Evening star., 1922-01-17
"sing Willow, Tit Willow, Tit
Willow!"

I F there was one thing in this world
that fretted Merriam Lindsay more
than half a million others, 1t was
canary in cage.
"If ever get to be a triple-chinned
5owaeer with a fortune to leave for
unlift. I shall bequeath 1t all to
Society for Liberating Every Bro
from Every Cage!" she sometimes
sputtered.
But her next-door neighbor had
once taken charge of Merriam's Cairn
terrier Rags, while Merriam and
John went on journey, so Merriam
couldn't consi stently refuse to care
for a decrepit birdie named Tit VII
low when the next-door neighoor oe-
parted for three-day excursion 70
Niagara Falls.
..,Tit Willows" cage was ornate and
expensive. Its gilded grandeur was
modestly swathed in dripping friiis
of tarlatan. His mistress brought
, also boxes Of cuttle bone, boxes OF
sand, boxes of hemp seed ana quart
bag of apples.
II told the grocer to leave you a
head of lettuce for him. The plumb
neighbor stood tiptoe to twitter
fond goodbye to her pet. Tweet,
tweet! Tit Willow! His muvver come
nome soon.
Tit Willow nonchalantiy pecked MS
Il brought his toenail scissors" she
handed them to Merriam. Some
times they get too long and It's aW
fully bad for him. you hold your hand
around his wings while you snip the
ends
Merriam shivered.
HE has his bath at 10 o'clock, and
he's des a sweetie ole birdie, nine
years old this very Christmas, SO
please make his bath tepid.
Merriam promised.
But once the neighbor had depart
ed she shook her dimpled fist at her
feathered guest.
Rags didn't like him, either. He de-
| lighted in barking until the poor bird
nearly battered out his beak and brains
against the bars of the cage.
And his host didn't like Tit VIII
THAT birds got a wicked evil eye"
| John Lindsay informed Merriam the
| first morning at breakfast: Il mis-
trust his motives.
Susan Sue. grumpy because Tit
Willow scattered seed over the
freshly swept dining room rug echoed
! her employers sentiments.
The first two days passed un-
eventually. Tit Willow was gwen
his baths and meals according to in
structions.
But the morning of the third day
waxed bright and warm. Susan Sue,
| cheerfully unaware that Tit Will
| low was having his bath on the
pantry shelf. opened the kitchen door.
Let a little oNygen-air in. L say.
she remarked with an air of one who
| has invented hygiene.
! But with the "oXygen-air she un-
| consciously let in a large gray cat.
| \ moment later Rags barks, the
| cats howls and the birds frantic
twittering brought Merriam dashing
madly pantryward Susan Sue and
Rags chased the cat Merriam picked
| up the cage. Tit Willow" rolled his
evil eye for the last time and prompt
| ly died of fright.
Merriam, almost distracted. informed
John. via the telephone. of Tit Will
a! lows" sad demise
"Whatever shall l do?'' she walled
[ John chuckled
Put him in candy box. take the
station
here?'
Mind your masters voice" he ad-
monished her. "and he'll buy you an
oyster stew in Grand Central""
| dignified, indeed. with his bronze
haired bride clinging to his arm,
strode boldly into smart pet shop.
! He put the candy box containing all
| that was mortal of Tit Willow" on
| the counter. behind which Iolled a
! bored clerk. He took the cover off the
! box solemnly.
| The clerk emitted slight scream.
Its dead,
you've guessed it, John informed
her.
But we can't do anything about it,