THE TERROR OF OYSTER SAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2805, 18 December 1907, Page 82

THE TERROR OF OYSTER SAY.

-A Cobbler Who Mimkked Wild — Animals. —

The Tillage of Oyeter Bay (says the Ne% York Sun) has had its share of freaks and nature-fakers, but the latest is a cobbler? on East Main street who can imitate the cries of animals so realistically that John) Burroughs or President Roosevelt would bei deceived. The cobbler is Tom Scruggs* and he recently moved into & little Rhoji directly in the rear of the executive office^ Tom's proficiency in nature-faking,, white at first a matter of interest and wonderjf developed into a nuisance to the executive^ force under Secretary Loeb, wtio was th« first to discover the cobbler's peculiar; talent*. ' The shoe shop being considerably off tnd street^ the sounds could ~iot be heard bw the passers-by, but they floated into th 3 open windows of. the executive office all day, and the noi6e was distracting, to saw the least. Mr Leeb was sitting at his desk one dajt; when he heard a peculiar cry as of s dog in distress. He went to the window,) but could see nothing, and a few minute* later the sound was succeeded by a par' ticularly vituperative parrot. Phe secretary knitted hi* brovrs in annoyance. £r.df called to one of the clerks to close the window. It being a hot day, however, the window* had to be reopened. Then several birds began to sing. This wasn't co bad, as th« sylvan rounds had a sort of soothing effect. But when a plaintiff tomcat began to vow)» the secretary threw his pen down in cm gust. "A menagerie must have come to town,'* he muttered, "but I don't see why it should camp directly under our window."

—The Office Getting Nervous.—

The secretary grew more interested, however, when he found it impossible to locate the sounde. They came from directly under the office window, but whenever ho looked into the yard it was vacant. The thing took on an uncanny aspect, and the office force began to get nervous. '• There's a wotf out there or I will eat my hat," said Assistant Secretary Latta " I've heard hyenas," remarked Chief Stenographer M'Grew, 'and I'll bet a* water-melon that there's one down in tha yard there somewhere. You can't fool me when it comes to wild animals." " There certainly are a dog, a cat, £ parrot, and several birds," added William! Dulaney ; " a circus must have struck town.'.' Just then a rooster began to crow lustily. " The wonder is,", said Mr Loeb. "that they should camp out here instead of in the vacant lot near the depot." For a time- everything was quiet, hue then a dog began to bark furiously, and! then the weird hoot of 'an owl broke tha stillness. This was answered by the clucking of innumerable hens, and then a lot of* pigeons began to ceo. It was too much, for the President's secretary, and he went out tP investigate. After half an hour's search he returned perspiring end nervous 1 . " I can't find a doggoned thing/ *>j& announced- "If this keeps up I'm going to move back into the woods somewhere. If we can't find quietness in Oyster Bay, where will we find it!" Just then the long, sonorous low of a cow smote the air, and a horse began to whinny. In a few minutes a sheep's bleat came through the ' window, and that settled it. " I'm going to find that aoise or resign," said Mr Loeb.

— Culprit Discovered. —

After a long search, guided by occasional sounds of wild and tame beasts, Mr Loeb and his staff came upon Tom Scruggs sitting peacefully on his bench in his little) cobbler shop. " Have you got any wild animals -in here?" asked one of the clerks.

Tom chuckled, and then uttered a quick' warning. Right at his ear the clerk heard the hiss of a snake. He jumped about four feet, and then looked round! cautiously. The cobbler was still grinning, but the jig was up. When the force dosed in on him he admitted cheerfully that he was the author; of all the strange noises. Long practice had mads him extremely proficient, but when he heard that his little diversion was giving annoyance he promised to cut it out. Force of habit is strong witb Tom, however, and every little while he forgets himself and lets out a howl.