Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-06
THE GRATEFUL BULLFINCH.
But Major Mendax's Enthusiasm for
Was Not Returned.

Was Not Returned.
From the New York Times
''Yes," said Major Mendax, as he gazed medi-
tatively at his glass filled with Albions chosen
beverage. brandy and soda, taste for which he
had imported to this country with his English
wearing apparel. 'Yes, there's no doubt but
that it's good yarn, but it deals with snakes
Now, snake and fish stories-I won't say whether
justly or not-always meet with a certain need
of suspicion, and for myself must say that a
story is worth nothing unless its veracity is alb
solutely unimpeachable-yes, sir! absolutely
unimpeachable.
Here junior and irreverent clubmate tit
tered. The major glared at him, and after SID
at his brandy and soda to soothe his slightly
ruftied temper went on:
Il have had no experience with snakes my
self. nor do wish to have. MY experiences,
however, with beasts and birds-I might add
fishes. but wish to run no risk of being con-
most remarkable, and, will make bold to say,
would fill large book. One in particular oc-
ours to my memory just at this moment
Several of the majors hearers suddenly and
simultaneously remembered that they had i'm
portant appointments. Major Mendax, how
ever, In addition to his many military attri-
butes, possesses the magnetic orb of that most
famous Of nautical gentlemen and yarn spin
ners, the Ancient Mariner, and had no difficulty
In keeping these indictments in their seats
1T happened in the Christmas OF 1887" said
the major, settling himself in his rocker ;" Il
was spending few weeks with some relatives
In one Of the southern counties Of England 1t
was Christmas Eve. l was dressing for dinner
in my room, the windows of which looked out
on the old-fashioned English garden, in sum-
mer a very Tennysonian idyl Of loneliness, but
at the time a bleak waste Of snow.
MY thoughts were wandering, when a tiny
tap, tap on my window awoke me from nv rev.
erie. The tapping continued. like the patter of
small hail. and threw up the sash to see what
caused the noise.
In hoped a half-frozen and most disreputa-
BILE bullhnch. beated in the winter weather,
and most miserable contrast to the plump,
rakish. stand-and-deliver sort of figure q we'll
to-do bullfinch cuts.
well. played the good Samaritan to the
little beggar. L thawed him out. gave him his
grub, and We soon got on the best OF good
terms.
''BulIfnches, You know, are birds that. at
the expense OF good deal Of time and patience,
can be taught to whistle correctly various mu-
steal airs. have heard birds that were able 70
whistle eight or ten different melodies with &C.
curacy.
The winter Of 1887 was long and severe. NV
internal rheumatism kept me in the house, and
my chief amusement WAS acting as music
teacher to my little pet, who stuck stanchly by
me. He made such progress that, by the time
my stay was over, my vanity as tutor and my
patriotism had the satisfaction Of leaving be-
hind in the land Of God Save the Queen q little
ruddy-breasted rascal that could pipe up The
Star Spangled Banner with the.best Of EN-"
Major Msndax paused soIemnIy and took a
long drink. while look of surprise and relief
that he had let them down so easily crept into
the eyes Of his hearers.
Don't stir, gentlemen" proceeded the
major, 1.-The cream Of my story Is vet to come
The Christmas of 1888 also spent with my
English kinsfolk. On Christmas Eve l was
dressing for dinner when there came the same
tapping at my window that had heard exactly
one year ago, but far louder this time. threw
up the sash as before, and there gentlemen,
there on the sill, on the word Of an officer and .
gentleman, was that identical bullfinch whose
life had saved the previous winter with three
companions. There was gratitude for you, and
! could have cried, begsd! cried like . child
When those four bull6nches. standing on the
frosty sill that starry Christmas Eve, piped up,
Is Christmas carroll to the benefactor Of one of
their race, The Star Spangied BANNER in .
part song, too, begad I"
And the major Is still indignant because all
his hearers yAnished from the smoking room,
directly the story had been told, in mournful
silence.