Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 February 1889 — A Canary Bird. [ARTICLE]

A Canary Bird.

Once I was at an inn in England, with other strangers, when a poor man came and asked leave to exhibit a wonderful canary bird which he had. As it was a rainy day, and we could not go out to walk, we consented to the poor man’s proposal; and he brought his little bird into the parlor of the inn. The name of the little bird was Jewel. He stood on the forefinger of his master, who said to him, “ Now Jewel, I want you to behave well and make no mistakes.” Jewel sloped his head toward his master, as if listening to him, and then nodded twice. “Well, then,” said his master, “let me see if you will keep your word. Give us a tune.” The canary sang. “ Faster,” said his master. Jewel sang faster. “Slower,” said his master; and Jewel sang slower. “You do not keep time,” said his owner. Hereupon Jewel began to beat time with one of his feet. I and the rest of the spectators were so delighted that we clapped our hands. “ Can you not thank the gentlemen foe their applause ?” asked his master ; wk Jewel bowed his head most respectfully His master now gave him a straw gun t and Jewel went through the martial exercise, handling his gun like a true soldier. “Now let us have a dance* said his master; and the canary went through a dance with so much glee, skill, and spirit, that we all applauded him again. “Thou hast done my bidding bravely,” said his master, caressing the bird. “Now, then, take a nap, while I show the company some of my own feats.” Here the little bird went into a counterfeit sleep, and his owner began balancing a pipe and performing other tricks. Our attention was given to him, when a large black cat, who had been lurking in one corner of the room, sprang upon the table, seized the poor canary bird in his mouth, and jumped out of the window before any one could stop him, although we all rushed to make an attempt. In vain we pursued the cat. The canary bird had been killed by him almost in an instant. The poor man wept for his bird, and his grief was sad to behold. “ Well may I grieve for thee, my poor little thing!” said he; “well may I grieve. More than four years has thou fed from my hand and drank from my lip ! 1 owe thee my support, my health, and my happiness. Without thee, what will become of me ?” We raised a sum of money and gave it to him; but he could not be consoled. He mourned for poor Jewel as if it had been a child. By love the little bird had been taught, and by love was ii missed and mourned.