The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-13

~ JACKIE sat on a limb of a tall IFS tree in the edge of deep forest.
 Blackie was a blackbird, and
 " was a keen eyed, bright fellow who was the only support of large family.
 On the morning of this story, Blackie was contemplating making a trip into the broad valley some miles distant, in fact, a chain of long hills extended between the valley and the forest. But Blackie knew that in that meadow was plenty of good food which was easily procured by hungry birds so he did not mind the long. tedious journey there. He had found a nice brea fast for Mrs. Blackie and the little Blaokies, but there had not been enough for himself, so he had urged them to eat their fill saying that he would just fly over the hills and get breakfast from the meadow land beyond.
 "You see. my dears," he said, T haven't made long trip since last spring. During the summer, the worms abounded here in the wood and on the hillsides, but since autumn mas Cnllltu tlllilSo d OA't wa NOON ~-S become scarcer. So I shall have to do little more aveling than l Lave done for some months. And l am thinking that 1t won't be bad idea to teach Jack how to help to get our food. His wings now are long and fairly strong, and he'll never learn younger"
 "Yes, Jacks big bird, now" con fessed Mrs. Blackie, turning to look -at her son who sat on limb near to his father. Beside him sat in row his three sisters. Peekie, Goodie and Faith.
 .>>.""Yes, Daddy, should love to try living a long distance" said Jack Blackie. Tive already covered three miles. and did not feel tired at all after it. I shall be most happy to bear you company and to bring home three big, fat worms in my beak for my sisters, You can bring one for mother, sir"
 Said like true Blackbird," replied Daddy Blackie. "So we'll be off. my son." Then Daddy B1aclkie kissed his wife and three daughters goodbye and set out on the wing. Jack kissed his mother and sisters and followed his father.
 zA As they sailed on above the ground, Wey passed several creatures on foot below them. As Blackie looked down he beheld one certain animal that gave him bit of a start. He drew close 9 Jack and called out to him: Look
 own there, my son! Do you see that
 creature running along on four .. >tift legs? That's a wolf. He's our enemy. He'd like to devour us if he could get at us. Indeed, I once heard him tell a black bear-over in the forest on the mountain -sde-that he'd rather have blackbird for dinner than any other kind of meat. So since then. I've been rather cautious of him. So today, should he come within sight of us, we must fly at once. and fly quickly"
 All right. Daddy. I'm glad you told me. for otherwise I might have been taken in by that horrid creature, MT. Wolf. But now I shall always be on the outlook for him."
 So on the two flew. conversing about dangers and other things. and pres ently, pretty-well tired out, they ar rived at the meadow.
 Now, Sonny, I'll hunt about for something to eat while you rest a bit. Just stay where you are, on that dry weed" (Jack had perched him. self on the strong bough of a big, autumn dried weed which grew in the meadow.)
 Blackie flew farther afield, hunting for worms. He found any quantity of them. and began to make his break fast as fast as ever he could He intended to eat his fill. and then to carry a fine juicy morsel to his tired son. who. while he had had his break fast, was in need of some refresh ment on account of his fatigue.
 But while Blackie was busily en- gagged in eating, he heard a noise. and looking up. beheld old MT. Wolf grinning at him, his chops moving up and down in anticipation of the good breakfast he was to have in the shape of Blackie. Of course. Blackie's first