Harper's New Monthly Magazine Volume 109 June to November 1904 . e the other day, devotingmy leisure to nature-study. I was endeavor-ing to concentrate upon the innocent gam-bols of a flock of sparrows, one of whom, byher artless coquetries, particularly engagedmy attention. Her fascination for me wasexceedingly pleasant and I cast about forsome means of drawing nearer to her, fornothing could have been more coy and re-tiring than the little sparrows. As I gentlyadvanced along the limb upon which sheperched, gazing at me with a pretty shyness,I was startled to perceive some one elseclimbing th
Harper's New Monthly Magazine Volume 109 June to November 1904 . e the other day, devotingmy leisure to nature-study. I was endeavor-ing to concentrate upon the innocent gam-bols of a flock of sparrows, one of whom, byher artless coquetries, particularly engagedmy attention. Her fascination for me wasexceedingly pleasant and I cast about forsome means of drawing nearer to her, fornothing could have been more coy and re-tiring than the little sparrows. As I gentlyadvanced along the limb upon which sheperched, gazing at me with a pretty shyness,I was startled to perceive some one elseclimbing the tree. Looking down, I recog-nized my acquaintance, Speckle Devil, whorapidly ascended. I concealed myself, butthe astute Speckle soon discovered he approached, the sparrows ceasedtheir interesting sports and flew away. Iwas disappointed, and could not concealmy chagrin from the clumsy Speckle. Hestopped and surveyed me. Chasing dicky-birds, hey? he volun-teered, in his coarse way. 1 was irritated, and did not hesitate to 490 HARPERS MONTHLY I JUMPED UPON HIS BROAD BACK show it. I climbed farther out on the followed me. Dont be mad/ hewhined, teasingly. I faced him and surveyed him with coolscorn. You look like a shattered ideal,Speckle, I said, trying to make him sen-sible of his uncouth appearance, for nothingcould have been filthier or more shockingthan his entire person. He turned and sharpened his claws on thelimb, saying, defiantly: Oh, get gay, then—wot do I care? You look like an animalcracker, you do. Gee! You look like aleopard thats lost his spots. I saw then that the honest fellow washurt, and in a milder tone I asked him hisreason for disturbing me. Speckle chewed atwig or two in silence, then he replied, Fight. I was interested at once. I had some idea of going to practise thefourth jump, and I disliked the societyof Eat Alley. Speckle watched me dis-dainfully, narrowing his yellow I said: No, Speckle, I
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