20 Bird Day Book 



LINCOLN AND THE BIRDS. 



♦<&♦ 



ONE of the most interesting and pathetic incidents of which 

 I have ever read or heard is connected with the memory of 

 one of the greatest and noblest men of all times — Abraham Lin- 

 coln. In company with some other candidates who were out on a 

 political campaign over a half century ago in the wild West, he 

 saw, in the woods near the close of the day some baby birds that 

 had been blown out of their nest. Asking to be allowed to get 

 down from the carriage, which passed on ahead, Mr. Lincoln 

 picked up the tiny creatures and restored them to their little home. 

 On reaching the inn, he was asked the cause of his delay, and 

 astonished his hearers by telling them of his humane act, declaring 

 that had he not returned the birdies to their mother's care, he 

 could not sleep at night. What a tender, loving heart! 



— H. P. S. Perry, Oklahoma. 



m 



MY GRANDMOTHER'S TURKEY-TAIL FAN. 



IT OWNED not a color that vanity dons 

 Or slender wits choose for display ; 

 Its beautiful tint was a delicate bronze, 



A brown softly blended with gray. 

 From her waist to her chin, spreading out without break, 



'T was built on a generous plan ; 

 The pride of the forest was slaughtered to make 

 My grandmother's turkey-tail fan. 



For common occasions it never was meant; 



In a chest between two silken cloths 

 'T was kept safely hidden with careful intent 



In camphor to keep out the moths. 

 T was famed far and wide through the whole country side, 



From Beersheba e'en unto Dan; 

 And often at meeting with envy 't was eyed, 



My grandmother's turkey-tail fan. 



