THE 8TBIKE AT SHANE'S, 87 



value of the fruit taken he saw that its vahie was 

 greatly overbalanced by the benefits he received. 



He had been accustomed to employing men to work 

 for him, and he estimated the wages he would have to 

 pay these men in comparison with the profits he could 

 make out of their labor. If the balance was on his 

 side of 'the account he employed them, and if not he 

 didn't. He estimated the same way in regard to the 

 birds. 



The corn crop destroyed by the worms in the spring 

 was worth more than all the fruit on his farm, and the 

 second crop planted, which he believed now was saved 

 by the birds, was worth all the fruit he would raise in 

 several years. So he reasoned the matter with Edith. 



"But, papa," she said, "isn't there something 

 grander and nobler in this question than the mere 

 money side of it?" 



"Oh! yes, Edie ; I see that side of the question, 

 too. / recognize now that they are God's creatures, 

 sent for our benefit, and that as he has given them to us 

 he can take them away.'* 



* ' And isn't there something more than that ? " asked 

 Edith. 



' ' Yes ; I appreciate their sweet songs now as I never 

 did before. There are a great many beauties in nature 

 that I never saw before. I begin to appreciate the 

 gentleness and docility of our domestic animals. I 

 don't blame Dick for running away with me ; he only 

 retaliated for the ill-usage I had given him. I do not 

 intend that any dumb animal shall ever be mistreated 

 on this farm again.'* 



