Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-05-21


yes. by gummy. I'll he having one
about the frogs-if 1t takes every cent
| have" he promised himself.
Freckles fell into rapid pace, fol
he had lost time that morning. and as
he rounded the last curve he was al
most running
Then. wavering. Pickering. darting
here and there over the sweet marsh
grass. came q great black shadow. He
had seen some owls and hawks Of the
swamp that he thought could be
classed rs large birds. but never any
thing like this. for six feet 1t spread its
great shining wings. Its big. strong
feet could be seen drawn up among its
feathers. The sun glinted on its sharp.
hooked beak. 1t lit on low tree. and
second later Freckles saw another
shadow sweep the grass.
They were evidently mates. for with
n queer rolling hop the first conner
shivercd his bronze wings. sidled up
10 the new arrival and gave her silly
little peck on her wing. Then he CO.
ouettishly drew away and ogled her.
He lifted his head aud waddled from
her u few steps. awkwardly ambied
back and gave her a sort Of kiss on
her beak.
The lover sidestepped few feet. He
spread his wings and slowly and softly
waved them precisely. as If he were
tanning his charmer. which indeed
was the result be accomplished. Then
he hobLled up to his bombardment
once more. He faced her squarely
this time and turned his head from
side to side with queer little jerks anu
lndiscriminate pecklngs at her wings
and head. She yawned and shuffied
away indiferently. Freckles reached
up, pulled the quill from his hat and.
looking from 1t to the birds. nodded In
settled conviction.
With ravlshing swagger. half lit
I'd wings and deep. cultural kissing the
lover came Oh again. He suddenly lit
I'd his body. but the other bird coolly
rocked forward ON the limb, glided
gracefully beneath him and slowly
sailed Off into the Limberlost.
Freckles hurried down the trail. and
when he neared the path to the clear
iny and saw the boss sitting notion
less OH the mare that was the prlce VI
his heart the boy broke into run.
"Oh. Mr.. Mclean" he cried. Il hope
[ haven't kept YOU waiting very long!
And the sun Is getting 50 hot! l have
been SO slow this morning! l couio
have gone faster. only there we're 80
MANY things to keep me. and l didh
know YOU would be here. Ill hurry
after this. I've never had TO be giving
excuses before. The line wasn't down.
and there wasn't sign Of trouble. II
was other things that we're making
me late"
This flushed. painting. talkative lao
was not the same creature that nad
sourht him in despair and bitterness.
With au eioquence Of which he never
dreamed Freckies told his story. he
talked with such enthusiasm that Nc
Lean never took his eyes from MS
fnce nor shifted In the saddle until
he described the strange bird lover
and then the boss suddenly bent over
the pommel and laughed with him.
They're back there In the middle
Of the swamp now" said Freckies
"Do you suppose there Is any chance
of them staying with me chickens
II they do they'll be about the queer
est l have. But l tell you. sir. am
getting some plumb good ones. There's
a new kind over at the mouth OF tne
creek that uses its wings like feel
and walks on all fours. 1t travels Ike
a thrashing machine. There's anoth
er. tall rs me waist, with bill ioo'
long a neck near two. not the thick
ness Of me wrist and an elegant color
Hes some blue and gray. touched VI
With black. white and brown. The
voice Of him is such that II he'd be so
ING up and standing by q tree anc
saving at It a few times he could pe
cutting Il square or. I don't know
but It would be a good Idea TO tr'
him ON the gang. sir." :.
Mclean laughed. those must On
blue herons. Freckles." he said. Ant
n doesn't seem possible. but your stor'
of the big black birds sounds IKE gen
u,ne black vultures. They are com
mon enough In the south. I've seel
them thick about the lumber camp
of Georgia. but l never heard OF an.
this far north before. They must o
] strays You have perfectly descr.De'