The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-05-27
True story Of a Robin.

we douot lf the records or ornitholOgv can
furnish more striking instance of affection
and sehsibility than is displayed in the follow
ing story of robin, which we can vouch to
be authentic -
"Tbe servant of lady residing at the north
part of Brighton, whilst occupied one day in
the cutlery, was startled by noise, which at
first was supposed to be occasioned bv a
mouse, but, on examination of the various pots
and pans in the place, she at length discovered
the true origin of the disturbance. 1t was a
young robin, which had found its way into
bright copper coal-scuttle. She succeeded in
capturing IT, and took it into the parlor to her
mistress, where it soon made itself quite at
home, and ate the soppei bread which was
placed on its little beak. In a short time if
was quite happy in its comfortable quarters;
but, as soon Of its habits were not quite con-
slstent with the cleanliness of a lady,s sitting
room, and the lady had no wish to confine it
to cage, full opportunity was given 10 the
little stranger 10 recover its liberty by the win
dow being thrown open. OF this opportunity
however, the robin availed itself to certain ex
tent, that is. it would fly out, but invariably re-
turn at certain hour of the day, and its prac-
tice was then to perch upon a certain flounce
of the lady's dress, and then. looking up into
it's mlstress's face, it would pour forth its mer-
ry little song. This went on for some time,
until one afternoon, when the robin vas in its
accustomed place, friend called who wished
the lady to accompany her for walk, and
then came the question, what was TO be done
with the robin? There it was, on its fayorite
tiource, and the lady was prisoner until it flew
off. II had not yet sung its song, but its mis-
| tress, anxious to join her visitor, at last took
up handkerchief, and waving it said: .sYou
must go now, Bobby. Good bye" The bird
took the hint Immediately, and flew out of the
window. On the day following its coming
was looked for at the accustomed hour, as a
matter of course: and the window was left open
as usual. But no robin came. Another and
another day passed, until at last it was given
up for lost, to the infinite regret of the lady,
and the great indignation of the old servant,
who, sympathisng with the bird, said .Of
course Mlssus couldn't expect Bobby to return
after being treated in such a manner. There
was however, no help for it. Every repara-
ton would have been made; an apology offer.
ed that could heal the wound inflicted upor
the BIRDS feelings but, like sighted lover
or injured friend, he kept aloof.
"And now comes the most singular story
One day the lady who had owped the robin
was walking by herself alone Rose Hill ter.
race, when suddenly she was alarmed and al.
most blinded by something's riking against hel
face. She thought at frst that it was a stone
thrown by some careless boy; bnt, on recov.
ering from the confus ion Of the moment, t.
her utter astonishment she perceived the true
perpe,rator of the assault. There on a palins
close by, sat the robin-her own Bobby, sing.
ing his old song as loudly as ever; and having
finished it, he again took flight. And from
that moment the lady has never seen the bird.
"We can vouch for these facts, singular as
they may appear. and afording as they dc
such powerful evidence, not only of the intel.
ligence and affection Of the robin, bnt of the
acute ssnsibility of the bird; its almost human
power of taking to heart and resenting whs,
had the appearance of an act of unklndness. ,,
Il Brighton Guardian. .