Northern Ohio journal. [volume] (Painesville, Ohio) 1872-1896, 1873-09-13
CHILDREN's COLUMN
THE MEDDLESOME WREN.
F=hs ssSs
BY COLLIE SANDS.

one morning to nelgh0orIng room,
saying quite unceremoniOusly, without
even offering a morning salutation: al
have always wondered that have never
seen the cuckoo's nest. Does she build
a nest? and if she does, where can it be
found? l intend this spring to satisfy
nv curiosity about it.'' .-c'
Isl have enough to. do, without attend
ing to- the business of Others" said
the robin. who wore her red sack, not
she was hard at work
"a nest of grass, hair, and
twine, on the topmost bough of grace
fill elm.
The wren, evidently somewhat con-
fused, said quickly, 81 hoped that for
the benefit of the whole family of birds,
you would be willing to assist me in dis
covering what has so long been hidden
from us all. - on i5'.
tT win admit there is a mystery about
the cuckoo; but ! have never forgotten
my mothers words, No good comes of
meddling with the business of Others
And besides, l will not neglect my
work merely to crafty idle curiosity"
and away flew the industrious robin to
gather materials for her nest.
tsTnis is philanthropy and politeness,'
said the wren, sarcastically, who was
generally piqued at the independent
manner in, which the robin expressed
her sentiments. s..s.,f s t.sii,5. .... ....
morning. said the wren, as
she spread her wings to join the COM
pany of a sparrow that just then flew
by. ''Do you ever meet the cuckoo?"
., eyes, occasionally, and love to lis
ten to her song.'7 .e se5s5..-.
- ssShe sings as she flies, i believe" !"
said the wren, in bland manner; "and
her appearance in the spring is called a
harbinger of sunny skies. But Gid you
ever see her nest ?'' ..-
~, ssNo,' responded the sparrow in Il
thoughtful manner. s...f5
E.f'It is strange that not a bird Of my
acquaintance has seen it.
.''.What do you mean TO insinuate?' ?''
said the startled sparrow. as.
''Fhere -is-a- IA ystery about the bird, /,
andSI AshaA. ifspossibfe, discover Mrs.
Cuckoo's haiints, that I may know why
she is so sly about building her nest
''What good viii that do?' said the
sparrow gravcly.
'si shall be able TO communicate the
intelligence, and thus benefit the whole
family of birds.
'".sIn what manner?'' said the uncon-
vinced sparrow.
"You silly thing,'' said the veXed
wren; 'sjust. as adj IN formation benefits
u.s."
"I have .tarried .toos long," said the
sparrow; ''my mate is waiting for me.
We have selected a lovely spot to build
a nest,' and shall be busy all the week. -
ei'sIhoped you would see the necessity
Of investigating this matter
"What, and neglect my work! If
should do as yot desire, L might lose my
mate.9o u" 5i'"' 9 ''''
"A chimney IS wailow, with its beak full
OF ttwigs. WAS next appealed to by the
h iimportunate wren, who, with great sua-
witty Of manner, Said, ''Good neighbor,
can yoad tell me- anything about the
cuckoosN o $50 al
'tYes, she is the first to bring tilings
Of the beautiful sprinS-time; and have
heard that she sucks little birds eggs to
make her vOfceclear and musical"
l.1sTliat is news,'' said the wren, in a
satisfied and confidential manner. ''But
scan you tell me whose eggs she de-
yours? ?"
81 do not know, nor did ever care
enough about it to inquire. l suppose
the bird knows her, own business"
I "1lave. you seen her nest?" SAID the
wren, in a me;lrling tone.
-isNo,1 cannot remember that have
L.,
cuckoo with her little ones.''
| .'It is strange" said the wren with
levident qualification that she had secur-
ed a listener; ;n,'' --'ti'- .-s ."
L E"Why do You not con suit the owl
He is the wisest of all the BIRDS" said
the swallow, who was becoming weary
of the conversation.
tsOh!lI hate the ugly creature; and
besides. he is no wiser than am. Still
it is singular thaC all my friends believe
him wise. % lSiH : HiHt'
"fIis large head and peculiar eyes
give him an appearance of wisdom,
said the swallow. 81 aH
eyes, but his brains do not justify it, ;
said the saucv wren.
stMy mother used to tell me many
pretty stories about the elowl. / am sure
She said the owl was the emblem of wis
tion1.'' -Aittti" Htt
"I'didn't know there was so much in.
formation to be gained from a sooty
swallow said the wren, as the swallow
departed nt so .l7i2
While the wren, who was in no wise
diverted from her purpose, was decid-
ing what had best be done, she heard
the wild notes of a bebolink in the mea.
dow; so away she flew, and in breath
less haste, and without the slightest re-
Saru u soou niaiiiiIis, saiu apr uP.,y u.
you ,ei, nio s,, my an" "ie'e 'i''
e"0Noo ouiius nen a..n.,r . >, .,.
ei'iiy, my i,i1iiu, ,l, r'Hn1o' .a'' .' si.
ene M ul.s. "ns s:,, .l, 81,
aEyt.iihg susp.I,o"1 ,'; aooua "liI ast 'f,i
bougil above u.s." @'
- lu noe tro,'ple s"ursei., ss'u 'h' ,i
nv. W., Nc Iuise u' We .',,S ~ "
usho,oi ,H'o,ne Pioseiie0 vi o'c "n"n
shs hau t iIs'ti'e".
| !" hen 1tie aceohillIoo...ilg oop"'.iit M
askea ior t.,, ihiorhia.loh coheern..g ln "i'
euekSo' uie pi''e-piru sa,u Is u
ptneht the wren, ! s'l"l, no. 'ell you
iist year she urose me Out vi the gar
oen-boS, TO Whsch 1 hau hereoa'arS
ci;silI. ia. ...,
hior,liieu y. t".s Iehil,iuer ' oi a @ uis
agreeau'e tI'i'I' s-' ~ tIie VIII InNsiy new
70 thossy ie''Se, wnsle s',t D'ue' ~.
aressihg ner oeau'ilui p,.i'iies III Wv
warm lisiI oi tlie sun. rIoai hsi tIi'
leauieso'ite Wrei' i':ff',c" ,il;l
nae, psen. seen near 'i'e ii'''ge 'ii&' Ut
Viua siie ,neaupms a., - .;,,
av, ui - p'la l..;., 80 1a,,;,' ,s ;.n IN
nea a'eenip's 20 S ..,..i. n'' L''. oS,, .n,
S;re,,,,, e. ,,'' to ,I'a "hnSn hnr 'J, Sh I.M h;
nn,.S,; ~. nt,asa;rr1't ,,,,,',,,a,.,f,I