The Voice of the Birds.

Otago Witness, Issue 1891, 1 May 1890, Page 38

The Voice of the Birds.

Once on a time a rustic swain and damsel lived near each other, says the St. Louis Republic. He became smitten with her charms, but had not courage to tell his love. At length, finding she was becoming an object of attraction to other swains and that he was in danger of losing her, he was induced to invite her to -walk with him to a spot where lovers are fond of rambling, up a shady lane. His heart was full, but his lips were closed; he could not bring his courage to the popping point, while she, poor thing, cast down her eyes and was perfectly mute, though she understood for what purpose he had brought her to that lonely spot. At length a bird began to sing on John's side of the road, and a lucky thought struck him. " Bessie," said he, with a gentle squeeze of the arm, " dost hear yon bird 1" " Ay, lad," she answered. " What does it seem to thee to sing ?" he asked. " I cannot tell," said she. " What does it seem to thee ?" "Whist, Bessy," cried he; "it seems to me to sing ' I love thee ! I love thee!'" They walked on in silence until a bird began to sing on the damsel's side of the road. " Johnny," said she, " dost hear that bird?" "Ay, lass," he answered. " Well," she went on, " what does it seem to thee to sing ?" " I cannot tell," he said. " What did thy bird sing 1" she asked. "Why, my bird sang," he said, with another gentle squeeze, "' I love thee! I love thee!'" " Well," said she, " my bird sings—' Show it! show it!' "