Life — February 2, 1899 — page 7: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

In the spring, the sparrow's fan Lightly turns to thoughts of love. *HUS quoth, one day in early spring, Mr. Thomas Endicott Chirp to Mr. r Wattle, They were perched upon a troe in Bos ton Common, overlooking the Frog Poud, on the curb of which several malignant ses of flirtation were already manifest- ing advanced syn:ptoms. Mr. Chirp, or Tom Chirp, as he was famil- jarly called, was a confirmed bachelor, just completing his third year, He was very highly respected among his acquaintances a a bird whose opinions were of s¢ » he unsvught, and then only eration, Willie Wattlo had just experienced his pim- rarely advanced them after careful delib- portance, sir first winte di was impatiently awaiting the delights of spring. Ho had met Chirp at tho Somerset Club, an exclusive organ- ization which gathered in the cosy corner of a building just across on Beacon Street, and they had become fast friends, Each found in the other the qualities that he himself lacked, yet coveted. Chirp liked the fresh, frank boyishness of Wattle, while tho latter admired tho self-reliant solidity and unruflled serenity of the former. Willie bad been confiding to Tom his fondness for a certain young miss, which evoked the poetic introduction to our story, “Yos, my fledgling,” continued Tom, “Tdon’'t mind telling you I've been through, it my “ [sthat 801” exclaimed Willie; “ why, I thought you were a bachelor by prefer- it is generally believed, and ft is practically tho truth, as I might havo mutod a dozen times bad I wished, But, in confidence, I was once pretty hard hit. It was my first spring, and just when I thought all was going as merrily as the fountain, sho mated with an old duffer. I must admit I took on quite a bit; but 1 was pretty young then, and philosophy can come only with age and experience. Care- less, unreasoning gatety left me, and fora while I grew sour, then gradually became what you seo mo. I never excite myself over anything, but take life as I fina tt, without expecting to find too much, On the other claw, I take caro not to got pessi- mistic. It simply means that while I may not be deliriously happy, Tam at least com- fortable. Still, I like to seo the fresh stasm of youth, and in fact rather aa bit, for, with it all, you are not ssively fresh. As to Miss Chippy, I ‘ou will go in and win her, and honor mo with your confidence. “Thank you, old bird,” replied Willie; “1 suppose I'm a weak fool, but really I haven't any self-confldence whatever, When I try to talk with her my bill cbatters My bi chatters so that I positively stutter. 80 that I positively stutter. Then somo cool young chap comes along and flutters a wing, and hops cavalierly before her, and she ignores me altogether." “Why don't you peck at her to attract hor attention, and then hop your ‘pret- tiest?” “I simply haven’t the courage. You see, I was unfortunate in baving been the youngest of a large family, Mother died about the time I was able to fly, so I was brought up by my father and elder brothers, Father was very stern, and exacted abso- lute, instantaneous obedience. The result was that I, being so much younger than the others, was kept very busy obeying ono or the other all day, and eventually, sinco anything I chose todo without orders was sure to displeaso some member of tho family, ceased to act except as directed, As I look back it astonishes mo to think I should have submitted to it, but you see I know nothing different, and it seemed to 87 me perfectly natural. Tho pity is that I can't shake this off, If anyone gets the least particle aggressive I instantly sub- side, and, on the other claw, if anyone shows me the least affection 1am ready to follow him to the sun.” “I understand your case,” said Tom, “and there are many others similarly placed, though they haven't the wit to see it, Come over on the grass with me and Til teach Newport flutter and tho Casino hop, aud if they don’t catch Miss Chippy it’s because my name is Chump and not Chirp, They hopped about the grass with flut- tering wings, until Tom pronounced Willio the personifleation of grace. TI then separated for the night, Tom going to the club, where he lodged, and Wille hurrying away to the Choral Union. This is the y in town, and meets every evening at sundown on the trees in King's Chapel Burial Here th held forth foran hour or more, to th ished admiration of all not otherwise emmiged, Willie did nét remain long, however. His head was too full of Miss Chippy and the intended bombardment of ber affections, so he returned to the precinets of the Frog Pond. Here be practised his hop and flut- ter until, intoxicated with excitement and sell-approval, he became entirely oblivious to all around him, About ten feet away, a venerable old grandma had been hopping sedately about, until suddenly she perceived this hand- some cavalier cayorting amorously to and fro, It must be for her; there certainly was no one else in the vicinity; 80 down she swooped on him, threw herself on bis breast, and exclaimed, “Ob, this is so sudden!” Willie was at first too much surprised to do more than stare. himself somewhat, but still under the influ- ence of his previous intoxication, ho plunged madly into a reek- less flirtation. I assure you it was his first offense. Some time later, under WV cover of the darkness, he slipped away to the pond, where, in the brilliancy of the electric light, he drank coplously; then gazinz | upon his re- flection in the water, he winked at it and said, “You're a devil!” ounds, aston- Then, recovering “Oh, thie ts so sudden!” comicbooks.com