Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1919-12-25
CELEsTA
nn
BY BRUCE BEREsFoRD
{Copyrisht. 1919 by tho wsstsrn News.
paper Uniont

temper, pretty, gentle Aida Percy had
an unfailing source of respite and
pleasure-Ceesta.
Celesta was her pet canary. He was
nothing OF a singer, although he had
full vocabulary of little chirpings,
of odd expressiveness, covering gamut
from piuful pleading down to the
harsh infections Of complaint and
scolding. As to his cute capers and
tricks, his gyratlons on his perch and
his taking ways of daintily picking a
cherry from Aida's own ruby lips and
swinging on her neck chain extended
lengthwlse, he was acrobatic, entertain
ing, guest and lover all In one. He
greeted her with joyful whistle at
dawn and all but kissed her good
night. Friends might prove false and
sutors tiresome, but Celesta thought
only OF Aida lived only for her, and
when one day he lay dead in the bot
tom of his cage Aida could not have
mouned more sincerely If 1t had
been n cherished member of the fam
lily.
Aida took no one into the matter of
the final disposition of her dead pet.
IF there is birds heaven" she
told her mother, "Celestas spirit has
gone there. AS to the poor little body,
1t shall go back to IT, elements of ma
ture that composed It."
SO Aida went down to the basement
where the jantor had his office She
had been to The florists and had OBJ
tanned a little box lined with soft
white cotton. In this she placed the
dead bird. covering bin with flowers.
This impromptu casket she covered
with folds OF soft tissue paper The
ianitor was conyersing with a bright
faced, we'll dressed young man as Aida
entered the office.
"Alr Nelson" she spoke, extending
the parcel in her hand, 'will you
please place this in the furnace. II is
my dead pet bird, Celestn, and have
no place TO bury him
The young man had drawn aside 10
afford Aida an opportunity to protfer
her mission he removed his hat, and
Aida was grateful for what She took
TO be a recognition of respect fond in
terest in the dead companion Of many
happy hours Tears were in her eyes
as she parted with all that remained
Of her little fayorite. She turned away
with only casual glance at the young
man.
1t was an impulsiye reinark of
close girl friend that caused hes- new
uneasiness and worry after she had
become quite resigned to hen loss.
Aida had told this friend Of the fate
Of the little bird E'Oh. Aidal how
could you have consented TO snch
shocking thing rs having soor Celesta
burned up!" exclaimed Winnie Tow
ner, and the more Aida thought Of the
act the deeper grew her regret and
melancholy One day she came across
the ianltor,
"Of course you disposed of my bird
as l suggestedT said Aida.
NO. Miss, | didn't" came the amaz-
ing reply, Young Mr.. Worrell asked
me all about you that day you came
TO my office lie opened the little box
and saw the flowers aud everything.
Nelson he says to me, 4 win take
charge Of this. We have q quiet pretty
spot in our home garden where am
going to bury it,"
And who is Mr.. Worrell?' cues
toned Aida, a load seeming to have
been lifted from her heart.
"EIe and his sister own the building
here" explained the janitor He IS
the young man who was here the day
you brought the bird to me, He and
his sister live in the big house with an
iron fence all around a beautiful gar
den up on Mersey street. opposite the
library building"
So little CeleSta had appealed ia
other hearts than her own! A feel
ing OF the most fervent gratitude to.
ward Blake Worrel came 10 Aida. to
remain permanently. one pleasant az
ternoon she walked slowly by the
place the inuitor described. Alda look
ed beyond the fence ucross the lovely
flower beds and shruhbery, wondering
where the grave ot CeleSta could DE.
and experiencing sensation Of rare
relief and gla.lneSs to realize that her
favorite rcpoSed amid such beauty and
peace
man and woman came from the
house and turned down the street
toward the spot where Aida stood.
She recognized the young man OF the
ianitor's room He half paused
slightly lifted his hat and passed on
while Aida flushed She knew not why
The pair halted few feet further
ou nud The sweet tuced lady, Worrens
sister came back a. Aida
"Niy brother tells me you are Miss
Percy she spoke, Can ] venture to
think that you would ike TO see where
we have placed CeleSta. alongside Of
two of our own remembered house.
hold pets9'
THAT broke the ice and let loose
tlood Of fervid emotions IN the impres.
sihle Aida The three visited 4 little
mound IN peaceful corner Of the
lovely garden, and when they parted
ids veaS t4snr4,,f,. {pv{tC3 ~ a.,f.,