Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-20
By Frank H. Sweet

'T'UFFKUF was the very XIV Fr9 -
earned for himself and
though in size he was smaller
than most of his companions the earning of
the name had carried him to the very front of
them all. so that now he held without OPPOSE
and the choice portions of berry bushes and
briars in summer
But reaching there had brought penalties
as we'll as privileges He was covered with
scars and marks of conflict One wing would
never again be in perfect alignment with the
other, and the eye that had dared and scoffed
four martins in bunch would never be so clear
and open as it was before There were bare
places on his body where feathers had been
pulled out by vicious opponents, his bill had
grown blunt and hard through much attacking
and Tending and the greater part of his tail
feathers were irreparably gone
But the wonder was that any part of him
could remain, for he had never given an inch
nor left a fight as long as an object was unat-
tanned: and more wonder that his temper had
not kept pace with the soaring and disfgure-
ment of his body
Yet it had not for there was no voice in all
the country more CHEEKY and rollicking and
carefree than that of Tuffruf the sparrow He
could sing song or help friend or fight
fight with equal heartiness or indifference: APP
parently it was all one to him, and all a part
of the every day round of jollity and enjoy
ment. And the odd part of it was that the
birds he whipped were his stanchest friends
SPARROWS-English sparrows. of course
are not like the shy songbirds: they do
not resort to a sunny slope below the orchard
or in some secluded pasture or thicket for their
spring concerts The woodpile or chicken yard
does just well, or even about the kitchen
door on top of the clothes poles or garbage
barrels. and they do not care snap of their
bills for all the cats that may be lurking near
The cats add welcome variety to the general
excitement and hubbub, and are spur to
emulation and to the educational keenneSS of
the young Sparrows.
Tuffruf was a popular leader in these back
yard concerts. which made up in heartiness for
what they lacked in musical ability, and Turf
rufs voice was always the loudest and joliest
And just SO in fight or brawl or any bit of
danger, if he could get there in time to meet
the brunt of the attack himself he was sure to
do so. There was a story among his admirers
those whom he had whipped-that he once
waited until cat got SO near him he was able
to snatch a bllful of fur from her back as he
flew across.
In thing alone was Tu1fruf 1aggard
and that was gallantry. He did not care for
the sparrow girls. and took no pains to conceal
his Indifference And yet perhaps it Won
der; for they were usually good brawlers
and fighters as their brothers,-indeed. It
might seem better, for often SwaShbuckler
youngster would be sent flying ANONYMOUSLY
by sharp billed girl. Possibly, it was their
very belligerent propenstles, however, that
he did not approve of: for sometimes when
they We're fighting and brawling together there
would be more of censure than commentator
in his eyes. 1t may be that he did not like the
same things in girls that he did in men,
The girls themselves did not seem to care;
for they tossed their heads and ntinated that
it was a case of sour grapes Tuffruf so
SCARED and ugly that no self respecting girl
would look at him, and he was taking this way
Of maintaining his independence. And We. it