The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-06-19
BIZ ANNE IL YooDRurr

4 family ri pelicans lived On the Margin
OF lovely lake. \ very large family &,
vas. ind"ed-fathers. mothers. and chp-
cTen; uncles. aunts. and cousins iunuu,-
cradle They had delightful times. for
II was always warm weather there. ana
best OF all. there was always plenty 70
eat All they had to do when they were
hungry was 20 skim along the surface
OF the water. and when an unlucky Ash
showed himself pOunce down upon him
and gob5le him up. Sometimes a Whole
shoal OF fish would appear. and then Il
was wonderful and beautiful sight 90
see that great family Of pellcans sweep
suddenly down upon their prey in a mos;
startling manner.
There were trees growing on the banks
OF the lake. which cast delightful shadows
upon the water some Of the long. afoop-
ing branches of the willows reaching clear
down into the lake. They found the eaaj.
very refreshing after a fight in the hot
sunshine and the eXsTtiOu OF catching
their lunch.
One fine day, while they were taking
their rest In the shade beneath the vii
lows, a pair OF young pelicans were en-
gagged in a close and absorbing converse
ton. They were a handsome couple o.
iarge size. while. slightly tnged with
pink, or flesh color. They had large, broad
and extremely long bills. the extreme tip
OF the upper one OF a bright red color.
and curving like hook over the under
one.
My dear" the female pelican vas say
ing TO her mate, the time has come when
l shall need to look for a suitable spot FOR
a nest. / must have your help in selecting
it,"
Certainly. my love" was the answer.
81 shall b. happy to render you all the as
sistance in my power. What was your
idca?'
II am, as you are aware, of n very re-
firing disposition" she said. "and the pub
licity OF this shore, where all our friends
love to cOugregate. is extremely distaste-
ful to me. / am really puzzled TO know
what TO do"
Really" said ne, T am quite al a loss
how TO advise you. All. yes, i have it,
Speak, my love. and relieve my anx-
iety," she implOred.
What do you think OF that wood yon-
der?' he asked. indicating by a graceful
motion Of his right wing a small island
lying at no great distance from the shore
Just the thing" she exclaimed Joyfully.
How clever of you, Ny dear, would YOU
be so kind as to 20 and investigate. and
bring me word as 10 its suitability and
comfort for a nest. I do not feel unite
equal 20 the eXertiOn myself to-day"
With pleasure. love" he replied, swim
ming off across the water. while his fond
spouse stood on the bank watching his
graceful movements with proud and adj
miring eyes
In short time Re returned and assured
her that 1t was impossible to find a more
desirable place, so the next day she made
here her nest Of soft rushes and grass, on
he ground near the water.
In due time three beautiful white eggs
in the nest, upon which she sat
lay and night until they were Matched II
must be acknowledged that her spouse
vas most attentive and devoted. bringing
Ier the choicest tit-bits in the way OF
ish that IT was possible for him TO find
How the proud parents rejoiced in their
little ones, They thought Of nothing else
)ut 10 provide for their wants. bringing
hem the fish they caught in the large
pouches beneath the bill. with which all
'elicans are provided for that purpose
The little ones grew and thrived, and
he mother said they would soon be able
o leave the nest when she would teach
hem 10 earn their own living She
warned them not TO leave the nest with
,ut her permission, limiting at vague and
earful dangers that were without that
afe retreat.
One little pelican was OF a bold and
ieiiant disposition. and I'm the absence
# his mother announced his intention
# foraging for himself Like many
'oung people, he had great idea OF his
'wn abilities and wanted to see the
world and enjoy himself. When his more
bedient and timid brothers demonstrated
With him, he tainted them with being
led to their mothers apron strings-Or
omething TO that effeCt--and went of as
asst as his little legs could carry him.
When the mother pelican came hCmc
here was a dreadful time, as YOU may
When she found out the facts
Z the case she few here and there, Ut
ering hoarse cries Of distress. She hur-
led all around the little island. bit In
ain: he was not to be seen. Then, chsrg-
lg the others 20 remain where they were.
he FASTENED to the old trysting place.
,here she felt sure Of finding her mate
moving a quiet VISIT with his crOnies
= Il happened he was alone. stretched
omfortably upon the green sward. TAX
NJ in the peaceful beauty OF the scene
Drowsy as no was, the distracted ap-
earance Of his mate, as she struggled
reathIessly I'D the bank, caused aim 70
pen his eyes wide in alright.
what is Il, my dear? What Is II?
What has happenedT' he asked In breath
ass suspense. waiting impatiently for her
0 get her breath.
"Oh. my dear! Our darling. our pre-
ious little Billy" she gasped.
You alarm mer he cried. what Is
-rong with Billy?" and his anxious face
onfirmed her suspicion that Billy was
Is fayOrite.
He is gone" she exclaimed in a de-
pairing whisper, "and / cannot find HIN"
When she had told him all he said
Keep up your courage, my dear and
will all De- well. We will find him. !
m sure" and led her back 10 the nest
mere he inquired more carefully into the
latter. The young pelicans gave him q
rue account OF their brothers dolnes
Unfolding none OF his unfilial speeches.
''Ungraieful young wretch his father
aid, and would have added more in the
anne strain had not his wife checked
i'm with an observation. wnich. trans
lied into English, means: Boys will be
Oysg'
/ arm not acquainted with the pelican
-ndering OF the prOyeFb She also dark
limited that the time was not so far
stant In the Dast when he himself had
sen guilty OF as grave II rot worse mis-
emeanors, whereupOn he looked very
um indeed. and the young pelicans
AIRED as Il they could not believe their
AS.
IL was getting along toward night and
, time vas 10 be lost. They were just
10ut starting upon a tour OF discovery
hen d familiar skFi.l little cFy S&s
lard uear az hand.
"Oh, my daring! my darling. There be
(" cried the OyerJOyed mother.
Sure enough. Billy. very weary little
.ilcan, waddled hsitingiy toward them.
I'D enough 10 hide himself under tie
other wings.
Come, sir, give an account OF yourself
here have you BEEN sternly quened
e father.
over there" answered Billy. rather
.gpely.
why didn't you answer when cailedy'