Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-07-02

EVcIltulh6 va. az AoAs esSSs - - -
ed as II nothing could grow lovelier
and II was all standing still a few
weeks. waiting coming destruction.
The swamp was palpitant With HE
Every pair Of birds that had 6ocked to
It r. Che spring was now multiplied by
from two to ten. The young were
tame from Freckles' triparenthood
and so plump and sleek that they were
quite as beautiful rs their elders. even
II in many cases they lacked their
brilliant plumage. There were chubby
little groundhogs scuddIng along the
trail. There were cunning baby coons
and opossums peeping from hollow
logs and trees Young muskrats fol-
lowed their parents across the lagoons.
II you could come upon family OF
foxes that had not yet Gisbanded and
see the young playing with Wild
ducks carcass that their mother had
brought and note the pride and sat
isfaction in her eyes rs she luy at one
side guarding them 1t would be II
picture not to be forgotten. Freckles
never tired of studying the devotion
of a fox mother to her babies.
The angel was wild about the baby
rabbits and squirrels. Earlier In the
season. when the young were still
very small. 1t had SO happened that
at times Freckles could give Into her
hands one Of these little ones. Then
1t was pure Joy to stand back and
watch ber heaving breast. flushed
cheek and shining eyes. Hers wer,
such lovely eyes. They were forever
changing. Now sparkling and dark
ling with wit. now humid with sym
pathy, now burning with the FIRE "i
courage. now taking on strength of
color with ambition. now flashing In
dignantly at the abuse Of my creature.
She had carried several Of the squirrel
and bunny babies home and had fh'
conservatory Uttered with them. He:
care Of them was perfect.
Brown butterfly time had come. The
outer edge Of the swale %as filed with
milkweed and other plants beloved u!
them. and the air was golden with the
flashing satin wings Of the monarch
viceroy and argynnis. They outnum
bered those Of any other color three
to one.
Among the birds 1t really seemed as
II the little yellow fellows were In the
preponderance. At least they were
until the red winged blackblrds and
bobolinks that had nested on the up
land came swarming by hundreds fol-
these Inst few weeks before migration.
Never was there finer feast spread
for the birds. The grasses were ti'led
with seeds; 30. too. were weeds OF
every variety. Fall berries were ripe
Wild grapes and black haws were
ready.
They seemed to feel the new reign ot
peace and fullness most Of all. Az for
hunting. they didn't even have To hunt
for themselves these days. for the
bounty now being spread before Little
Chicken every day was more thin he
could master. and he was glad to have
his parents come down and feast with
him.
He was a fine. Overgrown fellow. and
his wings. with quills Of jetty black.
cleaning with bronze. were so strong
they almost lifted his body. The funny
little hops. springs and sidewise
bounds he gave set Freckles and the
angel, hidden out in the swamp watch
Ing him. inlg smOthered chuck!rs o!
delight.
Sometimes he fell to coquetting with
himself. and that was the funniest
thing of all. for he turned his head up.
down. from side to side. and drew In
his chin with prinky little Jerks and
tits. He would stretch his neck.
throw up his head. turn 1t to one side
and smirk-nctually smirk. the most
eomplacent and self satisfied smirk
that any one ever saw onsthe face "f n
bird. 1t was 80 comicnl that Fre'kles
and the angel told the Bird Woman Of
II one day.
When she finished her work on Little
Chicken she left them the camera all
ready for use. telling them they might
hide back In the bushes and watch.
II Little Chicken came out and truly
smirked and they could squeeze the
bulb at just the proper moment to
snap him she would be more than de-
Lighted
Freckies and the angel quietly curl
ed down beside a log and with eager
eyes and softest breathing patiently
waited. They were becoming anxious.
for the light would soon be gone and
they had 80 wanted to try for the
picture. At last Little Chicken lifted
his head. opened his beak and gaped
widely. He dozed minute or two
more. The angel said that vas his
beauty sleep. Then be lnzily gaped
again and stood up. stretching aud
yawnine. He ambled leisurely down
toward the gateway. and the angel
said. Nov. We may have chance.
at last"
81 do hope So" shivered Freckles.
With one accord they rose to their
knees and trained their eyes on the
mouth Of the log. The light was full
and strong. Little Chicken prospected
apain With no results. He dressed bis
plumage. polished his beak. and when
hs felt nne and In full toilet he began
to firt with himself Freckles' eyes
snapped and Ills breath sucked be-
tween bis clenched teeth.
Hes going to do It," whispered the
angel.
Little Chicken nodded daintily and
ruffled his feathers. He gave his head
sundry little sidewise jerks and rap
idly shifted his point Of vision. once
there was the fieeting little ghost OF
smirk.
Nov. MOI" snapped the angel.
Freckles leaned toward the bird
Tense as a steel trnp he waited. Un
consciously the hand Of til" angel
clasped his. He scarcely knew It was
there. Suddenly Little Chicken sprang
straight up In the mir and landed with
a thud. The angel started slightly.
but Freckles was immovable. Then.
as II In approval Of his last perform
ance. the overgrown baby wheeled un'
I'll he was more than three-quarters.
almost full side. toward the camera.
straightened on his legs. squared his
shoulders. stretched his neck fuil
height, drew In his chin and smirked
hia most pronounced smirk directly In