The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-08-06
large white stork stood upon the bank of

TWT WINCH Sang WeT-
~S rily in the very midst of a dark forest The
Sork was resting and had just taken long draught
of cold water from the brook, and stood upon
long, stilt-lke leg, with his beak tucked in among
the soft white feathers OF his breast, apparently
asleep But in reality the stork not asleep only
just medating, storks have a way of doing when
they pose thus.
Now the Stork was in very great trouble, in fact,
in quite dilemma, and he had entered the forest
that he might seek out the home of the Great Horned
Owl for the Owl all the little of the ami
NAL kingdom relate their troubles You see, the Owl
a very old and wise bird and he always manages to
give everybody just the very best advice, and settles
all quarres and disturbances which frequently
arise between them in the very incest pos
Sibe
Dear me- it's very strange! croaked the white
Stork in a puzzled way. taking his head out Of his
feathers and pcerng all about him in a perpexed man
ner. I've flown and flown until | quite weary,
and still cannot to locate the home of the Great
Horned Owl. | certainly must be following the right
road; Follow t. e little brook until you to
giant oak, said Grandfather Stork, and then call,
very loudly Hear ye," thrice, and the Owl will re-
spond' Accordingly the white Stork waded on,
little farther up the bed Of the brook and finally came
to a giant oak the very largest he had ever seen,
which must have been hundreds of years old, it
such large tree AS the StorI reached the
oak tree he tapped his large wings, and called loudly
Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye," then from somewhere,
right above his head he heard long, quavering reply,
"Who-o-O, whO-O-o"
1t was the Owl Far up on one side of the oak tree
the white StorS a large round hole in the trunk
of the and the next instant the hole filled by
round, fluffy face, with great golden eyes, which
shone like glass marbles as he blnked them. 1t was
the Great Horned Owl himself
" Who-o-o goes there? l asked once" inquired the
Owl rather Grossly for he had evidently been asleep
and did not relish being awakened in the daytime
I'm quite blind in the daylight | suppose YOU
know, whoever you are" he added, "and SO l have
to inquire who you are, because | cannot see you"
Il a. a friend i'll trouble and need, Sir OWL re-
piled the white Stork. Il long journey from
Shorthand, and upon very urgent business indeed 1t
is dihuty which l confident only you can ad-
just for me, and Grandfather Sor presents his COM
phment: through me and begs that you will give me
your wise advice"
oh" said the Owl rather more pleasantly as he
began to climb carefully out of his hole in the
trunk; now I know who you are. Surely we are
kindred the Storks and Owls and I will most gladly
aid YOU Proceed State your troubles Immediately,
that | may resume my MONDAY nap, from which you
have awakened me, for l have to be out all night to-
"Wer," began the white Stork sadly, my trouble
is this-I have carried baby into home where it
not wanted"
"That is" explained the Stork hastily, the baby
was we'll received and beloved by all the family with
the exception of one little girl named Nancy"
"And, pray, what does this little girl do?" inter-
"Oh shocking things! She has become simply i'm
possible to live with since brought the baby, and is
developing into a selfish disagreeabe little girl al
though naturally quite amiable and sweet. Now she
goes into violent fits of rage because she longer
the only one to be petted and continually in her
mothers company; she smashes her toys and screams
loudly to awaken the baby and once when one was
in the room she actually Punched the baby and pulled
Of it."
my. my! Can such state of things be possible"
croaked the Owl rolling his great yellow eyes in
amazement and horror.
.Foh, yes. and much. much more could tell of the
miscbievous pTaqks of Nancy, said the Stork sigh
to the baby; and if she doesn't do that she is
going to grow up with shocking disposition, and
everybody will surely hate her in the end. Nov,
what can we in Shorthand do? That's the question,
What would you advise, Sir Ow1?"
The Great Horned Owl scratched his head reAec-
fyaIv and tbpn riff I1C all
dignantly- "Take the baby back to Shorthand"
But how we? The baby has already grown
too large by this time for the lily cradles in SorE-
land"
well, then bring it to me- NV good wife and
will care for it until you find it pleasanter home
least where the little thing will be properly cared
for and treated with tenderness and by all. |
dare say, Mrs Owl can find corner for the baby in
our nest for awhile. We understand children as we
have raised several large families. What do you say
friend Stork?"
Il quite agree with you," said the Stork. bowling
deeply, and am very thankful. sure, for your
wise decision. And now, farewell | will bring the
baby to Mrs Owl by tomorrow night" And then,
the white Stor spread its great white wings and flew
swiftly away from the dismal forest in the direction
of great city.
Nancy had gone to bed She had screamed and
nursery She had thrown her best mug to the floor
and broken it to atoms and just because she had been
refused admittance to her mothers room where the
sweet baby lay quietly sleeping its pretty blue siken
bassnet So nurse had quietly undressed Nancy and
tucked her into her small bed and turned the lights
very low But Just at the last Nancy still naughty
and hateful declined absolutely say her PRAYERS So
at last went away and left her quite alone in
the nursery.
And then what do you suppose happened? Nancy
heard little rustng sound which sounded like silk
brushing across the foor and looking over towards
the window which was open, she saw a great white
Stork standing upon the window-sl peerng anxiousy
into the room The silken sound which she had first
heard had been made by the Storks wings. Nancy
-