Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-07-26
Mr.. Thompson and the Swallows,

spending the summer. He looked very dis
consulate, 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 the wings of bird, would
fly" murmured MIR. Thompson to himself.
"Course you would" interrupted a saucy
voice. Mr.. Thompson looked up. On the
edge of the mud nest just above his head sat
bright looking barn-swallow eying him
curiously.
"Where would you fly to ?" inquired the
| swallow.
"Away from this world of care" muir
INJURED 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 disappear 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
huttered up to the nest beside his friend.
GLOW do you like it ?" inquired the
swallow.
at is glorious" replied Mr.. Thompson
Oh, that | could always be bird !"
Humph |" replied the bird. How would
you like to have to build house every
spring, going and coming hundred times
a day with your mouth full of mud ?"
"But the glorious feeling of freedom y
said Mr.. Thompson.
"Oh yes" answered the swallow sarcasti
cally. "Come with me; I'll show you"
The two flew out of the barn, and after
wheeling around for few minutes, flew up
to large vane on top of the carriagehouse
Mr.. Thompson had often seen the swallows
perched on this vane, twittering and fight
ing among themselves. This morning he
had a feeling of citation at being there him
self, and shook his wings proudly. Bang
wbiz the shot flew around him, and two Of
his companions fell fluttering to the ground
Just then he heard two boyish voices ex
claim,
ats awful hard to hit swaller on the
wing, but you can shoot 'em sittin' like pie.
Mr. Thompson and his friend were unin
jured; and as they flew away in alarm, the
bird said, in an ironical tone, Such feel
ing of freedomp'
Mr.. Thompson said nothing, but flew back
to the barn. After resting for moment
the swallow said, Let us go up to the
sound and visit my cousins, the bank-swal
lows"
Mr.. Thompson followed the bird, and
skinned over the fields, swapping up fly
or two by the way, until they reached the
high sand-cliffs which border Long. Island
Sound. Here, high upon the cliffs, were q
number of small round holes flying about
them, and darting out and in were number
of small gray birds; sitting on fence-rai
not far off were nearly hundred more sol
EMMY summing themselves.
"I'll introduce you to one OF them, and hi
will show you around" said Mr.. Thompson
friend.
After the introduction had been affected
the bank-swallow said, in an inquiring tone
you are interested in birds 2"
EYES," said Mr.. Thompson /" theirs is 81
glorious and free life"
The swallow smiled pityingly, then, as il
to change the subject, invited Mr.. Thomp
son to visit his house. 1t was high up un
der the overhanging edge of the cliff.
| luc 6WhllOW lou luc way, duu Ahis NUN
son followed through corridor about a foo
long and slanting 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-weeds and here
sat Mrs. Bank-Swallow upon four speckleC
eggs. Mr.. Thompson did not wish to dis
turb her, so he retreated soon after having
been introduced. His companion led the
way back to the rail upon which the barn
swallow was seated, waiting. After Sigh
pause, Mr.. Thompson inquired, May | ash
what you find to eat up here ?"
Certainly" replied the bank-swallow
good.naturedly. "During the summer W.
eat grubs, flies, mosquitoes, and the like; il
the fall, when the bayberries are ripe w
eat them. You know each berry is covered
with coating of vegetable wax, and we ge
very fat then people shoot us, for they say
the berries give us delicious flavor" added
he, bitterly.
Mr.. Thompson sighed, and was lost for {
moment in reyerie, when he was suddenly
aroused by his companions suddenly scream
ing, " A hawk !"
Mr.. Thompson followed the barn-swsllow
too frightened to know where, for as h,
turned back he saw the hawk pounce upor
an unfortunate bird, and bear it off in hi
claws.
When they reached the house again tn,
swallow said, "Well, do you think that tn
life of a bird is unalloyed pleasure 2" Mr.
Thompson paused for a moment, and tn
swallow continued First, there are tn
boys who steal the eggs, then they shoot a
you; then there are the hawks, and tn
snakes, and the cats"
"Cats ?" inquired Mr.. Thompson.
ayes, cats |" screamed the swallow il
alarm, futtering away. Mr.. Thompson wa
too late. lie felt the sharp claws in his leg
and with jump and a scream he awoke, b
find himself sitting in the barn, with tn
big house cat standing beside him, AM
looking somewhat surprised at his sudde
movement. Slowly Tabby lifted her paw
and putting it on Mr.. Thompson's kne,
stretched herself lazily. 'Lishs, who wa
feeding the horses, remarked "Reckon it.
goin' to rain; the swallers fly low, and it's
great sign of rain when cat stretches lik
that"
MIR. Thompson walked slowly to the houst
thinking that, after all, the birds life wa
not all happiness.-Hdrper's Young Peoph
Two Coon WoRDs.-There arc two lii
tie words in our language which | Away
| al.,,ra n.x, and Truat Won knou M