Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-11-30

THE GRATEFUL ROBIN.

About twelve years ago, during a very
severe winter, l went one morning to
spend the day with two ladies, who were
staying for a time at the pretty watering
place of C.. The snow was on the ground
outside, but they were sitting by a bright
fire in a snug parlor, and had just fin
ished breakfast The younger lady was
crumbing some bread into saucer, and
told me she was preparing meal for
visitor who came every morning.
wondered who it could be that was to
eat such a breakfast, and when Miss j.
said Hush hear him" looked towards
the door, expecting to see him enter. l
found, however, that they were looking
towards the window; and on its being
opened by Miss j., in hoped a beautiful
little robin, and began to pick the crumbs,
not only from the saucer. but from her
hands
He did not seem to have the least fear,
but every now and then lifted his little jet
black eye to her face, chirping merrily.
When he had finished his meal, he gave
one loud chirp, as if to say, Thank you,"
and flew away into wood near the house.
There are some pretty walks in that
wood, and later in the day my friends in
vited me to go with them there. Miss j.
took some crumbs with her for her "little
friend" as she told me, and scattering
them on the ground. began to call, Dick
ey! Dickey.' had hidden myself, that
he might not be frightened at sight of a
stranger. As soon as his friend called,
there was rustling noise in the bushes,
and down came Dickey and began to eat
the crumbs at her feet. ] was astonished
at this, and said, "After all, he only comes
for what he can get. 1t is the crumbs he
loves, and not YOU
"Well, we Shall see presently which he
loves best" saiu Miss j. She walked on
for some distance from the crumbs, and
again called "Nckey! Dickey!" at the
same time holding out her hand. Instant
ly the faithful little bird, leaving his
crumbs, first perched on little branch
Just over her, looking curiously as if to
see if she were alone, and then hoped
down and settled on her hand, seeming
quite at home and happy. Certainly"
said. she loves you better than the crumbs"
We left the wood and walked mile or
more into the country; when perceived,
as thought, another robin watching us
from tree. IL think all the robins in the
nei2 2hborhood know you," said to Miss
j. She looked where pointed, and after
moments hesitation, exclaimed, "Why,
that's my own little darling Dickey Dick
ey!" The little bird directly began chirp-
ing and fluttering his wings, as if quite
delighted to be noticed by his friend. We
now observed him more particularly, and
found that wherever she went he followed
flying from bush to bush, and always keep
ing near her, until she reached her home,
when he gave chirp as if to bid her ''Good
bye and flew to his home in the woods.
During my stay with my friends, this
occurred, not once or twice, but when
ever they left the house for their walks,
and when they left the place at the end of
the winter, they We're very sorry, as you
may suppose, to part with their faithful
and loving Dickey; and l dare say he
missed them, too, though he could now
find food in the woods, and did not so
much need the crumbs.-LoringW Words.