Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-04-11

upon the piazza floor ana looked up at his
mother with HStless ewes. He had been
three days in the country and was getting
tired Of it, and wanted to be amused.
Have you been out to see the calves,
Harold"
eyes, and the pigs and the hens, and
down to the pasture to see the sheep.
They are all stupid. l thought the coun-
try was going to be prime fun, and it
IS - awful - poky" He yawncd and
crossed his arms above his head. 4 wish
there was a boy here to play with.
Il wish so too, Harold" Mrs. Haines
looked down at him with an expression Of
perplexity on her face She had been
brought up in the country and loved it
much better than the city, and she wished
manly fellow, and OF such inquiring, sym
pathetic nature, that she was sure he would
feel just as she did if only he could be
brought into touch with the things around
him
Have you been down to the woods and
along the brook ?" she asked.
eyes; took my rod and tried to catch
some fish, but they wouldn't bite Uncle
Will says | had better wait for a cloudy
day"
Mrs Haines knit her brows.
"See here, Harold" she said, her face
Frightening with sudden inspiration, are
you willing to help me do something m
even if it is considerable trouble and takes
a good deal of your time"
"Why, of course, mother" sitting up
with sudden interest, chats just what's
the matter. I've got more time than [
know what to do with"
Good! You remember I've told you
how interested l used to be in birds and
insects and plants when | was a girl on
the farm. [ studied about them and
watched them until | got to be quite a
naturalist. That was quite a good many
years ago, but now I'm back here | feel
as though | would like to take it up again.
But [ cannot move about quite as briskly
as | could then, and my eyes are not SO
good. l shall need an assistant with MIN
bic feet and bright eyes Will the job
suit you?"
"Indeed, it will, " said Harold, heartily
He was on his feet now, and all the list
lessness was gone from his face of [
can find some of the queer things you've
loid me about mother, it'll be no end Jolly
When shall we begin ,"
mot to-day. | have all these letters to
answer But I'll tell you what Suppose
you take this note book and walk along
the brook, and through the woods, and
back by that pasture where we saw the
blue jays yesterday. Iwould ike to know
how many of my old friends are still in the
neighborhood. Do you know many of
the birds by Nance"
Il know the crows and blue Jaws and
robins and IL and I guess that's all,
replied Harold, doubtfully, "and, oh yes.
[ know hens and turkeys"
"WeIl, suppose you watch everything
closely; birds and insects and whatever
you find that is curious When you come
back you can tell me all about them, and
I think l may be able to recognize them
from your description. Make notes in the
book so you can remember. [ will 90
with YOU tomorrow"
"AIl right! Goodbye, mother! I'll
be back in half an hour!" ard disdaining
the steps, Harold sprang over the piazza
railing and hurried away, his own bright
self once more now that there was some
thing definite in view.
There was a tender, unfathomable
smile on Mrs. Haines' face as she turned
back to her writing. Nor did she seem at
all discomposed when a half-hour, an
hour, two hours, went by and Harold did
not return Indeed If almost seemed as
though that puzzling expression on her
face deepened and her eyes grew brighter
as she waited