THE STRIKE AT SHAKE'S. 4S 



"it seems like fate is agin me this year," said 

 Shane. "What little crops I have got in are about to 

 be taken by the birds. It keeps Tom all the time to 

 keep 'em out of the corn.'* 



"You and I have different views about such things," 

 said Mr. Tracy. " / consider the birds my best friends; 

 I wouldn't part ivith them for any money, and I don't 

 allow a bird shot on my farm." 



"I never could see it in that light," said Shane. 

 ' ' I know they pull up the corn and there's enough 

 blackbirds on my farm to take all the corn I can 

 plant." 



"Why, there's just as many on my farm and they 

 follow the plow and pick up every worm and bug they 

 can find. I'm satisfied that the work done for me this 

 spring by blackbirds alone is worth fifty dollars to me, 

 and they are not half done yet. I have a great deal 

 more work for them to do for me before the season is 

 over. Why, the birds are one of God's best gifts to us, 

 and we ought to give Him thanks for sending them. 

 They are not only a benefit to us in money, but their 

 songs brighten our lives and make our homes more 

 pleasant." 



"I never have time to listen to their singin'," said 

 Shane, "and as for their usefulness, I think they 

 injure us more than they do us good." 



"Well, I hope you will see things in a different light 

 some time, and be able to understand what a good gift 

 they are to us." 



"I never can see things like you do," said Shane ; 



