The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1880-08-26

perfectly well only hsif satisfied her
but she would not have Wondered al
the lack of appetite had she known ol
the numerous lunches he had taken
since morning.
So the days wore on. Mrs. Red
breast made no advances to resume her
rightful position, and her husband
would have been most miserable indeed
bad he not managed things In his own
way. Every morning as soon as his
wife was out Of sight he, too, would
leave the nest, arguing that the sun
would keep the eggs warm, and TAX
ing care to be at his post when she re-
turned.
One unlucky day, however, the charm.
ing young Widow Oriole was so engag-
ing that wife and nest we're for a time
forgotten, and Mrs. Redbreast reached
home carrier than usual. to find her hus-
band gone ant the five blue eggs with
out protector.
$50 this is the way you care for my
precious eggsp she cried, when the
truant made his appearance.
"Indeed," he protested, "Io only went
off for little fly, TO stretch my wingsl
The eggs haven't taken the least
hurt"
Pray, how do know! / haven't a
doubt that they are spoiled entirely;
for I'm sure it isn't the first time. Mrs.
Robin and Mrs. Wren have told me of
your flying off as soon as l was out of
sight, but I've always stood up for you
and never would believe word of it,"
81 wis h the neighbors would mind
their own affairs" Redbreast snapped
out. II rather think l know how eggs
should be treated as well as Mrs. Robin
or Mrs. Wren"
well, said his wife, in a sorrowful
tone, 81 hope they haven't taken any
harm. But l don't know. Inever left
them. Perhaps I'd better attend to.
them after this"
81 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 hatch
ing-I am sure they never were!" she
said one day.
"Well, 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.
"It is all your fault" she b urst forth
you left the nest and the eggs were
chilled. There no use in keeping them
here another minute!"
So saying, she snatched them up
angrily, 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 Red
breast looked, too, from his perch oppo-
site, and, looking saw tear fall where
the eggs had lain. That was too much!
Even Redbreast had tender little
heart hidden away beneath his gay
coat; so, with the empty nest between
them, he made a full confession, and
begged co be forgiven.
"You are perfectly right" he con-
cluded, in saying it was all my fault"
"No, replied his wife, tearfully, "if
| had not been so complaining this
never would have happened"
Well" said Redbreast, in mourn
full tone, Z" it can't be helped now; but
I'm sure / would sit on the nest for
weeks ifit would do any good"
"That would not be best, DEAR" said
Mrs, Redbreast, tenderly. Il 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
10 work in the old way. No more COM
plants were heard from the little wife,
Tor Redbreast seemed to find a pleasure
in her society, and was heard to de-
clare 10 neighbor, one evening, that |
though she did not wear so fine a dress |
rs the young Widow Oriole, she was |
the sweetest, most obliging little wife |
that ever liv d.
Not many weeks later there was a |
nest of fluffy, restless birdlings, up in
the great elm, which Mrs. Redbreast |
brooded over and sung to--and as for |
Redbreast himself, there was not q
prouder, happier father in the great |
park.
"Oh," said he, :" it is better to do |
)ne's own work, after all" 81
EYES," replied the little mother, who
was grooming low lullaby to her sleepy
brides, II would not exchange places
with anybody in the whole world.
Ike my own part best"