Dying in Time.

Otago Witness, Issue 2672, 31 May 1905, Page 78

Dying in Time.

Moore's lines about the "dear gazelle" which, when it came to know and love its nurse, was sure to die are prophetic of the late of pets. Sooner or later tney come to some untimely end. A gentleman, anxious to finish, some literary work, went to a remote .French village, where he lived quietly m its one inn. Jde iound pleasure j in playing with a small, one-legged owl, a 1 pet or the landlord's. On the day he tmished his work, he noticed the absence of the owl. The next day he ate his last dinner, and was struck by the appearance on the table ol a little round, legless bird, with sauce. ! '"What bird is this?" he asked the maidservant. fcJhe suddenly left the room. That night the landlord brought in his bill. •'.by the bye, what has become of that nice little owl 1 was so rond of?" asked the departing guest. "Monsieur," said the host, "has been content with the service V" "Quite satisfied; but I am sorry not to find the owl. What has become of her?" "Monsieur has had his soup, his roast, his game each day he has been here?" ''Yes, yes," said the Englishman, impatiently, as a. horrible suspicion crossed his mind ; "but about the owl?' "Monsieur, on this last day, with all my efforts, I could get no game for monsieur's dinner." j "What, you did not kill the owl for me?" exclaimed the horrified guest. "No, monsieur: be died just in timel" i