Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1862-02-20
at that sparrow if possible I will catch

at that sparrow if possible will cate
it, too"
On the morning following this converse
tion, the farmer rose with the sun, and sal
lied forth into the field. He walked aroun
his farm, searched his farmyard in ever
quarter. examined the roof of his garner
and the trees of his orchards, to see whethe
he could discover any traces of the wonder
full white sparrow! But the white sparrow
to the great disappointment of the farmer
would not show itself, or stir from its ima
ginary nest.
What vexed the farmer, still more. how
ever, was that although the sun stood higl
in the heavens by the time he had conclu
ded his round. not one of the farm lahorer
were then astir. They. too, seemed resolv
ed not to stir from their nests. Mean
while, the cattle were believing in the
stalls with hunger, and not soul was neal
to feed them.
Herr Ruckwart was rejecting on the dis
advantages of this state of things. wher
suddenly he perceived lad coming out o
the house, carrying a sack of wheat on hi:
shoulders He seemed to be in great haste
to get out Of the precincts of the farm, and
Herr Ruckwart soon perceived that his steps
were bent towards a public house, where
Casper had unhapily long score to pay =
He fastened after the astonished youth. who
believed his master to be still in the enjoy.
ment of his mornings nap, and quickly re-
lieved him of his burden.
The farmer next bent his steps to the
cow-house, and peeping to see whether the
white sparrow had perchance taken refuge
there, he discovered. to his dismay. that the
milk maid was handing liberal portion Of
milk through the window to her neighbor,
to mix with her morning cup of coffee
"A pretty sort of house keeping this is. y
thought the farmer to himself, as he has
tened to his wife's apartment. and reused
her from her slumbers. LAS sure as my
name is Ruckwart," he exclaimed in an
angry tone, ''there must be an end to these
lazy habits. Everything is going wrong
for the want Of somebody to look after them
So far as am concerned" thought the good
farmer to himself. Il will rise every day a,
the same hour rose this morning, and then
I shall get my farm cleared of those who dc
not intend to do their duty properly. Be-
side, who knows some find morning or other,
l may succeed in catching the white sparrow.
Days and weeks passed on The farmer
adhered y his resoiutions. but be soon for
got the whitssparrox and onlylooked afte1
cattle and bis corn6elds..
Soon everything around him wore -four
ishing aspect, and men began to observ,
that Herr Ruckwart (Backward) now vel
deserved to be called Herr Vorwart (For
ward.)
In due course of time his old friend agair
came to spend the day with him, and inquir
ed in humorous tone
"Well, my fine fellow, how are you get
ting on now! have you yet succeeded il
catching glimpse of the white sparrow 2
The farmer only replied to this question
by smile. and then holding out his hanc
to his old friend, be said
God bless you, Herder! you have savee
me and my family from ruin"
Often, in after years, when Herr Ruck
wart was a prosperous man. respected by
neighbors, and beloved by his we'll ordered
household. he was wont to relate this his
tory of his early life and thus by degrees
the saying passed into proverb--"He tha
would thrive must the white sparrow see.'