The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1895-11-09
BLUEST OF BIRDS.

BLUEST OF BIRDS.
In town Of the ancient kingdom OF
CASTLE there lived in former ages a
youth called Bartolo. who tried to exc
out n living by making cages for birds
and taking thcm round TO sell at tho
neighboring villages. But his trade was
poor one. and no judged himself in
luck IL he sold ono cage In day, and.
as may DO supposed no know what sor-
row and privation were
One day as no was proceeding to a
village he heard sounds Of revelry. tho
buzz Of many people and tho strains of
band Of music This merrymaking
was procession OF children dressed in
white. carrying in their midst beau
tiful child crowned with roses in a
chariot covered with white satin and
ornamonted with acacia and myrtle.
This procession was in horror of Maya,
tho porsoninontion Of spring. and took
place to announce the entry Of spring.
In front OF the little chariot some chill.
dron danced and held in their hands tin
platters for contributions. and. IA may
be imagined. all, or nearly all, the spec
tators dropped their coins into them.
Bartolo moved away in responding
mood, saying to himself as he walked
ON: lis this the justice Of the world?
There they are flinging their money
into these platters just because these
children como in procession to announce
TO them that II Is the month Of May, as
though they could not know it by look
ing In an almanac. Thcy barter and
grind mo down TO tho lowest price for
my cages even when chance to soil
one I"
Full Of these bittor thoughts, no
walked ON sadly, for the voices Of two
importunato enemies were making them
selves heard within him. These were
hunger and thirst. Tho one clamored
for food and the other for drink. Bar
tolo had nothing In his wallet but his
clasp knife and had had naught for his
breakfast but hopes, and these mado
him sharp and active.
He had reached plantation when no
perceived we'll dressed individual COM
ing toward him. Pressed by hunger,
Bartolo taking his cap of respectfully,
approached and said:
Excuse me. sir. but could you kind
ly give mo trifloi promise | will ro-
turn IL as soon ns ! earn some money.
Don't you think that IL is shame
full thing for u man like you-young
and with good. healthy appearance
to bo demanding charity of peoplel Does
It not strike you that you have duty
to earn your living 10y working ut your
trader
Eyes, sir, certainly, but my trade
docs not fulfill its own duty. Most poo
plo like TO SEQ tho birds flying about
FREQ rather than In cages. and therefore
day by day find myself poorer than
before.
At first the stranger doubted what no
heard. but tho birdcag0 maker gave
him so detailed an account of his work
and the small profits he derived that
he became Interested and sympathized
with his i'll fortune. Bartolo was man
who always knew how to excite great
interest In himself
Como. come" tho stranger said,
smiling. IL will do something for You.
As | cannot find customers for your
cages, | will afford you powerful
means by which you shall never moro
be in want "
He then blew whistle, and Bartolo
saw flying before him bird blue as
tho sky. which came and perched ON
ono OF his cages.
"See horo," added the stranger,
what will compensate for all your
past misery. From this day forward
you have only TO formulate a wish and
say slowly and distinctly. 'Bluest Of
bluebirds, do your duty. and your
wish will DO granted to you. "
by my faithr cried the birdcage
maker. but will try il at once For
tho last 20 years | have wished to kill
hunger. 'Bluest Of blucbirds. do your
dutyr
Scarcely were tho words out OF his
mouth than no saw suddenly spread be-
forc him ON tho grass a breakfast 1T for
prince laid ON service OF exquisite
silver and glass and the whitost Of
cloths. Bartolo. astonished. flung him
self ON his knees before his bonefactor
to thank him. but he raised him up,
saying:
IL am the good genius Of the honest
workingmen Of Castillo Sit down and
eat without fear. Take advantage Of
your lucky star, D." and then suddenly
disappeared
Bartolo roverently bent down and
kissed the spot upon which no had
stood. unable 10 find adequate express
sion Of his gratitude.
He then sat down and ate his break
fast After his meal Bartolo judged
that n man who had Toasted in such an
elegant manner ought 20 have other bet
tor clothing than his we'll worn work
ing suit. and lifting his staff he cried
to tho bird. "Bluest OF bluebirds. do
your dutyr In an instant his old suit
became transformed into one Of richest
velvet. embroidered in gold and silver,