The Tupelo journal., 1908-11-06
My Feathered Neighbors.
BY LEILA B. DICKSON

Il LAIeHulHg Ddck SeVcIdl ydIuS lToHl
the street, in an old fashioned, dilapi-
dated house, overshadowed by the state
ly elm and wateroak: wild profusion
of woodbine and honeysuckle entwines
the enclosure. On either side the walk
a luxuriant scuppernong forms roman
tic bower, and the adjoining orchard.
with its fragrant blossoms of pink and
white, lend an artistic toue:i to tie
whole. In this tangleUf vines .5.d trees,
a variety Of l:sSs Le,d d4iiy carnival,
wooed and won, ~ selected dainty
coverts for thei homes. As Mr.. ard
Mrs. Sparrow are very practical and
unsentimental in their views, little time
was spent in courtship IN ne buds
had scarcely hurst their letters. ere
their throth was Tsighted and vows
consummated. But soon sad disagree
msnt arose belween this neV.y ws3a
baie. Mr.. Sparrow was vers anxeo .
to locate il the cave over tn seccy6
pill irof the yer4ndt. but Mts S j3rfow
see 4 to prefer the corner under the
cii.., az rose vine. Mr.. Searfow
| VIZ! THROWN into perfect culver of ex-
citt s.lent and grew vehement il his ar
gument as he said, Sweet, this is the
very place for our hcme, better shelter
ed from rain and storms, and the pro-
| jecting pillar affords better protection,
and there will be less danger of falling
below stairs. don't you see these advan-
tages, Sweetie! Sweetie 4 do not like
tae situation half SO we'll as this" CHR
PED Mrs. Sparrow, 1T will be so pleas
ant to rest spell on the swinging vines
when going out and in, and it is ever so
much prettier, too" Mr.. Sparrow found
he had very obstinate little wife to
contend with, and in coaxing tones sa d
now Sweetheart, just come over and
see what desirable situation this will
/ be, you will be charmed dear love. lam
sure, if you would only come. Mr..
/ Sparrow, think my judgment should
be consulted in this matter, you know
| will be detained at home much more
than you, and positively refuse to be
| dictated to in any such manner, and il
| is immauerial to me whether you coincide
th-my wishes or not. am going tc
have my home in the corner, and car
get along nicely without you anyway
Mr.. Sparrow grew piping mad at this
and instantly few over and gave Mrs.
Sparrow vicious peck on the side OF
the head, in twinkling the two were
engaged in fist and skull fight. Mrs.
Sparrow seemed to get the advantage
however, as she plucked fine plume
and stepped back airily and said: "What
do you think of that? Mr. Sparrow
retreated in disgust, ard lett the little
lady to her own reflections. She sal
musing on aswaying vine, when sudden
j ly her thoughts had taken shape. She
flew away, and when she returned,
brought material for the corner stone.
After several trips had been made,
spied Mr.. Sparrow some distance, sit
t ng on dead limb, seemingly in a de-
pairing mood. Mrs. Sparrow chirpec
gayly at her work, evidently thoughts
of Mr.. Sparrow had fed. When this
indifference could no longer be borne,
he came over and sat a few feet from
Mrs Sparrow domain. But wishing
to try Mr.. Sparrow still further, his
presence was ignored, and away she
! flew for more straw; on her return she
| found Mr. Sparrow busily engaged with
! domestic affsirs. Secretly rejoicing that
she had no warm a place in the affec-
tions of Mr.. Sparrow, and as he had
been brought into humble subj ection,
he was given cordial reception, and
for IN. moment made to feel that he
" as lord of creation. But / lam sorry
to say the great ambition of Mrs. spar
row to adopt the ''dress reform" in op-
position to her husbands jurisdiction,
was the cause of constant brawls and
domestic disquietudes.
Wearied with my progressive neigh
bors, right gladly was my sympathy
/ enlisted in behalf of my refined, musical
| friends. who attracted my attention one
dewy morning in April | heard some
one calling another in clear, silvery
/ tones: Birdie! Birdie! Birdie!' Charm
4 ed with the melody of the song that
4 was borne to me through the open
\ window, glanced out and saw min
strel poised aloft on quivering limb,
calling Birdie, his sweetheart. He
seemed oblivious to all the world, and
was telling unconsciously his beautiful
secret of love, to all who would listen
| From the expression of tender senti-
/ ment, knew she must be near. though
hidingi in shyness, istning to his passion
ate song of love. strong with emotion
and tremulous with love. Sometime;
in his rapturous outburst, he wonld as
cend heaven-ward, and the song woult
die away in celestial sweetness, thei
then back to earth he would fall, will
soft, plaintive walls, rising and falling
in pathetic appeal for sympathy ant
companionship; telling of vague hope
and sorrowful longings that filed hi
breast The sad spirituality to tn
song touched responsive chord in tn
heart of Birdie. She melted to tender
mess at the pathos of her lovers song