Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-07-01
Che family Circle,
How Grandpa Helped the Bluebirds go
to Housekeeping

Grandpa Hardy was Il kind-hearted old
man, who loved all things. He tended
his flowers us if they could feel, and laid
his soft, white face against their petals as
as tenderly Us if they were human. But
of all living things, the birds We're his
special care. Hunters were warned off
his grounds, lest the sound of Il gun should
startle his pets. His cats seemed to for
get their nature, and some of the little
ones grew to be grayheaded without
knowing the taste of birds.
Two little bluebirds, WHO had once
come out of the finest eggs in a nest up in
the bio apple tree by the house door, had
grown up in this faith, and were disposed
to be very sociable with their kind old
friend. They hoped about him, looked
mp ut him with one eye as if to ask what
he thought of being honored in this way
and when there was anything to eat, they
came quite fearless'y upon his slippers,
thence to his knee, and into his very hand.
These two little bluebirds grew up at
last, cot married, and straightway set
about housekeeping; but now came their
first trouble for nothing could be found
fine enough for the very inside lining OF
the nest Mrs. Bluebird WAS proud. She
wanted something extra for her nest. 1t
was easy enough to find sticks and straws,
and such stuff for the outside-something
to give it shape-but, OH for something
fine and soft for the lining,
Grandpa knew something was wrong
with them the very moment he sat down
in his great arm chair out on the shady
porch, under the big appletree. Such a
| twitterinr and commotion. There was
that coquettish little Mrs. Blueb;rd scold-
ing her husband roundly; for Grandpa
knew the brides 50 well, he verify believed
he could understand their chatter, and
what could Mrs. Bluebird be saying with
that superior air, if it were not. Mr.
Bluebird what are You thinking of? Are
those dear little ne9tlings to come here,
and find nothing ready?'
Mr. Bluebird felt he must speak. He
suggested feathers; but lie WIS sue il
wouldn't be the right thing. 1t never IS
Feathers Mr.. Bluebird. are You era
w? Anybody can have feathers. know
if was Il man, l could say something
better than feathers
Il saw some wool sticking on the burr.
ont in the sheep fold" said Mr.. Bluebird
meekly.
Wool, rs if anybody couldn't fine
wool, You wouldn't have t. get up tlli,
time Il day, Mr.. Bluebird, to think of sucf
Il brilliant idea as that Wool, indeed
Mr.. Bluebird, have an idea" said Ma
dame. briskly.
What is ii. my DEAR" asked Mr.
Bluebird. with great show of interest.
Don't Won STE our dear old frienC
there in his arm chair? Don't You think
he would help set Us uphousekeeping?',
Mr.. Buebird began to whistle.
. But. do YOU know. my dear, You have
not given me the least idea what it i Vol
want? How can the old man-tcar, goot
old Grandpa Iardy-help IL to 20 Il
housekeeping
Don't YOU see his long. white hair:
What is there like that for sottneSs, anC
fineness. and beauty? What little brides
will be Graded like ours? Q my dear
l can't be happy without it; must have
it,
1t would be nice, wouldn't ftp" said
Mr. Bluebird. contemplatively; " but, my
dear, | think Won can do more than | ;
you have such Il charming way. You had
better undertake the commission.
Mrs. Bluebird wanted nothing more than
her, husbanu's acquiescence; and she flew
off pluming herself upon her wifely be
havior She hoped upon the old man :
shoulder. took hold of one of the silver
hairs, and gave it a little pull then peeped
around into his eyes to see what he
thought about it. Grandpa sat quite
still Madame gave Il stronger pull, and
away she flew with her silver treasure
Mr. Bluebird no sooner saw her sue
cess than he did likewise. and then back
and forth they flew upon their singular
GRAND until Mrs Blucbirl was content
She had Il nest with Il silver lining, which
was the envy of all her neighbours and
after the eggs We're laid, and the young
ones came out and learned to fly, and
Mrs Blucbrd herself had ceased to care
for the nest, Grandpa took it; and his
childrcn'S children preserve it to show
how their grandfather helped the bluebirl>
to 90 to housekeeping The Ptcifc