THE COW-BIRD 



for help, for "the birds know when the friend they love is nigh," 

 and despite the deafening explosions of the gas-engine, the steady 

 rumble of the balance-wheel, the creaking of the turning-table, the 

 rattling rod-lines, the constant wash of the streams of crude oil 

 that poured into the big black tanks, and the sharp metallic click 

 of the valves as it gushed through the pipe-lines, the birds clus- 

 tered around Bob until there were half a dozen there to every one 

 on any other lease beside the river. 



Paradise on the Wabash meant Bob's lease to me. I always 

 stopped when passing for almost every day there was some won- 

 der in store for me. The birds trusted Bob, as men trusted him, 

 were unafraid as women were unafraid, and loved him as little 

 children everywhere loved him. Patience left the road, crossed 

 the grass to the tree he liked best and stood lipping the bark or 

 watching down the path. I lay back and closed my aching eyes. 

 The horse neighed sharply. There was a clear whistle and the 

 bark of a dog in answer; a second later the pointer leaped the 

 fence and came dashing down the path to touch noses with her 

 friend. Then a man's head came to light among the bushes, 

 his shoulders lifted above the bank; with a spring to equal the 

 dog's he cleared the fence and came hurrying to the carriage. 



As I watched him a warm wave of gratitude swept my heart. 

 Bob always had understood, while there were so very few others 

 who had. I had found such various people in my work. Of the 

 land-owners of my territory many had opened their gates, laid 

 down their fences, and given me freedom to go wherever my sub- 

 jects called me. Some had left the plow and harvesting to assist 

 me. Some had merely tolerated me, allowing me to shift for 

 myself, others had closed their premises against me, yet others 

 had charged me an enormous price for driving down a lane they 

 used every day themselves. 



But the oil-men always had been different. Whether I came 



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