Signal-Copiahan. (Hazlehurst, Copiah County, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1886-09-02
THE cHILoReN's SCHEME.
Sad Failure Of an Attempt to Fly with
borrowed Feathers.

Sad Failure Of an Attempt to Fly with
borrowed Feathers
It was o bright, warm day. Mike
was threshing In the barn. while the
sunshine streaming in at the open door
turned the grain dust to gold. Out.
'.dc. in the yard, were the children and
the chickens-thc former idle enough
and the latter running here and there
and scratching vigorously as II their
lives depended upon their own excr-
tions. Presently Winnie picked up tho
dish In which she had brought the corn
and went back to the house, but the
younger children fingered. declaring
that the pleasant autumn day was just
like summer. From watching the
chickens they began watching the
doves on the roof OF the barn.
"rd rather be bird than . chick.
en-" said George.
"Td like to be bird" said Nell.
dreamily. Then I'd fly away up in
the sky. Ib'licvc could most fly to
Heaven. any way. I'd so way of
over the ocean"
"Why can't We ay'" asked George.
wondcringly. IL never thought about
"Oausc wc don't have any iczzers.
explained Tcddic, turning round from
his post of observation by the barn
door.
That's tive haven't any fcath'
ers or wings" said Nell; "if wc had,
/ guess we could n.y."
"rm going TO have some right
now," declared Teddie, jumping down
from the steps and beginning to pick
up some Of the feathers scattered
about the yard. "then I'll fly way oil. "
That was brilliant idea! The little
girls opened their eyes in wonder for
a minute, and then they followed Ted
dies example, and three pairs OF little
hands worked busily. They stuck
feathers in their belts. feathers In their
hats, feathers in their shoes, and then
with great bunch in each hand they
climbed to the top Of the chicken
house ITO get good start" as George
SAID. :.
Ill don't know how" admitted
Tcddie; rather doubtfully. as they
stood In row on the roof Of the low
building.
"why. you must flop your wings
Just this way" said Nell. waving her
hands wildly; "and when 1 say
.Thrccr we'll all jump of and fly.
One, two, three"
The jumping was easy enough, but
alas for the flying. Down among tho
straw and hay Of Tie barnyard tumbled
three disconsolate little figures, and
Teddie. striking an arm against an old
wagon box, set up cry Of pain which
brought Mike from the barn.
"And why couldn't ye hyP" repeated
Mike, when he had heard the story.
"Why because the wings was none OF
YOUR own, aud nobody can fly with
borrowed ones II yc'll just remcm-
bcr that, it'll be something worth
learnin'. for there's plenty OF older
folks than you that's thryin' 10 do IT.
They fly into splendor on other peo'
plc's money. and into good society on
the rcspectability of their families and
.omc Of 'em even think TO fly into
Heaven ON the goodness OF their
fathers and mothers. They'll never
do 1t; It's nothing but pickin' up
feathers In the barn.yard. and it'll end
in tumble"
Mike went back to his work. and II
the children did not quite understand
him, Nell caught part OF his mean
ing, for she said: "Well. II We can''
make good birds guess we can make
good children, and we'll have to wait
till God gives us wings. ."-A0r"'"S
Star.