The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1912-02-01
CHAPTER III.
A FEATHER FALLS.

|1HE sounds that had at first
struck cold fear into Freckles
soul he now knew had left on
- wing and silent foot at the
approach of winter As flock after
flock of the birds returned and he
recognized the old echoes reawakening
he found to his surprise that he had
been lonely for them and was hailing
their return with great joy. He was
possessed Of an oyerpowering desire
TO know what they were, TO learn
where they had been and whether they
would make friends with him as the
winter birds had done, and If they did
would they be as tickle? For with the
running sap, creeping worm and wing
ing bug most of Freckles' chickens"
had deserted him. entered the swamp
and Toasted TO such a state of plethora
on its store that they cared little for
his supply. so that in the days of mat
ing and nest building the boy was de-
serted.
The yearly resurrection of the Lin
berlost is a mighty revival. Freckles
stood back and watched with awe and
envy the gradual reclothing and re-
populating of the swamp. Keen eyed
and alert through danger and loneli
ness. he noted every stage of develop
ment from the first piping frog and I'M
sheathing bud TO full LEAKAGE and the
return of the last emigrant.
The knowledge of his complete lone
illness and utter lnsigniticance was
hourly thrust upon him. He brooded
and fretted until he was in fever,
and yet he never guessed the cause. |
He was filed with vast Impotence |
and longing that would not much
further be denied.
1t was June by the zodiac, June by
the Limberlost, and by every delight
of a newly resurrected season 1t should
have been June in the hearts OF all
men. Yet Freckles scowled darkly as
he came down the trail. and the run
ming tap, tap which tested the sagglng
wire and telegraphed word of his COM
ing to his furred and feathered friends
OF the swamp this morning carried the
story of his discomfort a mile ahead Of
him.
Freckles' special pet, dainty yellow
coated, black sleeved cock goldhnch.
had for several days past remained
on the wire, the bravest OF all. and
Freekles. absorbed with the cunning
and beauty of the tiny fellow, never
guessed that he was being duped, for
the goldhnch was skipping, flirting
and swinging for the express purpose
OF holding his attention that he would
not look up and see n small cradle of
and wool perilously near
his head
A peculiar movement under small
walnut tree caught his eye. He stop
ped to investigate 1t was an I'M
usually large Luna cocoon. and the
moth was just bursting the upper end
n its struggles to reach light and air.
Freckles stood and stared. =
There's something in there trying /.
o get out" he muttered Wonder If
could help il? Guess | best not be >
rying. If | hadn't happened along
here wouldn't have been any one TO
lelp II. and maybe Id only be hurting =
I. Its-it's-oh, skaggany! It's just :,
icing born" Is
Freckles gasped with surprise. The =
moth cleared the opening and with :
,reat Weddings and cOntOrtious climb =
ID mp the tree. lie stared. speeches. q
With amazement as the moth crept =
round limb and chung to the under
lde. There was great pursy body !,
.lmOst as large as his thumb and of -
he very snowiest white that Frec5les =
lad ever seen. There was a band of
Ielicate lavender across its forehead.
nd its feet were OF the same color .
There were antlers like tiny straw -
olored ferns on its head and on its ie
houiders little wet looking flaps no u
digger than his thumb nail Freckles ~
aw that those queer little wet look 81
ng things were expanding, dropping. y
aking on color. and small oval mark ~
lgs were beginning to show.
The minutes went by. Freckles'
teady gaze never wavered. without -
ealizing it he was trembling with W
agerness and anxiety. As he saw y,
What was taking place ITS going to =,
ave wings" he breathed in hushed \,
yonder. The morning sun fell on the u
10th and dried its velvet down. and +,
be soft air made it fluffy. The rapid
: growing wings began to appear to c,