Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-04-30

H.EsJ 80 meal there came a
M tap, tap at their
Nv x door.
"Who's there?' said the owl.
"a letter" said the post bird.
"Who is it fromH" asked he owl. who
was not much used to letters.
THAT you can find out by openinp
It. - said the post bird as he flew away
$50 l cam" said the owl
Lets see it, let's see it," said the
little owls crowding around their papa
"Wait, wait" said Mr. Owl lone
would think you had never seen letter
before in your lives. "
"What can it be2" said Mrs. Owl
eve shall see" said Mr.. Owl as he
opened and read it:
DEAR NEIGHBoR-I am engaged to sing AZ
the end Of the lane tonight to a select com.
pAny, but have taken cold and am as hoarse
Ss bear. Can you sing for NOR At early fire.
6y time precisely. You shall have my pay
two moths and a beetle-if that will satisfy
you. Don't refuse. Yours,
WHIPPooRwILL
Dear me, that is astonishingl The
first time you were ever asked to sing,
III be bound!" said Mrs. Owl.
How fast you talk, my dearl Let
me see. Will l do it, or won't do it?r
said Mr.. Owl, who was very much
pleased with the invitation, though he
didn't wish to show it.
What are two moths and beetle to
me- pray? A fat mouse now would be
worth having. However, l suppose l
must consent; it is only neighborly.
Here, Pinfeather, take that to friend
Whippoorwill. And he wrote "Yes'
on a leaf with his bill. "And now for my
preparations. l wish hadn t eaten such
hearty supper, for it will spoil my
voice But never mind. First the toilet,
and then a little practicing.
So Mr. Owl shook his wings and ruff
fed up his feathers thoroughly and then
moothed them down again one by one
with his bill as carefully as possible
"How do look, my dear?' said he
10 his mate. Am l all right?'
Eyes, believe So" said she, taking
birdseye view Of him. "Stop a mo-
ment There's one feather awry." And
she Strengthened it.
Then Mr.. Owl flew up to the topmost
bough Of his tree and sang over his
evening song. 1t was rather a harsh
one, but the best he knew.
Seems to me you are a little hoarse
tonight, said Mrs. Owl
'Not at all Never was in better
voice" said Mr.. Owl "And now am
ready"
Soon the moon rose on the bay. The
light streamed across the water and
over the cliffs and silvered the old man
hon on the shore. Two young men came
out on the lawn.
There, this is the right point" said
Frank Look, Philip Isn't it lovely?
See the moonlight ON the water and
then the grand old forest, so inky black,
and the white cliffs ON the other side.
One thing more now-the whippoorwill.
You say you never heard one. Well go
to the end Of the lane. He sings there
every night" So they walked together
down the lane.
There is the big rock where he al
ways stands, " said Frank. LET us sit
on this log and wait for him. "
Then the ireflies began to hurry to
and fro with their lanterns.
ut is time for me to begin, " said
Mr.. Owl. "Aheml" And he cleared his
throat. "You and the children sit in
that bush, my dear, and tell me after
ward if it sounded we'll" Then he be-
gan.
"Tu-whit, tu-whool Tu-whit, tu-
whoon
''Is that the poor whippoorwill?" ask
cd Philip, laughing. "lf it 49, l have
heard him before"
"Oh, no." said Frank. Far from it,!
That is an owl. But listen a moment.
1t is time for the whippoorwill.
'Tu-whit, to-whool Tu-whit, to-
whool" sang the owl
THAT awful bird" said Frank.
''Shoo, shooW And he waved his cap
TO drive him away.
"How strangel They hardly seem to
Ike it," said the owl. but III try
once more. There may be some mistake
What do you think, my dear?"
But Mrs. Owl and the little ones had
all flown home at the first alarm.
1T is damp here, said Frank. Ills
ten once more, and then if he doesn e
come we will give it up for the night. -
There's bird ON the rock, said
Philip.
''There he is at last, " said Frank.
"Tu-whit, tu-whool' sang the owl.
1.-THE wretchl' said Frank. II am
sorry, but it can't be helped Let MS go
away"
They are going" said the owl
Very we'll, I'll go too. I've sung my
best. Friend Whippoorwill never did
better, and surely I've sung long enough
for the pay" So he flew back to his nest
well content with his evening concert.
How Glass Bottles Are Made.
Have you ever seen glass bottles