The morning call., 1893-02-25
A PET BUTTERFLY.
1t Flew in Window the Day After
Whittier Was Buried.

New Y ork sun.
did you ever hear of pet butterfly ?"
asked woman the other day.
NO; why, did your
Yes and l will tell you about II. You
know that for several summers past, pre-
vious to his death, John G. Whittier passed
the season at Hampton Falls, Y. H., at the
old Grove homestead. The only MEM
Der of the old name now left there
is Miss ABBY Cove. to whom Whit
tier was greatly attached. The day
following Whittier's funeral, which
service was held at the old house, Miss
Cove opened the windows Of the quaint old
time 'sleeping-room,' ana following the
large golden brown butterfly. 1t lighted
on the easement its pusating wings a
bronze dazzle OF color. Quakeress as she
was Miss Cove gave the tiny guest well
come and left il TO enjoy its rest
The following day it was there just
the same and it flew about the room,
making light graceful poses between
its fittings. Three days passed by the but
terfy remained. The fourth day Miss Cove
took II with gentle touch, putting it outside
the window, thinking perhaps ii might have
forgotten the way to liberty. But the next
day. when the window was open, the little
guest came back. Twice afterward it was
put on, of doors. but 1t invariably returned.
Miss Cove then took plate and one OF the
old fashioned wire screens, such as are as
ISOLATED in ones mind with the cheese dish
on the farmers dinner table, and, taking
the butterfly, she put ii on the plate, cover
ing II with the screen. 1t seemed c0ntented
and happy. Food was required for il, so its
owner bought a toy cup in which she
mixed honey and water, and this the tiny
insect evidently approved. A new cage,
| like that used 10 house canary birds, was
bought, and around IT a piece OF fine wire
netting was placed. This is the butterfly's
permanent home now. 1t has learned TO
know and be fond of Miss Cove. When she
| opens the door of the cage The butterfly
| pOlses at once on her outstretchef hand. and
| while there makes a purring noise exactly
| similar 10 that OF a contented kitten, only OF
! slightly less volume of sound. If any one
! comes near Miss Cove the insect flies away,
| seemingly much perurbed. but when the
stranger withdraws It returns TO her hand,
| resumng its happy purr It's mistress now
| always feeds il. It's method OF absOrbngits
| food is this: The cup OF honey and water
| being held In the hand OF Miss Cove the
| butterfly alights on her finger and
inch and half long This 1t thrusts
| into the liquid. curling it around on the
! surface of the substance; then it thrusts,
| with quick strokes, the end OF this natural
| tube into its mouth. When it has eaten all
| 1t wants the prOboscis is drawn in and IL is
/ then the purring is lOudest | saw it eating
meal the other day and 1t was curious
| sight. but 70 hear the song of comfort it
| poured forth afterward was TO me more
wonderful. Miss Cove takes it about with
| her, and last week. while visiting Mrs.
| Elizabeth B. Chace at Pawiuckef, r. l., the
curious little pet attracted wide attention
| from callers"
HAS II seemed tolanguish or decrease IN
size ?" asked one interested listener.
Not at all il appears healthy, brisk ana
happy. and its mistress has a great affection
for this singular creature"
docs anybody say 1t Is Whittier's soul
come back In new guise?" inquired an i'm
aginative bearer.
mo, but somebody did say that were the
gentle old poet alive he would write some
words about IL that would outlive the but
terf1y by a century"