The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-11-02
MY LAND AND BIRD-LAND.
BY FRANK H. SWEET.

foot upon the ground by the courtesy Of
others; but now l was upon my own
land, and could do as / pleased, and
there was no one to say me nay.
A small brook ran across the lot, and
upon its banks were stately oaks, and
symmetrical naples, and low growing
shrubs and bushes, and here and there
were irregular masses of white daisies
and gorgeous lilies. viewed them with
much satisfaction. They we're mine;
and the thought made the tapping of the
water more musical. and the shade of
the trees more cool and inviting.
| sat down under one of the trees, and
was almost instantly challenged by
pair of robbins who had taken posses
sion of a lower branch. l looked at
them indulgently. They did not under
stand my new relation TO the land. and
besides, they we're desirable tenants. But
instead of approaching my position they
redoubled their approximations and en-
treaties; and at last it slowly dawned on
me that it was not they but 1 who in
truded. So rose and walked on to the
next tree. But tie little incident set me
thinking.
Once more l sat down upon my land
and gazed up among the branches of one
of my trees; just above my head was the
rough, cabin-like nest of robin, and
halfway out the branch was it's counter
part. | looked at them with the interest
which new proprietor feels in his ten
ants. Then my gaze wandered to the
small, pensile nest of hanging bird
which swayed two and fro at the extreme
tip of one of the branches; and from
that, far up into the tree, to the longer,
more elaborate abode of his distinguish
ed cousin, the Baltimore oriole. And
half concealed among the leaves | could
see still another nest; but | was not
sure about its identity. 1t might be the
home of wood thrush, or blue jay, or
even scarlet tanager.
And all of the birds seemed to be at
home, engaged in round of visiting. or
intent on their domestic affairs. The
tree was melodious with their singing
and scolding and gossipping and low,
cooling chirps of endearment. Mistress
Oriole was perched on twig hear her
humble cousins, and both matrons were
earnestly demonstrating their views of
some topic of absorbing interest-possi-
bly, the proper bringing up of babies.
Mr.. Vireo was singing to himself in a
slow, meditative way, and evidently to
his own complete satisfaction. Far up
among the branches wood thrush was
pouring forth his soul in an ecstacy of
emotion. Other birds were visiting and
cajolipg and scolding; and among them
the good -natured, officious robins were
hopping and scrambling and trying to
of the tree.
| watched them curiously, but seemed
to have no part in the busy scene. Some
times bird would glance at me sharply
and chirp some note of inquiry or i'm
patience to neighbor. Once, robin
flew down to bush few feet away and
plainly asked me my business. After
waiting in vain for reply he scolded
me roundly. and hen flew back to the
tree aid was joined by group of ex-
postulating neighbors.
By this time l had lost my sense of
Importance. | might own the land, but
most assuredly none of my tenants re-
cognized the fact. They had been in
possession long before my deed Was
made; and did not homesteader's right
come first?
AS this truth came home to me 1
bowed in acquiescence and left the tree.
Possibly was impatient, and trampled
the grass more than was necessary; at
any rate. when a sparrow flew from my
path with cEirp of remonstrar CO
turned aside. rebuked. and after that
walked quietly along thebrook.
Under the banks were deep, shadowy
pools. and l could see speckled trout
flash from one point to another. won
de ed if they would ever know of their
landlords existence and his rights, or if
their world and that.of the birds could
ever be made to touch mine at any
point?
A butterfly brushed my face. and
sailed away to join others that were how
ering among the flowers; bee hummed
past, laden with honey for his forest
home; crickets and grasshoppers and
beetles, and tiny star nosed moles, sour
ried among the grass; and none of them
made me obeisance. | wondered if the
lilies and buttercups and daisies moved
in little worlds of their own, and were
likewise obllvious of my presence. But
the sun came down warm and filled me
with gladness; the whispers of the trees
were in my ears, and the songs of the
birds in my heart; the wind touched my
face caressingly, and the flowers sent up
rich, delicate odors- ard | was content.
My land was goodly land, and it was
large enough for us all. Oily, my ten
ants must not remain strangers. As the
years went by | would make my self
neighbor rather than landlord and the