The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-09-11
The Bishop and His Birds.

TO lnd Il husband" Mayd=inc
The Bishop and His Birds.
"Docs it ever occur to you, my young
friends, rs you sit closely down to read a
gQQd book, what a blessing it is that YOU arc
able TO do so ? Or do you forget all about
the matter, and think only of your book !
| am afraid that this last state of mind is
the most probable. The fact is, all of us
are very apt to forget the blessing we have
and keep wishing for those we have not
and it we were to obtain what we desire,
very likely we should throw them aside
also, and commence hankcring after some
thing else
Did you ever hear the story of the Bisohp
and his Birds? Here it is: a worthy bisli.
op, who died lately at Ratisbon, hadior his
coat OF arms two ficldfarcs, with the motto,
Are not two sparrows sold for f,rthing g.
This strange device had often excited the
attention of his acquaintance, and many
persons had wished to know its origin. 1t
was generally understood that the good man
had chosen it for himself, and that it bore
reference to some event in his early life.
One day an intimate friend asked him its
meaning, and the bishop replied by relating
the following story:
;. f''iy or sixty years ago little boy resi-
ding i'll the village near Dillcngen, on the
pInks OF the Danube. His parents were
barry poor, and almost rs soon as the boy
veuld walk lie was sent into the woods to
cock up some stick for fuel. When he grew
older his father taught him to pick the iu-
n'perbcrrics, and to carry them to IA neigh
boring distillcr, who wanted them for ma
king hollands.
Day by day the poor boy went to his
task !; and on his road he passed the open
windows of the village school, where lie saw
the schoolmaster teaching number of boys
OF about the same age rs himself lie
looked at these boys with feelings of envy,
SO earnestly did he long to be among them.
lie was quite aware it was in vain to ask
his father to send him 10 school, for he saw
That his parents had no money TO pay the
sch oolmaster; and he often passed the
whole day thinking, while he was gather
ing the Juniper-bcrries, what lie could posi-
by do to please the teacher, in hope of
, getting some lessons.
One day, when lie was walking sadly
along, he saw two boys belonging to the
school trying to set bird-trap, and lie asked
one what it was for. The boy told him that
the schoolmaster was very fond of fieldfares,
and they were setting trap TO catch some.
This delighted the poor boy, for lie rec
olected that lie had often seen great num-
Der of these birds in the juniper-wood,
where they came to eat The berries and he
had no doubt but he could catch some.
The next day the little boy borrowed an
| old basket Of his mother; and when he
went to the woods lisshad the great delight
to catch two feldfares. lie then put them
into the basket, and tying on an old hand
kerchief over It, he took them to the school.
master s house. Just as I've arrived at the
coor he saw the two little bops who had
been setting tho trap; and with some alarm
he asked them if they had caught anv
blrds.-Ihey answered in the negative; and
the boy, his heart beating with iov, gained
admittance into the school,naster's presence.
In few words he told how lie had cauoLt
the birds, to bring thdm as present to the
master.
"a present, my good boy !" cried the
schoolmasster. "You don't look as if Won
could afford to make presents. Tell me
yo"r, price, and I will pay it TO you, and
thank you besides"
Il would rather give them to you, sir, if
you please" said the boy.
| The sclioo!master looked.at the boy. who
stock before him with bare head, and feet.
and ragged trowsers that reached only half
way down his naked legs.
You are very singular boy," said he :.
but if you will not take money. vou mnst
tell me what ! can do for YOU. "a 7 cannot
accept your present without doing somoth;no
for it in return. Is there nothing can do
for your ' ~
"Oh, yes!" ssd the boy, trembling with
delight; YOU can do for inc what shouId
like better than any thing else."
t"What it thata" said the scbooimaster
smiling. -. IS, F7s isy -
Teach me to read" cried The boy, fall.
ing onshis knees 4Oh, dear, kind sir, teauh
The sehoelmaster complied. The. boy
came ta him at ail leisure hours, and learn
Cd se gapidiy that the = l4seher recommend.
g ssa ~ g 9oblcmAn, residing in the neigh.
porp9oas This gentls tlsu,aD, yho,was ss noble
IN mind 40 jn bril-, IS patsoniaeds Tia noo,
4 boy aitd sent him 10 sckoo5l a. Rat;sls,
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