The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1903-07-31

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lts way through a part OF the Florida
everglades The members had heard
that about five miles from their camp
there was nesting a colony of scarlet
lblscs. The scarlet Ibis Is q rare
enough bird IN the United States 20
make the fact Of ITS nesting one of sell
cntiGc interest. The Government OBJ
servers were determined 10 get details
OF the nesting habits the size Of the
colony and some other data for smith
sonian Institution use. When they had
reached q place near which they sup
posed the nesting colony to be they
heard the reports of guns "Plume
hunters after the ibiscs," said Philip
Lcdyard's friend
"They are butchers" said Philip.
Lets push on and see IL We can't
stop their devilish work"
They broke through the tangled bar
ricrs OF the swamp and came upon
the scene Heaps of beautiful scarlet
creatures with their feathers dyed a bit
deeper than the hue of nature in places
where shot had done its cruel work
were scattered about In the open forest
glade. The slayers had finished their
work. The last mother bird, lingering
in the hopeless defense Of its nestlings
had just fallen stricken to the ground.
The air was filled with the cries OF
the young IN their nests.
Ledyard, with no attempt to conceal
his anger and loathing, asked one OF
the human brutes how he could DO
such work.
ut pays, mister Ask the women
folks; they wear EN-"
Ledyard turned away. His friend
said Phil, the man spoke truly. The
women wear them. and they know
about this cruelty, for It's been pub
lished broadcast The scarlet ibis
brings more money than the white
egret because it is scarcer. This is the
first colony I ever saw in Florida.
Hear the young clamor for food
They'll call for two days. Then they'll
be silent enough, because they'll be
dead--dead from starvation
Philip Ledyard's year was up and he
was at home again. Josephine Battels
was there She was beautiful. He
admitted it himself half reluctantly.
He had seen Mary Martin twice. His
heart troubled him q bit when he saw
that she had grown pale and serious
since he last saw her. There was an
indecisio1 in his heart for which he
reproached himself sharply. One day
when be met her she was tending n
wounded robin, Her eyes were full of
tears. Philip LcdyGrd went home
thoughtfuly.
That afternoon Josephine Battels
was to 90 driving with him. She start
ed for her room to get ready. 40.
scphine, dear" said Mrs. Ledyard, do
wear your new hat, 1 wish Philip to
see it. 1t is admirably suited to youI
style OF beauty" Mrs. Ledyard added
smiling.
Josephine Battels stood in the door
way ready for the drive with the after.
neon sun full upon her. Philip Led
yard looked at her with warm admira
ton in his eyes. She was a beauty
this girl His gaze went to her hat
It was a wonderful white creation
with a brilliant bit Of color at its side
Philip Lodyard looked again The
striking fame-colored Trimming was
the wing Of a scarlet ibis.
1t was only three days later whcT
Mrs. Schuyler Ledyard found a letter
on her plate at the breakfast table
Dear mother" it ran. 'only two week,
ago you told me I had come into my
own You meant money l did no
really come into my own until yester
day when Mary Martin married me
overheard you say to Mrs. Ganzeyoor
l was so undecided that a feath2
would turn me. either way. / dom
fatter myself Josephine would have
t married me, but you prophesied bette
than you knew when you spoke Of tn
feather. 1t was a feather, a reC
feather, and when you ask me to brin'
Mary home I'll tell you all about il
Your loving son, Philip"
And Mrs Ledyagd bcinG a wom2'
and curious, and forgiving witha'
knew all about the feather within
! wook.-Edward B. Clark, in Chicag
Z Rec0rd-He"ald
. Marriage Licenses ShibbOlctas.
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