The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1915-08-31


with a hint of ocean,
Was it at creations dawn
Thou vast set in motion?"
Just over the bars, in a sheltered
corner of the orchard, stood, or
rather leaned, like an old man reach
ing for his crutc: es, an ancient apple
tree. Most the top had disappeared
the old trees tribute to many storms
of many winters. Only few branches
remained, and, these, all on one side,
seemed ever trying to touch the fence
that divided the orchard from the gar
den. Tie trunk was gnarled and knot
ted by the years-and the bark was
SCARED and ringed by the industrious
bills of generations dead and forgotten
sapsuckers.
An old, rusted horse shoe protrud-
ins from the over growing bark, pro-
claimed the fact, that, at some time
in the past, the old tree had done
duty as hitc:ing post. Patches of
snow lay here and there in the or
chard, which the April sun had failed
to reach, and, the white buds on tie
aged apple tree were blushing pink
and red under the Kisses of early
spring. Of a sudden bit OF blue, as
if torn from the blue of the sky nut
tered down, and seemed to lodge on
a nearby fence post, and, a cherry
tru-al-ly! tru-al-ly! the mellow song
of the first blue bird proclaimed to
orchard and garden that tie spring
procession had started. Presently, the
singer was joined by another small
rift from the sky. The new cemer's
color was duller blue, washed with
.gray. and the cinnamon-red of throat
and breast was of paler shade than
that of her soft voiced mate. This pair
of blue birds were out inspecting sites
for their summer home. They gravely
dived down in several rotted out cavi-
ties, in post holes, but none seemed to
be Just what they were in search OF.
A half dozen or more deserted wood
peckers' (-oles were peered into, but
voted no good.
Side by side they fitted over to the
old apple tree in the corner of the
orchard. Just under the splintered
top they noticed crevice, that seemed
to hold out some possibilities. This,
the little azure clad lady carefully ex-
amined, and nearly fell over herself
witt Joy when she discovered that it
was a passage way leading directly
into the shell-like trunk of the tree.
Disappearing in the opening, she soon
popped out, her little eyes showing
how glad she was, even if her bill was
too rigidly set to smile.
She flew to her lovers side, and, in
almost inaudible twitterings, told 1im
they certainly were the most FORUM
ate couple in all the orchard-for the
apple tree apartments were ideal-the
front door opened toward the south,
insuring plenty of sunshine-and the
big living room was simply dream.
And, to crown it all, last years occu-
pants had left nice, clean nest, al
most as good as new
All it needed was a little freshenins
up-a little new, dry grass Gere, and
little soft lining there, to make it as
perfect a nest as any bird could wish
for. These last years dwellers must
have been real nice, folks, too, for they
had left everything in such spic and
span order.
No crumbling egg shells Uttered the
foor-and, the passage way looked as
ii it had been freshly swept. The next
morning Mr.. Blue Bird forgot to eat
his breakfast, so eager was he to get
to work, rebuilding the nest in the hol-
low apple tree.
He brought the loveliest dried grass
he could find, and, some beautiful
pieces of red cotton string, and gave
them to his lady-love, who patched
here and patted there-until no living
bird could have told it from nest
just built.
When the last finishing touches had
been given-the dainty little architect
stepped back, cooked her small head
to one side, much as an artist views
his canvas, and pronounced it perfect.
The husband applauded with snatches
CT song tie housewifely activity of his
wife, but he generously allowed her
-, him