Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-10-16
THE SPARROW AND HIS FOUR
CHILDREN -

A sparrow had four young ones in a
swallows nest, but just as they were
fedged some naughty boys discovered the
nest and pushed the little birds out; but
happily slight breeze was blowing at the
time and bore them up. But the old
sparrow was sorry because his children
were gone out into the world before he
had warned them of its dangers, or taught
them good manners.
Now, in the spring time, great many
sparTows CHANGED to meet together in a
field of corn, and among them the old
sparrow happily met with his young ones,
and took them home with him in great
joy. ooh my dear children" he said
to them, "what trouble have been in
about you all summer, while you faced
the world without nay advice. Now, hear
my words, and attend to your father and
take good care of yourselves, for little
birds must needs meet great dangers"
Thereupon he asked his eldest young
one where he had been during the sum-
mer, and how he had kept himself. 81
have been In a garden" he replied,
''eating caterpillsrs and worms till the
cherries were ripe" "Ahl my dear son, ="
said the old bird, ''hill- grubbing is not so
bad, but there is great danger in it; there
fore, keep good look out, especially if
people come into the garden carrying
long green poles, which are nevertheless
hollow, and have a small hole in the top"
'eYes, my dear father" replied the young
sparrow; but what if green leaf is
stuck with wax over that little hele2"
E'Where have you so seen it2 'fnquired
the father. SIN a merchants garden,
was the reply, ooh! my son" said the
old bird; 'sMerchants are crafty people;
truly, you have been among the worlds
children, and have seen their cunning
ways. Now take care that you make a
good use of what you've learned, and do
not be too confiding."
Then he asked the second young one
where he had been. At court" he re-
piled. ''Sparrows and those sort of birds
do not belong to such places as that, re-
piled the old father; sat court there are
much velvet, gold, silk, armor, harness;
and such birds as hawks, falcons and
owls; do you keep to the stables where
they store the oats, or thrash out the
corn, and then you can supply your
wants with daily supply of food. "
eyes, father" said the son, "but if the
boys weave their straw into knots and
meshes many a one may get hanged in
them"
''Where have you seen that 2" asked
the old bird, sat court among the
stable boys ali, my son, stable boys are
bad boys If you have been at court
with the fine lords, and yet have left no
feathers behind you, you have learnt
carefully, and know how to behave your
self in the world; still keep a sharp
watch, for the wolves often eat the clev-
crest dogs. ..
"And where have you SOU ht your Iiv-
ing7" asked the old bird of bis third young
one.
'On the highways and bywsys; have
turned over tubs and ropes, and 80
now and then / have happened with corn
and barley seed"
''That is, indeed, fine subsistence"
said the father, 'but mind you, observe
the hedges, and see that no one bends
down to pick up stone, for if 50, It's
time for you to start. .-
''That is true" said the young bird i;
''but what if one should carry little
pebbles in his bosom or pocket before
stone walls2" "Where have you seen
that7" With the miners, dear father, "
he replied; "for when they travel about
they carry with them stones to throw at
people" sob, miners, working people
curious people they. If you've been
among them, you have seen and ex-
perienced good deal. ..--.-.
At last the old sparrow came TO his
youngest son and said: ''Oh, my dear
little csckle-nest you were always the
! weakest and most foolish, do you stop
with me; the world has so many wicked
and rough birds with sharp beaks and
long claws, who attack and devour all the
little birds; keep you with me, and let the
spiders and worms on the trees and ground
near US ontent you" '
o ssOhi my dear father, he who finds his
own living without injury to others, he
fares well; and no hawk, owl, eagle OF
falcon shall harm him; for at all times,