Evening star., 1918-01-22
LI1IILE80R!Es L1IL
.%rBEDTInE
BY THORNTON w. BURGESS.
Copyright. 1918, by T. W. Bursess.)
Farmer Browns Boy Discov.
ers the Robins.

Farmer Browns Boy kept a watch
full eye on the feathered folk who had
gathered to eat the good things he had
put out for them in and under tho
nearest tree in the Old Orchard. In the
first place he wanted to know just who
was there. In the second place he
wanted to be sure that Black Pussy
didn't take advantage of their great
need to try to catch one Of them. So
it was that presently he rubbed his
eyes and stared very hard while q puz-
zled look crept over his face.
IF I didn't know that my eyes are
sound and perfectly good should say
that they were playing me tricks" said
he. Mother. come here. Doesn't that
look like Robin out there?'
Mrs. Brown looked. "As sure as I
am alive it is" she cred. And there's
half frozen! Where do you suppose
they came FROM"
That's too much for me to answer"
cried Farmer Browns Boy. "I haven't
came from. but that doesn't matter.
The thing that worries me is what they
are going to do?"
DO? Why. 1 suppose they'll do just
what they've been doing right along,
won't they?" said Mrs. Brown.
NO" replied Farmer Browns Boy.
NO. You forget that yesterdays ice
storm was the first one we have had
this winter and has changed every
thing. Where those two Robins have
was down in the swamp where the
cedar trees grow. That is the only
place / know of where they could get
food. But now they can't get it there
| why they have come up here. 1t is
lucky thing l put some fresh grain
and seeds out this morning. But what
they will do until the ice melts from
the trees | don't know. They ought
to have dry, warm shelter until then
/ wonder il I put some food out for
them near the carriage shed If they
will know enough to go in there for
shelter. l believe I'll try it anyway
So Farmer Browns Boy went out to
the carriage shed, one side of which
was open. and on the snow in front OF
it he scattered seeds and crumbs and
on the bare ground just inside he scat
tered still more. And then he placed a
pan of water just inside, for it came
to him that with everything frozen ii
must be that the birds are sometimes
thirsty and have no way Of getting a
drink. He warmed the water a little
that it might not freeze over at once
Now" he muttered, "if they only
find this food and drink perhaps they
win see what d splendid shelter this
shed will make for them. ] wonder
4 how I can get them over here"
For few minutes he thought very
. hard indeed. Then he walked around
the barn and made wide circle SO as
to enter the Old Orchard from the other
side. Slowly, SO as not to unduly
i frighten the little folks breakfasting
on the good things he had spread fol
them by the apple tree nearest the
house. he drew near. He knew that
Tommy Tit would not fear him. In
fact. it was quite likely that Tommy
would fly to mees him. He knew that
Drummer the Woodpecker and some OF
the others who had been coming there
all winter would take little notice OF
him. But he hoped that Welcome and
Mrs. Robin would be just enough sus.
picious Of him to fly off short dis.
tance. If they did they would be al.
most sure to fly to a big tree near the
barnyard, and from that they would
! be likely to discover the food by the
! old carriage shed.