The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-02-06
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THE BIRD CARADRI0N.

OF n dying man, sat woman. She
had not counted more than five
and-twcnty summers though to-day
she might have passed for years older,
so sad and woe begone was her aspect.
And who could wonder? for the sick
man she tended was her iondly- loved
husband, and he, alas! was dying.
The Doctor shook his head MOURN
fully whenever she asked, again and
again, "lcll Inc, oh, tell, will. he
livc?"
There seemed indeed no hope. The
young creature now sat mute, petri-
fed with grief, and he who had ere
while been strong and sturdy, lay mo-
tionIess and still. 1t was scarcely
possible TO tell whether life yet dwelt
III the body. His breathing was so
faint it hardly dimmci the glass they
held before his mouth.
"lle sleeps" spoke the Doctor. who
had just entered softly, go down,
dear child, and rest" he said, turning
to the watcher
In very truth he deemed the patient
about to pass from earthly slumber to
heavenly rcpose, and wished TO save
her the sld si4ht.
"Thcn ! shall rest beside him." she
answered reSoIutely.
The Doctor did not reply, and
quilted the sck-room with huShed
steps.
Sun the invalid stirred not, but lay
on in that condition OF neither life
nor death. At last the wife rose from
her seat, and, approaching the dark
cncd window, lifted q corner of the
blind. Within the room all was OPP
prcsSiye stiffness, gloom, and sorrow;
without, there was life, light, and JOY.
1t was spring. Tie trees wore their
orccncsL and prettiest garb; pale
prim-roses and white daisies pied the
earth; the iruit-trecs stood in fullest
snowy blossom. Below, in the little
| garden, on which the window looked,
| Two childrcn--a little girl five years
old, with long, faXcn curls, that
shimmcrci in the sunshine, and her
baby brother, were at play on the soft
arccn-sward. The little one was
Growing mcnily at the elders antics,
holding out his chubby fair arms as
though he would seize all this pleas
urc within them. The nurse stood
beside, looking down with a strange
sad face.
"IIush Miss Eiiie," she said, as the
merriment grew too boisterous; hush
or you will awaken your poor papa"
"Poorpapa" repeated the child,and
she was silent for moment. But
soon the game recommended, only
more quietly than before. For what
knew the little one Of heart sorrow
or sickness unto death? The wife sur
veycd the scene, and heaved a heavy
sigh,
"Thcy are glad and happy; they
enjoy the sunshine of spring." she
murmured meanwhile their father
is dying" Her tones were half bit
ter and reproachful, though full Of
tenderness.
| She let the corner of the blind droI
once more. The sight had done hel
no good; it had rather torn her wound,
afrosh. The gloom and darkness OF
the sick-chamber better suited hel
frame Of mind.
I so the day passed. The children
tired out with play and laughter
rested in theircots, The mother went
into the nursery, and with saddcncc
mcin bent over each little bed to give
her wontcd evening kiss. Ellie sprung
up when she saw her approach.
"llcre is kiss for poor papa" shC
whispered as she cncircIed her moth
cr's neck with her chubby, soft arms
"Do you know, mamma, the story h,
used 10 tell us about the bird will
the hard name? 1 can't remembe
it,
"What bird, my child?" asked tn
mother, listlcssly. Her thoughts wer
wandering, and she hardly took il
what the little girl said.
"Car-Car-som something, mamma
That wonderful bird papa told M
that gretty story about; how it cam
TO make people well, and flew ava
with their illness.
"Caradrion," said the mother. lie
attention was awakened, and she re
mOcrcd to what Eilie referred.
1t was a legend the father had of
ten told the child, one that he himsel
/ had read in the old chronicles of
| monastery story full Of deep poet
, ny and feeling. 1t was anent tina
, bird, that wondrous bird chat we pos
: scss not, that no land can call it
>. own, but which on clear midnight
!, flies high alOft above our heads, touch
Y lug the portals Of heaven with it
!. pInlons. Men lame it Caradrion.- -
80 Whenever this bird lowers its wing
i. toward earth, sick man is mad
IL whole.
n "What of that bird, Enic?' askc
70 the mother,
/. The child hung her head shyly, an
nj would not reply. AZ last shO whis
10 pcrcd Mamma, have been prayin
y God TO send down Caradrion TO poo
papa now he Is sure to get well, $
don't look SO sad any more, dea
y nlImma."
y "Tho tears wollcd into tic mother
J. eyes. She could not speak. Alas! sh
J feared the father was already bpvon,