Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-06-13
Be71sje' Wonder
Morninq

work, she thought. $50 much must
be done this busy day.
She dressed rapidly, then knocked
at Ben's door YES, Mother" an
swered sleepy voice. Come, lad
die" she said. you and have some
work to do" And almost before the
words were said, Bensie was out of
bed.
Little Sue was almost dressed be-
fore Mother reached her door, and
Baby Boy crowed his delight when
he was lifted from his crib.
No wonder the children were glad
to waken on such a bright. sunshiny
morning. The birds were holding a
morning concert. The spiders had
spread the finest of lace-work all over
the lawn. Mother Nature had scat"
tered diamond dew-drops over the
lace, and now called the children to
admire her handiwork.
Bensie and Sue hurried out OF
doors to breathe the fresh, sweet air.
and delight in the glorious morning.
Ben didn't express his feelings in
words, but he turned handsprings just
from pure happiness, while Sue
danced around the garden, exclaiming
ing their eyes for the first time that
morning.
Ben didn't stop to play very long.
for he was fathers "right-hand man,
and had chores to do in the farm-yard.
Down the path he hurried, whistling
so cheerily, that Mr. Blackbird at
once sat up rival performance
which nearly split his little throat.
SUDDENLY Ben stopped, and bent
down to examine a flower which grew
by the garden path,-a tiny flower
which shone out like gold from the
surrounding grass. II never saw a
flower like that before! Guess you'd
better go home to mother, and get
yourself named" And the blossom
was carefully fastened in Ben's but
tonhole.
A few steps further, and Bensie's
brown eyes discovered small bird on
the ground.
"Hey, you poor little chap"
laughed Ben. "Tumbled out of the
nest? Well, stop your squawking. !
wouldn't hurt you. Guess you and
will pay a visit to the old folks at
home" And up the tree went Bensie
Boy to put the nesting back in the
little brown bird-house.
Then something SO surprising hap
pened that Ben nearly fell out OF the
tree in his establishment, for he actu-
ally heard Mother Bird say: "Oh,
what relief to get you home, dear
Twitter. Ben, you are certainly the
best boy!"
ooh! Why! Jimmy!" gasped Ben,
slipping down the tree to tumble on
the ground in his surprise.
"Ben, my man." he said to himself
sternly, this will never do. You
must be dreaming. Get up and go
about your work. A boy Of thirteen
ought to know that birds can't talk"
He hurried on till he reached the
barn-yard gate.
Mother Hen was clucking and
scratching away inside; but, when she
saw Ben, she came hurrying toward
him, calling loudly: Hurry, neigh
bors! Come, chick, come! Here is
Ben with our breakfast" Before Ben
could recover from his surprise, all
the hens came, screeching, 20 Ben!
Thanks, thanks! You shall surely have
some fresh eggs today"
Ben dropped down on the ground by
Mother Speckle, and addressed her
earnestly.
See here, will you please tell me,
ma am, why you can talk today when
you never could before?"
All the chickens burst into loud
cackle of laughter, but not another
word could Ben get out Of them. Ben
scattered their corn, and then went on
to the barn, feeling greatly perplexed.
He was greeted thus by Madam Cow
as the stable door opened: "Bens1e,
bring me some nice. sweet hay. and
you shall have good milk today,
enough for baby and little Sue, father,
mother and Bensie, too"
"Coo, coo!' said the soft-voiced
doves, circling around his head. Bring
some corn for our breakfast, do. Bensie
we are waiting for you"
Ben began to think this great fun.
81 tell YOU" he exclaimed, Pm going
to see if my dear old Dobbin is In this
talking business, too. He'll tell me
what has happened to all of you.''
OF went Ben to the horses stall.
Putting his arms around Dobbin's neck
he have him great hug, crying, as
he did So
Say. old fellow, can you talk, too?",
81 always could talk" remarked
Dobbin, quietly leaning over to nose
around Ben's pocket. Have you any
sugar, little master?'
Eyes, here's a lump; and now tell
me why didn't you ever talk to me
before?"
81 have, a great many times" an
swered Dobbin, but you didn't under
stand me. The reason you hear this
morning is because of that flower you
are wearing"
"This fower!" exclaimed Bensie,
much surprised, drawing 1t from his
buttonhole to gaze at it.
You see,' said Dobbin. confident
ally. reaching over Ben's shoulder
after a wisp of hay, this Is mid
summer day. Any boy who has never
in all his life been cuerl to bird or
animal may find the good luck flower
today; and. as long as he wears 1t, he
can understand our language. l al
ways knew you were a good boy,
Bensie; and I'm not at all surprised
at your finding it,
"Hurrah!" shouted Ben. This is
surely fine. must hurry and feed the