The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-06-03
MIR. THOMPSON AND THE SWAL-
LOWS. ''

MN InOMEDON AND 1nE SN AL
LOWS. ''''
IL- - LUu N4yF ----- -. I h.nu"i .....
Mr.. Thompson was sitting in the barn
belonging to the farm where he had
been spending the summer. He looked
very dlsconsolate, and from time to time
heaver such deep signs as to greatly
disturb the family of swallows who had
their nest against the beam just above
his head.
Poor Mr.. Thompson had had a hard
time all summer. First of ALL he had
met Miss Angelina; who had captured
his heart; and everybody knows that the
most miserable object on earth is an old
bachelor in love. b., .TI .,. ...-t,
"Oh, had wings of a bird, would
fly" imuimmed Mr.. Thompson to HIM
self. foisg8E ill! 5r. ui I-Hrai.r s,,.H
"Course you would" interrupted a
saucy voice. I'D iH'' NY llfn .' =" Idl
Mr. Thompson looked up. On the
edge of the mnd nest Just above his head
sat bright-looking barn-swallow,
cycling him curiousy. ri. IUr l
a''Where would you fly top inquired
the swallow.
"Away from this world of care"
murmured Mr.. Thompson. . lr.
The swallow laughed heartily.
"Well, | guess not; but you can try,
if you want tor . cinnamon -.
Mr.. Thompson felt himself begin to
shrink, and saw his clothes slowly dis
appear and become changed into
feathers. But he was getting so used
to these metamorphoses that he didn't
mind it, and really gazed upon himself
with satisfaction as finally he felt that he
was Il perfect swallow. -
Come up here" said the swallow.
Mr.. Thompson stretched his wings,
and 1uttered up to the nest beside his
friend.
GLOW do you like it?" inquired the
swallow. Hf ..f..
1t is glorious - replied Mr. Thomp-
son. "Oh, that could always be
birdr' ...a ..' .|.. I3. 11f ..I
"Humphr' replied the bird "How
wouldyou like to have to build your house
every spring going and coming a hun
dred times a day with your mouth full
of mud?"
"But the glorious feeling of freedomr'
said Mr.. Thompson ,.....
''Oh yes" answered the swallow, sar-
castically. Come with me; I'll show
you"
The two few out of the barn, and
after wheeling around for few minutes,
flew up to a large vane on top of the
carriage-house. Mr.. Thompson had
often seen the swallows perched on this
vane,. twittering and fighting among
themselves. THIS morning he had "a
feeling of elation at being there himself,
and shook his wings proudly. Bang!
whiz! the shot flew around him, and two
of his oompaiOns fell fluttering to the
ground. just then he heard two boyish
voices eXclaim;
"It's awful hard to hit swaller on
the wing, but you can shoot 'em sttin
like pie"
Mr.. Thompson and his friend were
uninjured; and as they flew away in
alarm, the bird said, in an ironical tone:
"Such feeling of freedomr'
Mr.. Thompson said nothing but flew
back to the barn. After resting for q
moment, the swallow said: Lets 90
up to the Sound and visit my cousins,
the bank-swallOws." ...I.lI..
Mr.. Thompson followed the bird, and
skinned over the fields. swapping up a
fly or NO by the way, until they reached
the high sand-clilfs which border Long
island Sound. Here, high up on the
cliffs, were number of small round
holes; flying about them, and darling
out and in were a number of small gray
birds; sitting ON fence rail not far oft
were nearly II hundred more solemnly
summing themselves. ..
"pll Introduce you to one of them,
and he will show you arounds" said
Mr.. Thompson friend, ....
After the introduction had been eff
fected, the bank-swallow said, in an in
curing tone: "You are interested in
birdsP"
Eyes" said Mr.. Thompson; "theirs
is so glorious and free a life"
The swallow smiled pityingly; then,
as if to change the subject, invited Mr..
Thompson to visit his house. 1t was
high up under tho oyerhanging edge of
the cliff.
The swallow led the way, and Mr..
Thompson followed through corridor
about foot loRg, and slanting slightly
upward in order that the rain would
not drive into the nest. At the end of
the corridor was a circular apartment,
lined with feathers and sea-weed, and
here sat Mrs. Bank-swallow upon four
speckled eggs. Mr.. Thompson did not
wish 10 disturb her, SO he retreated soon
after having been introduced. His