Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1892-04-20
a TorcaIse lNeleksr
a Pet BIRD Dies with Iss Ia,siia "a
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n Eet Hlru 0tea Wtth tsa toNsstd n~
efsetfsss.
From Mr.. Ballou's new boob OF travsis.
Equatorial America, published tsssI, =
we quote the description Of . ,each.rg
experience OF sea life which occurred ca
the Pacific coast Of South America:
An invalid girl of Spanish birth, who
was perhaps sixteen years of age, vs,y
tenderly cared for by her mother. Was
propped up daily in reclining seat upon
deck, where she might find amusement
in watching the sea and distant shore,
also inhaling the saline tonic Of the at.
mosphere. Poor childl How her large
dark eyes, pallid lips. and painful respi-
ration, appealed to ones sympathy. Ii
required no professional knowledge to
divine her approaching fate. She was
really in the last stages Of consumption,
aud was on her way to popular santa.
rum near the coast, hoping against rea-
son that the change might prove resto-
rative and OF radical benefit. II was
pleasant to observe how promptly every
one on board strovs to add 10 her COM
fort by simple attentions and services,
and how the choicest bits from the table
were secured to tempt her capricious APP
petite. The grateful mothers ewes were
often Sutfused with tears, carefully hid
den from ths gentle invalid. Her ma
ternal heart was too full for the utterance
even of thanks
One day a small. weary sea-bird.
newly out Of it's nest, flew on board OF
our ship quite exhausted, and being
easily secured, was given to the young
girl to pet 1t soon became quite at
home in her lap. eating small bread
crumbs and little bits Of meat from her
fingers. Confidence being thus estab-
Iished between them, the little half
fiedged creature would not willingly
leave its new-found benefactress. Ii
seemed TO be providentiai occurrence,
affording considerable diversion to the
sick one. For while, at least, she was
aroused from the listlessness which is 90
very significant in consumption, and her
whole heart went out to the confiding lit
tie waif. 1t was . pretty sight to see the
bird nestle contentedly close TO her bosom,
the pale-faced girl scarcely less fragile
than the little feathered stranger she had
adopted. No one thought that Death
was lowering so very near, yet the
third night after the bird few on
board the young girl lay in her shroud,
with an ivory crucifix, typical OF the
Romish faith, in one hand. and the
other resting upon the bird she had be-
friended, which had also breathed its
last.
Attempted consolation to a freshly
bleeding heart is almost always pre-
mature, and there are few, very few,
human beings competent to offer il effec-
tually under the best circumstances. Tie
sadeyed mother listened to a few we'll
meant words Of this character, but
slowly shook her head and made no re-
ply. Time could only assusge the keen
ness OF her sorrow. BY and by she spoke.
with her eyes still resting upon that pale,
dead face, where nothing but wonder
full peace and serenity was now ex-
pressed.
Have birds souls. do you think ?" she
asked, IN low, trembling voice.
Possibly. was the reply; but why
do you ask 2"
Because, she continued, speaking
very slowly, that tiny creature and my
darling died almost at the same moment,
and il so, her spirit would have company
on its way to the good God"
The unconscious poetry of the thought.
so quietly expressed by the sorrowing
mother, as she sat beside the corpse with
folded hands and burning eyes, which
could not find the relief of tears, was
very touching.
The motor of the big ship throbbed on,
the routine Of duty continued unchanged,
passenger ate, drank, and were merry,
the sea-birds wheeled about us utter
ing their sharp, contentious cries, and
we pressed forward through the opposing
wind and tide, as though nothing had
happened. Only a mothers loving heart
was broken. Only soul gone to its God.
Such sweet innocence must be welcome
in heaven. But, ahl the great mystery
Of it ALI