4-^ 



TRE 8TBIKE AT SHANS'S. 49 



said John Smith, as he and Shane were breaking up 

 the ground for corn. "If them blackbirds that's, a 

 hangin* around in the woods would come down an' pick 

 'em up it would be many a dollar in your pocket." 



"I ain't got any use for blackbirds," said Shane. 

 "The pesky things will be around when the corn's 

 planted to pull it up. I'd rather take my chances agin 

 the worms than the birds. If I bad a gun, I'd start 

 them black rascals out of there." 



"They'll pick up a sight of worms if you'll let 'em," 

 said John. " Father don't allow us to kill birds. He 

 says they more than pay their way." 



"Maybe they do for some people, but they don't 

 for me," said Shane. 



The birds were confining their work to the fields, and 

 were not seen about the house. This was observed 

 soonest by Edith, who was very fond of birds. 



"How strange it is, mamma, that there are no birds 

 this summer," said Edith. 



" I have noticed it," said Mrs. Shane. "Perhaps 

 they have not come yet." 



" Oh ! 3^es they have," said Edith, "there's just lots 

 of them over at Tracy's, and lots of nests. I don't 

 see why they don't build any nests here. It seems so 

 lonesome here without them. I think papa and Tom 

 are cruel to shoot them and drive them away, and I 

 told papa so." 



"Don't worry your papa anymore than you can 

 help, Edie," said Mrs. Shane. "He has had a great 

 deal of trouble this spring." 



