Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1845-12-26

ONtI JOuF you uI8IdtClul ltut tilll0 WI tl6
eggs you put there had all turned to birds,
no bigger than grasshoppers, and so noisy
oh, you can't think Just look at the beau
tiiul clear water therc-and the clean white
sand-where do you think you could find
such water as that, or such apretty glass dish,
or such beautiful bright sand, if We were to
take you at your word, aud let you out, with
that little nest full of young ones, to shift for
themselves, hey?"
The door opened, and a tall benevolent
looking man stepped up to her side.
"Oh, father, I'm so glad you're come
What do you think is the matter with poor
little birdy!'
The father looked down among the grass
and shrubbery, and up into the top branches,
and then into the cage-the countenancc of
the poor girl growing more and more per-
picked and more sorrowful every moment.
Well, father-what is it! does it see
anythingl"
"No my love, nothing to frighton her; but
where is the father bird!'
Hes in the other cage. He made such
a to-do when the birds began to clipper this
morning, that / was obliged to let him out;
and brother Bobby, he frightened him into
the cage and carried him off,"
"Wds that right, my love :"
"Why not, father! He wouldn't be quiet
you know; and what was ! to do 7"
But, Moggy, dear, these little birds may
want their father to help to feed them; the
poor mother bird may want him to take care
of them, or sing to her?
"Or, perhaps, 10 show them how to fly,
father 3"
Eyes, dear. And to separate them just
now-how would you like to have me car
ried off, and put into another house, leaving
no one at homo but your mother to watch
over you and the rest OF my little birds :"
The child grew more thoughtful. she look
cd up into her fathers face, and appeared as
if more than half disposed to ask a question
which might be little out of place; but she
forbore, and after musing a few moments,
went back to the original subject:
but Eather, what can be the matter with
the poor thing you see how she is flying
about, and the little ones trying to follow her,
and tumbling upon their noses, and toddling
about as if they were tipsy, and couldn't see
| straight
81 am afraid she is getting disconnected"
Disconnected! How can that be, father!
Hasn't she her little ones about her, and eve
ry thing on earth she can wish. and then,
you know, she never used to be so before"
When her mate was with her, perhaps"
Yes, father; and yet now | think of it,
the moment these little witches began to
peep-peep, and tumble about so funny, the
father and mother began to fly about in
the cage, as if they were crazy. What can
be the reason! The water, you see, is cool
and clear; the sand bright; they are out in the
open air, with all the green lelves blowing
about them; their cage has been secured with
soap and sand; the fountain filled; and the
seed boy-and-lnd-l declare | cannot think
what alls them."
"My love, may it not be the very things
you speak OF! Things which you think ought
to make them happy, are the very cause of all
their trouble, you see. The father and moth
er are separated. How can they teach their
young to fly in that cage! How teach them
to provide for themselves!"
But father-dear tather!' laying her little
hand on the spring of the cage door, ''dear
father! w0uH yOuE"
"And why not, my dear child!' and the
fathers eyes filled with tears, and he stopped
down and kissed the bright face upturned to
his, and glowing as if Illuminated with IN
ward sunshine. "IPhy MORN
81 was only thinking, father, if l should
let them out, who will feed them2'
"Who feeds the young ravens, dearl VIII
feeds the ten thousand little birds that are fly-
ing about us now!"
True, father; but they have never been
imprisoned, you know, and have already learn
ed to take care of themselves
The father looked up and smiled.
Worthy of profound consideration, my
dear; | admit your plea; but have a care lest
you overrate the danger ami the difficulty, in
your unwlllingnesS to part with your beauti-
tul little birds"
"Fatller!" and the little hand pressed up-
on the spring, and the door flew open-wide
open!
"Stay my child! What you do must be
done thoughtfully, conScientiously, SO that
you may be satisfied with yourself hereafter,
and allow Inc to hear all your objections"
81 was thinking, father, about the cold
rains, and the long winters, and how the poor
little birds that have been SO lonr confined
would never be able to find a place to sleep
In, or water to wash in, or seeds iOt their liz
tie ones"
SIN our climate, my love, the winters are
very short; and the rainy season Itself does
not drive the birds away; and then, you know
birds always follow the sun; if our climate is
too cold for them, they have only to 90 far
Their south. But IN a word, my love, you are
to do as you would be done by. As YOU
would not like TO have me separated from
y"ui iloller ana you; as you would not like
to be imprisoned for life, though you care
were crammel with loaf sugar AMI sponge
cake-as you"
"Fhai'l do father! that's enough! Broth
er Bobby! hithcr Bobby! bring the little cage
with you; there's a dear"
Brother Bobby sang out in reply; and after
a moment Or two Of anxious inquiry, appear
ed at the window with a little cage. The
prison doors Were opened; the father bird
escaped; the mother bird Immediately follow
ed, with a cry Of Joy; and then came back and
tollcd her little ones forth among the bright