The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-06-10
MIR. THOMPSON'S EXPERIENCE AS
A SWALLOW.


been spending the summer. He looked
very disconsolate, and from time TO time
heaved 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.
"Oh, had wings of bird, would
fly" murmured Mr.. Thompson to HIM
self.
Course you would" interrupted
saucy voice.
Mr.. Thompson looked up. On the
edge of the mud nest just above his head
sat a 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 a perfect swallow.
"Come up here" said the swallow.
Mr.. Thompson stretched his wings,
and fiuttered up to the nest beside his
friend.
How do you like itp" inquired the
swallow.
ut is glorious replied Mr.. Thomp-
SON. "Oh, that could always, be
birdr' t
"Humphr' replied the bird. "How
would you like to have to build your house
every spring. going and coming hum
dred times day with your mouth full
of mudp''
.'But the glorious feeling of freedomp'
said MIR. Thompson.
"Oh yes," answered the swallow, sar-
castically. "Come with me; I'll show
YOU"
The two flew out of the barn, and
dltCl WnCCAlAS dtOuh0 1Ol a low llllnutCc,
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
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 futtering 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
uniniured; 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 a
moment, the swallow said: Lets go
UP to the Sound and visit my cousins,
the bank-swallows."
Mr.. Thompson followed the bird, and
SKINNED over the fields. swapping up a
fly or two by the way, until they reached,
the high sand-cliffs which border Long
Island Sound. Here, high up on the
cliffs, were a 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 off
were nearly hundred more solemnly
summing themselves.
I'll introduce you to one of them,
and he will show you around said
Mr.. Thompson friend. ..s.,st
| After the introduction had been eff
| fected, the bank-swallow said, in an in
quiring tone: 4 You are interested in
birdsP" A..s..<. t.,
.Yes, said Mr.. Thompson; 'theirs
! is so glorious and free life"
The swallow smiled pityingly; then,
| as IL to change the subject, invited Mr..
|. Thompson to visit his house. a 1t was
high up under the overhanging edge OF
the cliff. ti' Na7 " q s'
The swallow led the way, and Mr..
| Thompson followed through corridor
about. q foot, long, 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 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 d was
seated. waiting. After slight pause,
Mr.. Thompson inquired: s'May ask
what you find to eat up hereP" p't
"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. Yor
know each berry isncovered with q
coating Of vegetable wax. and we gel
very fat; then people shoot US, for they
say the berries give us delicious ia
vOr." added be bitterly. 7if VI