Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1883-10-25
"ths m ale bird, the father, will feed

"the male bird, the father, Will feed
them. But listen There's Tresor point
ing again Perhaps it's the nest 1t is"
In fact, among the stalks OF somS tall
grass, two feet in front Of Tresor's snout,
perceived four little quails nestled close
together and with outstretched necks.
They breathed 70 quickly thought they
were trembling all over. They had
already little feathers; only their tails
were still very short.
"Pspa Papa 70 cried, s'oail back the
dog he'll kill them too |"
My father recalled Treso, and prepared
u sit down little way of under bush
to eat some lunch. | remained close by
the nest Aid retuaed to eat. pulled
from my pocket white handkerchief
upon which | placed the quail. "Look,
poor orphaned little once There's your
mother She has sacrificed herself tor
you" The young birds seemed to
breathe more rapidly when said it, and
their little bodies seemed to tremble still
more violently.
went to where my father sat.
"Will You make me present OF this
quail asked.
''lf it gives you any pleasure, of
course. But what are You going to do
| with her l''
81 am going to bury her"
''Bury her ~
Give me your knife so | can dig her little
grave"
"You expect the young to go and pray
on the grave, | suppose 7" suggested my
| father in establishment.
"No." | replied "but the thought
pleases me. She belongs there, close to
| her nest"
Without adding another word my
father looked for his knife and handed 1t
to me. | set to work at once to dig the
little hole. | pressed kiss upon my
quaips breast and placed her gently in
her grave, and then filled it with earth.
| cut two sticks, and after removing the
bark made Cross by tying them to-
gether with some dry blades of grass
aud this placed upon the grave.
We started soon afterward to 60 home.
At each step turned to look back. The
cross WAS Is hite and l could see it far OFT
That night had a dream. 1t seemed
to me ] was in heaven and there, perched
upon tiny little cloud, saw my quail
tile very same quail | had buried III
the morning, only she was all white like
the cross on ner grave. Around her head
halo of gold spread its lustre; no doubt,
| thought, reward for what she had
suffered for the sake OF her children.
Five or six days after | returned in
company with my father to the grave
The cross had become little NOR.
yellow, but had remained in its place
The nest, however, was empty; not 1
trace of the little ones was left. My
father assured me that the male bird hat
carried them elsewhere. Indeed, at tina
very moment, only few steps from
where We stood, the little male fsw gu
OF a bush and my father forbore to fir
al him-and /, | s9id to myself. "No
no; papa is not bad |"
Strange to say, from that day my low
for hunting left me completely, and
, never even thought of the gun which m
esther had promised me. Later, it
true, when had become man, | too
to hunting too, but l never was tru
! sportsman.
| One day / was hunting with frien
Of mine. We soon came upon som
grouse, The mother bird rose and "
fired. She was wounded, but did nc
3 fall, and got away with her young.
8 proposed following them.
; "Let us remain here" my friend sale
a "We'll initiate their cry and the who
flock will return before long"
n My companion knew well how to i'm
= tate the call OF these birds. We seste
y ourselves among the bushes and II
= friend began his tactics. At first your
g grouse answered, then another, and b
+ lore long the mother herself quite clio
d to us replied in subdued and soft voic
1t | raised my head and saw her approat
p through the grass with all possible spec
/. Her breast was covered with blood. I'll
% instincts OF a mother were prompting he
" she evidently wished to divert our atte
& ton. At that moment seemed to mys.
/, monster of cruelty. 70
d and clapped my hands. The moth
it flew away and tbs young at once beoar
ID silent. sly companion was furious
10 looked at ms like mailman.
u "You have spoiled our entire sport
" he said.
IL But from that day on, to kill, to sh
II blood, became more and more painful
1t me.