Weekly hawk-eye and telegraph. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1855-1857, 1857-03-04

ing around full At the gaping crowd, said
ieisufely
n .Genslemen, yoa may go TO- And
rushing from the bar-room, he was never
again heard Of In Bugshury.
THE STOLEN BIRDS IRsT.
N GRACE GREENWOOD.
In one Of the sunniest and sweetest
countriesin the world, the South Of France,
lived my heroes, two little peasant boys,
named Angu-te and Leon Duval. Their
fathers were brothers and wine-growers on
the estate Of Count De Yallence. The lit
lie cousins were excellent friends, and al
most always seen together, following their
fathers through tho beautiful vineyards,
gathering up the branches which they had
pruned away, or helping to pick grapes at
yintage-time, or straying through the
grand old woods of the chateau, searching
after nuts and wild berries.
They usually agreed very well, both in
work and in play; but they sometimes
had their little quarrels like too many
other children. Augusto was full two
months the elder, and he was apt to pre-
sumo upon that, and be proud and over
bearing towards Leon He was shrewd
and somewhat selfish, and frequently took
advantage q his cousin, who was almost
too confding and generous.
They were beautiful boys; perhaps Au-
guste was the most admired of the two,
for he had rich brown complexion, with
glowing cheeks and lips, glossy, raven
curls, and bold, black, handsome eyes
Leon was the fairer; he had brown hair,
and deep, soft, brown eyes, which, how
ever, could fash in anger; lips like wild
rose-leaves, fresh and sweet, but which
could curl in scorn at cruelty and meau-
ness Usually his face wore very mild
and amiable expression and if Auguste
was the most admired, Leon was the most
loved.
| In the woods of the chateau the cous-
ms sometimes met the Countess Marie,
the pretty young wife of the Count de
Vallence, who loved to walk in the cool,
green forest paths. She was attracted by
the beauty, simplicity and arch playful
ways of the merry boys, and often whiled
away an hour in talking with them and
Watching them in their plays.
Once she took them with her to her cha
teau, and showed them the lofty rooms,
the pictures, statues, fountains and con
servatories, enjoying much their pleasure.
That which gave them the most delight
was the aviary, where there was a fine col
lection of talking aud singing birds-mag-
pies, parrots, macaws, goldtinches, English
black birds, and many other kinds. AS
they were looking at these, the Countess
said to the old servant who had charge of
| them s.
"pierre, why have we no robins"
Il did not know that my lady would
care for such common birds, answered the
Old man
"Care for them! I think that they are
the sweetest songsters in the world. !
once saw one in Paris that could sing sew
eral opera airs Could you teach them to
sing SO, Pierre ?"
Eyes, my lady, if I had them young, y
he replied.
"Well, then, we must have some" said
the lady, decisively; "my bird-choir is not
complete without them SO remember,
Pierre"
Just then as the Countess was dismiss.
ing her little friends at the hall door, the
Count de Vallence entered He was a
stern, naughty man, and now seemed as.
tonished and shocked at seeing his Count.
ess making so much of couple of peas
ant boys. He drew down his dark eye.
brows, anl looked SO grim that they were
| glad to escape, and the good Countess
never took them there again.
Shortly after this visit, it happened that
one day, while little Leon was alone in the
woods, searching Tor berries, he discovered
a nest of young robins, built in snug,
shady place, against a large branch of an
old oak tree. Leon stood for long time
silently watching the little downy, chirping
things, aud the happy parent birds, who
were bringing them food and dropping it
into their wide, gaping bills.
They patiently few back and forth, and
brought worms, flies and berries, till ths
greedy little bills gaped and chirped no
more Then the good father-bird, perchsd
on limb above the nest, began singing
sweet tender song, while the kind mother
brooded over her darlings, as the dewy
twilight was coming on.
Leon was SO delighted with his new found
treasure, that the next morning he brought
his cousin to the spot. When Auguste
saw the nest his eye flashed with eager
JOY.
'sAh," he exclaimed, chow lucky we are
to find nest of young robins for the Coun-
tess. Let US take them to her, and she
will give us more money than we have ever
seen in the world;' and Auguste began
Immediately to climb the old oak tree.
"Oh dear, don't, cousin Auguste J"
cried Leon clinging about him. cit would
be a cruel; wicked thing to steal away those
poor little birds-don't you see how dear
ly the old birds love them 2"
Auguste thrust him back, exclaiming
angrily-
didn't the Countess say she wanted
some young robins for her aviary-then
how dare you say that it would be wicked
to get them for her 7"
But Leon answered sturdily:
sThe good cure says, God takes care of
the birds. He gave the little robins to
the old ones, just as He gave US TO our
fathers aud mothers; SO it must be wick
ed to steal them away. And now, cousin
dear, do come down and let them be.
But Auguste had already grasped the
nest. He tore 1t away from its place aud
slid with it down the tee. The old birds
flew about him in the utmost distress, ut
tering wild, piercing cries of fear and sor-
row.
Icons tender heart was touched by
their grief He expostulated and plead
ed with his cousin, aud then, seeing that
entrcaties were in vain, grew angry. He
even doubled up his little fists, and was
-