The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-05-19

away, returning at once to his post. Al
ter n little madam herself alighted on
the sill with the rival in full view of her
despised spouse; buthe put them to rout
like Il whirlwind.
On this day he took up new stand.
OH the very corner of the roof, where he
could overlook the window and also SEQ
the honey-suckle vines from both sides.
There he would lie a long time calling
and driving away those who presumed
to interfere with his domestic affairs.
This was IN exciting day about the hon.
ey-suckles. full of challenges, seedlings,
furious attacks and probably, too, suf-
fcring, for the little hero often seemed
exhausted and ! feared he would not
survive his accumulated calamilies.
Once, toward night, madam alighted
in the usual place with one who was
plainly lover. He began to puff out
hia feathers and assume the airs of q
sutton, when down upon him from his
post on the roof came the avenging hus-
band and drove him away in twink
ling. The hen did not fly, however. and
her spouse aiigiited near her. She be-
gan TO scold, but he tried to make love
to her. "Come," said his manner, 'let's
makeup; shall not always be so help
less as now" But every time he tried
to approach her she turned her bill to-
ward him, talking vigorously. YOU'RE
a good-for-nothing," one could almost
hear her say; you'll neither help mo
yourself nor let any one else. and here
I'm nearly worked to death and the ba-
bies like to starve." Then he coaxed
again, but she refused him harshly and
flew to the nest.
This curious scene took place toward
evening, but the next morning things
had changed. He was better and bright
err everyway, could get about much
more easily on his one leg and saw no
more of rivals. lie went in and out of
the honeysuckles quite often. Some
times he was greeted by a scolding and
sometimes blythe fine chirping of the lit
tie ones, but he went as often as he
chose. Under this new aspect of things
he began to WOO back his mate, and at
ter awhile she would come out on the
window sill i'm amiable mood and great
love-making went on. Evening closed
on restored peace and harmony in tho
little household.
lHc HcAt HioIhiiiS thc hltio hCio was
able to hop upon the greenhouse roof
for crumbs, standing up pertly on his
single leg, though his movement was q
queer one-sided sort of jerk, which gave
him q most comical air. Now his spouse
accompanied him to the ground and the
pear tree, as do all decorous sparrow
wives, and before noon both devoted
themselves to the charming task of
teaching the little ones to fly.
Often during the day l saw ono little
fussy sparrowling squatted on the win
dow sill which had been the scene of his
papa's suffering and pain. another on
the greenhouse roof, both skrieking for
food, for help, for the world to see how
bravely they got on, while the busy
mamma coaxed them in vain to try an
other flight, alternately encouraging
with crumb or reproying with slight
peck on the head, and the one-legged
hero-his troubles now happily at an
end-perched on the edge of the roof.
peering over with greatest interest at
the pretty scene.-Olive 1horne Miller
in our Continent.