Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 December 1889 — A Can[?]ry Bird. [ARTICLE]

A Can[?]ry Bird.

Once I was at an inn in England, witfc ether strangers, when a poor man earns arid asked leave to exhibit a wonderful canary bird whioh 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 rate the parlor of the lnh. The name of the little bird whs Jewel. He stood on the forefinger of his master, who said to him, “ Now JeweL I want yon to behave weH 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. “Ytta do not keep time,” Baddhis owner. Hereupon Jewel began to beat time with one of his feet. I and the rest of the spectators were to delighted that we clapped our bands. “ Can you not thank the gentlemen for their applause ?” asked his master * and Jewel bowed his head most respectfully His master now gave him a straw gun i and Jewel went through the martial exercise, handling his gun like a tru* soldier. “Now let ns have a dance J* said his master; and the canary went through a danoe with so much glee, skill, and spirit, that we til applauded him again. “ Thou hast done my bidding bravely.'’ said his master, caressing the bird. “ Now, then, take a nap, while I show the oompany some of my ewn feats. ” Here the Htue 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 oat, who had been lurking in one oorner of the room, sprang upon the table, seized the poor oanaiy fed in nls month, and jumped out of the window before any one oould stop hi™, although wa all nished to make an attempt: In vain wa pursued the oak, The canaiy bird had boon killed by him almoat in an instant The poor man wept for his bird, and his j. rief was sad p behold. “ Well may I grieve for thee, poor little thingr paid he; “WeU W I ***** Mora than four years hM thou Cal from my hind and drank ftona my up I 1 owe thee my support, my health, tod my happiness. without theet what will become of me?” We raised a sum es money and gave it to hkai hut he oould not be oonsbled. He mourned for poo* Jewel as if ithad beto a cMH Bytova the litile bird had been tanghi, and by tore was ii visaed and mouraeo.