Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-08-06
Saved by a Lark.

g
white house with green blinds. There
was nice yard, with smooth cut grass
and green trees where the birds would
sit singing on the boughs. Patty had
aswing, too - one that papa put up-of
good strong rope, that would go UP ev-
er so high in the branches. Patty was
six years Old.
A short distance back from the house
and gardens stood three great barns,
filled with stores of hidden wonders.
But she liked besC to go with mamma
in early spring into The woods TO gath
er flowers, and search for ferns and soft,
green MOSES or in the autumn, to 60
into the fields where papa was at work
and make him little visit.
One morning, in the harvest time
Patty was alone at the door. Outside
all was bright and sunny. Through
the air came the softened hum OF the
distant reapers. Patty thought she
would like to 90 out and see papa and
so in another moment the little feet
were trotting across the fields. When
she came into the wheat field she could
see the men going down the side fol-
lowing the reaper, and leaving a shin
ing row of bundles behind.
Patty tried to catch up, but they
worked very fast; and by-and-by. grow
ing tired. she sat down on sheat of
wheat. BY her side the uncut grain
waved in the sunlight. An old beach
tree cast cool, pleasant shade it was
very beautiful there.
Suddenly a bird flew out OF the wheat
near by. singing rich, clear song.
Patty clapped her hands in delight.
''Perhaps there is nest in there"
she thought; and ''In there" she went,
looking with pair of bright eyes ca
gerly about. And yes, there it was
surely, nest and three of the dearest,
sweetest little brides. Was there ever
anything so funny as those downy little
heads with the tiny bills wide open !?
Such a nice place for nest, too, Patty
thought. 1t was like being in a golden
forest in there, for the grain was high
above her head. The yellow straw
laugh, too, a waying, ,murmuring laugh
and tossed its head back and forth, but
never whispered to the 2 ild of danger
nor even told to the men coming rapid
ly along the story of the little girl hid
den in its midst. The men came On,
the machine leading them, the horses
drawing steadily, and the kniyes cut
ting sharp and sure.
What was it that made the farmer
stop his team all at once ? Did he
know that his little daughter was in
danger ? No, indeed he thought she
was safely cared for at home. But he
was noble man. with large, kind heart
and he had seen q lark fluttering wildly
over the grain. So, as he would not
willingly hurt the least of Gods GREAT
ures, he said to the man "Here, Tom,
come and hold the team. There is a
nest somewhere near the old tree yon.
der. I'll hunt it up, and you can drive
around so as not to hurt the BIRDS"
Ah, what cry of surprise papa ut
tered when he found his darling Patty
sitting there How fast his heart beat
when he thought of the danger She had
been in | And how il thrilled and soft.
ened as he caught her up in his arms,
and covering her face with kisses said,
''It was the bird that saved her !"
When the arst excitement was over
and Patty had been safely carried home
in her fathers arms, and the men were
going down the field again, leaYing q
wide, uncut space around the lark's
nest, somebody it was great, rough
looking man-said, while the tears glis.
tened in his eyes, and his voice grew
husky, "God bless the BIRDS"