Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-07-14

his sight he, too. would leave the nest,
arguing that the sun would keep the
eggs warm, and taking care to be ut his
post when she returned.
One unlucky day, however, the charm.
ing young Widow Oriole was so engag-
ing that wife and nest were for time
forgotten. and Mrs. Redbreast reached
home earlier than usual, to find her hus.
band gone and the five blue eggs without
Il protector.
$50 this is the way you care for nv
precious eggsm she cried, when the
truant made his appearance.
"lndeed," he protested. II only went
of for little fly TO stretch my wings
The eggs haven't taken the least hurt"
Pray, how do you know9 / haven't Il
doubt that they are spoiled entirely; for
IN sure it isn't the first time. Mrs. Rob.
in ard Mrs. Wren have told me of your
flying off, as soon us | was out of sight,
but I've always stood up for you and
never would believe word of it,"
81 wish the neghbors would mind their
own atfairsw Redbreast snapped out.
II rather think / know how eggs should
be treated rs well us Mrs. Robin or Mrs.
Wren"
"Well," said his wife, in sorrowful
tone, Il hope they haven't taken any
harm. But don't know. | never left
them. Perhaps I'd better attend to them
after this"
Il think it would be the best way"
responded Redbreast, rejoicing that he
had escaped SO easily.
After that the little wife sat on the nest
patiently and uncomplainingly day after
day. But the weeks passed and no little
brides made their appearance. Mrs.
Redbreast grew impatient.
They never were so long in Matching
i am sure they never were!' she said
one day.
"Wel. well, don't worry was the
husbands response, though he had his
private opinion on the subject.
Mrs. Redbreast waited week longer
but no sign of life came to cheer the little
anxious heart.
at is all your fault" she burst forth
you left the nest and the eggs were
chilled. There's no use in keeping them
here another minute!'
So saying, she snatched them up angri-
ly, and threw them one by one out of the
nest. She looked down. There they lay
the five blue eggs, which had once been
her pride, hope broken and worthless on
the ground below. Then she looked into
the empty nest. Relbreast looked, too,
from his perch opposite, and, looking,
saw tear fall where the eggs had lain.
That was too much! Even Redbreast had
Il tender little heart hidden away beneath
his gay coat so, with the empty nest
between them, he made full cofession,
and begged to be forgiven.
"You are perfectly right he con-
tinued, sin saying it was all my fault!
mo-" replied his wife, tearfully, "if l
had not been SO complaining this would
not have happened"
WELL" said Redbreast, in mournful
tone, sit can't be helped now but I'm
sure would sit on the nest for weeks if
it would do any good"
That would not be best, DEAR" said
Mrs Redbreast, tenderly. II am going
to do my own part after this. We never
had any such trouble before, and | don't
believe we ever will again."
So taking fresh courage the two set to
work in the old way, Ne more COM
plants were heard from the little wife,
for Redbreast seemed to find pleasure in
her society, and was heard to declare to Il
neighbor, one evening that though she did
not wear so fine Il dress rs the young
Widow Oriole, she was the sweetest, most
obliging little wife that ever lived.
Not many weeks later there was nest
of fluffy, restless birdlings, up in the
great elm, which Mrs. Redbreast brooded
over and sung to-and rs for Redbreasl
himself, there was not prouder, happier
father in the great park.
"Oh," said he, "it is better to do ones
own work, after all"
Yes" replied the little mother, who
was grooming low lullaby to her sleepy
brides. II would not exchange places
with anybody in the whole world. like
my own part best"