The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-26
THE FARMER: DECEMBER 26, 1911

after day fio, As gathered and depart ed. By the time the first snow whit ened his trail about the Limberlost there were left only the little black and white juncos. the sapsuckers. yell lowhammers. few patriarchs among the flaming cardinals, the bluejays. the crows and the quail.
 Then Freckles began his wizard work He cleared a space of swale. and twice day he spread birds banquet. By the middle of December the strong, winds of winter had beaten most of the seed from the grass and bushes. The snow fell. covering the swamp. and food was very scarce and hard to find. The birds scarcely wait ed until FreckleS' back was turned to attack his provisions. In a few weeks they flew toward the clearing to meet him. By the bitter weather of Jan- uary they came halfway to the cabin every morning and fluttered about him like doves all the way to the feeding ground. By February they would perch on his head and shoulders. and the saucy jays would try to pry into his pockets.
 Then Freckles added to wheat and crumbs every scrap of refuse food he could find about the cabin. One morn ing. coming to his feeding ground un- usually early. he found a gorgeous cardinal and a rabbit socially nibbling a cabbage leaf side by side. and that instantly gave to him the idea of
 HO had gathered for Duncan's children. for the squirrels. in the effort to add them to his family. Soon he had them com ing-red. gray and black-and he be came filled With a vast impatience that he did not know their names nor habits.
 So the winter passed. Every week Mclean rode over to the Limberlost. never on the same day nor at the same hour. The boys earnings constituted his first money. and when the boss ex- plained to him that he could leave them safe at a bank and carry away a scrap of paper that represented the amount he made a deposit on every pay day. keeping out barely what was necessary for his board and clothing What he wanted to do with his money he did not know. but it gave to him a sense of freedom and power to feel that it was there-it was bis and he could have it when he chose.
 That winter held the first hours of real happiness in Freckles' life. He was free. He was doing mans work faithfully through every rigor of rain. snow and blizzard. He was gathering a wonderful strength of body, paying his way and saving money.
 Mrs. Duncan had a hot drink ready for him when he came in from freez ing day on the trail. knitted heavy mitten for his left hand. devised way to sew up and pad the right sleevt which protected the maimed arm fl bitter weather. patched his elothin' and saved kitchen scraps for his birds not because she either knew or care a rap about them. but because she he, self was near enough the swamp to b touched hy it's utter loneliness. Whe Duncan laughed at her for this she re torted: My God. mamie. if rreckle' hadna the birds and the beasts h would be always alone. 1t was neye meant for human being to be sa sol tary.'. .z-'' l +. {
 The next morning Duncan gave ar ear of corn he was smelling to Free kfes and told him to carry it to his wflf chickens in the ,Limberlost. Freckles laughed denghfedly. N
 'Me chickensw he said. "Why didn't I ever think or that Lsfore! Ur course they are. They are just little brightly colOred cocks and hens. But what would you say 10 me wild chickens be. ing good deal tanner than yours here in your yard!'
 "Hoot, Iad!" cried Duncan. Make yours light on your head and eat out of your hands and pockets. y challenged Freekles.
 "Go tell your fairy. tales to the wee people! They're juist brash on be lievin' things" said Duncan. "I dare you to come see! retorted Freckles. : "Take ye!, said Duncan. eff ye make juist ane bird licht on your held or eat frae your hand ye are free to help yourself to my corncrib and wheat bin the rest of the winter"
 After that Freckles always spoke o1 the birds as his chickens. The next Sabbath Duncan. with his wife and children. followed Freckles to the sWamn-
 (To Be Continued.) Homemade candy has become Sc popular that the amateur candy-mak- | CT is glad of any hints concerning this new accomplishment. If the pan or 1 chafing dish in which the candy is tc 1 be boiled is buttered for an inch or l two down, the liquid will not boil 1 over: It will not rise higher than the buttered rim.