American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-07-18
Our Boys and Girls.
THE WRENS.


cupants, though nobody could guess how
many; and the parent birds flew back
and forth all day with worms and moths
in their bcaks, which were received with
clamorous cries within the nest. Some
times Madame Jenny or Mister Billy
paused thoughtfully on the platform and
looked in attentivcly to make sure of
distributing the food impartialy.
"Oh, father" called Emily, his young
est, as he came in sight, returning from
his daily tour to the city - I've been
watching them, and I've counted how
many they carry in during the day;
three worms every ten minutcs-some-
times more and sometimes less-but
mother SAYS that is the average; that
makes eighteen an hour; and they work
twelve hours, at least, and that's PIG
worms in day. Where do they find
them all? | wouldn't be Il mother wren
or father wren, would you, father? Only
think, to have to feed all the time such
greedy children,'
As Emily's tongue ratified on very fast
the careworn look gradually smoothed
from her fathers face, and he seemed to
be hearing the refrain:
=. Mortal. fly from care and sorrow;
God provideth for the morrow
He made no direct reply to his little
daughter but stood Il moment watching
the untiring diligence of the small, busy
creatures setting him such an example
of patient care of their offspring.
Presently he said: They must be near
ly ready to fly. Watch carefully. 1t
will be IA sight to see their debut into the
signs of the youngsters coming OUT" and
he went in leaving Emily at her post
That evening, when his own group of six
were fairly off for the night, he spoke to
his wife about their eldest, Fred, II fine
lad of eighteen, who, with his clear,
frank face and generous disposition, was
really IA captivating boy: but, if the truth
must be told, inclined to iaziness. Now,
mother, lets hear how Fred received the
offer" The wife laid down her work,
looked about carefully shut the door,
then spoke: - He declined it. He said he
didn't care much about going to work
Just vet lie thought he should join il
class forming to study German, and an
other for pursuing natural science far
ther than the regular course. He said
such things were very useful to Il man."
THAT may be all very true" exclaimed
the father, impatiently; but what's
man to do, with shoe bills, and butchers
bills and grocer's bills running up faster
than he can meet them? | was in hopes
Fred would relieve me of one burden,
when Morris made him that fine offer"
The mother pondered. Her handsome
Fred was very dear to her heart. She
wanted him to have his own way; but
she glanced at her husband, and scales
seemed to fall from her eyes She saw
him looking old-his hair growing thin
ner, his figure scantier. Was this the
robust full-figured man she knew as her
husband. She laid her hand kindly upon
his arm. Never mind, husband, dear;
: I,nr n n
thing; we'll manage it yet"
A CHEEKY group gathered around the
plentiful breakfast table, and il merry
meal they made. 1t is true
the fathers face looked quite serious:
but the children were gay and they did
not let him alone till he had made a
laughing retort to his eldest daughter
and told a very old story to his youngest
:" piggy -wiggy."
"Maynt [ eat my muffin at the door
and watch the wrens:" said she.
Yes, child" mother replied; II have
heard them calling all the morning and
not once has either old bird been near
them"
Il hope no naughty boy has thrown
stone and killed those faithful provid
crs,' rs father calls thcm,' and Emily
glanced severely at Harry. 81 never
didr' he shouted after her Hush,
hush," said his mother, nobody thinks
you did," whereat Il smile passed round,
and Fred whispered to his sister 81 that
crows were all white If not
they will become so by believing in
Them" she replied, wisely.
Father, father shouted Emily,
= there's one in the doorway of his house
sticking his head out just as far rs ever
he can, with his mouth wide open calling
for his breakfast. Where can his folks
be? Why don't they bring him some OF
hose green worms they found so plenty |
yesterday. Why, l do believe he's com
ng out, IIa, he's going to fall. Where |
AN his mother bc?'
At these ordinations the family hur
led to the window just in time to see |
Master Wrenny straddle out on the piazza |
IF his house. take one frightened look at
he wide wide world, and then scuttle |
pack very much astonishcd over the back
IF another that filed up the doorway inn |
nediately.
At this iuncture some one discovered |
mother wren in Il ncighboring trcc-vcry |
all the proceedings. The |
.lamoring in the nest went on and soon |
,oung hopeful again venturcd out, to 20 |
pack no more This time he stood with |
lis little bob-lail cooked up, looked over |
he edge ut the abyss below, and then |
ricd his wings in flight of four inches |
to the roof of his baby house. From
his, scrabbing along the sides of the |
rec from knot to knot, with his |
wings half spread, he at length gained |
he opposite side of the tree; out OF sight
IF the remaining occupants of the nest
Then, and not till then, did his mother |
DIN him; she guided him by short flights |
rom bough to bough to perch safe in the |
op of the tree.
p,r.,yn' exclaimed the chill !
lrcn: and their father, turning. smiled |
significantly at mother; quoting Lowers
words about the Providence that hides |
md helps.
There was Il pause; second wren |
illcd The aperture and Ncnturcd out too |
hastily: he almost toppled OIL; but,
Spreading his wings ut once, he took IA |
bold flight and landed, to his amazcmcnt, |
N Il lilac bush immediately his place |
WAS filed by IA third. And see said I!
Harry, behind is another My, how |
MANY in that mite of Il house; two have
down out and here are four on the plat
orm.' The baby mnoccnts. How |
helpless" exclaimed the |
eldest daughter. "Givc me II pencil; IN |
make a sketch of them ~ they stand |
there bcwildcred, II little crowded group, |
and She slctchcd rapidly the four on the |
platform and she added the other TWO
one on the root and the other on Knot |
Just above.
The parent birds were now both seen !
.hattcrinw vchcmcntly to warn oil stran- |
rcrs. and leading their flock high up into
The topmoSt boughS Now the father
went smiling down the street nj the les
son of the Providence that hides and
helps" and the others scattered to their
several emplOymcntS; save Emily, who