Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-10-09

wondrous bird that we possess not, that
no land can call its own, but which on
clear midnights flies high aloft above
our heads, touching the portals Of heav-
en- with its pinions. Men name IL Cara
Orion. Whenever this bird lowers its
wings toward earth, sick man is
made whole.
"What of that bird, Effie :" asked the
mother.
The child hung her head shyly, and
would not reply. At last she whispered ::
Mamma, have been praying God to
send down Caradrion to poor papa; now
he is sure to get well, 80 don't look 80
sad any more, dear mamma"
The tears weled into the mothers
eyes. She could not speak Alas! she
feared the father was already beyond
all hope of recovery, and that the end
would come ere these sweet blue eyes
l
re-opened from sleep.
"Good night, Effie, good night she
sobbed, as she replaced the child in its
small, white cot, and hastily left the
the room.
There was no change in the sick man ;
he still bore the same stony, immovable
look.
'Is there any alteration p she asked
the doctor when he came for the first
time that night to see his patient.
"None," he said.
"Apd yon can do nothing''
Nothing; we must leave nature
alone. Stay, open The window little;
the air cannot harm him.
She did as he babe.
1t was soft, warm night, and the
sweet scented air from without filled
the room. There was no moon. The
heavens were studded with stars, and
their mild light shone down upon the
earth. There seemed more pity in this
scene than in the one she had beheld
that morn. This time she did not turn
away. Some of its peace seemed to sink
into the wife's breaking heart, and led
her thoughts wandering into the past
She thought Of her young love tor the
man who now lay stricken and helpless,
Of the few years of happiness she had
spent at his side; and then she could
pursue the vein no further.
Surely, surely" she criedin heart an
guish, "joy does not die so SOON" She
turued her mind away from the alien
crossing topic, and let her idea wander
dreauily her long continued watches
had tired her mentally and bodily. She
knew not why, or wherefore, except
perchance, that Ef1ie's question had re,
called the old story with new vividness,
but her thoughts ran on about that BIRD
of health. Should he descend this night,
whom of those who lay i'll on earth
would he elect to benefit! For in this
vast world of sorrow and sick, how
many lay stricken beside her husband
The darlipgs of other hearts might be
dying. How, then, would the bird
choose between them ? How, tell which
life was needful still on earth; which
meet tor heaven!
And still the sick man lay motionless
AS the young wife sat thus, lost in
deep reveri., the hours wore on. At last
she was aroused by sound from with
out, as of tho rushing Of mighty wings
| It came nearer, even nearer; it seemed
to approach where she sat.
ut is death who comes thus, 'twlXt
cleaning and dawn to seek his prize,
thought the wife, and her heart turned
faint and sick.
Still the rushing continued; it came
closer. She listened bresthless and awe
stricken. Suddenly huge bird flew in
through the open window unheedine
her, he winged straight toward the bed
and there alighted and rested himself
from his flight. His mein was lordly
as of an eagle; his plumage white as il
swans; his movements gentle as dove
1t was the bird Caradrion.
The wife sat on in awed silence; she
dared not speak or move. But hope be
gan once more to beat within her heart
she laid her hand upon it to quiet it,
: beating itpulsed 50 loudly she feared
lest the sound might scare the bird
Immovable her eyes we're fixed upon hin
as he bowed his long, slender neck to
ward the sufferer, and laid his broat
beak upon the sick mans lips. For sew
eral seconds of breathless anxiety to tn
watcher 1t rested there, asst bird drew
forth the sole ailment unto himself