Evening star., 1949-05-23
This and That
Bu Charles Z. TrdceDelt
QUINCY STREE

QUINCY STREET
Dear Sir:
Il was very much interested in your recent
pieces about the possum. If he were to
begin climbing up on my upper porch at
night, he would find a bowl of bread and
milk.
Recently observed three dogs in the
park playing with what thought was an
old piece Of fur.
When they ran oil, examined it. and
found 1t was a mother possum and two tiny
babies clinging to her
She seemed dead. but carried her home,
and she began to show signs Of life.
Il put her in large carton in an inclosed
porch and left a bowl of bread and milk on
the floor. Late that night she was out of
the box roaming around the porch and in
the morning the bread and milk was gone.
"She stayed with us for three DAYS and
nights. In the box during the day and coming
out on the porch at night
Il did not see the babies again, so as
sumed they had crawled back into the
pouch.
After three days of rest. took her out in
the country to place posted as game ref
uge, and turned her loose, and she quickly
disappeared into the deep woods
Your articles about the possum who came
nightly to climb on the porch appeared
shortly afterward and were doubly interest
ing because Of my own experience.
Very truly, M. 8. c."
"wooDLEY ROAD.
Dear Sir:
Mrs. X. and I are two Of your fans
Your possum. like Artemus Wards kanga-
roo. Is an amoosin' cuss and am en-
boldened to share one of my treasures Of
long ago with you.
You may be quite familiar with the
charming poem but II not am sure you will
enjoy 1t. The line have underscored Is q
gem. Very Sincerely
r. r. K, Brig. Gen.. U. s. Army Retired"
The poem inclosed is too long to reprint.
1t is called "A Description of Coon Hunt"
done in a weak solution of Latin" by Prof
w. w. Legare Of Northern Georgia in 1850.
1t begins as follows:
THE nox was lit by lux of luna,
And twas nox most opportuna.
To catch possum or a coona.
For nix was scattered DER this mundus,
A shallow nix. ct non profundus."
The line selected by our correspondent Is
as follows:
''Possum potest non pugnare."
From Connecticut avenue, j. r. c. writes:
Il thought you might enjoy the inclosed
copy Of verses about the starting, inasmuch
this time oficial steps are being taken to
do away with this bird.
The writer, M. A. w. of Park road, gave
copies Of this poem to his golfing pals, of
whom am one. Sincerely, "etc.
The verse follows:
That sturdy black starting
He isn't darling
But my how that birdie can move;
He can't sing, but twitters
And futters and filters
And gathers up food for his love
He rustles and bustles.
He digs and he hustles.
Paying little attention to others.
He's unknown to fame.
Has not good name.
But keeps on his job. never bothers
Maybe he'd like 70 sing.
Or excel on the wing.
But YOU never would know it or guess 1t;
He keeps digging away.
Every day after day,
And If he could talk he would stress 1t.
Now don't criticize
This bird as he tries
To make the best living ne can
For by doing his best
With due vigor and gest
He sets good example for man.
And so now he Is to be rewarded with
death by q grateful government II Is
sad commentary on modern life that We all
too often deal out penalties to such innocent
things as starlings and opossums. while per-
mitting crime, ignorance and mental nitn
TO grow up all around u.s. Empty whisky
bottles lying all over Washington are
great deal worse than anything starlings
can do.