The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-01-07

By JER OME K. JEROME
LcOpyright 1906 BY Cent? Al News Press Exchanged

ped, and you take it from me that it
IS not her notion of honeymoon. In
April or May, the sun shining, the air
bainy-When, after carrying up to
her a load or two or bricks and a hod
or two of mortar, we could knock off
work for a few minutes without fear of
the whole house being swept away into
the next street-cOuld sit side bv side
on the top of a wall, our legs dangling
down, and peck a morsel together; af-
ter which 1 could whistle a bit to her
-tnen housebuilding might be a plea
sure. The swallows are wisest; June
IS their idea, and a very good idea,
100. In mountain village in the
Iryol, early one summer, had the op-
portunity OF watching very closely the
building of a swallows nest. After
co1fee the first morning, I stepped out
OF the great. cool, dark passage of the
Inn into the blazing sunlight, and for
no particular reason, pulled to the
massive door behind me. While filling
my pipe, swallow almost brushed by
me- then wheeled around again. It
took up position on the fence only a
rev yards from me. He was carrying
what to him was an exceptionally
large and heavy brick. He put it down
beside him on the fence and called out
something which I could not under
stand did not move. He got quite
excited and said some more. It was
undoubtable he was addressing me
nobody else was by-and Judged
from his tone that he was getting
cross with me. At this point my trav-
cling companion, his toilet unfinished,
put his head out of the window lust
above me. 'tSuch an odd thing" he
called down to me. '.I never Noticed
It last night. pair of swallows are
building their nest here in the hall
You've got to be careful you don't
mistake 1t for a hatpeg. The old lady
says they have built there regularly
for the last three years" Then it
came to me what it was the gentleman
had been saying to me. Il say, sir
you with bit of wood in your mouth
you have been and shut the door and
can't get in Now, with the key in
my possession, it was so clear and I'M
derstandab1e, 1 really forgot for the
moment he was only a bird. Il beg
your pardon" replied; L had no
idea. Such an extraordinary place to
build nest" opened the door for
him, and taking up his brick again he
entered and I followed him in There
door," heard him say. "Chap there,
sucking the bit of wood. Thought I
/ was never going to get in" 81 know
was the answer, cit has been so dark
! in here, if you'll believe me, I've hard
| ly been able to see what I've been do
| ing" Fine brick, isn't it2 Where
Will you have it?" Observing me sit
ting there they lowered their voices
| Evidently she wanted him to put the
brick down and leave her to think
I A7AA| vas 4AOL Q04lC SUI WHERE StC
would have it. He, on the other hand
was sure he had found the right place
for It. He pointed it out to her and
! explained his views. Other birds quar-
| rel a good deal during nest-building
but swallows are the gentlest of little
people. She let. him put it where he
wanted to, and he kissed her and rar
| out. She cooked her eye after him
} watched till he was out of sight, ther
deftly and quickly slipped it out anC
fixed it on the other side of the door
Poor dear" I could see it in the toss
/ of her head. They will think they
know best; it is just as well not to ar
que with them"