: I'll
never go back East unless make my
pile, and-I've got to make it pretty
soon or I'll"
'Whatll. you do?" asked Dick.
MY bird and I'll take something
to eat-if we can get it," answered
Carter.
The men set out some cold bacon
and beans, hardtack and dried apple
sauce. Carter ate ravenously.
In the meantime Foxy Smith had
been attending to the feeding of the
Jay. Sometimes he would hold a
piece of biscuit up and make the bird
talk for it, and sometimes he would
point to cord. or stick, or something
else, and make the bird bring it to
him before he would give him bit
of the food. The jay showed quick
intelligence. and it was not long be-
fore he had caught the idea.
After Carter had finished eating
he Joined in the game, and they
played until midnight.
Foxy arose to go.
Bring your jay down to the store,
Carter" he said Hes fine bird.
I'd like to teach him."
Foxy left. Carter spread his blan-
kets on the floor; Dick and Billy
crawled into their hunks; the blue
Jay perched upon rafter. So Carter
and his bird became domic.led at
Camp Manzanita.
As the days went by the men be-
came attached to the bird. He had a
pert, lively way that they liked. He
would cock his eyes at them and
laugh in the most knowing manner.
Then he sang song or two in a
queer, rasping little voice, that made
him fne company, and he liked to 20
' to the diggings with the men; It was
wonderful the way he made the dirt
Ny-imitating them.
But, smart though he was, the men
soon discovered that he had one fault
he stole, stole like pirate; there
was nothing that he would not ap-
propriate II he got his claws on It.
They looked high and low for the sto-
len articles. but could find them no.
where.
What does he do with them. ]
wonder?" asked Dick, one evening,
after hunting vainly for something
he had lost.
"I'll tell you what think he does
With EN-" said Billy. "I believe he
takes them down to Foxy's store and
trades them OF for grub. You know
Carter doesn't pay much attention to
him. and he probably gets hungry
It would be just like Foxy to encour.
age him In such tricks"
Pooh! The Jay isn't as smart 2s
f---- 80.