STORIES ABOUT BIRDS. 829 



hoped to have enjoyed the pleasure of his 

 company for a long time, but Providence had 

 ordered otherwise. One day, as poor Dicky 

 was taking his daily walk in the open air, feel- 

 ing at peace with all the world, and thinking 

 that no one could have it in his heart to do 

 him an injury, he carelessly ventured too near 

 a young chanticleer, who killed the little fellow 

 instantly. 



A great many years ago, a Spanish lady, of 

 noble rank, was confined for a long time in a 

 lonely castle. I do not remember the reason 

 why she was shut up in this gloomy place. 

 Very likely she had done something which 

 gave offence to the priests, and so she was con- 

 demned by the inquisition to suffer this punish- 

 ment. This lady was one day sitting at the 

 window of her prison, looking out upon the 

 beautiful earth, all clad in the sweet flowers of 

 spring, when a little young sparrow flew into 

 the room. She was glad to see him — for she 

 felt very lonely and friendless — and she wanted 

 him to stay with her, and keep her company. 

 So she shut down her window, and made the 

 little fellow a prisoner. " But was that right ?" 

 one of my readers inquires. Why, yes, I think 

 it was right. The lady, you must remember, 

 was shut out from the world. She had no one 



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