The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-07-06
JUVENILE COLUMN.
MAMIE AND HER BIRD.

MAMIE AND HER BIRD.
Mamie Allen was six years old. She was q
charming girl, kind, afectionat and obedient
but but these good qualities were married by a
which she took no pains to control On the
least contradiction her face would become
scarlet with rage, her eyes flashed fire, she
strike all who came within her reach.
Gu her birthday her father had given her a
pretty little canary bird. which she called
Robe. She was very fond of him and gave
him the greatest care. Every morning, after
having completed her toilet, said her prayers,
and kissed her parents, she would run to see
ter and new seed, all the time talking to him
most additionally. Then she would hang the
cage ont on the piazza where ROBBIE could re-
and feel the cool summer breeze. He was Q
beautiful singer, and fully deserved the affec-
tion of his little mistress. Sometimes, having
carefully closed the doors and windows Of the
nursery, she would set him free for q frolic
He would fly all around the room, and at her
bidding would perch on her finger, her head
or her shoulder. She would run after him,
and and he would fly away from her, ana alight on
the top OF the window, from which he would
look cunningly down upon her, with his head
On one e. side as if to say "Ah. you can't catch
minutes suddenly he would fly down on her
shoulder with cry of joy, and allow her to
put him in his cage.
Mrs. Allen had been invited to spend few
days with some relatives in a neighboring
city, to attend a grand fair. Mamie was de-
hgnted, as she had never seen anything of the
Kind, but had heard her little cousins describe
the beautiful dolls, books and toys they had
seen there. The only thing that marred her
happiness was, that she must leave Robbie to
me care OF Jane, her nurse, who was good
girl, only sometimes little careless in the
discharge OF her duties Several days before
leaving home, Mamie begged her to take good
care of her little favorite.
NOW, Jane" she would say, "be very par
ticular to give-him fresh water and fresh seed
every morning, and don't forget to hang his
cage out on the piazza, and remember to-take
IL IN every night and talk to him just as do,
80 ne won't miss me too much and Jane, be
careful when you clean his cage not to let him
ges out because yoq know he might want to
get lost or eaten up BY some big cat. Az, I
was going to forget the most important thing
OF all. Every night, before you go to bed,
Sing 20 nim the little songs always sing, then
better" 0f
Jane, although much amused by the solicit
tade OF her little mistress, promised to take
the best care Of the bird during her absence.
FINALLY the day of departure arrived
Mrs. Allen took her seat in the carriage, Ma
mic followed, and the last thing before start
widow, and cried to her nurse: Jane, take
good care of Robie"
:, Several hours ride brought our travellers to
many little companions of her own age, with
whom she was soon on the best terms. They
played, walked, rode and spent whole after
moons at the Train together, where Mamie was
enchanted with all the beautiful things she
saw.
She did not, however, forget her bird she
spoke to her little friends of him, extolled his
beauty, his many charming qualities, his intel
Dgence, and had she only known how to write.
she would undoubtedly have dispatched let
ter every day to her nurse. to inquire how Rob-
bic was getting along.
She was not sorry when her mother told her
they were to return home. Although she had
enjoyed her visit exceedingly, she rejoiced at
the prospect of again seeing her little favor
ite. No sooner had the carriage stopped at !
the door than she sprapg out, crying:
Jane, Jane, here we are ; and here are some
beautiful fowers-put them in water. 1 have
brought some fresh plaintain which / picked |
in tie field for Robbie this morning, and have |
brought you some nice gingerbread. for the
good care You have taken of him. How is he,
ooh, he is very WELL" answered Jane, smi-
ling, he has taken good bath every morn
ing, and he has asked me to let him out sever
al times. but you had forbid me-"
fellow, he was Pining away here, while was
and see him. ROBBIE. Robie,. here is little
She opened the door of the cage and tie lit
tie bird hoped out on her shoulder, eing his
sweetest notes, as if to welcome her return.
she inspected his cage, and her face became
scarlet with rege.
"Jane, how careless you arew she exclaim-
ed, "look ut the dirt in this cage; 1 don't |
believe You have cleaned it eince We went
"1ndeed, Miss Mamie, You are mistaken"
said the girl, " have cleaned it ask Bird get |
if +
Great story teller" cried the child, her
temper bursting forth in all it's fury, Z" you
have not; you did not mind what told you.
There is no seed in his cup, and this water is
dirty. Oh, you horrid thing"
"Well," said Jane, did you want me to
leave all my work to attend to the bird. At
ter all, Robie is only canary, and there are
yet plenty of them in the world
At these words, Mamie, unable to control
herself longer, jumped on her nurse, bit,
scratched, kicked and called her all kinds of
Injurious names. Jane, escaping from the
hands of the little fury, ran to complain to her
mistress.
Mamie, still trembling with rage fell heavi-
ly on sofa near by. A little plaintive cry
made her epriDg up again, and she beheld
ROBBIE dead she had fallen on him. Her an
ger vanished, and grief filled her heart, she
took him in her hands, and tried to revive
him, but all her efforts proved fruitless, he
was dead, and she had killed him. Great
aloud.
Her mother hastened to the nursery, and
tound her pressing the dead bird to her heart.
MY ohild," she cried, Z" what has ham |