Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-01-06
What the Little Brown Bud Said.

II was such beautiful little hat, II
was soft and gray, and had a tiny bird
fitting among the bows of ribbon. for
all the world as if he were just going
to swell his little throat and burst INFO
singing.
IT'S the loveliest hat there is in
MaGame's windows" Leigh Tappan
said, nodding her small, positive head.
decisively. And I'm going to have IT
on my head next Sunday"
why. Leigh Tappan, anybody'd
think YOU had just to beckon to it. and
the top O. your head Ellie Crane
cried. laughing.
We'll. then, anybody'd think right
I'm going to beckon to it, and you'll
see it asetting. You wait, Ellie
Crane"'
The little girls were on their way to
school. Going home that noon. Leigh
ran into Madame's to look at the
dainty gray hat near to-"
Can l try it on?" she asked eagerly.
Madame beamed down into the eager
face graciously. Judge Tappan's little
girl could try on" anything-certain-
ly. certainly. Wouldn't she like to
have it sent up home for her mother
to see? Just as well as not.
Nom Leigh said. ''Oh. nom: but
I'll tell her about it. and I know she'll
let me have it. It's gray. just like my.
new jacket, oh. isn't it lovely?"
She was looking at the dainty little
maiden in the mirror, and little wave
of shy color crept over her cheeks. 1t
was becoming. and the little gray bird
certainly would sing in a minute.
Il know she'll let me have it," she
called back to Madame from the door
Ellie was waiting outside.
You haven't got it ont" she an
nounced triumphantly.
Tain't Sunday. You just watt"
Well. I will: but l wouldn't wear it
not with that dear little dead birdie
on it. Don't YOU believe you'n feel
like IA murd'rer. Leigh Tappan?"
'Ho. the idea. l didn't kill it, That ;
Just because you belong to Miss Pea
body's Bird Defenders I'm glad
don't. I was going to join; but J,
shan't row-not if 1 can't wear that
little gray bird on my hat. Don't she
let YOU wear aigrettes. or wings or any
thing. Ellie Crane?"
We don't want to wear en- Ellie
said stoutly. We've promised not to.
1t would make us feel like being glad
to have the little birds murdered, and
were just as sorry as we can be"
Well. som l sorry-all kept that
little gray bird at Madame's. ana
that's all killed Already. l can't help
it,"
Yes, YOU can help it, Leigh said lit
tie Ellie. gently. anyway. you can help
having its little brothers and sisters
Killed. You neednt pear 70 believe its
right.
Leigh felt cross She twtehed her
shoulders impatient,y
what harm1l il do, Ellie Crane. il I
kfrled?''
Its 'con-senting unto it, - Ellie said
says-'con-senting unto it, You CON
sent un-to it, if YOU wear the gray birdie
in YOUR hat
Then III .con-sent unto it, / guess.
if that's an" laughed Leigh, mimicking
Ellie's grave emphasis.
Judge Tappans wite was an invalid
and the little daughter of the house had
things about as she liked them.
aYes. yes. dear if you like it." Mrs
Tappan said abont the hat. Her white
face was pinched with pain; and she
drew long. weary patient breatf1s: II
ly little gray hat Take Marie down
with you to see about it. She has good
taste. and so has my little girl she add
ed lovingly. Il can trust her..
Leigh had "beckoned,' and the little
gray hat was coming to her! She Went
out on the cool veranda to sit and make
believe learn her French lesson, and the
very first sentence she. saw was I'm
nouveau petit chapeau: but there was
no little soft bird on it.
Another one thought tiny brown
bird-sat on the white lilac bush. and
sang 10 her He was fitting slowly up
ana down. up and down: and there were
odd little minor notes in his song. Leigh
had strange fancy that he was singing
to keep from crying. And. IL he had been
gray instead of brown, how much he'd
have looked like Ho what an idea. He
couldn't even be brother or sister. He
was alive enough: what did he want 10
cry for?
The little brown bird sang on, and on
went Leighs queer fancies. He was tell
ing her something sorrowful-hush:-
about his little brown wife and two lit
tile brown babies he loved.
They ,killed them-kitled them-kihed
them sang the sorrowful little voice 10
Leigh MY little nest Is empty now.
Leigh felt choke in her throat. Sone-
thing bright and round FLASHED down on
.JTn nouveau petit chapeau."
my little brown wife is dead--is dead
is deadAss dead. My little brown babies.
tool"
.sis-,is-anyb body going to wear 'em on
their hats?" faitered Leigh. brokenly.
But the supper-beil was ringing; and the
lilac bush was untenanted by little.
fitting. brown bird. Had Leigh been
asleep? Anyway. she was awake now.
After supper she hurried down 10 Mad
ame's without Marie.
Il don't want the little gray hat" she