266 Crows 
lay in one particular spot upon a small table by the 
window, but they were not there. He searched every- 
where without finding them, neither could the good 
wife find them, and there was nothing in the world 
that so ruffled the good man as to have his spec- 
tacles mislaid. Each member of the family was cross- 
examined in regard to the missing spectacles, but no 
one could give the desired information. 
The farmer finally threw down his paper in dis- 
gust, thinking that if he took a walk to the Spring 
Lot, to see the young stock, he would perhaps feel 
better. As he passed through the woodhouse he 
caught sight of Jim flying in at the door with some- 
thing in his beak. Contrary to his custom he stopped 
to see what it was, and to his surprise he saw his 
spectacles. Quickly he closed the door, and seizing 
a broom, started for Jim. The bird flew to the top 
of his box, still holding the spectacles in his beak, 
but had scarcely alighted, when, just escaping a well- 
intended blow, he immediately took to his wings. 
The only window was closed, but as the broom was 
sweeping in all directions, Jim, in his effort to escape, 
flew against one of the panes of glass with sufficient 
force to break it, thus saving himself, but leaving the 
spectacles hanging on the sash with one of the glasses 
broken. 
