Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-11-12

~oh, Miss Edith, here is baby screech-owl for
Indeed I doH' replied the girl. as she stopped
on the shaded clay walk and awaited the slow
approach Of the big FLORIDA youth who was balancing
But Nj Stggns the little creature IS almost dead
OH please take him back his mother" Edith pleaded
Cn getting a nearer view OF the limp four inches of
tnoted gray and white.
Impossible All family ties are broken. The nest
did tumble down, but just get the little
owls This mite of chap came futtering down and
caught him. but the others got away
when did this happen?"
last evening just after sunset"
specified baby, and l will find something for you TO
5Eon? rs perch and pressed against her pink
You reckon the bird will thrive in college do-ni-
tory" sn.ilingly asked Mss Edths when they
reached the girls hall.
among the tree tops Now : good e 20 sn a8
him in while most of the girls classes for he IS
Get strong enough yet to be petted overnuc He looks
Ike the gray shadow Of some happier bird Shadow
Wee S'adoW hat shall be bis n25ne. Thank You 50
much FOR Shallow and good-by. Nj St!ggns Edith
aid. as she ent--ed door OF Cloyerleaf Cottage.
When Edith reached her hgh-up. Sunny room she
lad the gray o'Tlet on the bed w7le she made him
nest OF Flordc moss which She pressed firmly into
What do OWLS eat? What do YOU want Wee
Shadow she had questioned anxiously she worked;
IN Try You nTst with soft bread Here, dear"
gaid Edith presently. as she seated herself by Wee
Firmly the girl forced open the orIet's closed BILL
and putting BIT Of soft bread on the tip Of an orange
spoon she attempted to drop it into the birds little
covered that when the bread touched the birds tongue
it would swallow at once.
Now, Wee Shadow. sit bach, on your moss and in
hours may again. said Edith. after many
swallows had been successfully accomplished.
This suggestion seemed very satisfactory Shadow,
who sank back. and dropped immediately into
full sleep and Miss Edith returned TO her studies
Oh. you naughty little Pepper-boX" exclaimed Edith
hours later, when she returned give Shadow his
supper for beng disturbed he stood erect, and
SP ga f s Sa6e 3e and 5 561ed but
when he had eaten all he could like dear, ungrateful
pet he cuddled against Ediths cheek and went fast
The next day Edith decided that Shadow was strong
CROUCH to bear admiration and the other girls
nvlteG IN 10 sec nm eat IN thst Day shreaaed meat
thing more
It was an accident, however, that revealed Shadow
IN w5at became ms most popular stunt once Eultl
failed to get the orange spoon out OF Shadows mouth
with sufficient promptness and he shut his curved beak
Ediths finger firmly holding the spoon as long him
self a dignitied. downward angle, he stared with
solemn rcproachful eyes.
The girls sh-cEed with laughter when Shadow went
through his spoon stunt and certainly he was very
funny bird, for his small wings held closely
lis sides, and he had vestge OF a tail, and
above his solemn eyes lis pert little ears made corners
to his square head which quite wide as his
head looked like little clock his two yellow-green
eyes making twin faces that said hands off plainly
enough
One morning Gertrude came IN. and saving Sweet
enc in her p1easauest voice reached her hand to
smooth the baby owls specked breast.
Careful Gertrude. Shadow is never sweet-tempered
in the morning" said Edith, as she Wee Shadow
getting very erect but her warning late for
- She smoke the bird threw himself on his back and
with beak and claws made attack on the smooth
@Why you horrid little tlngn' cried the visitor, draw
ing back. and nursing her wounded hand
NO he's not horrid it's just his nature. when he is
not acquainted and sometimes when h is said Edith.
linen to her wounded friend and then seated herself by
Shadows box.