The Philipsburg mail., 1899-04-28
Little Messengers.

Very tired OF the dull, cold weather,
bS the bare trees and the muddy paths
was little Rose 1t seemed to her that
the bright, beautiful summer would
never come
DO not be INPATIENT said mamma.
summer is already on the way, and
she has sent little messengers out to
say that she is coming"
Where are they?" asked Rose.
Go up the hill little way and then
turn into the field replied mamma
"and | think you will find more than
cne herald all sweetly dressed in green.
Perhaps there will be others in brown
or black costumes. Wrap yourself up
warmly, for March loves to nip little
girls nose and ears"
He will soon be gone, and am glad
of that" said Rose.
He is not as pleasant always as his
brother and sister months" answered
mamma. But he is very useful to
good Mother Earth, and | hardly see
how she could get through her house
cleaning without him.
AS soon as Rose was in the open air
she felt better. The first tree that she
passed held out an armful of baby
catkins for her to see, and she could
not help smiling at their little soft,
fuzzy bodies. Soon she was out of the
disagreeable road and on the brown
hillside. She glanced down as she set
her feet upon the spongy turf, and
there, looking straight up in her face,
was little Glover in his new green
1ress.
why, you darling, I didn't know
you were here" said Rose. How glad
| am to see you"
"Glad! glad! glad" sang a joyous
voice close by.
Rose looked up. There was dear
Song Sparrow atilt on the very topmost
spray of a wild cherry tree. He was
pouring out his happy heart in a
bewitching carol to the spring.
He is one of Summers messen-
gers" said Rose. The winter is
over; the winter is over, that is what
he says. Be glad. be glad little girl!"
Rose looked about her for other little
green folk. 1t was but moment be-
fore she spied Baby Mullen in his new
velvet frock. He was very young, in
deed, a mere Infant; but he seemed to
feel quite at home and nestled close TO
the dear Earth as if quite sure that
she would take care Of him.
Not far away little Fi-fnger nestled
ir family of Grasses. They were
taking good care of him. for he seemed
just bit timd and trembling While
Rose was bending over Fi-inger some
one called as plain as could be:
Phoebe! Phoebe"
my name isn't Phoebe" said Rose,
laughing aloud But | suppose you
are Mr.. Phoebe, and you are calling
Mrs. Phoebe. | am glad you spoke, for
should not have seen you, and | want
to tell mamma about you"
But there were other folks abroad
that day on important business. A
solemn-looking person in black sud
denly darted from a nearby hedge.
"Oh, how do you do, Mr. Crow"
Cdileu OuL ilOoc, ucilSuLSuiy. L KNOW
what you are going to do with that
twig in your mouth. You are going to
make a treecradle for the little black
baby Crows"
Before Rose had finished speaking a
saucy little fellow interrupted her.
"Chickadee! Chickadee!" he said, in
a loud, clear voice
"Oh, you are here, are you?" said
Rose, whirling around in the direction
of the voice. But you have been here
all winter. l know you very we'll, you
dear thing, but l am very glad to see
you"
What frolicsome place the outdoor
world is, indeed. Rose turned from
looking after Chickadee, and there on
the fence rail were two little brothers
running race. They were at the end
of the rail in an instant, and then
what leap they made to the bough of
a tree. How slim and trim and dainty
they were in their red fur coats!
Il wonder If they live in that tree"
said Rose. They must be glad that
winter is over. But they look nice and
plump. l suppose they are good, in
dustrious little brothers, and always
lay up all the nuts they need on their
pantry shelves. l hope you weren't
afraid of me, you dear Squirrels"
Our little girls discontented mood