The citizen., 1915-04-22

or and talking over their winter
plans. Cock Robin was full Of i'm
portance, giving advice TO his fam
lily and neighbors and seeing TO IL
that they put good stock OF pro-
visions in their round little stom-
achs. for who could tell when they
could stop for lunch the next day,
and they would start at daybreak
Still he had time TO confide TO his
wife what he had seen Of the gold
en- princess, and how he felt sure
that the creek was the way to her
golden palace.
The last thing before starting the
next day. Cock Robin flew over to
the widows back door TO bid her
goodbye and thank her for her kind
ness TO him. He felt sorry to part
with her and leave her TO the COM
pany Of those stupid hens. She
would miss him, he thought.
The widow did not understand
the reason for his early morning
visit. She thought he was looking
for crumbs, and opening the kitchen
window. threw out q handful with
a friendly smile He picked up and
eat few. not to seem ungrateful,
and then with a toss Of his little
black head and a chirp for good
bye. he flew away, giving last
look at the grey, unpainted house
$50 unlike a golden palace, as he
said to himself.
The winter that followed was an
unusually severe one. II was cold
even in the southern woods in
which our fcathcrcd friends had
sought shelter. They kept on the
move in the daytime, and at night
huddlcd together. their little heads
tucked close under their wings. On
many a cold evening before he fell
asleep, Cock Robin thought Of the
poor widow he had left behinc.
How she must be shivering in her
cotton dress. with no feathers to-
keep her warm. Poor thing, she
had only her hens to keep her COM
pany. with their foolish talk and
unmusical voices, and the rooste"
who had not sense enought to let
her sleep in the morning, as if she
had anything to get up for"
At last the weather changed, softer
winds blew through the budding
branches and the sun shone warm
and bright.
"It is time we we're starting for
our summer home" said Cock Robin
to Jenny Wren. 1--WE must be there
before April. Who knows but the
golden princess may be coming out
Of her palace to see the world and
we might miss seeing her. and then
we should be the April fools
Yes. yes" said the little wife, "let
us start to-day. We want to get
our new nest built in good season.
So calling their full-grown chill
dren together, they started on their
Journey back. Cock Robin was IN
fine feather. The warm sunshine
and the soft, fresh air filled his
little heart with hope and joy-all
had gone we'll with him, and this
spring he looked for yet greater
iovs. He was delighted at the
| thought of seeing his old nesting
Iplace once more, the apple trees and
hedges. and his mouth watered for
the tender spring worms with the
Kentucky flavor he hoped soon to
taste. He was eager to know how
the poor widow had stood the winter
and he even caught himself in a
Itwittcr Of pleasure at the thought
Of greeting the silly hens, but that
was too absurd. he could not want
to see them: still the chickens were
prrltv and soft and there was hope
they might have more sense thall
their mother, if one could take
them early. Yes, he would 60 first
To the widows yard and see how
She did and whether she could stiii
manage to smile at him. He would
try to cheer her with a song. Poor
thing. She must need cheering, and
il was long since she had heard any
thing hut a cackle.
As the party nearcd the orchard,
he grew So impatient to see his old
friend that he left the others behind
him. Jenny Wren did not try To
catch up with him. She thought
she must stay with her children
and not let them overtire them
selves. Before long she was sur
hrised TO see Cock Robin flying back
To meet her as if in great excite
ment.
what is itT she sang out, as he
came within hearing distance.
"Oh, come quick" he called back.
Wonderful. wonderful ~
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