THE STRIKE AT SHAKE'S. 35 



the lower field," inquired Shane of Tom at the supper 

 table that evening. 



"Yes," said Tom ; "there must have been hundreds 

 of 'em." 



' ' You must get out early with the shot-gun in the 

 mornin,' or there won't be a grain of corn left in the 

 ground." 



" Mr. Tracy says that blackbirds do more good than 

 harm," said Edith. "He says that all birds destroy 

 bugs and worms." 



' ' Tracy has got lots of fool notions in his head that 

 there ain't any money in," said Shane. 



"Well, I think it's cruel to shoot birds that don't 

 know they are doing any harm. I'm sure you wouldn't 

 want to be shot for doing something that you didn't know 

 was wrong," replied Edith. 



The further discussion of the matter was postponed 

 by Shane, who said he had more serious things to think 

 about. 



"Mornin' to ye, Tom," said Mike, as he met Tom 

 in the lane, gun in hand, bent on destroying blackbirds. 



' ' What be ye goin' to shoot this mornin' ? " 



"Blackbirds," replied Tom. 



"Begorra, there's plinty of 'em," said Mike. 



" It looks like I would get a chance to use my gun," 

 said Tom. 



" Thim's quare birds, now, Tom. I was watchin' 

 'em yisterday an' begorra, do ye know, I think they're 

 plantin' corn instid o' takin' it up ; for I see 'em a 

 droppin' somethin' white all over the field, and there be 



