Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1900-04-22
THEIR HOUsE-HuNT.
nv EDWARD FRASER,

never noticed them particularly, but TO day
he could not help It.
Not that Bob wanted to help it, for he
didn't He felt quite lonesome sitting all
by himself on the steps, and even the Wrens
would be better company than none at all.
Besides that Bob felt that the Wrens were
interesting, and well worth his attention,
though he had never studied them very
closely before, and had never made much
of~ans attempt 10 become better acquainted.
This is how it was: He was sitting on
the steps OF his house wishing that he had
somebody 10 play with, when he saw Mrs.
Wren come hopping along the old rad fence.
Presently Mr.. Wren, who had been across
the road flew TO her side. and Bob was sur
prised to hear him say to her;
well, Jennie, what luck? Have You
found a house that will suit usf"
Now, the li'ue boy had never heard q
bird talk before, so you may imagine how
surprised he was.
"Yes, Dick, I've been looking at a house
that think will just suit US"
"Where is it?' asked Dick.
"Over by that old stump" replied Jennie,
giving her head nod in the direction of the
barn. It's cosy little place. Come over
and we will take a look at it."
Bobs curiosity was aroused by this time,
and 90, without asking his mother il he
might 60, he jumped up and was soon follow
ing the busy little pair.
This was no easy matter, for they were
both dressed in plain suits of dark brown,
making 1, very hard for the little boy to
| follow them as they scampered through the
dry grass or flew from post TO post, chatter
! ing all the time, Jennie telling Dick what a
beautiful place she had found.
Finally they stopped on an old fence post
and Bob edged as near to, them as he could
90 a. to hear all that they said. Now, on this
post there hung All old shoe that Bob had
put there several months before, and it was
| this that Jennie Wren had set upon as their
future home.
This is it, dear; isn't 1t beautiful
place" said Jennie, as she hoped onto the
toe OF the shoe, followed by her mate.
Its 80 cheerful" said she, stopping mo-
ment to snAp up a fy that had buzzed too
near. ''Thsre 10 plenty Of air, and from
the front door we can see all that is going
on"
Dick, however. did not seem to like the
place.
There's not enough room, to begin with "
he said. "Why, with family of six or eight
children we wouldn't have room to move
or turn around in, and you and | would have
to sleep out OF doors. And what's more" he
added, II saw a big black cat down the road
few minutes ago, and you know we never
,an get along with those animals"
"Well, Dick, I've hunted all over the farm,
and IL this don't suit I'm sure don. know
what we can do, The only other places that
were at all suitable was in an old pump back
OF the house and an old high hat that hangs
outside the barn l haven't seen anything
else that would suit US. Beside, those are
liable to be moved at any minute, and then
we'd have to start up housekeeping all over
again"
."Ivs had better luck than that" replied
Dick, who, while listening, had been max
ing meal off a large swarm OF ants.
There's big box on pole just beside the
stable, which Mr. Bluebird had just taken,
but think we can get him to move"
I'VE can try, anyway" said Jennie; that
is, II the place Ia worth the trouble
So off they started, and once more Bob
vas in pursuit of the little brown pair, who
hoped, flew or ran from bush to bush along
the hedge and across the fields to the bird
house which Bob's papa had put up for the
bluebirds to build their nests in.
There it is," Bob heard Dick say, as
they neered the place isn't 1t beauty?
No danger from cats OF such disagreeable
animals, and plenty of air"
IT'S just lovely" exclaimed Jennie,
and there's Mr.. Bluebird now" as the
tenant OF the house they were admiring few
to it with a straw in his beak.
"Lst's see IL we aan get him to move"
said Dick, aud the two few up to the house,
IN the top Of which Mr.. Bluebird was sit
ling.
Now, I'm sorry TO say that, although the
Wren family are very loving little people
among themselves, they are very quarrel,
some where others are concerned, so Dick
put on an important air and said To the blue
bird:
That's very nice house you have there"
yes, I think it will be very comfortable
when We get it to rights, replied the blue
bird
II was just saying to Dick that 1t would
make beautiful home for u.s." interrupted
Jennie, "snd we have decided to ask you To
move"
90 but / can't" said the bluebird "My
wife and I have just got our furniture in
and"
But you must" said Dick, "for We want
the place"
"Well, WON'T then" returned Mr. Blue
bird.
This was too much for Dick, for he wa )
very angry; ard when he was angry he was
very bad: so he bristled up and few at the
poor biuebird, pecking and scratching away
at him at all Hdes at once, till the other. be
ing defeated, few off across the field with
his wife, who had come TO his aid. Dick, who
shattered and pecked at them till he grew
tired, followed them for a way, and then
returned to Jennie. who was sitting on a
limb encouraging him in his naughty work
MY, but they were stubborn" he said
as soon as he could yet his breath for the
struggle had almost exhausted him. II
never had 50 much trouble TO get any one
n move before. unless it was that swallow
family, who wouldn't give up that Old jug
two years ago"
II remember" replied Jennie; "they were
obstinate. But now that we have the place
TO ourselves. let's take good look at It,"
SO Mr.. and Mrs. Wren hoped into the
house that poor Nr. and Mrs, Bluebrd had
spent such lot Of time furnishing and get.
ting into order for their own housekeeping.
This is cozy," said Jennie, after she had
examined the place, "sEd half furnished for
| us already. Those Bluebirds never have
half enough furniture, she continued, "and
plenty OF material right under their very
noses. too. They're lazy; that's what's the
matter"
you're right" said Dick "But come
let's fx things up bit. know where
there's The loveliest rubbish pile where we
can get lot. OF useful things. Come on
Dick"
The pair few of, and minute later, when
Bob heard his mother calling. he saw Dick
flying to the house with a csst-off snakeskin
in his mouth, followed by Jennie. who had a
big beakful of feathers. and Bob heard her
say as well as she could with her mouth Sc