The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-25
MRS. GROSBEAK'S TALE
Il DI1RY OF A DEAR LITTLE
BIRDS MARRIED LIFE.
She and Her Husband Had n Lot of Trouble.
Their Children Use Their Natural
Powers TO Her Sorrow.

May 10. 1892. This Is my wedding day.
I was married this morning at Elmwood
chapel Immediately after mathis, to Mr..
Rosebreasted Grosbeak. I made MY debut
In society last winter in the South, and
1t was near the end OF a very gay season
l first met Mr.. Grosbeak. 1t is the Gus
tom Of our family to summer in the
North and spend our winters in the
South. and 1t was during our journey
North that l became we'll acquainted with
him. Several of my young married
friends have told me they are keeping a
Journal and the idea pleased me, so 1
began 1t or my wedding day.
May y. We have been looking about
Tor a desirable location on which to build,
as We wish very much to 20 TO house
Keeping. Mir. Grosbeak drew my atten-
ton to a certain yard and told me Of a
little experience Of his there. He said that
on the morning before we were married.
as he sat singing on the tip Of the tall
maple in the yard, n lady came from
the house, who listened 10 his song with
the greatest delight. She went back into
the house. but returned almost imme-
diately witt a strange looking object
which she leveled straight at him. lie
became alarmed. thinking 1t was a dou-
ble-barreled gun, and flew away. He af-
terward learned it was a neld-glass,
used to bring objects more clearly be-
fore the eye; so he went back again; and
wherever he went the lady followed him.
We visited the place together. and ! was
so much pleased with the surroundings
that we selected a tree I'm which 60 build.
but / was quite disturbed 80 find ,lat
both boys and cats belong TO the house.
| mentioned my fears to Mr.. Grosbcak,
but he remarked that the boys seemed
quite inoffensive, and that We could build
where the cats could not reach Us. Mr.
Grosbeak has a very fine voice, and is
also fine looking. SO Il was quite natural
that he should prefer TO locate where ne
is well appreciated. So / said no more,
and we have decided upon the apple tree
as our future home.
May II. O, how busy these days have
been. But now our nest is finished and "a
dear little home 1t seems TO US; light and
airy, with a fine view. l can see all that
goes on around me. and ] can catch the
first rays of the sun as IT riges in the
morning and the last as It sinks to rest
at night. When the days grow warmer
we Will have a leafy awning over our
heads.
May IS. Having more leisure to-day !
have been locking about me 70 see what
manner Of %neighbors l ana to have.
There has been great activity in the next
yard. Two families Of Catbirds are build
ing there. Mr.. Grosbeak and l passed
by once or tN.ce to see what their nests
were like? Would you believe IL? There is
not a place in the whole pOnderous struc-
ture where the air can get in except at
d. - MI HHFa so
and thickly padded with cloth, bits OF
paper and dry leaves. Now We used only
fine, but strong, sticks and r%ootlets. and
paid special attention to the drainage
and ventilation. We did not call, as the
Catbirds are said 10 be very quarrelsome,
so l dare say 1 shall not form their ac-
quaintance. The Oriole mansion swings /
on the elm at the other side Of our yard.
In the maple Just beyond as live the !
Robins. A little farther on in the electric
light hood are the English SparrOws; and }
dear Mrs. Chipping Sparrow's home i'm Il
plum tree, Is like the Irishman's cabin.
and daccnt and quite adjacent"
I am so pleased with her for a near
.neighb0r; she is such a modest, quiet lit
tie ladybird. But O dear! Several fam
flies of Crow Blackbirds are located in
the big pine, only a short distance away.
I apprehend trouble from that quarter.
Mrs. Chebeck passes quite frequently and
/ dare say is one of our ncighbOrs.
Evidently ] shall not lack society.
May 20. To-day is a red letter day.
We have one precious egg, a lovely
sreenish-blue one with dashts Of lumber
A perfect gem, we think.
May %. There are now two more eggs
and my maternal duties and aUXieties
begun. Mr.. Grosbcak has just
brought me news Of the death OF q rela-
tive Of his. a Mr Grosbeak who lived
only five mute flight from us. lie
was singing to his wife and chatting
with her, when, without a mo-
ment's warning, he was shot in the side
and instantly killed. just for one me-
idle sport. a boy had ruthlcssly
sent out of The world his happy little
life, his lovely song and an the so0d he
would have done. for each bird-life is
TO mankind. Nj. GcosbCak has
TO offer what consolation he can, bat
must care for these eggs lest they get
June 1. Since the last entry each day
has been like unto the preceding one.
The weather is growing warm n ! find
leafy bower very comfortable. l
leave home except for the briefcst
exercise, and at times l feel quite weary
md then Mr.. Grosbeak cOmes and sings
% me.
June 8. To-day, having heard that the
widow" Grosbeak had taken another
pouse, I thought that ! would call and
,ner my cor CALCULATIONS, so Mr.. Gros-
,eak proposed remaining at home In my
lace. ! believe ] have made no mention
# the lady OF the house since w settled
le.e. She has shown the utmost interest
n all our proceedings and spends a great
of time watching us, always armed
With q field glass. which j can never
eel quito sure won't go or Up to
his time she had never been especially
nnoying, although i consider IL bad man 7
to spy upon birds movements as she {
oes. But, as | was about to say. / called
pom Mrs. Grosbeak and found her pleas I
ntly situated and apparently very happy.
While | was there an u"naccOuntable un-
asiness seized me. and cutting my call A.,
s short as politeness would permit, I
hurried home to find Mr.. Grosbeak :
on a twig and in the greatest eX- /
alternately calling me and
the lady. who stood beneath I
he tree. "Why, r. b." Rosebreasted is q
UGH a long name l always address him Il
5 Il. b; why, r. b." said / what is
ne matter AID why have you left those
uncovered" He told me he had
zen practicing a little cradle song"
, sing by and by when the lady came
ut 10 listen and then pounded on the
zee. making a dreadful noise, which so q
ightened him that he flew of the nest; .
nd he feels sure his nerves have received o
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