THETR FIRST YEAR’S MARRIED LIFE. 
3 
although they watched closely to see whom he 
selected, were unable to find^out who the 
favored one was to be, for a long time, for he 
knew that the remarks passed upon his choice 
would be uncharitable, for busybodies always 
contrive to find something to pass judgment 
on and find fault with ; so he very discreetly 
paid his attentions to Miss Brown Thrush, a 
distant relative, when he met her alone in 
some secluded spot in the woods, and treated 
her only with common politeness when he met 
her in society. 
One day, however, the whole secret of his 
affection'^ was exposed in the following man- 
ner : A newly wedded pair of Cat 'Birds had 
prepared their house in the barberry thicket 
that stood in the grove where Brown made his 
home. It was his custom, mornings, to give 
them a hasty call, for they were distant con- 
nections of his, and he was on good terms with 
them : he would wish them a good-morning, 
inquire about their health, and ask for the 
news, and then pass on in his rambles. 
On the day in question, quite a number of 
