The story of a Crow.

Otago Witness, Volume 14, Issue 2648, 14 December 1904, Page 77

The story of a Crow.

In a certain town in Ireland there lived a major who was very miserable, and used to drpss very shabbily. He had many pets,

his favourite being a crow, which always accompanied him on his rambles about hi 3 estate. On-c djy the ciou got away from tne major end perched on a high hedge bordering the road. A young man named Flanagan, who had been out all day with his gun and shot nothing, happened to be passing, and, seeing the crow, said to himself he might as well have a shot. He fired and killed the crow. The major was furious when he saw his pet dead; and coming up to the delinquent, said quit© calmly that it was a gcod 6hot. "It was indeed, sir," not knowing who the major was, as he looked like an old farm labourer. "That is a good gun you have, said the> major ; ''will you lee me have a look at it?'"'

The gun, which was handed him, happened to be a double-barrelled one. The major examined it and saw there ".^as one barrel unexploded, so. turning the gun on the astonished Flanagan, Gait* : "You have killed my pet cow, and now 3 - ou will have to cat it, or I will shoot you." Flanagan implored the major tc lot him off, but tne major was inflexible, so the poor fellow had to tickle the crow. When half finished he got very sick, and told the major he might shoot away, and that he would have no more.

The major, thinking he was sufficiently punished, handed back the gun and told him to get out his sight as' quickly as he could.

Bui Flanagan was not to be denied of his lc-vcnge: he took the gun, and, walking on a few paces, turned suddenly round, and, pointing the gun at the major, said :

"If you don't finish that crow I shall certainly kill you."

There vas no escape for the major; ho had to fiiiish the crow, and Flanagan went away quito satisfied.

Shortly after this the major rejoined his regiment, and, inspecting his men one day, whom did he see amongst them but Flanagan, who recognised him at once.

The major watched for his revenge, ancD Flanagan was brought before a court-

martial on a charge of stealing the major's watch. The prisoner was asked if he knew who the major was. "Oh," was the reply, "'I know him very well; I've had the honour of dining with him." The major, seeing that Flanagan knew him as the owner of the crow, withdrew the charge in case the story should come cut. Case dismissed.