The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-06-09
MR. THOMPSON'S EXPERIENCE AS
A SWALLOW.

NIB. THOMPSON'S EXPERIENCE AS
A SWALLOW.
Mr.. Thompson was sitting in the barn
belonging to the farm where he had
been spending the summer. He looked
very disconsolate, and from time to time
fheaved such deep sighs as to greatly
disturb the family of swallows who had
their nest against the beam just above
his head.
Poor Mr.. Thompson had had 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.
"Oh, had l wings of a bird, l would
fly" murmured Mr.. Thompson to HIM
"Course you would interrupted a
saucy voice.
MIR. Thompson looked up. On the
edge of the mud nest Just above his head
sat bright-looking barn-swallow,
cycling him curiously.
Where would you fly top inquired
the swallow.
Away from this world of care"
murmured Mr.. Thompson.
The swallow laughed heartily.
"Well, guess not; but you can try,
If you want to-"
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 perfect swallow.
"Come up here" said the swallow.
Mr.. Thompson stretched his wings,
and futtered up to the nest beside his
friend.
"How do you like itp" inquired the
swallow.
ut is glorious" replied Mr.. Thomp-
son: ooh, that L could always be
birdr'
"Humphr' replied the bird. "How
would you like to have to build your house
every spring, going and coming a hun
bred times 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 flew out of the barn, and
after wheeling around for a few minutes,
flew up to 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 citation at being there himself,
and shook his wings proudly. Bang!
whiz! the shot flew around him, and two
of his compaions fell fiuttering to the
ground. Just then he heard two boyish
voices exclaim;
Its awful hard to hit swaller on
the wing: but you can shoot 'em sittin'
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 freedomy'
Mr. Thompson said nothing, but flew
back to the barn. After resting for
moment, the swallow said: Lets 90
up to the Sound and visit my cousins,
the bank-swallows."
Mr.. Thompson followed the bird, and
skinned over the fields. swapping up
fly two by the way, until they reached
the high sand-cliffs 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 number of small gray
birds; sitting on fence rail not far of
were nearly hundred more solemnly
summing themselves.
"pn introduce you to one of them,
and he will show you around" said
Mr.. Thompson's friend.
After the introduction had been eff
fected, the bank-swallow said, in an in
curing tone: "You are interested in
birds?n -
EYES," said Mr.. Thompson; "theirs
is so glorious and free life."
The swallow smiled pityingly; then,
Is if to change the subject, invited Mr..
Thompson to visit his house. 1t was
high up under the overhanging edge of
the cliff.
The swallow led the way, and Mr..
Thompson followed through q corridor
about foot long, and slanting slightly
upward in order that the rain would |
not drive into the nest. At the end of
the corridor was circular apartment,
lined with feathers and sea-weed. and
here sat Mrs. Bank-swallow upon four
speckled eggs. Mr.. Thompson did not |
wish to disturb her, so he retreated soon |
after having been introduced. His
companion led the way back to the rail |
upon which the barn-swallow was
coafo6 wo;t;ur Affor a oI;rh< r.,,,o
Mr.. Thompson inquired: MAY ask
what you find to eat up here?'
" Certainly replied the bank-swal-
low. good-naturedly. During the
summer we eat grubs. flies, mosquitoes,
and the like; in the fall, when the bay
berries are ripe. we eat them. You
know each berry is covered with a |
coating of vegetable wax, and we get |
very fat; then people shoot us, for they |
say the berries give US delicious ia
vor," added he bitterly. - !