The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1875-11-05

landed on the coast of New England. The
boy ard girl, Otto and Sophia Snyder by
name, had entered the wide meadow which
alone separated them from their home.
'Let US rest a WHILE" said Otto, throwing
himself on the ground and Sophia followed
ihs example.
The grass rose like green sea all about
them. Over against the sky was the neat
village where they lived, the red-roofed
houses shaded by willow-trees. Otto knew
Aunt Katrine would expect him to feed the
hens and pigs, as well as to drive the cows
home; still he sat in the grass.
They talked about the beetles toiling at
their feet, the busy, hurrying ants, and Otto
tried to catch pretty fieldmouse that dart
ed past him to hide in the ground.
"If could find the nest, what fun it would
be to take the baby mice p exclaimed tn G
boy, crawling along on his hands ard knees
to the spot where the mouse had disappeared.
Three storks were roaming by the water
side, among flags and osiers, in search of
frogs.
Oh, Otto! look up there w cried Sophia,
pointing to the sky.
Otto forgot the hunted mouse in moment,
and sprang to his feet to gaze in the direc-
ton indicated by his sister High up in the
air were two doves, with feathers of dazzling
whiteness, that scared along unconscious of
danger. A large black hawk was winging
its swift flight in keen pursuit of the pretty
doves. At last the birds seemed to become
aware of their peril, for the hawk darted
above them, prepared to swoop down on the
helpless mates. The children, who had
watched their movements with breathless in
terest, now saw them circle nearer and near
er to the earth in their terror of the cruel en-
emy in pursuit.
"Dear little birds, 1 will shelter you, "cried
Sophia, holding out her apron in her eager
ness to save them.
The doves sank into the apron, exhausted
with fatigue and fear, and the girl clasped
them in her arms. The hawk dashed down
until his sharp beak and glittering eyes were
close to Sophias face; and she screamed
with terror, but she did not drop the doves.
Now came the ugly frown on Otto's face.
He seized stick and aimed blow at the
bold hawk.
1.-THE doves belong to us Let me see you
touch them ~ he shouted, angrily.
The hawk gave a hoarse shrek of rage
and disappointment, then rose slowly in the
air, and flew away in search of other game.
The children cautiously uncovered the birds
to admire them, and Otto held one, while
Sophia carried the other. Never were such
lovely birds seen. Their plumage was snowy
on the wings, and shaded to crimson and
emerald green on the breasts. Around each
slender neck was fastened gold chain stud
ded with jewels, which flashed in the sun
like circlet of fire.
The captives were restless to resume their
flight after the danger was over; but the
children had no idea of losing such charm
ing pets, so they carried them home in spite
Of their frantic efforts to escape.
The village was as clean as constant scrub
bing by the tidy housewives could make it,
You should have seen Aunt Katrine, rain or
shine, polish the door step, just as they 10
still in the city Of Philadelphia. The village
people were already drinking tea after the
days labors, and the children passed opel
doors which afforded glimpses of tables,
shelves and earthenware, all spotless pure.
Aunt Katrine was surprised to see the
prizes the children had captured at the ex-
pense of being late to supper. She put on
her spectacles and held up her hands 81
never saw doves with chains around their
necks," she declared.
81 shall take mine of" said Otto resolute-
ly.
He untwined the chain, and the dove i'm
changed to little girl with soft
brown hair, her dress of some delicate fabric,
like cobweb, embroidered with silver stars,
with silver shoes on her feet, and cap of
silver on her head She was unlike any one
that Aunt Katrine had ever seen, and the
children thought her an angel.
The other dove no sooner saw the transfor-
nation of its mate than it gave loud note
of alarm, and slipping through Sophia's fat
fingers, scared high in the air. Sophia was
staring so earnestly at the stranger child
that she did not recover her wits until her
pet was out of reach.
The dove child, remaining below, gazed
about wonderipgly for q moment, and then
sprang up into the air and tried to snatch
the chain from Otto's grasp. She nearly sue
ceeded in doing so, but the boy was larger
and stronger, and held it in his grasp.
"This belongs to me, and you do too" he
said, frowning. "When / am man / shall
take the chain to Rotterdam, and sell il for
a pot of money"
Aunt Katrne and Sophia were very kind
to the stranger. They stroked her fair hal
and admired her dress, while greedy Ottor
ran away to hide the precions chain in a
particular nook behind the beam, where he
Kept bird trap and fshing-rod When sup
per was served, the dove child peck ed dainti-
y at the coarse bread, but she could no. talk
beyond making little cooling sound quite like
a dove.
Aunt Katrine took off her star-spangled
'obe and laid it away carefully for holidays
hen she was dressed just like Sophia in
yooleu petticoat and apron, yet she seemed
princess beside the honest little peasant
ass and you could have made nothing else
II her, she was 80 pretty and delicate, The
hildren both learned to love her after their
'wn fashion. Otto considered that he owned
Ter, and he scolded her as he did Sophia
ghen she displeased him. yet he would not
llow others to be rude to her, especially in
he school, where all the village children
act together.