Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 May 1877 — THE MARTIN FAMILY. [ARTICLE]

THE MARTIN FAMILY.

Three years ago I improved a small space on my grounds by the erection of a cottage, designed for a peculiar class of tenants, and waited for them to come and take possession, it was a pretty, little, one-story tenement house, with three apartments on the first floor, and doors opening from each apartment upon a verandah, covered by a projecting roof and supported by graceful-turned pillars. It was, and now is, a very neat habitation, painted yellow, with white trimmings, and little pinnacles above the roof, to give it an attractive appearance. I felt sure that it would be in demand; so I put up no notice intimating that it was “To Let,” though there were several houses in the vicinity which had their windows curtained with such placards. I may as well say that my house was erected on the top of a long pole, and the tenants that I was expecting were the early house-martins, which, by their social habits and cheerful dispositions, tend to add to the pleasure of home. My chamber window overlooked the cottage, which 1 did not think would be objected to by the occupants, though cue of my neighbors, in a ridiculous pet, built up a fence as high as his house betwixt his bounds and those of another, because windows stared out of the latter upon his own premises. I watched eagerly for my coming tenants, and about the middle of April I was rewarded by seeing Mr. Martin, with a purplish black coat and a white vest, inspecting the premises. He first stood upon the verandah, and peeped into the different apartments; then he walked in, to inspect the accommodations. After a little time, he came out and perched himself on one of the pinnacles, as if he were contemplating the neighborhood. Then he sat on the limb of a peach tree in the garden, and scanned the outside of the house, seeming to like it very much, as he twittered his approval to himself, and flew away, leaving me very certain that mv house was taken.

"Next day my visitor was attended by another whom I supposed to be Mrs. Martin—though if such was the case, she was clothed in the same dress as her husband—and they examined the house very thoroughly. After a conference on the verandah, wherein I dare say a good deal was said about housekeeping matters, which I regretted that I could not understand, they flew away; but returned almost immediately ana took possession of one of the apartments. I had purposely left some straw in each, which I thought the tenants might employ in some way; and this seemed to suit them exactly, for I could see them placing it just where it was needed, and they moved in and out, the busiest little people that ever began housekeeping. But they were very economical and began quite moderately, for they had' no carpet beyond the straw upon their floor, and as for the furniture which they brought, you could have put it in your pocket. They were truly rigid economists, and began their domestic life with nothing more than they absolutely needed. No danger could there be of having bills thrust in upon them which they were unable to pay; and they seemed just as contented and happy with the little they had as do many of our kind with their fine furniture, pictures and luxurious outfits generally. Indeed, they did not seem to think even of their rent; hut took possession as if it were well understood by them that they were privileged tenants. They seemed very happy, twittering—l know they did—in their tongue their little confidences and encouragements and hopes, and helping each other to make their home respectable and comfortable. And Mr. Martin was a noble fellow. He took hold bravely, and brought sticks and things needed for the nest, and was flying about as busy as a bee all the time. I may say that I have seen him thus engaged when Mrs. M. sat upon the verandah, straightening out her feathersand otherwise primping herself; but not many times, for she, too, was an industrious worker. After getting settled, they would start off in the morning with a great chattering, and made but short visits to their home during the day. They were away, doubtless, getting a living, for they had appetititea which must be satisfied, though they needed but little and indulged in no extravagances. I suspect that ho never had any money in his pocket to buy anything with, and all he required he had to work for. They lived on lively game, and flies and bugs and such things were not safe when the martins were about. As for clothes, I am sure that for the three or four inonthsduring which they occupied my house they never had any new garments. But the old ones looked exceedingly well, though they were of a fashion very, very ancient. At last they became more domestic in their habits, and were seen more about the house, seeming as if they were hatching up some new plot or something; and, sure enough, in a little while we beard a great chattering between the two, as if some remarkable event had happened. Then we heard little chirpings in the house, and knew that some baby martins had come along for the care of my tenants. How'

Important they now seemed, as they flew away to procurb feed for their little ones; and how the little ones chirped sad twittered when they returned, bringing them something as nice to them and far better for them than cream-cakes or candy. By and by we saw two little heads projecting from the door, and soon two little birds toddled out on the verandah, where sometimes I was afraid they would fall over, as the wind shook the pole to and fro; but they did not. One of these we named Tom, the other Polly; but they were so much alike we could not toll them apart. They were objects of great care to their parents; but seemed obedient and kind to each other. They never quarreled; but sat in the beautiful sunshine, waiting until they should be able to holp themselves and relieve their parents of the burden of providing for them. The parents, however, did not think it a burden ; but were happy in doing all they could for their dear little birds. Boon, with a deal of noise, as if it were rejoicing, the young birds joined the old ones in their flight, and were rarely seen in the daytime round their, homo. The summer wasted, the birds flew away, and the house waa vacated, without previous notice.

The next spring the martins came again; but this time there were two families, who took possession as before and epent the summer with us, with but one change. A little, venturesome martin sat upon the verandah and saw a yellow cat sunning herself on the shed below. It was a curious object to the bird, which leaned over, lost its balance, and in an instant was in the jaws of the cat. Weheard the terrified scream of the old birds, but we were too late to give any assistance. Cats have no tender feelings, and a young bird was a luxury not to be rejected. Indeed, that cat came around the place for several days, looking up, with greedy eyes, to see if any more birds were likely to fall. After the martins left my bouse, a family of English sparrows came and took possession of its furnished apartments. They were a noisy and disorderly set of tenants, having a great deal of boisterous company. I aid not like this, any more than I ao to see a noisy family intrude themselves into a quiet neighborhood. They kept possession all winter; but at the usual time last April my friends, the martins, returned, and were indignant to find that their rooms had been occupied. .Doubtless, they found the furniture injured and the paper stained, and thought, perhaps. I might have looked after things in their absence. There seemed to be three families this time, and the sparrows actually tried to drive them away; but they were too strong. One morning we heard a loud noise among the sparrows, and there were six sparrows holding an angry talk with the martins from the roof of a neighboring house. But the martins quietly held their ground, and when the sparrows swooped down upon them they resisted them and drove them off. They have not returned since, and I think they will not. The martins at once went to work to repair damages, and at the present time there tea prospect of a pleasant and prosperous summer in the martin families. I hone they saw that yellow eat round, yesterday, looking up at ths house and licking her lips, probably with a memory of that bird last year. About the houses of birds and men there are evil things lurking to harm those who are not guarded against them. The greatest care is needed by all of us to watch for an such, lest, like the poor little bird, we may fall into the jaws of the destroyer.— P. B. ShiUaber, in N. Y. Independent.