The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-02-15
evening Chat
5Lace prees,ed Trecsl

. & =
Bare trees look very much better
covered with frost and snow. This
morning every small twig and branch
wore white lazy garments and present
ed a gorgeous appearance. Spring has
very evidently decided to dress in pure
white during the first few days OF her
sojourn here and truly nothing could
be more becoming. The sky today Is
nothing more or less than a taut gray
canopy Of q remarkably light shade.
This morning there was so much fine,
swift snow filling clair that 1t was
difficult to see just where the sky
began and stopped. All the hill lines
are lobliterated and nothing but white
roofs, Write telegraph wires and white,
gracefully bending trees can be seen.
Trees which hold the snow lightly are
Very beautiful. One sees outlined sc
many fine twisting, laced and inter.
laced twigs-crossing and recrossirg
one another. Just a small shadow OF
black lies beneath each branch to &C.
centuate the wilderness. Tiny oblongs
.of dark appear and disappear-these
are the proverbial sparfoEs who find
ething to bring them 10y Id every
climate and, In all kinds Of weather.
These birds sing very little when it
Is cold-and they chatter less. Only
q faint e hirp'' can be heard now and
then.
Where % the Swallows Go When it
Storfns7,
One OF them came IN TO see me this
morning. The light OF my fire must.
have served as invitation. This small
closely huddled bird with head almost
disappearing under his wing, tapped
on my window before daylight, heard
the wind blowing outside and thought
fora moment that the branch Of a tree
close to my house had decided to be
sociable, The tap grew softer and
softer and did not contain any Of the
usual scratching OF the tree twigs
when they come close to a window
glass. So got up 70 Investigate, won
dering with my mind on other things
III that was the wayit sounded when
the raven we used to- read about iii
school. came tapping, tapping. You
know In the early morning sounds are
very different. verytding is SO very
still that they have an ain Of import.
ance' which later In the day is dispell.
cd. ] looked outqf.doors and right
under my. nose as thong to say--Wlly
do you look SO far out there. when /
am here so close was the smallest
mite OF a bird, with rumpled feathers
and bright bead eyes. He looked at me
in rather desultory manner ana stl,e1,
tucked his head back again under.
meath Q remarkably Inadequate wing
I raised the window but he did moi
stir. thought to myself These
birds belong to the winter-he's per.
tectly satisfied and merely taking a
nap. But soon he tapped again and
this time I caught him at it. His
bright eyes-now on asleyel with my
own, seemed to be asking admittance.
So with q smile I let him IN.
He came readily enough, hoppidc
over the window sill and straight 10
my fire. Soon the warmth began Ia
permeate his entire small Individual
ity; he tucked that small head back
again under his wing and this time
went fast asleep. J. know. / found: a
tail waste.b asket and put him inside
with q magazine on top for q roof.
There heswill have to remain until /
open the window again, Were i ia "a,
away and leave my guest with neith.
ar housA nor rnnf I va,.,, ,,,,,,..,t. ~, :,