Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1897-03-12
SpRLNG rs KTTH US.


This is strong expression--yct we be
lieve 1t is so.
We have observed for several seasons, In.
deed many, that Spring betrays considerable
backwardness In coming forward. 1t seems
to have come eluctantly-pouting, as il
were, but still beautiful, and sometimes
such is her freakish disposition, she stands
aside and allows winter TO reach and lay his
cold hand on the face of nature.
We mention this fact out Of abundant
caution, so that there may be no dissppoint.
ment. II may be that Spring will resent
the delay by one OF those pretty, but some,
times disagreeable, tricks Characteristic Of
her sex. We still think, however, thai
Spring is with us or near. That is to be
discussed later. She may suddenly hide
herself behind the sprouting hedges, or
with finger in her mouth, she may turn her
back upon those who are awaiting 10 wei
come her.
But we believe she is with us. The warm
rain shows her footprints. The red and
tender shoots, the swelling buds of trees
and the little flowers that creep up in the
sunny places and through the dead leaves,
show where she has passed the night. Some
of her blithest attendants are here. The
blackbird is posted in the tree-tops, a black
sentinel Growing and chuckling 10 his COM
panions on the ground. The robin, some
what tousled but cheerful, is hunting for q
berry big enough to choke himself with.
And the white winged woodpecker has re-
turned, il he ever went away.
There is one attendant of Spring that we
have missed from the yards and fields for
several years--the bluebird. 1t is pity,
too, for there was nothing more pleasing
than his MARBLE, and nothing more friendly
and familiar than his presence about the
abode Of our homesteads. 1t would seem
that the species Is now extinct.
We can ill.afford to spare from our woods
and fields this classic bird. Bear in mind
that the bluebird is the true red breast Of
our liierature-that these blithe and friendly
birds are the messengers that carried leaves
and covered the faces of the poor lost babes
10 the woods. The robin is called the red
breast, but the title is not his. His breast il
yellow or tawny, whereas the breast of the
bluebird Is red. Well, we can drop sigh
TO the memory of this dear little red.breasl
with bis crest of bue. No other bird car
take his place in song or story In the fields
Presently the lilac will send forth its clus
tiers OF flowers, and presently other Spring
flowers will send forth their splendor of dis
play. We need not say that the meckiEl
bird will begin TO sing. He began in Jan
uary, and has continued, with fitfu inter
ruptions, ever since. All he can do now Ii
10 begin his serenade at night, and this will
DO when the moon begins TO shine in full.
Meanwhile, let US make the most of whaI
we have, SO that expectation may not be
permitted to take the edge off enjoyment
We feel with the old philosopher that there
10 no season as enjoyable as Spring, unless II
be Summer, none so pleasant as Summer
unless It be Autumn, and none equal TO Au-
tamn unless 1t be Winter. For the present
however, give Us what we have and let prom
ises and ahticipations follow il they come