The morning call., 1891-07-25

picious rs this little child, and only looked
for kindness at our neghbors' hands.
Just as it was growing dark she came to
me ard put her hand into mine and gave
IL little pull.
"Come and see the birds" said she. and
! suddenly became aware Of the chlrplng OF
a robin somewhere near US. 1t was funny
sound to hear in the winter twilight, win
the rafting of the train and shrek OF the
whistles, for it was generally the note OF
robin who was going to sleep on his nest
in an apple tree, or nigh on elm bough, some
early summer evening But Nelly led me
toward the old lady with so many bundles,
and / found one of her treasures was
bird-cage, and there sure enough was the
abreast, fat fellow with smooth feath-
ers who winked and blinked at us and
stopped his chirping as we stood beside him.
''She seems pleased with him. the little
girl does" said the birds owner. I'D like
to have her see the rest of my birds. Tween
ty-three I've got in all; thirteen OF ems
canaries. The woman in the other rart of
the house is taking care of 'em while I'm
gone. I'm going to Stockbridge to spend
Thanksgiving with my niece. 1t was
great piece Of work to get started. and L
didn't feel at first rs l could leave the birds,
but l knew Martha's folks would feel hurt
II put 'em off again this year about COM
Ing. But had to take the old robin along
with me. Some folks said it might be the
Qedlu Vi MN, DuI lie never DCCH ouC iii'tC
scared. His cage stands in window at
home, where he sees sight OF passing.
He's the tamest thing sou ever saw. Now
I'm SO fur Oh my way I'm glad | did
make up my mind to start, though It'll be
bad getting there in the night / think
change is good for anybody, and then I'm
SO tied down the most OF the time with the
birds that | don't get out much, and there's
nobody to fetch in the news"
why don't you fetch up few carrier
pigeons with the rest of your family?' said
/, and this seemed tn amuse her very much.
"Sakes alive! l don't want no more"
said she; d" but then I've said that all along; ;
all the folks that keeps canarles in our place
comes to me if anything ails 'em. | was
telling this little girl. if I'd known l was
going to see her. I'd have brought along a
nice little linnet for her; he'll sing all day
long; but he and the one [ put with him is
always fighting each other, and all my other
cages is TOO full Already. ! reckon you'd be
good to the little bird, wouldn't you now,
dear?"
The little traveller smiled eagerly, while
suddenly thought of the five sparrows that
are scld for farthiug of this worlds money,
and yet they are worth SO much 10 God.
| think we were all anxious to see what
kind of a woman the aunt would be- and
was half afraid she would look hard-bearted,
and | knew in that case | should always be
sorry when | thought Of the little girl whose
hand / was so sorry to let GO. l had looked
after her at night. l had walked a dozen
times TO look at her sweet little Swallowed
face as she slept with the doll held fast in
her arms.
At the station in the morning l found
some one who came TO meet me, but | could
not go until saw the aunt. l waited with
the conductor for a few minutes, and / was
beginning to fear l must say good-by to my
little traveller and never know her fortunes.
Every one of the passengers had given her
something, l believe-p;cture-p papers and
fruit ana candy, and l do not know what
elSe-and had even seen the old priest kiss
her good by most tenderly, and lay his hand
on her head in what | ain sure was heart
felt blessing. do not know whether 1t was
some good old Latin benediction, OF a simple
longing that God would be near the lonely
chilli and that his saints would defend her as
she gees through the world to heaven.
| was glad when | saw just the woman
had wished and hoped for coming hurriedly
all right, she was sure OF the child at glance.
j had fancied all the time that she must look
like her mother.
My dear babyW the woman said with a
sob, and caught her in her arms, while the
little girl, with quick, instructive love, put
out her short arms and they chung to each
other without word.
1t was all right, as the conductor said
again, half TO himself and half to me. After
a minute the woman said, brOkenly, that she
thanked him for his kindness. Poor Ellen,
she never knew she was sick till the news
came she was gone. He must tell people
that Nelly would have a good home. They
stopped TO talk longer, and Nelly stood
gravely by, but had to hurry away, and
after was in the carriage | wished | could
go back aud kiss the little thing again.