The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1924-02-07
From LuciIe's Diary


try tomorrow" said Felix Weston to
me last Thursday evening, when we
were out for motor ride. "Tm won
dering what is to become Of my pet
crow"
"Oh. have you crown" / asked.
What's his manner"
Jimmy Of-Course." 80
How Interestingly"
Eyes, he makes life exceedingly In
teresting." Felix laughed. you know
crow is an extremely active bird. /
brought mine in from the country this
spring and my sisters and have had
strenuous time raising him, for he
had to be fed every hour in his baby
hood. ! suppose now I shall have to
send him to board at bird fancier's."
Don't send him to bird store"
cried. cit would be awfully hard on
him to be shut in, wouldn't it?"
Eyes, but don't see what else can
do with the poor chap"
'Let me take him."
81 don't believe you know what you
are offering, Lucille. / couldn't think
Of imposing Jimmy Of-Course upon
you. i realize now that my ramarks
about him seconded dangerously near a
hint, but they weren't so intended"
Il know that, But seriously l should
love to take Jimmy Of-Course. It
would be great fun to have visit
from a crow"
But he's fearfully full OF mischief.
He might put you to lot of bother"
could see that Felix was weaken
ing,and as he is one Of the pleasantest
young men have met In a long while,
wished to do him q favor, and I
simply insisted upon taking care of the
crow for him. It was at last arranged
that he should bring bis bird to our
house on his way downtown the next
morning. He appeared so pleased and
grateful that was really delighted
that had thought of the plan to keep
Jimmy Of-Course.
When / went in that evening aftes.
our drive / found that Ruth Ritchey
had been telephoning me to join her
for week at Squirrel Inn, where she
Is passing month"; and decided to
go early the next morning. / was
busy selecting the gowns for Cousin
Fanny to press with the electric iron.
which Is such comfort In time Of
hasty departure that am very glad
gave her such fine new one on
her last birthday. Then I had to get
mother to do little mending for me.
With all that to look after and in the
excitement Of packing, quite forgot
to mention the crow until the next
morning.
Just as was driving of to the train
in David Robinson's car, I remember
ed about Jimmy Of-Course and called
to Cousin Fannie to ask her please to
take care of bird that Mr.. Weston
was to bring to me. / could not hear
her answer as we whirled away. but
felt no anxiety about Jimmy Of-Course
for Cousin Fannie Is always wonder
fully kind to anything that comes I'M
der her care.
I had been at Squirrel Inn only
three days when received a telegram
from father. It said: Come home at
once and dispose OF your diabolical
crow, or will wiring its neck"
1t was most unkind Of father to send
me such message. When after my
arrival home reproached him. he
c,id Snn+ 40 <I,a vsvxIas ~ %t,on o1nrrrc, M
company had permitted he would have
described Jimmy Of-Course In much
stronger and more accurate language.
.'That crow has nearly driven us
and everybody in our neighborhood to
distraction" he said. ut was nice
thing. must say, for you to wish such
a charge on your Cousin Fannie. She
hasn't had moments peace since he
came. He has stolen thimbles, scis-
sors and embroidery cotton from
every porch in the neighborhood and
carried off my gold glasses and picked
every flower in our window boxes and
all the tea roses in the HUMPHREYS
garden. He has covered his feet with
oil from the street and carefully step
ped on all the handkerchiefs that have
been spread on lawns in the neigh
borhood to dry. He has done every
thing that a totally deprayed crow
could do in that way of running per-
sonal liberty.
But his greatest crime." went on
father. sis his nefarious use of his
voice. He begins his raucous cawing
before dawn and stops only long
enough to swallow food your Cousin
Fannie gives him at frequent intervals
till our breakfast time. There's hardly
person In this part of town who'll
speak to US except to anathematize the
crow, and no wonder, for every one Is
wornout for want of sleep. ! can't see
why you ever had him brought here"
Because ! wished ito do kindness,
daddy"
sIf you want to do q kindness you
can ship the crow away and receive
the blessings OF the neighbors. That
crows got to go. Lucille. That's the
..fx