The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-02-24
A STORY AND
A TRAGEDY
FLORIDA PINE

They were handsome Fair of lovers,
he with his wonderful bright eyes and
air Of dignity and power, she, with her
sweet winning ways, her dainty per-
sonality and her lovely voice. They
were particular friends of mine and
lad been for a long time.
was often lonely and they, in their
young happiness seemed to realize my
longing for sympathy and companion
ship. Their little home was near my
own, and / had both time and oppor-
tunity to watch their domestic life
with its beautiful lessons of industry
and love. Both of my young friends
were good musicians and how reyelied
in that music.
When his voice swelled clear, strong
and triumphant it reminded me or q
conquerors hymn; then the sweet
thrilling throbbing notes of his sweet
heart wife would join in, and it seemed
so divinely beautiful and wonderfully
comforting to me. Thus the early days
of one springtime passed and in the
little house across the way, life's mir
acle Of new life given was wrought,
and knew that the loving hearts were
happier and stronger for their added
RESPONSE 3ility How they throve and
grew. those little ones. for there were
two of them. Both parents were so
devoted, nothing in the shape of pleas
ure seemed to even distract their atten-
ton.
Things went on thus for some time
when one day ! discovered signs Of
distress across the way and hnrrying
over ! found the distracted husband
beside his wife who lay upon the
ground evidently dying from a blow
on the head, her lovely fast dining eyes
were filled with anguish, and erelong
with one conclusive movement she
yielded up her life. cannot dwell
upon the sadness of that scene. the
desolate home, the motherlessa little
ones, the distracted father. There was
evidence that the deed was that of a
robber or tramp, but the murderer went
UNPUBLISHED and unknown About a
week went by and noticing an unusual
and strange quietness about the house
/ went over there. ! found the two
little ones dead evidently having
starved for lack of attention. Wondering
what had become of the father l be-
gan to search for him. and after some
time discovered his dead body. / found
uron examination that he had been
shot.
These deeds of cruelty went unpun-
ished, nay. they were even condoned
and permitted by the laws of the coun-
try which called itself a Christian land.
DO not think this is a story told to be-
guile a passing hour, for it is sadly
true. OF course you have guessed
that my friends were birds and so they
We're, and /. a woman, must acknowl-
edge the shameful truth that this
slaughter of Gods beautiful and use-
full birds Is encouraged BY women, from
whom the world has learned the won
derful lessons of love and mercy which
often frightened the shadows, and
soothed the pain of many lives. Will
they dare to rise above the smailness
of vanity and love and dress, and de-
clare themselves against the killing of
birds? All great movements for the
greatest and best blessings Of life have
found women among their leaders, will
the women of America stand up for
this? All over the land they are or
ganizing and planning for the protec-
ton and care of children. the children
Oh IoNcTty, lnc ikc6ASCtSu Slliidicn, Tic
forgotten children, the children whom
nobody loves, children who are cast
like tiny boats adrift, upon LIES great
storm beaten sea- Do we. not know
that God is blessing them for this
grand work? Do we not know the He
will bless them until they have passed
on into the beautiful land of the angels
and children, children redeemed, child
rem saved, the ones whom Christ loved
Then let us hope for broad far reach
ing movement which win Danish from
every woman's adjoining hat the feath
ers of birds. which will teach, through
her instrumentality these lessons Of
mercy, pity, kindness, and care for the
birds and all dumb animals without
which no character can be truly
nodded, no greatness truly attained.