He soon found the street and
number where was located the gentleman's office, at which the
advertisement was to be answered, and displayed the admiral.
"Your bird looks kind of ragged, as though he hadn't been treated
well," said Mr. Morris, as he examined the scarlet plumage. "My boy
wants a redbird, and I promised him one if he would get the highest
grade in arithmetic in his class this term and he did it, so of course
I must keep my word. What d'ye ask for this bird?"
"He'd be cheap at five dollars," answered the groceryman. "A nice
redbird is hard to get, and they're powerful nice singers, but bein' as
it's for your boy that has earned it by studying his lessons so good--I
always like a boy that is fond of his books--you can have it for two
dollars and a quarter."
As he had paid but five cents for it this advance in price would be a
fine business speculation. After a little further talk, Mr. Morris
counted out the money, and the man went back to his home doubtless
wishing he had a hundred more redbirds to sell at the same handsome
profit. After he had gone, Mr. Morris went to a box hanging against
the wall, and turning a handle began talking to the box as if it were a
human being. Though it was just a plain wooden box, the admiral said
there was something mysterious about it, for Mr.
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