The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-12
'Irvington'S Spring
Flowers and Birds
Another Day With Betty

Rather chilly for botanizing," I said to
Betty as a gust of cold wind swept into
the hall when the door was opened.
Nice, bracing weather. Just the kind
like for a walk
noticed, however. that Betty buttoned
her Jacket closely while descending the
steps. minute later turned into
the avenue a stronger gust seemed to
trouble her. for she swung around and
stood still until the wind was less furious.
March winds are no respecter of skirts"
I ventured while fastening my overcoat
more securely. Don't you think II would
be better to let the flowers and the trees
and the birds alone to-day?"
Don't be rude. Last week promised
to take you along the north bank of Pleas
ant run east of the bridge of sighs-' The
woods there are sheltered by a hill and the
wind will be less noticeable"
But I protested, 'fce has frozen half
inch thick the last three nights and
flowers will not bloom under such condi-
tions'
wild flowers do not mind a little cold"
rejoined Betty. 1.-The snowdrop will bloom
when It's leaves are covered with snow and
ice. IL requires a severe freeze to kill the
early Dubious plants. have seen beds Of
crocuses. hyacinths and tulips frozen stiff,
yet not one would die IL permitted to thaw
out under cover. 1t Is the suns rays that
XII after the freeze. Man must protect
the cultivated plants, but nature takes
care of her own. Wild flowers, therefore.
are found in most abundance where trees.
shrubs and fences protect them from the
cold wind as well as the rays Of the sun.
OF course I am speaking only Of spring
flowers"
I did not further oppose Betty's plans,
and we continued our way toward Pleas
ant run, shivering occasionally when the
wind struck us with force and tried to turn
us back 1t was the last week of March.
and winter was lingering in the lap OF
Irvington. Spring had visited the pretty
suburb several weeks before and made her
gentle presence felt by deftly covering the
withered blades of grass with coat Of
green and removing other traces Of win
ter's handiwork She also had coaxed the
lilac bushes into sprouting and induced the
buds OF the fruit trees to swell, with prom
Use OF bursting into bloom. The wild flow
ers, too, had felt her caress and were wax
ing from their sleep to greet her. The
robins. the meadow larks, the discordant
jays, the catbirds and fiickers had fol-
lowed her from the southland and were
preparing to build their northern homes.
In short, all nature was welcoming her
with a smile and heads OF households were
congratulating themselves over pros
pective decrease in fuel bills. But all too
soon. Winter, though waning In strength,
returned with enough buster to drive away
spring. and the flowers. trees and birds
L.. <hotr fha
sons change.
Such were the conditions on the day Bet
ty had chosen for her second botanizing
expedition. The balminess of the week
before had vanished, and, as has been
stated. cold wind was toying with skirts
and overcoats in a disagreeable way. When
we turned north on Layman avenue Betty
swung around again until the wind became
less gusty.
Betty" said /. at have an idea which
you might develop into fortune. A few
years ago young girl, who knew / went
hunting frequently, asked me IL had any
buckshot.
.BuckshotT I repeated; what do you
want with them?'
"sTo sew In the bottom of my dress
"sNever heard of such a thing before.
What is your objectr
well, am going to be baptized. and
mother said I would have no trouble in
the tank with my baptismal dress II small
pieces OF lead were fastened in the bottom
hem.'
"I found about a pound Of large shot in
my ammunition box. and gave 1t to the
girl. who told me afterward she did not
have any trouble. Now, Betty. why can't
you use the same idea for garments to be
worn or windy days? Loaded skirts for
the vernal and autumnal eauinoxes. for
yachting, for golfing or 'tennising' in a
gale and for all other necessary occasions.
including such days as this?'
Don't make yourself ridiculous
Betty, you are throwing ice water on
the hopes OF would-be genius"
elizabeth is my name"
This was said with dignity, but II Is diff
fcuit for a woman to be dignified with
DISQUALIFICATION March wind gusts wor-
rying her, and Betty became amiable again
after another encounter with the enemy.
There Is something more natural than
your secondhand IDEAS" she said a few
minutes later. pointing to pool of water
In the common near by.
Two robins We're at the edge OF the pool.
which had been formed by recent rains
''See how they are enjoying themselves"
washing of the Irvington soot," sug-
gested.
Perhaps. for robins like cleanliness.
Watch how they splash the water over their
backs by beating it with their wings The
canary. the common English sparrow and
other birds battle in the same way. Often
In the summer 1 place dishes filed with
water in the yard, which the birds use for
drinking and washing. and they seem to be
grateful Robins, thrushes, orioles and
catbirds reward me with their choicest
songs. Once a pair of redbirds built their
nest in a tree near the back fence, and
every morning was awakened with a call
from one OF them, which repeated several
times its three notes in a loud but rich
voice and later warbled good morning in
a clear. musical tone that sometimes
seemed to resemble flute"
More reliable than a 49-cent bargain
counter alarm clock, and certainly less
grating on the nerves. There's another
idea for you. Betty. You might raise red
birds and sell them for never-failing awak-
eners. Warranted to begin warbling at day
break and never stop until the sun is an
hour high"
1T will consider the matter IL you will
agree not 10 be facetious again at my ex-