The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1861-03-22
Bob-O'Link.
BY FIrz JAMES O. BRIEN.

breathless in the heat, with its thousand
tongues in wood and field too faint for
their accustomed low, mysterious speech.
The Long Island shore, white and cres'
cented, barred its bosom like Dame to the
gold embraces of the sun. In the mead
ows the heavy crested grasses with nod
ding heads beat time to the sweet wash
of waves upon the beach. Yellow spires
of the golden red pierced the air like stee-
pies. The tulip tree, robed like a priest
in ferial green, held up to heaven wiz.
branching arms thousand golden chali
ces' Far away across the Sound lay the
Connecticut shore trembling through
mist, while behind ne, from the green
recesses of deserted garden, the oriole
poured forth his monotone of sorrow.
AS l sauntered down the little path that
led from the old house where was board
ing for the summer, to my favorite haunt
by the sea shore, with clouds of insects
springing from the grass like living
spray at every step | took, l suddenly
heard the saucy notes OF tnat low come
dian Of birds, the Bob-O'Link.. AS have
always had friendly feeling toward this
archaeological farceur, l set to work to
obtain an interview with him. | was
not long in discovering his whereabouts.
He was sitting on the stump of a rail
chattering vehmently, as we'll as under
stood his language, impudently; pluming
his feathers, cooking his head on one side,
as if he had passion for seeing Nature
upside down, and shaking his wings as
though he contemplated an immediate
migration to the coast of Africa. About
every half minute or so he would suddenly
leave his perch, and flying short distance
flop into the long meadow grass, whence
instantly would proceed a most astound-
ing vocal effort, after which ne would re-
appear and resume his rail in triumph
His frequent journeys to the same spot
led me to suspect that he had some Fri
vate interest in that quarter-a nest, or a
young birdie perhaps, and that he was in
fact passing his honeymoon, so l walk
ei toward the place in which l saw him
disappear last, determined to be witness
of his domestic bliss.
1t seemed to ME that human head was
lying alone and bodless in the teep green
sea of grass that surrounded me. A beau
tiful Youths head, blonde and spiritual,
looking up at me with n calm, unfrighl
ened look, while nesting close to its pale,
rounded cheek, hushed and ratler aston
ished at my appearance, sat Master Bob
O'Link.
The head, however, was not without a
body. The long bending grass met over
the form, leaving exposed only the pale,
beautiful face, which looked lika an ex-
quisite Venetian picture framed in gold
ard green.
"Good morning, Sir" said the youth
in sweet voice as bent over him, look
ing suppose little bewiIdered at this
sudden apparition, and fondlirg at the
same time Master Bob OLink with his
ioug slender fingers. "Good morning,
Sir"
"Good morning." I answered. "You
seem to be taking things quietly here"
lie gave sudden glance downward
toward his feet, and sal smile fickerel
over his lips.
Il am obliged to take things quietly"
he said
"Ah. an invalid, suppose. l am
sorry"
| am paralyzed, SIR
No words can paint the tone of utter
despair in which he made this terrible
-;;";crncn,. If you have ever spoken with
a man who had spent twenty years in sol>
itary confinement, you will have noticed
the unearthly calm of his voice, the low
monotone of sound, the loneliness of ac-
cent. Well, the lads voice sounded so.
He talked like one shut out of life. /
made place for myself in the grass and
sat down beside him.
a was attracted by your bird" said ;
al thought he had a nest here, and so
followed him. trust l am not intru-
ding"
mot at all, Sir; l am glad to have
some one to speak TO. As for Bob, he
has nest here. but it's in my heart. lie
is the on.yy ;uiuy ON vartn tuar loves me-"
"You take too sad view Of life, my
friend. Your calamity is great, no doubt,
but still"
"Ah! Sir, it's all well enough to talk
SO when you have limbs aud health and
freedom. When you can work and 90
out into ife and thread the earth with the
full consciousness of being But when
ever since you can remember you have
been but tie moiety of man, utterly
helpless, utterly dependent, an infant with
out an infants happy unconsciousness.-
But what's the use of my talking to you
in this way; here, Boo, show the gentle
man your tricks"
Bob, Oh this summons, left bis post BY
the lads cheek, where he had remained
perfectly still, taking an Inventory of my
person with his round bright eye, and ap-
parently measuring me for suit Of clothes,
and suddenly flew into the air, where he
summersaulted p;roueted and affected to
lose the use of bis wings and tumble Fl iom
an appalling height, irvarirbly recovering
himself before he reached the ground, az
ter which he gravely ALT upon his masters
breast and thrust his little bill affection.
ate y between his lips.
"You have tanned your bird wonder
fully | said TO the boy.
Il. has been my amusement during
many solitary hours" be answered with a