Newspaper Page Text
October 20, 1909. THE
The years passed on and Alice grew
to be a E>ig girl who sat all day in a nice
wheeled chair.
She was a quiet, soft dark-haired mite,
with bright brown eyes and a quick way
of turning her head on one side; a child
who seemed always contented and happy
in spite of her great affliction.
One sunny June day, Mr. and Mrs.
Morse and Alice went away up in the
mountains to a big, delightful hotel
where the wide porches would enable Alice
to stay out of doors all day long.
Now one rule of this charming place
was that no one should trouble or frierhten
the birds, so dozens and dozens of dear
little birds sang and whistled all day
long about the grounds, as friendly as
could be.
Alice was delighted and semed so happy
in looking at all the pretty trees and
flowers and in listening to the country
sounds that mother left her alone on the
veranda and sat just inside her room to
sew, glancing out every now and then
to see her little girl was safe.
Thinking she heard a pretty bird whistle,
she looked out and there in a tree
sat a fat, brown wren whistling and
chirping away to Alice who, strange to
say, was answering and imitating him
exactly.
Mrs. Morse was charmed and listened
and looked at the pretty pair until the
wren flew away.
Presently a robin flew down and uttered
his clear, whistling song and, after
a try or two, Alice was able to answer
him, too.
You may imagine how her mother wondered.
Going out on the porch, she begged
Alice to sing for her but Alice only tucked
her head on one side and looked up
with round, bright eyes just like a dear
little house wren.
"Why, you darling!'' exclaimed her
mother, "you are a regular little birdie
yourself!" and from this time she called
the little girl "Birdie."
Alice would never talk to the birds
when any one was on the porch,'but her
father and mother would often stand inside
the curtain and listen to the pretty
chirping and whistling that would begin.
The robin's call; the wren's funny little
trickling song; the dove's coo; the
{. ruso s Deautirui and mellow, though infrequent
song; the mocking-bird's lovely
gush of melody; the sparrow's sharp
chatter; the ca't bird's ripple of song and
then his angry, squalling note; all these
little Alice found she could imitate, but
her best friends continued to be the
brown wrens and. she never tired of
watching and answering them as they
busily flew about, building nests and gossiping.
One day a big crow flapped heavily
by, waking the echoes with his harsh
caw.
Alice cocked her head on one aide and
tried to caw, too, but her soft little voice
sounded so droll that father and mother,
who sat inside, burst out laughing and
poor Alice was so offended that she could
not talk to the birds for a long time.
Mrs. Morse believes that Birdie will
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some day have a beautiful voice and learn
to delight her friends, but now she loves
to have her talk to the birds and learn
to be friendly with all God's creatures.
Now, do you not think the name of
Birdie suits her well?
A BOY'S ESSAY ON POLITENESS.
Politeness is rather a difficult thing, especially
when you are making a start.
Many people haven't got it. I don't know
why, unless it is the start. It is not
polite to fight little boys, except they
throw stones at you. Then you can run
after them, and, when you've caught them,
just do a little bit at them, that's all.
Remember that all little boys are simpletons,
*or they wouldn't do it. It is not
the thing to make fun of a little chap because
he is poorer than you. Let him
alone if you don't want to play with
him, for he is as good as you, except
the clothes. When you are in school, and
a Doy tnrows a bit of bread or anything
at you over the desks, it is not polite
to put your tongue out at him, or to
twiddle your fingers in front of your
nose. Just wait till after school, and
then warn him what you'll do next time;
or if you find you are bound to hit him,
be pretty easy with him. Don't keep on
eating after you are tightening, and you
will be far happier. Never eat quickly,
or you might get bones in your throat.
My father knows of a boy who got killed
over his Sunday dinner. It is not polite
to leave victuals on your plate, especially
anything you don't like. If you don't like
turnips it is better to eat well into your
turnips first while you are hungry, and
you'll eat the meat and potatoes easy
enough afterwards. Boys should always
be polite to girls, however vexing they
may be. Girls are not so strong as boys;
their hair is long, and their faces are
prettier; so you should be gentle with
them. If a girl scratches you on the
cheek, don't punch her, and don't tell
;
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NOT IN VIRGINIA.
The dusky man-servant of a Washington
official, being granted leave of absence
not long ago to visit his home in
Virginia, hied himself to an establishment
purveying travelers' supplies in order
to purchase a valise.
The salesman seemed to think the darky
should purchase something in the way
of a large bag. "Here's a fine one," he
said. "The best alligator bag you can get.
Only "
"Look neah, boss," interrupted the darky
impatiently, "I done tole yo' several
times. I don't want an alligator bag. I
ain't goin' to Floridy. 1'se goin' to mah
home in Virginny."?June Lippincott's.
Thank God every morning when you
get up that you have something to do
that day which must be done, whether
you like it or not. Being forced to work,
and forced to do your best, will breed in
you temperance and self-control, diligence
and strength of will, cheerfulness
and content, and a hundred virtues which
tne idle never know.?Charles Kingsley.
Good Blood
Means good health, and Hood's
8arsaparilla has an unapproached
record as a blood-purifier.
it effects its wonderful cnres, not
simply because it contains sarsaparilla
but because it combines the utmost
remeuiai vaiues 01 more tnan 'M different
ingredients. There is no real substitute
for it. If urged to buy any preparation
said to be "iust as good" you may be
sure it is inferior, costs less to make,
and yields the dealer a larger profit.
Get Hood's Sareaoarllla today. In nsnal liqnid
form or In chocolated tablets known as 8 area tabs.