Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 August 1895 — COULD NOT FLY. [ARTICLE]

COULD NOT FLY.

After Fifteen Years’ Imprisonment the Red Bird’s Wings Were Useless. Out in Eden park a few days ago was enacted a little scene that makes some people doubt the wisdom of the law In one particular, though In general no exception oan be taken to the workings of the-statute In question. The law referred to Is that which makes the Imprisonment of song birds punishable with a fine. Ex-Deputy Sheriff Gus Schilling has an uncle living at Xenia, 0., and fifteen years ago the uncle cahght a yopng redbird and gave it to his nephew, who kept It up to a few days ago, when It was set at liberty In Eden park, by order of a constable, who claimed to have been sent from Mount Washington to free the bird. After ordering the bird set free the constable left, saying that If he was not Informed of the bird’s being freed in a few days he would arrest the owner. Mr. Schilling, rather than fight the law, repaired to Eden park with his pet and placed it upon a limb of a tree and started away. No sooner did he turn than the bird flew to his shoulder. Again and again the bird was placed upon the limb and each time flew to Its master’s arm. • Finally It fell to the ground, and becoming tangled In the grass, was left to Its fate. Mr. Schilling now Insists that cruelty has been done the bird, which cannot fly long distances, and will l)e unable to gather Its food. He says the bird was an easy sleeper and would awaken at the least sound and whistle. Several young men In the house adjoining Mr. Schilling kept late hours some days In the week, and when they came home at 1, 2 or 3 o’clock in the morning, as tho ease might be, the bird invariably whistled and gave them away. Recently one of the boys was censured by his parents for being out late and was told that the redbird had whistled when he came In. Nothing more was said on the matter till along came the constable, hence Mr. Schilling Is Inclined to think that it was spite work that caused him to lose his bird.— Cincinnati Tlmes-S>tar.