The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-05-07
JUVENILE COLUMN.
THE owns CONCERT,

and his family sat at their evening mea
there came a tap, tap, at their door.
"Who's there I" said the owl.
2" A letter." said the post bird.
"Wh0 is it from Z" asked the ovid, VIII
was not much used to letters.
THAT you can fipd out by opening it.
said the post bird, as he flew away.
$50 can," said the owl
! "Let's see it, let's see it ~ said the it'll
owls, as they crowded round their papa.
Wait, waie!" said Mr.. Owl; "on
would think You had never seen q lette
before in your lives.
| "What can it be I" said Mrs. Owl.
opened and read it.:
! Dear Neighbour am engaged to sing at til,
end of the lane, tonight, to q select COMPANY
| but have taken cold, and am as hoarse as 9
bear Can you sing for me At early fire-ay
time, precisely. You shall have my pay, two
| moths and q beetle, if that will satisfy Won
Don't refuse
"Yours, WHIPPooRwILL."
"Dear me! that is astonishing. The
FIRST time you were ever asked to sing, ri
be- bound" said Mrs. Owl.
How fast you talk, my dear! Let me
see-wiH do it, or sc0n't do it Z" said Mr.,
Owl, who was very much pleased with the
invitation. though he didn't wish to show
it. Z" What are two moths and a beetle to
me, prayi A fat mouse, now, would be
L
consent-it is only neighborly. Here, Pin
feather, take that to friend Whippoorwill !"
and he wrote " Yes" on a leaf with his
bill. And now for my preparations I
wish hadn't eaten such q hearty supper,
for it will spoil my voice but never mind.
First, the toilet, and then little prac-
ticing."
So Mr.. Owl shook his wings and ruffled
up his feathers thoroughly, and then
smoothed them down again, one by one.
with his bill, as carefully as possible.
How do look, my dear Z" said he to
his mate. cam all rightf"
Yes, l believe So" said she, taking
there's one feather awry;" and she straight
ened it.
Then Mr.. Owl flew up to the topmost
bough of his tree, aid sang over his even
ing song. 1t was rather harsh one, but
the best he knew.
=" Seems to me You are little hoarse, to-
night" said Mrs. Owl.
80 Not at all. Never was IN better voice -
said MIR. Owl; "and now l am ready"
Soon the moon rose on the bay. The
light strcamed across tho water aud over
the cliffs, and silvered the old mansion on
the shore. Two young men came out on
the lawn.
"There-this is the right point" said
Ernest. "Look, Philip; isn't it lovely 7 |
See the moonlight on the water, and then |
he grand, old forest, SO inky black, aud !
The white cliffs on the other side. That is
he picture have seen from my childhood,
lne thing more, now-the whippoorwill.
You say you never heard one. Well 70
o the end of the lane; he sings there every
light" So they walked together down the
ane.
There is the big rock where he always
tands," said Ernest. "Let us sit on this
og and wait for him."
Then the fre-fies began to hurry to and
70 with their lanterns.
1t is time for me to begin" said Mr.,
'wt. Ahem !" and he cleared his throat,
You and the children sit in that bush, nv
ear, and tell me afterward if it sounded
ell" Then he began.
"Tu-whit tu-whoo! Tu-whit! tu-
hoo !"
Z" Is that the whippoorwill :" asked
hilip, laughing. elf it is, have heard
i'm BEFORE"
o no." said Ernest, K" far from it. That
an owl. But listen a moment it is time
IT the whippoorwill."
!" Tu- whit tu-whoo! Tu-whit! tu- ,
hoo" sang the owl. Z.
" That vilainous bird go said Ernest.
Shoe! shoe! J" and he waved his cap to :
i've him away.
+" How strange! They hardly seem to :
Re it," said the owl; "but I'll try once !,
ore. They may be some mistake. What !;
you think my dearf"
But Mrs. Owl and the little ones had all e
'wn home at the first alarm. :,
" 1t is damp here" said Ernest. "Listen .
ce more, and then if he doesn't come, We y
III give it up for tonight" =
IS There's bird on the rock" said Philip.
g There he is at last" said Ernest
% Tu whit tu-whoo!" sang the owl.
So The wretch - said Ernest al am Z
Try, but it can't be helped. Let us go. ~ ~
:. They are going away" said the owl. :.
Very well, I'll go too. I've sung nv
st. Friend Whippoorwill never did bet a
;; and surely I've sung long enough for o o
pay"
So he flew away to his nest, we'll content a.
til his evening concert.-Little CORPORAL. u
JLEAN HANDs-When was about ten al
lrs old, says a well-known writer, a gen sc
man, who had called upon my father to at
nsact some business, perceived that INV to
IDS were dirty, and those of my brother til
ID In the same condition. til
My boys" said he, Z" L hate dirty fin W
8; now, if yours are clean when / call NJ
@ again, next Tuesday, will make YOU m
tn
IS soon as it was light on Tuesday morn 70
, my brother and got up and began to tn