The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1909-11-03
Jennie Wren.

WITCH We ltdotu a tolldbC III 'hS
suburbs, we found that a small part
of it had already been sublet, A tiny,
happy, couple were busily furnishing
1t appropriately with twigs, twlne, and
scraps of any old soft tissue they
could find.
As the wife seemed to be "the head
of the house." we at once made our
selves agreeable and generous to the
imperious Jennie Wren and her mate.
They were tenants of the bird-house
up under the caves Of the piazza, just
above our chairs and near Il hang
ing basket of plants and vines. This
they used as halfway resting place
on their busy trips to and fro, their
long, slender beaks full of material
of some useful, well-chosen kind.
They were the tiniest, happiest, busiest
little couple imaginable, twisting their
little necks about in pert, cunning
ways, their prominent black eyes glis-
tening and alert.
In a few days, finding no intrusive
curiosity on our part, but only inter-
est and help, they reworded us with
most exuberant, joyful outbursts of
song as they came and went, some.
times directly from the basket so very
near us. Their song was the very
heart and soul of JOY and sprngtime
These dear tenants came several
years, raising their Little families in
due time. Then, after weeks rest
some morning we would miss them
and long for their return next season
We knew every turn and twist Of
their little heads, every feather in
size and color; and they had watched
and observed us even more closely
Therefore. we welcomed each othe,
again without doubt or fear.
On morning of one spring what
was our dsmay to hear strange, harsh
notes and to see the poor mate flying
distractedly about, seeming Emporium,
ate and angry, darting in and out Of
the bird house and to and fro from
the backet necessarily!
After many coniectures and much
seeking we at last found the little
body Of dear Jenny Wren on the edge
Of the gravel walk, without a wound
or loss Of feather. So we came to
the conclusion that she had flown after
dark against the roof, and was stun
ned.
AS long as she remained in sight
the urgent call and demand ito get
up and about her duties" was kept up
by her mate.
When we took her most tenderly
away. he became more furious. kick
ing the eggs backward from the nest
out onto the floor OF the piazza be,
meath and tearing the nest apart. II
was almost pitiful to see him in his
ignorance and grief which resulted
in temper as a relief. For many days
these symptoms lasted in SPELLS
his poor feathers worn and torn, his
little body limp and weary, and no one
able to help.
At length one morning we heard
his clear, sweet notes in a distant
tall tree, at the very top, singing with
all the fervor and hope of spring.
Then he appeared, and flew to the
basket and house. His song became
one OF entreaty and persistency for
several days, when suddenly from
somewhere there arrived another very
shy, coquettish little Jenny. After
much persuasion she consented to
look over his establishment, but with
out satisfaction.
At last. to our regret, we discovered
them making new home in an ap.
ple-tree in full bloom which grew In
the orchard just over the fence. We
could not blame this young thing"
for preferring pink draperies and
green shades to an cid secondhand
house in a dark corner. But we
missed our tenants and never sub.
let again, although blue birds and
sparrows made constant inspections
and applications.
The song-beauty and intelligence of
the English wren cannot be cqualled
in our hearts and minds.-Mary q.
Merrill IN the Christian Register.