Queer Compact of Osprey and Eagle

1916

WHY FISH HAWK FEEDS KING OF THE AIR.

Bird of Freedom Watches Fisher's Nest While It Dives for Prey for Both.

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania. — Everybody who summers on the Jersey coast has seen the fish hawk at work, tho of late years the number of such birds seems to be decreasing.

The negroes down in Charles County, Maryland, in that faraway region of Rock Point, on the lower Potomac where the river broadens out like a sea and where the fish hawk is common, have a story about it and the eagle which is interesting. While the fish hawk, or osprey, dives into the water for its food, which consists of fish and eels, the eagle is a "landlubber" and would starve is he had to undertake a livelihood by braving the watery depths.

The story that has its place in the folklore of the "Black Belt" of Maryland is that one day the eagle was very hungry and meeting the fish hawk as he was flying home with a fine fat fish in his claws, said:

"Mr. Fish Hawk, you and I might as well be friends and join together and work for our mutual advantage."

"I am willing," said the fish hawk, soaring along with the eagle by his side, but keeping a tighter grip on the fish.

Fish Hawk Feeds Eagle.

"As you agree with me, I'll tell you what we can do," said the eagle. "If you will catch all the fish you can and give me half of what you get, I'll keep watch in the old pine tree next to your nest and protect your wife and children from the sparrow hawks and your other enemies while you are at work fishing."

"All right," said the fish hawk, "I will do it."

From that day on, the story goes, the fish hawk has fed the eagle. He does this in an odd and interesting manner. His eyes are very keen and he can see to a considerable depth in the water, and as he skims along over the surface of the deep he picks out the fat fish he wants. Quick as lightning he plunges down, extends his claws, and in the next instant rises with the wriggling prey in his talons. After taking a firmer hold on his victim he ascends by a spiral flight into the heavens. The eagle has been watching from a tall tree or crag, and, as the fish hawk rises, the eagle also darts into the sky above him. This is notice for all the fish hawk's enemies among the feathered tribe to retreat.

"Throw and Catch" in Air.

Just as the fish hawk gets to a point on a plane that is level with that of the eagle, he relaxes his grip on the fish and it begins to fall. It is then the eagle's time for quick action. Like a shot from a rapid-fire gun he dives and in a second or two has the fish in his claws.

The aerial "throw and catch" game between the two great birds goes on continually over the broad waters of the Potomac, much to the edification of the onlookers. Of course there must be times when the eagle fails to catch the fish as he swoops down thru the air after it, but it cannot be proved by any one who has witnessed this particular aerial feat on the part of the "bird of freedom." Nobody seems to have ever seen the eagle miss and nobody seems to have ever known the fish hawk to fail to catch a fish when he dived for it.

As the fish hawk rises in the air oftentimes, especially on a sunny day, the sheen of the fish can be seen like a piece of silver in his claws, and sometimes the "silver" can he seen wriggling, impressing one strangely as his eyes witness this tragedy in the air in which the victim can have no hope of rescue.

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Sept. 16, 1916, p. 7.

A Little Tale From the Persian

1901

There was a young man who loved a beautiful maiden, but he was poor. One day he asked her to be his wife, and she answered:

"I love you. Still, I do not wish to be a poor man's wife. Go and get money and then return and we will live happily ever after."

The young man went away and ere long began to sway the markets. He made millions and still more millions, and the maiden waited.

When the man had ten millions, he wanted to outshine one who had fifty millions, and when that wish was gratified he longed for a hundred millions, then he yearned for two hundred millions, and at last he set a billion up as the amount he wished to accumulate.

When, one day in those parts, a certain old maid lay dying, she said:

"There's no use expecting a hog to keep his mind on anything else after he gets his feet in the trough." — Chicago Times-Herald.

Russian Fairy Tales

1900

A book of fairy tales was the cause of the expulsion and consequent ruin of 175 persons at Poltova. A pupil at one of the state schools there was caught in the act of reading this book of fairy tales, which had been prohibited by the censor on the ground that certain of the tales might be applied to Russian conditions and Russian politics. The boy explained that the caretaker of the school buildings had lent him the book. The principal of the school reported the caretaker to the police, and on the ground of this denunciation the offender was sent to Siberia.

The officials of the institution, together with several parents of pupils, were so indignant at the conduct of the principal that they drew up a protest describing his denunciation as a mean and despicable act. The only consequence was that the officials lost their posts, and, together with the residents who had signed the protest, were expelled from the province of Poltova for three years. The order of expulsion was extended to all the relatives of the offenders, so that 175 persons were sentenced to this severe punishment on account of a book of fairy tales which in other countries is given to every child to read. — Chicago News.

Advertisement (1895) — Two Frogs in The Milk Can Fable

Middletown, New York, 1895

TWO FROGS.

Once upon a time, two frogs without being consulted in the matter, found themselves shut up in a milk can and on their way to market. They soon found they could not live below the surface, and they had to kick vigorously in order to keep your heads above the milk. One of them, after working hard for a time, became discouraged and said, "There's no use kicking longer; let's give up and go the bottom." The other frog said, "Oh, no, let's keep on kicking as long as we can, and see what the outcome will be; we may get out alive yet." The other frog said, "It's no use," and went to the bottom. The other frog did not give up but kept on kicking, and when the can was opened he had kicked out a lump of butter on which he was floating with ease. The moral is plain — during such times as these, do not get discouraged and go down, but keep right on kicking, and perhaps a few more kicks will bring the butter.

We take this opportunity to remind you that we are still kicking way at 30 North street, and will appreciate very much any orders or business that you can give us or turn our way.

Our special kick, to-day, is Japanese Tooth Brushes. The Japs beat the world on good Tooth Brushes at low prices. We've captured a window full of 'em. Try one with our Ivory Tooth Wash.

McMonagle & Rogers, Druggists.

—Middletown Daily Argus, Middletown, New York, March 18, 1895, p. 5.

Playtime Stories - William Tell

1909--

WILLIAM TELL

Switzerland is a republic like our country, and the men who live in its mountains are a brave, free people. But long, long ago the emperor of Austria claimed Switzerland as part of his empire and sent a very wicked man by the name of Gressler to rule for him.

He had soldiers at his command and he seemed able to do all he wished, but he could not make the proud people bow down to him, and that made him very angry.

So Gessler set up a tall pole in the market place of Altorf, with his hat fastened to it, and ordered that every person should bow to it in passing. You see a great many would pass it, for the men and women from the mountains came down there to sell game and cheese and butter and some days the market place would be filled with them.

One day a tall, strong man named Wm. Tell came into the market place with his little boy. He was a famous archer and shot wolves, bears and wild goats in the mountains with his bow and arrow. Now when Wm. Tell crossed the market place he held his head very high when he passed the pole and would not bow to the hat. There were servants and spies of wicked Gessler watching and they told him that Tell had refused to bow before the hat. So Gessler had Wm. Tell brought before him and told him to place his little boy 100 paces off and to place an apple on his head. Then he was commanded to pierce the apple on the child's head.

The friends and neighbors turned pale, for they were afraid poor Wm. Tell would kill his own boy, but Wm. Tell made the child face him steadily and then he tested his bow, fitted the arrow into the notch and brought the bow slowly into place. The next moment a great shout arose — the arrow had split the apple in two and the child was not hurt. Wm. Tell then drew another arrow and killed the wicked Gessler and escaped with the little boy into the mountains where the soldiers could not find him.

--The Des Moines News, Des Moines, Iowa, February 21, 1909, page 4.