Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-06-07
From st. Nicholas for June.
Visa Mrs Swallow.

From st. Nicholas for June.
Wise Mrs. Swallow.
BY MARGARET EYTINGE.
Mrs. Swallow had just finished her
nest, and fastened it snugly on one
side of the chimney, when along came
the North Wind in terrible passion.
He had had a quarrel with some Of
his relations in Greenland, and rushed
out, like the silly, bad-tempered old
fellow he was, to wreak his spite On
whatever came in his way.
So, growing, and shrieking, and
grooming, he blew off a number of hats,
scared hundreds of young blossoms
from the cherry trees, and left them to
die on the road, rocked all the little
wooden houses like so many cradles,
and then flew from the streets to the
chimneys.
Away went brick here and there,
and, alas at the second great puff,
away vents Mrs. Swallows nest, too.
She had built it SO carefully and
wonderfully, carrying up wisps of straw
from the lanyard, and lining it with
Gray Hens softest breast feathers.
And now where was it? cha ha
hap laughed the spiteful old wind,
"wouldn't you like to know?'
Then he spied Mr.. Swallow hurrying
home with fine worm he had found,
and he fastened to get behind him, and
drive him along so fast that he came
bump up against Mrs. Swallow, nearly
knocking her from her perch, and at
the same time dropped the worm he
had carried so far.
"Whew p said Mr.. Swallow, when
he got his breath again; this Is a
blowp
cts an i'll wind that blows nobody
good" muttered the worm, as it
crawled quickly away.
But, what's the matter, my dear p"
continued Mr.. Swallow, why do you
look so serious? And-bless my heart !!
where's our nest?"
"That horrid old North Wind
snatched it from the chimney, first
tumbling me out and rumpling all my
feathers" answered Mrs Swallow, with
tears in her round, black eyes. "And
now what are we to DOR
"Cheer up, my own wee birdie"
chirruped her husband. II can't
bear to see you cry. Well get
just inside the chimney uatil we
are quite sure he's gone, and then
We'll call on Madam Owl and ask her
advice. They say she has become so
wise through studying the stars night
after night, and night after night, that
she knows everything, and SO, of course,
she will be able to tell us what to do"
sBut, Swally," said Mrs. Swallow,
"our family don't like Madam Owl,
and have never beer friends with her.
Only the other day, when she was doz-
ing, [ pulled a feather out of her head
myself"
"That was very naughty, my dear, !"
said Mr.. Swallow, looking as though he
thought it rather cunning, "but I don't
believe she'll remember it if we are
very polite to her and pay her some
conplim ents. And now you'd better
take a little nap, for Madam Owl only
receives company at night, and I'm
afraid you can't stay awake when it
becomes dark unless you do"
So Mrs. Swallow, like an obedient
wife, took nap, and Mr.. Swallow did
too, for that matter, although he said,
when Mrs. Swallow woke him, "he'd
only been thinking"
AS soon as evening came, away they
few to the old oak-tree where Madam
Owl lived
She had just supped off a plump
young feld-mouse and was very good
natured, and listened with the utmost
patience until they had told their
story. Then she said, Tu-whit-tu-
whoo oh! alb yes !"
"Wasn't it too bad of the Wind ?"
asked Mrs. Swallow.
"Tu-whit-tu-whoo oh ali! yes 7"
answered the Owl.
"Can you tell us what to dor ashed
Mr.. Swallow.
Madam Owl looked at the moon
half an hour-looked at the stars half
an hour-and then said very slowly,
Tu-Whit-tu-Whoo oh! ah n-o-o-o."
"Good night" twittered the angry
swallows, and flew quickly back to their
chimney again.
much good il cid us going to Mad
am Owl, said Mrs. Swallow with pout,
as soon as they reached home. 81
never did believe those stories abouther
knowing SO much. Why, if / said as
little and had as big eyes as Madam
Owl, no doubt all the birds would call
me wise too. And now I'll tell you,
my love, what | think we had better
do. Get up with the sun tomorrow
morning make another nest, and Ifas-
ten it on the other side of the chimney"
"Upon my word, my DEAR" said Nj r.
Swallow, you're an extraordinary
bird p and being very tired, he tucked
his head under his wing and went to
sleep.