The Panola weekly star. (Sardis, Miss.) 1882-18??, 1882-06-03
Mr.. THOMPSON AND TnE swAL.
LOWS.

WI inOlhnHnh WIS NlillhE III lnt DWn
belonging tu the farm where he had
been spending the summer lie looked
very dlsconsolntc, and from time to timo
hcnved such deep slghs as TO greatly
disturb the family Of swallows who had
their nest against the beam jui above
his head.
Poor Mr. Thompson had had hard
time all summer. First ~ all he had
met Miss Angclna who had captured
his heart; aud everybody knows that the
most miserable object ON earth is an old
in love
"Oh. had wings of bird. would
ny" murmurcd Mr.. Thompson to him.
self
Course you would" interrupted n
saucy voice.
Mr.. Thompson looked up. On the |
edge of the mud nest just above his head
sat n brighi-looking barn.swallow,
cycling him curiOusly.
Where would you Ny top inquired
the swallow.
Away from this world Of care"
murmurcd Mr., Thompson,
The swallow laughed heartily.
"Wcll, | guess not; but you can try.
II you want Il"
Mr.. Thompson felt himself begin 10
shrink, and saw his clothes slowly dis
appear and become changed into
feathers. But he was getting so used
10 these metamorphoscs that he didn't
mind II, and really gazcd upon himself
with satisfaction ns finally he felt that he
was n perfect swallow
Come up here" said the swallow.
Mr.. Thompson stretched his wings.
and iluttcred up 10 the nest beside his
friend.
Glow do you like itp" inquired the
swallow.
"lt is glorious" replied Mr.. Thomp-
son. "Oh. that ! could always bc a
birdl'
"IIumpbr' replied the bird. "IIow
would you like TO have TO bulldog house
every spring. going and coming hun
drcd times a day with your mouth full
Of mudp"
But the glorious feeling Of freedom!'
said Mr.. Thompson
"Oh yes" answered the swallow. sar.
castlcnlly. "Come with me; I'll show
YOU"
The two flew out Of the barn, and
after wheeling around for few minutes,
flew up 10 large yane on top OF the
carriagc-housc. Mr.. Thompson had
often seen tho swallows perchcd on thi.
yane. twittering and fighting among
themselves. This morning he had 4
feeling Of elation at being there himself.
and shook his wings proudly. Bang
whizl the shot flew aroInd him. aud two
Of his compaions fell iiuitering 10 the
ground. Just then he heard two boyish
voices exclaim;
ITS awful hard TO hit a swaller on
the wing. but you can shoot 'cm slttin'
like pie"
Mr. Thompson and his friend were
uninjured; and as they flew away In
alarm, the bird said. In an ironical tones
"Such a feeling Of freedomr'
Mr. Thompson said nothing. but few
back 10 the barn. After resting for q
moment. the swallow said: Lets 20
up to the Sound and visit my cousins.
the bank-swallows."
Mr.. Thompson followed tho bir,l, and
skinned over the fields. swapping up n
ny or two by the way. until they reached
the high sand-cllfs which border Long
Island Sound. Here, high up on the
cliffs, were a number oil small round
holes; flying about them. and darting
out and In were number Of small gray
birds; sitting on fence rail no, far on
were nearly hundred moro solemnly
summing themselves.
"rll introduce you 10 ono Of them,
aud he viii show you around" said
Mr.. Thompson's friend.
After the introduction had been ef-
fected. the bank-swsllow said. In an In.
quiring tone: "You are Interested In
binIsYn
yes" said Mr.. Thompson; "thcirs
Is so glorious and free llfe."
The swallow smiled piiyingly; then.
A. II 10 change the subject. invited Mr..
Thompson 70 visit his house. II was
high up under the oycrhanging edge q
the cliif.
Tho swallow led the way, and Mr..
Thompson followed through corridor
about a foo, long, and slanting slight,
upward In order that the rain woulf
not drive into tho nest. At tho end o
the corridor was . circular apartment
lined with feathers and sea-weed. an,
here sat Mrs. Bank-swallow upon fou
speckled eggs. Mr.. Thompson did no
wish 10 disturb her. 80 he rcsrcAled sooI
, after having been introduced. Hi
, companion fed the way back 10 the raj
upon which the barn-swallow wa
J seated. waiting. After q slight pause
, Mr.. Thompson inquired; May ! ~
: what you find 20 eat up heref
l Certainly" replied the bsnk-sws
. low. good-naiuredly. during N
Q summer We eat grubs. flies, mosquitoes
I and the like; In the fall. when the baj
h berries are ripe. We eat them. 70
Q know each berry u covered with
coating of vegetable wax. and we q
n very fat; then people shoot us, for the
!, say the berries give ne delicious a
: ,or." added he bitterly.
! Mr.. Thompson sighed. and We 10
. for . moment In rr,erie. whom he VI
y suddenly aroused by his companies
h suddenly screaming "A hawkr'
4 Mr.. Thompson followed the bar
0 swallow. too frightened 10 know wher
y fnr - he turned hack he saw The has
o pounce upon an unfortunate bird. ~
y bear n Of In bis claws.
y When shey reached The house sgnII
: The swallow s>ids well n vcu tkfr
4 thai ths lie Of . bird h unalloyet ploo
. uref' Mr.. Thompeon ponoed ~
moment. md he svnIlgv ccollnoe'