Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1921-08-13
"BIRDI0LA"
BY LILLIAN cYR.
g. 1921. by Mcclure Newspaper syndieate.)


Theed. in spotless white nannels.
sauntered aimlessly down the sun
baked sidewalk in Newspaper Row. 1t
was June, and the adhered quest for
education was temporarily suspended
In September ne would enter Worces-
ter high, as a junior, an eStimable ac-
QUESTION in Theed's opinion He slowed
down to a halt in front Of hitching
post, and having languidly reached OUT
for its iron ring, he twirled it absently.
He was in one of those day dreams
boys have. His eyes remained OPEN
but he saw nothing. II has to be adj
mitteG that three-quarters of 1heed's
dreams. waking and sleeping, were of
Anita. the girl who wore his fraternity
pin, and whose lovely hand he had
kissed in a pageant in which they had
been the star performers.
He turned back up Newspaper row
and down old South to Anita's home.
He hesitated with bewildering indeci-
sion at her gate, shyness or some 9TH
er boyish attribute. having seized him;
then he walked away. He soon re-
turned, playing melancholy air on
newly bought small instrument of
baked clay, called a "Birdiolas' said
instrument containing ten holes for ten
fingers and capable of series of
Wierd and depressing whiStling tones.
He had nearly passed the house
when Anita hailed him from the paz-
"a.
"C'm on up, and have some lemon
ade," she invited.
He pocketed his instrument and
sank down in comfortable wicker
chair, while the little hostess presided
over the drinks and edibles
what is it," asked Anita, not with
cut some curiosity, that thing you
We're blowingY
This" said Theed, holding up the
instrument, and adopting the manner
and the fuency of the young clerk in
the music store who sold it 10 him, lis
a birdiola,' an instrument of rare
qualities. From it one may induce the
calls, the whistles of any bird, or all
birds. -"
Here comes Fred. Hello Freddie"
called Anita sweetly. "Oh, I'm so glad
you brought your clarinet"
Hello, Laurie, OF top" said Fred,
gayly.
How d'y do Theed responded,
stiliiy. He thoroughly disliked Fred
and his clarinet
A bf+ Io+or 4b. t,.c lo,-., roso 90 ,,c
I'm glad you boys are coming to my
party" smiled Anita, "and Freddie,
bring your clarinet
The day for Anita's party arrived.
Theed made an elaborate toilet and
proceeded to Anita's.
few minutes before tEe dancing
began Theed made his way TO Antas
side to claim her first dance.
Il just promised Fred" said Anita.
you promised it to me Monday aft
ernoOn when We were sitting in the
hammock. Don't you remember"
asked Theed, panied that She should
have forgotten that wondrous incident
/ no"
"Well, this is my dance, Anita You
promised me first Theed declared
stubbornly.
Here comes Fred. Hurry, Theed
Find partner before the dance be-
gins"
Theed stared at her In amazement.
VERY we'll" he said coldly
And he did find a partner. A visit
ing giri received him tenderly.
At first he was bit bored, his mind
more on Anitas behavior than the
lively talk Of his companion, but She
really was Interesting, and Theed
could not help coming out of bis sad
mood.
Great was Anita's Indignation to find
him SO absorbed in that visitor that
he had not returned to her for single
dance.
During an intermission Anita had
Fred play his clarinet At the first
soft tentative toot Theed rose and
slipped out Of the room.
Fred was part through his ovation
when he was startled By the wild unl-
Ing Of bobolnk. which was repeated
at intervals to the end of his recital.
In several parts Of his song sheeplike
bleats and ''moos" suggestive of cows
exchanged places with tie short, tenta-
tive toots and issued from his clarinet
in rural discord. At the end Of the
song, however, polite clapping greeted
Fred.
Anita, he begged, explain TO them
That bird outside Oh. my repu,a-
tons lost - HE was GREATNESS and
his complexion assumed bright pink.
just then through the open window
there foated melancholy air. Both
Fred and Anita recognized the dread
ful whistling tones as those Of Theed'
"birdioia." Fred was angry. Anita
was pleased at TLeed's fare Of jeal-
ousy.
The mournful tone was touching
even If the tones ;gere depressing. An.
tia ran out on the piazza and shut the
screen door softly behind her.
"Theed," she called TREMENDOUSLY