Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-03-20

Lawndale, N c., Feb. 81, 1923.
Dear Auntie and Cousins: l have
Just been reading the good letters
in today's Journal. AS usual they
are all very interesting. Was very
much impressed by Miss GaffeneY's
letter about birds. 1t reminded nc
cf a little incident that occurred with
me a few weeks ago. I shall rever
forget it as long as I live. So in
the following 1 will tell you as best
can how it was.
I am a boy of twenty winters,
Have always lived in the country.
am a great lover of nature, and CT
our feathered friends the birds. Tn
til a few weeks ago. [ could say
something that most of boys my
age could not say. And that Was
that I have never killed single
bird in my life. I was proud Of it.
But to tell you my story-one
sunny morning I took my rife oUt
for some practice, and seeing some
sncwbirds flying around in the
warm places I was tempted to shoot
at them I did not expect to hit
one at all, I did not wish to hit one
But the temptation conquered and
I raised my gun to a gang in a
beautiful cedar tree and aimed at
a happy little bird, then fired. There
was a frightened cry from a score
Of little threats and through the air
they went to alight in another sum
ny tree farther down the pasture,
but I did not watch them, for in the
cedar boughs there was Il flutter-
ing and an innocent bird dropped to
the ground, gaped and died, [ can
not express the feeling that was
upon me- I had done something 1
could not undo, and something 7
had never wanted to do. I put the
little bird at the foot of the tree,
and went on my way with heart
as heavy as lead. But that was
not all. In a few days I was passing
that way again so I decided to look
at the bird I had killed and hoping
that it had come to and got we'll
although I knew this could not be
so. When [ neared the tree, ona small
branch near the foot of the tree there
was a little bird, it looked as if it
was sick, and just beneath it lay
the bird I had l.illed. I knew then
that this must be its mate. 1 tried
to catch the live bird, but it would
only hop out of my way and stay
close to the dead one.
1t was very sad and lonely while
the other birds were singing and
happy. I knew then that 1 had
wrecked its life by shooting its
mate. That bird seemed to tell me
in terrible way that it could never
be happy again, and for several
weeks this bird stayed at that spot
all the time. l believe it nothing
less than a sin to kill little birds.
and one of the worst sins, too. The
killing of this little bird has caused
me more pain than any other sin
have committed. though I am sure
it does not have the same effect on
all.
1 trust that Aunt Julia will print
this for the sake of the birds and
their protection, and that l have
not made it too lengthy.
= shall fbe glad to hear from all
you that will write, so if you want
'"Tarheel" boy, come on.
ELMER BRIDGES.
Dear Aunt Julia and Cousins: Will
you admit another Alabama girl into
your happy band? 1t has been quite
a while since | visited your charm.
ing circle. l didn't get to answer all
the letters that I received but I ap-
preciated them anyway. What sports
do you cousins enjoy best? I enjoy
swimming, kodaking and horseback
riding best.
I like flowers very much, we have
quite a few flowers, but L would like
to get some different kinds of flower
seed from the cousins if they would
be kind enough to send them, any
kind will be appreciated. L will re-
turn the favor in any way [ can.
How many of you cousins like
school? l like it fine. I am sophie
more in Duncanville High school,
AS so many cousins made the re-
quest for the song Let the Rest of
the World Go By" [ am sending it
to be published in the corner.
I will be going now<as 1 am afraid
I have disobeyed the council rules.
Next time / write I will tell you
something of my trip to Washington,
D. G. You cousins write to me, I
will answer all letters possible. An
old cousin,
MARIE SKELETON.
Duncanville, Ala, Route 2, Box q.
Dear Aunt Julia and Cousins: Will
you please admit North Carolina
~ 1,1,,,- u no n cyit-lc