Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1913-01-21
PEACOCK
FEATHERS
BY Clarencs O. Robbias

BY Clarence o. Robbins
Copyright. 1912. by Associated Literary Press.)
II wouldn't have the critters around"
muttered Aunt Agatha as the beauti-
full peacocks strutted proudly along the
terrace.
'eWhy don't you like them, Aunty?"
asked Bess Long as she tossed bis
cult to one Of the birds.
Mrs. Long shook her head mourn
fully. 1T means bad luck to have fem
around" she said
II don't believe It," declared Bess
stoutlv. II think am lucky to own
them. l always admired Hestsr's pea
cocks, and when she went to Europe
and gave these to me-ycn know how
delighted l ami"
my Aunt Emeline had a peacock
feather fan that believe caused her
DEATH declared Aunt Agatha dismal
~.
"But Aunt Emeline was nearly
ninety when she died; thought she
died from the effects OF fall"
"She was carrying the fan when
she fell. She always carried It. al
though the whole family warned her
against ill-luck. She dropped the fan
and stopped to pick It up. She turned
dizzy and fell down the front stairs" "
But she might have been picking
mn her handkerchief in the same man
ner," protested Bess.
"she was picking up the peacock
feather fam" returned Aunt Agatha
obstinately, land 80 We burned the
fan in the kitchen stove"
1T was a pity" murmured Bess,
watching the sunlight play on the
gorgeous feathers OF the outspread
tails Of her pets.
Aunt Agatha arose and shook out
her cashmere skirts. Il must be get
ting back to the farm" she said prim-
". Il can't abide the screech Of
those birds. Tain't fine feathers
make fine birds, nor never Will!
Bess said nothing. for she was quite
accustomed to her aunt's openly ex-
pressed dislike for the peafowls. but
herself great lover Of beauty In any
thing. she almost loved the splendid
coloring Of the feathers Of the pea
cocks that strutted on the terrace.
She watched the old-fashioned fig-
ure Of her country-bred aunt enter the
modern automobile which Uncle Fred
insisted was q necessity on the farm,
and waved them gay goodbye be-
q the terrace.
VI .odmere was . beautiful estate.
for Mr. Long was very rich, and this
country place was his pride. The pea
cocks were the finishing touch to the
formal garden with it's clipped hedges,
Of glowing flowers.
Aunt Agatha has declared against
peacocks," she said to her father at
dinner that night
Agatha nourishes foolish vein Of
superstition" observed Mr.. Long. by
the way, have you seen our new neigh.
bors?"
'You mean the Allyns?"
Eyes"
''No. Nora said they we're occupy
irg the house, but Of course we can
not even get glimpse OF 1t except
from the west terrace, and ] haven't
walked there"
The next afternoon when the sun
slanted warmly on the western terrace
VI the Long house the peacocks took
sudden fancy to sun themselves
there.
upper balcony, saw the beautiful crea-
lures leave the terrace and drag their
sweeping plumage across the grass to
the brick wall that separated the two
estates. II had been Mr.. Longs great
grief that he could not purchase the
adjoining property and thus enlarge
his own grounds on that side: but the
Allyns had had long lease OF the
property, and had never occupied it
until this season.
From the upper windows OF the
Long house one could see quite over
the high brick wall into the quiet gar
den Of the other house
Il do hope that the peacocks will
NOT bring bad luck-to-old Mr..
Allyn" thought Bess. as she dropped
into light slumber.
The harsh scream of one Of the
birds brought her to her feet wide
awake and trembling.
How dreadful-it fitted into my
dream % wildly. must 60 down and
bring them back" Bess yawned and
shook a dimpled fist at the peacocks
now sitting on the brick wall and
screeching outrageously
At that moment she saw lean hand