The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-04-22

If she had 10 spend the night in the yard
that meet should not be disturbed; and Aona
Smith thought if they did not tell anybody
Mistress Robin might not be discovered.
EBut Mistress Robin spoiled that tine plan,
tor as s0on as the bell rang 81 the close OF re-
cess, when group after group hurried past
The tree che, escorted by her brisk little hus-
band, tettled herself again on the eggs. 20,
o. o." screamed dozens Of girls; bat they
dared not step, and for once Mary Nichols
blessed the imperative bell she had so often
blamed. No time fer consultation; hnt chs
looked at Anna Smith. who nodded and
made her way to Mics Marsh, the principal.
k"Well, Anns?'
''Miss March, there is a birds nest in our
willow; what shall We do?'
Miss MaIshs pretty eyes sparkled.
She was country. bred, aud loved
birds nest better even than
thsse poor town girls who so sc Com
saw one. Let It alone. Anna"
But, Mia Marsh, ever so many girls saw
Il. As soon IS school is done there will be
grand rush fer the tree, and o, il is so low
any body may take it OUT
Then, Anna, We STALL have TO trust ev-
cry body; but fifteen minutes before schcOl
is dismissed you and Msry may 60 and stand
guard, and / will send notes to al the teach
ers, that Division First throws Itself On the
honor OF the o her Divisions TO protect its
birds nest
Quarter before twelve out tipped Anna and
Mary, and the little people in the different
rooms were ted of the great discovery DiYis
on First had made. Incredible as it seems,
Mistress Robin sat serene. while scores or
the LO,sest children Of Riverside trooped pas
and solemnly looked at her. Anna aud
Mary allowed no meddling; but, as they
rightly teld sch other, the danger would
come as soon as the gate was unlocked for
afternoon school. Impartlng their fears to
their companions, 8 bright idea struck Fanny
Eaton: I'VE must take turns standinground
that nest until the birds ere Matched" So
they did; and morning, noon and night two
or more girls watched the tree. Any sshola
was welcome to look, bat none might touch
ard ali over the bailding tbs topic Of con
Vsriation for a week or ten days was "our
robins" Our nest" for Division First soon
lost ther right to exclusive ownership.
To this day / can not com prehend the
philosophy of tho.e birds; but wisdom was
certainly justified OF her children for their
hon yaa never molested, and one morning
instead OF four eggs. were four fuzzy little
balls whose vide open yellow mouths identi
fed them IS birds. The excitement became
intense. The gusId-of honor, instructed by
Misc Marsh permitted no feeding; bat Anna
Smiih. carried away by ner feelings, actually
hrOte the rule heIsef and popped q black
ant into one Cf the gaping months, The ant
was perhaps too big, for the fuzzy mass
seen ed to strange, and AIMS s1 IN agony
to n i:s Marsh who, Fastening to the scene
of darger, found the supposed victim en-
TREY recovered and eagerly stretching ont
its neck for more. The girls, however, were
SO T. rIifisd they never repeated the expert
ment and ardent devotees were only al
loved to bring their gifts ard leave them
under the tree, aidiDG thereby, they sup
To.td. Mistress Robin IN her Efforts 10 sup.
port her hungry family.
How ard what yOan. birds ought TO eat,
how long would ii be bsfore they would
leave the nest, how would the mother tell
them when iJ was time, and myriads OF kin
dred questsoDs, poured so thick and fast on
the distracted teachers that in selfpres srva-
ton they held sundry ten minute session
wherein the most trustworthy information
as 10 the habits OF well bred robins was given
to the eager listeners.
Tie guard of-honor felt they provided
sgainst every danger when they secured the
assistance Of the lsnitor, during the hours
the yard gates were locked; but one dreadful
night the Robin household was wakened by
the clang of the alarm bell, the scrsech of
the steam FIRE engine, the hosrse trumpet of
the Chief E0gineeI, and all the horTid din OF
a great conisgration. The FIRE wss in mar
row street behind the Burrough schoolhoase,
and the gates of its yard were wrenched open
to assist in the passage of hose and taking up
OF position. Poor Mistress Robin, for the
first time terrified, covered helplessly over
tie little ones, while Papa Robin hoped
from bough TO boUgh il frenzed agony. In
q second, food OF water would have washed
away every vestige Of the long-watched fam
lily, VIXEN ragged little boy caught eagerly
at the Chiefs coat. PLEASE, sir, he gasped
do be careful of Ward Five's birds nest!
It's IN the willer."
Fortunately the Chief was quick vi tied,
and it popped into his head how
be had overheard his daughter talking
in the most animated manner about
"our birds nest, our eggs, and young birds
in our willow" and he changed, by the
meerest trihe, the direction of the stream.
The birds were saved, and Mistress Robin,
seeing the danger was averted settled down
with a contented chirp. The next morning
although the children with q1aking hearts
waded TO the tree through pools Of water, she
greeted them even more launtily than usual,
SIS If she would say, do not you worry, all
Riverside may burn up, but nothing disturbs
us.n
If possible she was more adored than ever
after this miraculous escape; and VIXEN at
last the nest was found empty and the sharp
est eyes could no longer recognize their rob
ins from others who flow over the yard loud
was the mourning and not few the tears.
The sorrow was somewhat assuaged when
Miss Marsh carefully took out the deserted
nest, and placed it over the pleassntsst win
dow in the room OF Division First. All the
children marched through the loom to see
il in its rev position; and, as the Chief En-.
gineer told frequently his side OF the story
g good many grown people came likewiss.
When Division First came TO its last day
in the "Burrough School," there was as u.s.
usl quite parade. The May or sat with the
fathers and nOthers on the platform. and sf-
ter he had given the certificates to the de.
psriiDg class. he told the story OF Mistress
Robin. Then stir and rustic, and up
stepped dsputation FROM the Fire Depart
ment of Ward Five with a beautiful ak
banner for Division Fret of the Burrough
Schoo'. As its shimmering folds huttera in
the soft summer air. loud cheer filed the
Ioom, for in the middle, skillfuliy painted,
wes tteir birds nest
After the applause subsidized, the Mayor
said however much Ward Five might have
deserved less honorable mention in the past,
she certainly meritsd the highest place now,
for he did not believe there was another
school.yard in Riverside, where a robin
could have successfully brought up family.
Pennsylvania Major and Grant.