Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1899-07-07

just as 1t might have been yOn,
miss, to-day, with the bird IN his
hand, aud says he
But beggiu' your pardon; yOn
was saying"
"What will you take for the
bird?7 she asked, not feeling quite
so sure of her cause, now she had
actually plunged into the battle.
"Wouldn't sell him, miss;
wouldn't take a sovereign for him,
not if l was starving"
Evelyn took out ber purse and
counted its cOnteDts-two and
sevenpence halfpenny. She drew
out two shllllngs, saying III firm
and superior tones. 1.-TWO shilings;
not penny more"
The old man looked at her kind.
ly, and explained gently, as If to
child Gt was really very irrltat-
ing):
"NO miss, | don't want to sell
BIN. | was saving, you see, 1t Was
my lad gave me the little bird te-
fore he went to sea. No, I'm not
likely to part with him for that,
dearie," indicating the coin WITH
smiling contempt. cay. and him
all the chick or child Pye got left
since Dick died, minds me O my
lad When | hear him sing so bright;
often when I'm feeling lonesome
aud low spirited bell chime in so
chedrY, and set me thinkln' how
my boys comm soon-eb. dear! eb,
dear! No, you can't leaye bin; but
never mind, never mind" He nod
ded kindly. as if TO comfort her in
disappointment.
Evelyn's patience could stand it
no longer.
DO you suppose 1 want to keep
the poor birdY" she broke forth. 81
want to bug it to give 1t back It's
liberty, TO let it be free in the
field ana the blue sky. Slrtly IOu
know how very. very cruel it is 10
c1nfne a creature made TO soar
aud sing at the very gates OF
Heaven IN a narrow cage "lih
scarce room to turn,"
THIS was delivered huently, be.
ing a verbatim quotation from her
speech at the opening meeting OF
lie before mentioned society.
"Poor, miserable Bird" she con-
clnded, apostrophiyiug the uncon.
scious lark
The cobbler, simple soul, was a
good deal taken aback at this con-
vlncing TRADE. He attempted a
defense, however;
Nay, he's got mlserable-hear
him sing. Would he sing like
hat if he weren't happy"
Yes, cried Evelyn, "he sings De
cause he longs to be free. That Is
The song of despair, and not OF
joy.'
Tue old fellows face fell. HeT
rloquence half convinced him
Evelyn felt rather heated, aud
wanted, she diin'c know WHY, to
get out of the shop,
Come" she sald, again proiler-
ing coin, two and six, and ia,
more than the wrelched bird is
Orth.Y
Nay" he said, sadly, "Tm moi
going TO sell him. He's Ike an ole
friend to me, and be loves me toe
that he does.
"Keep yonr bird, then,' cried
the angry retormer. "Krep 1t and
let II die in it's miserable prlsol
Some day you will perhaps epen
your wauton crueltlw With Whicl
l. grandiloquant threat she departed
! Wilh rather moro haste than digni
ty.
J That night, getting into bed
| EvelA came TO he conclusion tha
A she had made rather poor shoV
She had also a lurking idea thu
her motlYe had not been quite S
= much the cause of righteousness d
! the pleasure OF reporting pre-
CIess to her new society, lie
If passionate words Kept recurring
D., her mind as she lay sleepless ha
through the night. She wondrre
V If little BIRDS had their duty TO d
b a. she had; whether, perhaps,
ID giving pleasure to a lonely o
r. mans declining days, tue Ian
f might not be unconSciously dDlr
t its great Makers's bidding IN Il
y, place for which He intended i
,r She was, she decided. over, our
,r to Judge so hastily. And, being
so thoughtful and conscientious gi
V. she bravely resolved to go the ne
le morning, humble her pride to Il
4 &