South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-06-06
The Poppy Seed Puzzle
BY ROBERT CARTON BROWN.
Concluded from Wednesday
edition.


his ringer 10 summon taxicab
iriver who had just discharged his
are AT the boat landing and was
pulling up his Vacant" flag
Got any more tricks" asked Poe.
pointing 30 "A little felt Napoleon cap
surmounting a top cannot tied 20 one
md OF the bird perch. Don't some
IF your birds do a trick with that2''
The fakir fingered Poe's quarter
and answered quickly Il nix IL for
Did trick. bird what do it is sick?"
A bright faced lad al Poe's side
edged forward and explained. "He
sticks that hat on the birds head
and puts cap In the cannon and
tells the bird 90 fire the cannon"
The deuce you say" cried Poe
I'D give a dollar 20 see THAT He
produced the money fashily, acting
as though he were slight inebriated.
The fakir's eyes glinted as ne look
Cd at the bill lie shook his head
and mumbled something unintelH-
gible
"Oh. come on; I'll bet your bird
amt too sick to perform for dol
lar" Poe prodded.
The faltir looked at him sharply
grinned, reached into his pocket
brought out a bird somewhat larger
than the other. placed it on the perch
and fitted the comical little military
cap 10 its head
Poe signalled the taxicab driver
hn haA "A oil. 20 -
10 wait "A moment and grinned ap-
preciatively as the fakir stuck a
ooth-pick under the birds wing for
a gun and cried. Attention"
The bird made a little frightened
hop. threw back its wings. perked its
head saucily and faced the cannon.
The Spaniard took a small powder
cap from his pocket inserted il in
the toy cannon, which was really a
boys Fourth Of July pistol with the
handle knocked of. held up his
hand. and with a jaUnty little bow
addressed the bird
General. Philiips!"
The bird huttered a wing in salute
and perked its head on the other
side
The little spaniard's eyes snapped
with pride.
General Phillips" he cried. Are
YOU ready"
The bird faced about. reached the
cannon in two hops. clutched the
trigger firmly with the claw and
turned its head toward the fakir
Fire, General" came the ring
ing order
The bird tuaced itself and jerked
back on the trigger, the hammer fell
and the audience, greatly delighted
with the sharp report that followed,
broke into delighted chuckles as the
bird hoped down. pulled out a for
tune-teIling envelope and placed it
in Poe's hand.
Poe gave the promised dollar to
the fakir. exclaiming. Good work,
Take long 10 train him. I got
friends uptown that'd be interested
IN that bird "Heret"
III give you two bucks 20 bring
General Phillips up to the house and
have him perform. Come on, get in
this machine" Poe lurched a little
and tugged good naturedly at the
fellows arm.
The Spaniard heSitated; Poe flash
ed two dollar bin before his ewes
and the old fellow succumbed. pick
ed no his portable stand. put General
Phillips back into his pocket and got
into the taxi
As they rode up the street the
Spaniard's heart failed him and ne
asked TO be let down but Poe re-
fused TO listen 20 his lame excuses.
RE had directed the driver 10 take
them 10 Pres't Farley's home on 81
Charles av. ard when they reached
the number and the fakir saw a
splendid residence he looked craftily
at Poe. who was successfully posing
as a gay mana bout town. and sui
lenly accompanied him 10 the door
where Farley himself admitted
them. controlling his surprise with
evident effort
Hello. Doc" cried Poe i'm feigned
heart good fellowship. giving the re-
served bank president the cut to his
part Il brought this fellow along
with a funny fellow; General Phil
ADNs ne NaAl~ lAAAls rAAObAS a sun anu
picks up most anything with that
strong beak OF his
Farley played his part poorly and
the little Spaniard was warily suspi-
cious acting as though ne had seen
Farley before and was afraid OF him
show him your trick, Have the
General IRE the gum" said Poe.
pushing the two dollar bill into the
fakir's hand which closed over 1T
like a trap.
The Spaniard suUenly took Cen
eral Philips from his pocket and re-
peated the eun-fring stunt
What do YOU think of that for
bird ." queried Poe looking up
sharply AT PRIEST Farley. whose gaze
was fixed thoughtedly ON the bird.
IT don't just get the connection.
ne said slowly
You VIII i'm a minutes Poe turn
"a abruptly To the performer. who
had Craftly returned the bird 10 his
pocket and was lingering something
in his belt as ne chung 20 his little
box OF birds and fortune-tellinE
cards and edged toward the door