Smyrna times., 1890-06-11
The Oriole' S Nest.

Eugene Eugene where are you %
cried Mrs. Churchill, who, having left
rironing in the kitchen, was stand
ing in the door of the cottage.
Here, mother, what is it?" came
the voice of her son in reply from the
woodshed adjoining.
"Oh, you are there, are you ?n re-
turned Mrs. Churchill. somewhat sur
prised at finding him so near: it was
unusual for him to be within sight or
hearing when wanted.
PLEASE 90 down to Wall & Muir
docks and get some vanilla for me. y
she continued. Your Uncle James
aad family are coming on a visit this
afternoon, aud I want to make some
cake"
It's vanilla or something else all
the time! wish there wasn't anv in
the world, said Eugene GROSSLY. as he
came out Of the shed
Then you would not have anv nice
cake to eat, was the reply accompan-
led by forced smile.
Il don't want any cake or ANYTHING
else; and l don't want to 90 down the
street either" said Eugene. more
Grossly than before.
Then I shall b. obliged to 90 over
to Mr.. Llpton's and ask Jennie to 20 ;
for must have the vanilla. But come
Eugene, please 20 and get it for me,
that's a good boy"
Il suppose will have to go" he
grumbled. III will 90 may stop in
the orchard on my way and get an
apple ?"
Yes, if you like but you will not
find any apples there" she said, glanc-
ing at the bare, gaunt branches of the
trees that were clashing about in the
December wind.
Thank you I'll 60 right now" and
with bound he was over the fence.
and into the orchard.
He wants something besides an ap.
pie there's plenty of them in the eel.
lar" thought Mrs. Churchill, as she re-
turned to her ironing.
The orchard contained so apple and
peach trees, and, with the house and
house lot, comprised all that was left
Mrs. Churchill by her late husband.
The trees had been stripped of their
leaves months before. Eugene went
into the orchard not for apples, but for
birds nests ; the collection of nests be-
ing quite the rage among his comrades
at that time. He did not intend to
tarry long, only until he had found one
nest which he did very soon.
1t was a nest of the orchard oriole
that he spied dangling from one end of
twig more than twenty feet from the
ground.
To climb into the main croth was a
moments work, and then he climbed
the large branch from which the twig
shot out. He found it easy climbing
until he had reached this place, but
the nest was at the end of the twig.
and it was impossible for him to bend
the limb that supported it, without
swinging around on the outer side.
This was hazardous, because the
branch was icy, and the twigs to which
ne must hold were stiff with frost. and
apt to give way and let him to the
ground.
But he was braver in collecting birds
nests than obliging, when asked to run
an errand. He could see the nest
plainly, and it was such a beautiful
specimen of bird architecture that he
boldly swung around, and by great ex-
ertiOn secured the nest.
He enjoyed this valuable addition to
his collection, but one brief moment
when the limb to which he was cling.
ing, gave way, and he fell to the
ground.
For hours be lay there, while his
mother cast many anxious glances out
of the door or window, as she went
about her work. What keeps him so
long" was the question she asked
herself a score of times.
About noon her brother and family
arrived. She told them of Eugene's
absence, and she asked her brother to
go to the store where she had sent
her son and find out the cause of his
delay.
Mr.. Warland Immediately went to
the store. Mr.. Wall told him Eugene
had not been there.
Where can he be ?" anxiously ask
Mr.. Warland.
HE has not been here, neither have
l seen Linn on the streets. But should
not wonder if you find him under a
tree in his mothers orchard with an
arm or a leg broken.
"Why do you think so ?" asked Mr..
Warland aghast.
because the boys in this city have
all gone wild on the subject of birds
nests. My sen Charles was brought in
few hours ago with a broken arm.
He had fallen while trying to get a
blue birds nest :"
THAT might have happened to Eu-
gene if he had gone into the orchard to
get birds nests but his mother told
me he went that way merely for an
apple"
IN excuse, my dear sir. There is
no fruit on the trees now.