The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-21

Inc sDFinSs OF IulNn are turned TO
dust. -BIacky the Crow.
Blacky the Crow was in the top of
his favorite tree over near the Big
Riveh early this afternoon He
didn't know what was going to hap
pen, but he felt it in his bones that
something was, and he meant to be
on hand to see. For a long time he
sat there seeing nothing unusual. At
last he spied a tiny figure far away
across the Cream Meadows. Even at
that distance he knew who it was. 1t
was Farmer Browns boy and he was
coming toward the Big River.
Il thought as much" chuckled
Blacky. He is coming over here to
drive that hunter. away"
The tiny figure grew larger. 1t was
Farmer Browns boy beyond a doubt
Suddenly Blacky's eyes opened so
wide that they looked as if they were
in danger of popping out of his head.
He had discovered that Farmer
Browns boy was carrying something
and that that something was a gun.
Yes, sir, Farmer Browns boy was
carrying a terrible gun! If Blacky
could have rubbed his eyes he would
have done SO, just to make sure that
there was nothing the matter with
them.
"A gum" croaked Blacky. Farmer
Browns boy with a terrible gun!
What does it mean?"
Nearer came Farmer Browns boy
and BlaciSy could see that terrible
gun plainly now Suddenly an Idea
popped into his head. perhaps he is
going to shoot that hunter!" thought
Blacky, and somehow he felt better.
Farmer Browns boy reached the
Big liver at a point some distance
below the blind built by the hunter.
He laid his gun down on the bank
and went down to the edge of the
water The rushes grew very thick
there, and for while Farmer
Browns boy was very busy among
them. Blacky from his high perch
could watch him, and as he watched
he grew more and more puzzled. 1t
looked very much as if Farmer
Browns boy was building a blind
much like that of the hunters. At
last he carried an old log down there,
got his gun and sat down just as the
hunter had done in his blind the
afternoon before. He was quite hid
den there excepting from place high
up like Blacky's perch.
I'll do believe he is going to
try to shoot those Ducks himself"
gasped Blacky. II wouldn't have be-
lieved 1t If anyone had told me- No,
sir. I wouldn't have believed it. T.
I-can't believe it now. Farmer
Browns boy hunting with terrible
gun. Yet I've got to believe my own
eyes"
A noise up the river caught his at
tention. 1t was the noise of oars in
boat. There was the hunter rowing
down the Big River. Just as he had
done the day before. he came ashore
above his blind and walked down
to 1t.
This is no place for me-" muttered
Blacky. He'll remember that
scared those Ducks yesterday and, as
likely as not, he'll try - shoot me-"
Blacky spread his black wings and
hurriedly left the tree top, heading
for another further back on the Green
Meadows, where he would be safe. but
from which he could not see as well.
There he sat until the Black Shadows
warned hi mthat 1t was high time for
him to be getting back to the Green
Forest
He had to hurry for it was later
than usual and he was afraid to. be
out after dark. Just as he reached
the Green Forest he heard faint
Bang. bang!% from over by the Big
River and he Knew that it came from
the place where Farmer Browns boy
was hiding in the rushes.
1T is true" croaked Blacky.
Farmer Browns boy has turned
huntern II was such dreadful
shock to Blacky that it was a long
time before he could go to sleep.
Copyright, 1921. by T. w. Burgess.)
The next story: why the Hunter
Got No Ducks