Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1903-09-03
asked Mary suddenly, one day when

4
well, then, my child, why don't
you sing?"
'I-oh, don't know how-and then,
it seems to me that l would rather
cry
There was an inexpressibly sad look
on the mothers face, as with a deep
sigh she drew the child to her breast,
but the fathers heavy step was heard
on the stairs, and the one went on
with her sewing, while the other
opened a school-book.
Does bird cost much money, sir?'
''That is according to the bird, little
one. l have all kinds of birds: par
rots, blackbirds, cardinals, love-birds,
! larks, canaries, linnets. What sort of
bird do you want?"
81 don't know SIR
What! you don't know"
Il mean l don't know the names; it
don't matter about the color; but |
want bird that sings"
How much money have you got?"
"a quarter"
! And with quarter you want to
buy bird that sings?"
ut is all | have. We are so poor.
My godmother gave me the quarter a
long while ago, but she is dead and
nobody gives me anything now. Look,
sir, it is quite new" and Mary showed
| the bright, shining quarter clutched
tightly in her hand
But" said the bird-fancier, "If you
are so poor, why do you want to buy a
bird? You must feed it, you know,
and then there is the cage; have you
at least got a eager"
mo, sir"
Come back another time, have
nothing for YOU
"Oh! sir! dear sir, please sell me a
| bird 1t is so sad at home my father
and mother never laugh and father
does not know how to whistle; think
bird would make us feel better. You
have so many. Take my quarter now,
and when | am bigger, | viii, pay you
! all the rest" And with fearful, plead
ing eyes, begging, imploring, the child
stood holding out the coin to the man.
NO" he said, after a pause, IT will
not sell you bird, but will give you
one and the cage too. Keep your
quarter, little one, and your good heart
too. See, here is a canary that will
just suit you. He is not very hand
some just now, a little too green, and
he has last his feathers bit, but they
will soon be all right again and | will
answer for it that he will sing from
morning till night. If he does not
make you all more cheerful, then |
don't know canary from an OWL
| The good-hearted man took down
| the cage in which the bird was hop
ping about and put it in the child's
hand.
"And now for the food; wait a min
ute, you want coal for the machine:
musicians are great eaters, and don't
forget to give him fresh water every
day,-they drink, too. Here is the
seed; when that is gone, come here
again, there is always plenty here.
Now run off with your Bird take good
care of him, and learn to sing with
him"
Children in genral, thank very quiet
ly; the joy of the moment absorbs
them entirely. Their great joys are
silent. Mary was dumb with emotion,
and unable to utter a word, she left
the store, the cage in one hand, and a
large bag of seed in the other
When her father came home, he
could hardly believe his eyes or his
ears. A bird was near the window.
singing with all the power of his little
throat, and near him stood Mary, 50
entranced, that she did not near the
door open.
What is that?" he said, when the
first surprise had passed. How did
bird come here?"
The child trembled and hesitated.
ooh. father, you don't mind, do
you? 1t was given to me-"
"But, child, it must be fed, a useless
mouth"
ooh! no! | have the seed, too. He
has such pretty voice; now there
will be some one to sing in the house,
and we shall not be so dull. You will
see; let us try"
"a bird will not bring happiness,
any more than a swallow will bring
the spring. However, I have no objec-
ton, if it gives you pleasure and God
knows you have little enough" He
kissed her forehead more tenderly
Joy, such as he had never before seen
on her little pale face, the child sat
down beside the cage, and with hands
Joined sat lost in an ecstacy of delight.
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