The Bossier banner., 1882-06-29
MR.. THOMPSOy'S EXPERIENCE AS
.ssa4sssff : A SWALLOW.

9a,gessfi 3 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
heaved 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 wings of a bird, would
fly" murmured Mr.. Thompson to him
9l"course you would. interrupted a
saucy voice..
Mr.. Thompson looked up. On the
edge OF the mud nest just above his head
sat 2 ,bright-looking barn-swallow,
eyeing him curiously.
Where would you fly to?'' inquired
the swallow. ass
Away from this world of care. -
murmured Mr.. Thompson.
The swallow laughed heartily. s~ .ss,
Well, / guess not; but you can try.
If you want to. = Sapt * f
Mr.. Thompson felt himself begin to
shrink, and saw his clothes slowly dis
appear and becomesg 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 aperfect swallow. ssss4t
as.Come up here. y said the swallow
Mr.. Thompson stretched his wings.
and fiuttered up to the nest beside his
friend4a bHa n1ElN 81 asas k 3losi
How do you like itP'' inquired the
swallow. A $50 pa 9ssAs ~ r =
~ It is glorions,p replied Mr.. Thomp-
son: "Oh, that I could always be a
!" Humph!'s replied the bird How
would you like to have to build your house
every spring, going and coming q hum
dred times a day with your mouth full
'.,But the glorious feeling Of freedomr'
said MI. r.3Thompson.s.s al 5s5fssgl.ss rgs|
oh yes" answered the swallow. sar-
castically. Come with me; Pll show
you.n a.f4 ns..ss .gv as,x.a 80
The two flew out OF the barn. and
after wheeling around for a few minutes.
new up to 2 large. yanes On top of the
carriage-house. Mr.. Thompson had
often seen the swallows perched or, this
vane, twittering and fighting among
themselves. This morning he had a
feeling ofelationat being there himself !
and shook his wings proudlvs Banci
whiz! the shot few around him. and two
Of his icompaions fell fluttering to theI
ground. just then he heard two boyish |
voices exclaim;
.'It'sawfal hard to hit q swaller on |
the e. wing; yin but you can shoot 'em sittin'
Mr. Thompson and his friend were
uninjured; and as they. few away in |
alarm, the bird said, in an ironical tone:
"Such feeling of freedom!'' ssls5s
Mr. Thompson said nothing, but flew
back to the barn. After resting for 4 |
moment. the swallow said: q. Let's go.I
up to the Sound and visit my cousins. 4
The bank-swallows.'' 20
Mr.. Thompson followed the bird. and !
skinned over the fields. swapping up a |
BY ortwo by the way, until they reached /
The high sand-cliffs which border Lone |
Island Sound. Here, high up on the
cliffs, Were number Of small ronnd |
holes; flying about them, and dartin0 |
out and in were number of small oray
birds; sitting on fence rail not far al |
we're nearly hundred more solemnly
summing themselves. a9s9 8 sTlIT ii
s .sp Il introduce you to one of them.
md ne will show you around,' said /
Mr. Thompson's friend. "a saf
After the. Introduction had been ef-
ected, the bank-swallow said, in an in
luirlng tone: 2" You are interested In
3irdsp'' 0a ~
Yes, said Mr.. Thompson; "tbeirs
$ SO glorious and free life" .l77o
The swallow smiled pityingly; then.
s If to change the subject, invited Mr
thompson to visit his house. II was i
Ugh Up under the overhanging edge Of
The swallow led the way, and Mr..
Thompson followed through a corridor
Ibout q foot long, and slantinc sliphtlv
'pward in order that the rain would
lot drive INTO the nest. At the end of
nc coriador was a circular apartment,
med with feathers and sea-weed. and
lere sat Mrs. Bank-swallow upon four
peckled eggs. Mr.. Thompson did not
Wish to disturb her, 50 he retrcated soon
lter having been introduced. His
ompanlon led the way back to the rail
lpon. which the barn-swallow was
eated, waiting. After q. slight, pause.
ar. Thompson inquired: MAY / ask
THAT you find to eatup herep'' s1t
certainly" replied the bank-swal-
DIV, good-naturedly. During the /
ummer we eat grubs, flies, mosquitoes.
nd the like; in the fall, when the bay-
'erries are ripe, we eat them. Yon
now each berry is covered with a
oatlng OF vegetable wax, and we get
cry fat; then people shoot us, for thew
ay the berries give Us delicious ia
or" added be bitterly.