Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-02-28


Or when they're white with snow
Carolyn Wells In January 81
Nicholas.
BLUEBIRD'S MISTAKE.
In the sunny Southland an orange
hung on branch of the mother tree.
1t swung back and forth, looking like
a tiny ball among the green leaves.
A bluebird, who had just arrived
from the North Country. flew down
to see If the hard little ball were
something which Mother Nature had
provided for bluebird's food.
Nothing to eat" he chirped. Too
green and hard. What are you good
for?"
Il can't guess, unless its to bob
up and down and swing back and
forth on this branch" said the orange
merrily. Where did you come from,
friend bluebird?" =
"All the songbirds have left the
North: and I came with them, of
course. Snow and cold weather
cannot stand. Still, waited as long
as l could, for Bettie's sake-Bettie,
the dearest little girl in this beauti-
full world" And he ended with
till of song which nearly split his
little throat.
My mate and l rent the bird house
Just outside her window" he con-
tinued. I'VE pay the rent in songs
"a matin song and lullaby every
day-and bow Bette ever manages
to awaken without us during the
winter l cannot tell.' Here Mr.. Blue
bird shook his head dlsapprovingly.
She is such a sleepy child! All, you
should hear our lullabvs! Let me
sing you strain:
sleep, sleep. Bette sleep.
Twilight gathers soft and gray.
Nestlings, wrapped in slumber deep,
In their cradles swing and sway.
Deeper shadows near us creep:
Tiny stars their watch will keep.
Twtnkling bright till dawns the day.
Sleep, Bette, sleep!
Sleep, Bette, sleep!"
There were more verses. but this
was all the orange heard, for the
bluebird crooned them SO tenderly,
so drowsily, that every orange on the
tree was sound asleep before he fin
ished, and they were only awakened
by the farewell twitter of the blue
bird, as he flew OFF, greatly pleased
with the effect of his lullaby. Back
he came next day to perch on
branch and sing-sing of the sun
shine, the flowers. the sweet, per
fumed air of the Southland. ending
with song about the brignt-eyed
little girl in the North, her love for
birds and kindly ways with them.
Shall you ever meet her again?"
asked the orange.
Surety" he cried. "When the
spring comes
Swift we will fly,
My mate and l,
To the little brown house in the apple
tree,
Where Bette is waiting to welcome
me!
IF you could only see the interest
she takes in our nest" he chirped.
All sorts of bits of bright wool and
other materials for nest-building she
Will have ready for us. or course,
you never can see her." with a re.
gretful little twitter. THE North is
SO far away. and you have no wings"
True, / have no wings" said the
orange, hopefully. But feel quite
sure. If could let go my hold on
this branch, I could roll-oh, ever
80 fast-over and over, until should
finally reach the far North"
Dear. dear, no!' chirped the blue
bird. why. it's flights and flights
away! You could never get there,
unless you had strong wings like my.
self. Could ne, my dear?" appealing
to Lady Bluebird, who had perched
near him and was listening to the
discussion.
mo, no, poor dear!" she cried.
How any one can be happy without
wings!" And off she flew, uttering
soft little notes of compassion.
The time came when the orange
missed the friendly bluebirds.
Gone to the North, suppose" he
sighed. Well, II could fly l should
follow. There is nothing for ME to
do but to grow and grow round and
yellow. What will come next l do
not know"
The orange did this work so well
that one day he was sent to the
North-the largest, roundest orange
in the large box of fruit.
Who would nave guessed that
should take a journey?" he thought.
ut Is almost as good as having
wings"
How round and yellow he looked
In the window of the fruit store,
where he found himself few days
later!
ooh. mother, may buy that or
ange " merry voice cried, and
frightened little girl pressed her face
against the pane. ss
Yes, do" whispered the orange,
but too softly to be heard. How
ever, Bette ran home with her or.
ange clasped tightly in her little
brown hand.
Nov don't roll off," she admon-
ished him, as she placed him, on the
broad window sill.
Outside a pair OF bluebirds were
hopping on the boughs Of tree,
watching with eager eyes for crumbs
from Bette.
"See that oranee," chirped MY.