The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-06-14

And mamma came out the rumpus to quiet,
And told US story to break up riot.
= Youths Companion.
THE MARTIN FAMILY.
THREE years ago l improved small
space on my grounds by the erection of a
cottage, designed for peculiar class of
tenants, and waited for them to come and
take possession. 1t was q pretty, little,
one-story tenement house, with three
apartments on the first floor, and doors
opening from each apartment upon ver-
andah, covered by projecting roof and
supported by graceful turned pillars. 1t
was, and now is, very neat habitation,
painted yellow, with white trimmings,
and little pinnacles above the roof, to give
ii an attractive appearance. / felt sure
that it would be indemand; so putupno
notice intimating that it was To Let, y
though there were several houses in the
vicinity which had their windows cur
tanned with such placards.
may as well say that my house was
erected on the top of long pole, and the
tenants that / Was expecting were the
early house martins, which, by their So
cial habits and cheerful dispositions, tend
to add to the pleasure of home. My
chamber window overlooked the cottage,
which did not think would be objected
to by the occupants, though enc of my
neighbOrs, in ridiculous pet, built up a
fence as high as his house betwixt his
bounds and those of another, because
windows stared out of the latter upon his
own premises.
/. watched eagerly for my coming ten
ants, and about the middle of April was
rewarded by seeing MIR. Martin, with a
purplish black coat and white vest, in
specting the premises. He first stood up
on the Yerandah, and peeped into the
different apartments; then he walked in,
to inspect the accommodations. After a
little time, he came out and perched him
self on one of the pinnacles, as if he were
contemplating the neighborho0d. Then
he sat on the limb of peach tree in the
garden, and scanned the outside of the
house, seeming to like it very much, as he
twittered his approval to himself, and
flew away, leaving me very certain that
my house was taken.
Next day my visitor was attended by
another whom l supposed to be Mrs.
Martin-though if such was the case, she
was clothed in the same dress as her
husband-aDd they examined the house
very thoroughly. After conference on
the verandah, wherein dare say
a good deal was said about house.
keeping matters, which l regretted
that l could not understand, they
flew away but returned almost immedi-
ately and took possession of one of the
apartments. / had purposely left some
straw in each, which I thought the ten
ants might employ in some way; and this
seemed to suit them exactly, for could
see them placing it just where it was
needed, and they moved in and out, the
busiest little people that ever began house.
keeping. But they were very economical
and began quite moderately, for they had
no carpet beyond the straw upon their
floor, and as for the furniture which they
brought, YOU could have put it IN your
pocket. They were truly rigid eeono-
mists, and began their domestic life with
nothing more than they absolutely need
ed. No danger could there be of having
bills thrust in upon them which thew were
unable to pay; and they seemed just as
contented and happy with the little they
had as do many OF our kind with their fine
furniture, pictures ana luxurious outfits
generally. Indeed, they did not seem to
think even of their rent; hut took posses
sion as if it were well understood by them
that they were privileged tenants.
They seemed very happy, twittering-I
know they did-in their tongue their lit
tie confldences and encouragements and
hopes, and helping each other to make
their home respectable and comfortable.
And Mr.. Martin was noble fellow. He
took hold Dravely, and brought sticks and
things needed for the nest, and was flying
about as busy as bee all the time. !
may say that I have seen him thus en-
gagged when Mrs. M. sat upon the veran-
dab, Strengthening out her feathers and
otherwise primping herself; but not
many times, for she, too, was an indus
trious worker. ~;
After getting settled, they would start
of in the morning with q great chatter
ing. and made but short visits to Their
home during the day. They were away,
doubtless, getting living, for they had
appetitites which must be satisfied
though they needed but little and in
dulged in no extrsvagances. suspect
that he never had any money in. hif
pocket to buy anything with, and all he
required he had to work for. They lived
on lively game, and flies and bugs and
such things were not safe when the. mar.
tins were about. AS for clothes, am
sure that for the three or four months dur
ing which they occupied my house they
never had any new garments. But the
old ones looked exceedingly well, though
they were Of q fashion very, very an.
cient. sss..s :. ~, r,ss (.
At last they became more domestic in
their habits, and were seen more about the
house, seeming IS If they were Matching
up some new plot or something and, SURE
enough, in 3 little while we heard gTeai
clustering betWeen the two, IS If some re
msrkahle event Md happened. Then w
/ heard littIe chifpings IL the h0usc, and
| know that s0me baby nnartinA had come
aiong Ter the care Of my, tenants. How
| important they now seemed, e they hew
away to procure feed for their iittle ones
and hon the little ones chifped and twit
tered when they returned, hanging then
| something 'as,nice to them and far bettel
lfxr them than cream. .cakeaA Ar candy. By
from ra n ihs doos. "a @ so5h sH6 litsis bi1
| itotdleds ont On yh6 verandak where some
E12mes Mns sfraid they wou16 dalls over
In ~ Wind sho0k tha psle to and fro sbu
Sg sSsy dlS Is. eS qSa P5iIy g. asss Rs@ss 8
S5s S Il; siifs "a & cn6id ! Il; Isl 81 i8shl S. sptit
They W1fs objSco cf Fe1tAca1e b ihei
/ tsrcA6; bufseeuied ohedient Anl1s skiAd i
eaoh cther. Tbsy never ql1azlsleds By
Snsil d sSey' shodid IS s6ls q h6Ip them
ss;5,es ;ssss IN ~ irsiiSvo tkSir 6eae1ls 6lsth
i Rf- - No. nl15Sf ~ U3S