Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1867-12-05
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Yis'lk AbvERTIsINo nppNr.
The BIRD Of I've Songs.

AT was standing in the garden with q
strMlger one cloudy, chilly, unsun msr-
fke afternoon in June. Near us was q
large ciup1p Of lilac bushes. into which
we saw a bird Of dingy, faded, black
colorhy. Presently she broke out into
what, perhaps, she called a song; but it
was, In reality justlike the fiat saualling
OF anold cat. 'iaab yaah !" she con,
tinued to cry.
..55Plfy,g said the stranger, what bird
Is that milking such horrible noise 2''
THAT, sir, Is the cat bird"
should think so, and a burnt eat.
too! ] thought it was homsly enough
To the eye. bW the color 10 nothing to
this screech.n ~ :.
,"I can't say lnuch at present TO defend
the poor bird, for looks and voice are
against her. But I am opident YOU
will think better Of her ero lobg.n
The next morning found my friend
standing in the piazza, Iistenin. to the
notes of a bird in thick sugsr-mapfe
near by The song was that Of mock
lng-bird, not so wonderful as the notes
OF the real mocking-bird, nor even so
sweet as that Of the thrush, yet they
were round and full and often exaliaite.
she seemed to repeat the note OF every
bird with which she was acquainted,
robin, sparrow, oriole, and the like, and
with surprising accuracy. The morning
was fair, the air still, and the bird SEEM
ed to be swallowed UP in song.
PRAY tell me, )" said my stra ngsr friend,
what bird is that which sings 10 delight
fuiiyp 1t Is not quite the thrush"
That, sir, is our cat-bird."
you must be making fua of me. Yon
don't pretend to say that the homeiy
sqnalling bird We heard yesterday, sud
this singer, ere tho eameW
II do truly, and to convince you will
throw a stone into the tree and drive heg
out, and you shall see ii Is the same bird"
with that / threw the stone, and out
popped Mrs. Cst-bird, making directly for
the macs where shs began again to scream
"Yaah ysallw
The gentleman looked on in smass-
ment. "This bird" said /, "is very much
like some peopls. III those lilacs she has
her nest, and that is her homej but there
she never utters . pleasant note. Ishould
think her husband would avoid her, and
her little ones tremble 1T the acund Of
her voice. But when she gets away from
home, up in the lofty tres, you sse how
agreeable she can be, and how svestIy
she sings. know many people just like
her. When away from home, they are
fail f-sniies and gentle ways, and they
seem among the most agreeable people
th0 hSt ttl6Iu GDtno!
and the cat-bird'o noees are thsirs. They
contrive 10 mako home just ~ u pleasant
as possible-to thCmseive7, 70 :heir chiI-
dren, and to every boay th n happens to
see them ct home"
20, ,yes,' said the stranger, II know
scores OF sach people, some fathers and
motherc, SO easily pleased, sniling and
pleasing away from home, tut the mo-
ment they eater their own doors. every
ray OF cheeriaiuess fades odt and thsy
are cold. silent and repulsive. And some
young ladies. l sm sorry to sny, are %
lively, cheerful, obiiging and happy.
when away from home, thnt one would
think they We're uncCmmoniy lovely,
while At home they are dissontentea Z,
dlsrespectful 10 parents, coarse, unloveiy.
80 with children. I know many like
our at-bird with her two songs, lively,
cheerful, and well bred among strangers,
but the moment they get nome are ruds,
disobedient, rough, and i'll tempered
WHAT'S the reason why people do so 2"