Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-05
THE GREAT HOUSEBUILDING
ASSOCIATION.
A STORY WITH A PROvERB.

STORY WITH A PROVERB.
81 have found it! have found it, cried
Chirpy Sparrow to his mate. Really enough
material, my dear. to last us for the build
ing of many homes"
I'VE want only one.'' said Mrs Ch:rpy
who was a practical little housekeeper.
Yes; but We can store away any guam
tity for next year"
What is it, inquired the lazy.
Come. I'll take you to see for yourself"
and. spreading his wings. Mr. Chirpy flew
straight to the top of a nearby house.
aHghting on clothes line, which swayed
to the motion of his body Mrs Chirpy fol-
lowed him closely
''Weil"' she said, just like a woman, 81
prefer straw to new rope: all the pecking
in the world would scarcely get a strand"
Mr.. Chirpy winked. and pointed to a hard
looking Knot toward the end OF the line
Mrs. Chirpy went over to inspect
"Oh. this is different" she called over her
shoulder; then she went at 1t with beak and
claw, and Mr. Ch'rpy came over to help.
Isn't this find?' he asked as they flew
together with a generous supply to the
stone cornice where they had decided to
build.
Il should say so. but what is the use saw
ing it? We may find something better next
year. If you were a man of business, my
dear you'd make something out of this dis
cOvery.'
Mr.. Chirpy smiled. as If women under
stood about business!
oh. you may laugh.' sa id his wife who
had started work meanwhile. but IL you
organized a great housebuilding associa-
ton you could receive payment in early
morning worms. You know how you hate
to get up and how necessary an early worm
is to me while l am broodng. Besides
which. SparroWville would be so much i'm
proved if the houses were better built and
this material Is too lovely for anything"
''Well-Well-well." said Mr.. Chirpy, TN
consider it,
Mrs. Chirpy smiled to herself: she knew
the early worm" scheme had fetched"
him. And she right.
BY noon the news had spread and the
great housebuilding association organ
lzed with as much clatter and chatter as IL
they were stock brokers. Sad to relate,
however, all was not peace and harmony,
for when Mr. Chirpy retired from business
with his pockets full of promisSory notes
for early morning worms there was a light
ming rush for the knot of rope. 1t was
scarcely large enough to hold more than
half a dozen workers at time, so. having
nothing else to peck at the onIookers peck
ed at one another.
Mr.. and Mrs. Chirpy looked on aghast
Really" said Mr.. Chirpy. Il never
imagined this sort of thing"
How could you be such stupid?" said
his wife. You should have delivered all
the rope yourself. 1t would have saved no
end of trouble and bad feeling.
Mr.. Chirpy threw back his head and
laughed until he nearly fell off his perch.
Deliver the rope myself" he repeated.
why, I'd rather have gotten the early
morning worm,
"A worm in ones beak." said Mrs. Chirpy,
lis better than any promise. I'm afraid the
housebuilding association will get ahead of
you
It's your fault" said Mr.. Chirpy, huf1ly.
well, 1 never," Mrs. Chirpy folded her
beak and her bright eyes glittered angrily.'
That was so like man.
But each day the trouble increased until
the ceaseess squabbe of the small birds
tore and tore at the bit OF rope until the
ends were frayed and it hung loosely.
Then. alas! the Great Housebuilding
end for a housemaid came up on the roof.
coiled up the rope and took it away. And
only three worms left as payment at the
Chirpys' door.
There" said the little wife. 81 told you
So What are we to do? It's only the
early bird that catches the worm, you
know"
Mr.. Chirpy shifted uneasily from one leg
to the other: he had heard that so often,
1t was one Of Mrs. Chirpy's pet sayings.
He glanced at the tired. anxious face of his
mate, at the new-lined nest, ready for the
eggs. which must be laid and his duty
was plain.
Call me at sunrise he said, as he tuck
ed his head under his wing.