1. In a distant field, stood a large tulip tree, apparently of a century's
growth, and one of the most gigantic. It looked like the father of the
surrounding forest. A single tree of huge dimensions, standing all alone,
is a sublime object.
2. On the top of this tree, an old eagle, commonly called the "Fishing
Eagle," had built her nest every year, for many years, and, undisturbed,
had raised her young. A remarkable place to choose, as she procured her
food from the ocean, and this tree stood full ten miles from the seashore.
It had long been known as the "Old Eagle Tree."
3. On a warm, sunny day, the workmen were hoeing corn in an adjoining
field. At a certain hour of the day, the old eagle was known to set off
for the seaside, to gather food for her young. As she this day returned
with a large fish in her claws, the workmen surrounded the tree, and, by
yelling and hooting, and throwing stones, so scared the poor bird that she
dropped her fish, and they carried it off in triumph.
4. The men soon dispersed, but Joseph sat down under a hush near by, to
watch, and to bestow unavailing pity. The bird soon returned to her nest,
without food. The eaglets at once set up a cry for food, so shrill, so
clear, and so clamorous that the boy was greatly moved.
5. The parent bird seemed to try to soothe them; but their appetites were
too keen, and it was all in vain. She then perched herself on a limb near
them, and looked down into the nest in a manner that seemed to say, "I
know not what to do next."
6. Her indecision was but momentary; again she poised herself, uttered one
or two sharp notes, as if telling them to a "lie still," balanced her
body, spread her wings, and was away again for the sea.
7. Joseph was determined to see the result. His eye followed her till she
grew small, smaller, a mere speck in the sky, and then disappeared. What
boy has not thus watched the flight of the bird of his country!
8. She was gone nearly two hours, about double her usual time for a
voyage, when she again returned, on a slow, weary wing, flying uncommonly
low, in order to have a heavier atmosphere to sustain her, with another
fish in her talons.
9. On nearing the field, she made a circuit round it, to see if her
enemies were again there. Finding the coast clear, she once more reached
the tree, drooping, faint, and weary, and evidently nearly exhausted.
Again the eaglets set up their cry, which was soon hushed by the
distribution of a dinner, such as, save the cooking, a king might admire.
10. "Glorious bird!" cried the boy, "what a spirit!" Other birds can fly
more swiftly, others can sing more sweetly, others scream more loudly; but
what other bird, when persecuted and robbed, when weary, when discouraged,
when so far from the sea, would do this?
11. "Glorious bird! I will learn a lesson from thee to-day. I will never
forget, hereafter, that when the spirit is determined it can do almost
anything. Others would have drooped, and hung the head, and mourned over
the cruelty of man, and sighed over the wants of the nestlings; but thou,
by at once recovering the loss, hast forgotten all."
12. "I will learn of thee, noble bird! I will remember this. I will set my
mark high. I will try to do something, and to be something in the world; I
will never yield to discouragements."
DEFINITIONS.--l. Cen'tu-ry, the space of a hundred years. Gi-gan'tic, very
large. Di-men'sions, size. Sub-lime', grand, noble. 4. Dis-persed',
scattered. Un-a-vail'ing, useless. Ea'glets, young eagles. Clam'or-ous,
loud, noisy. 6. In-de-ci'sion, want of fixed purpose. Mo'men-ta-ry, for a
single moment. 9. Cir'cuit, movement round in a circle. Ex-haust'ed,
wholly tired. 11. Nes'-tlings, young birds in the nest.
EXERCISES.--Relate the story of the "Old Eagle Tree." What lesson was
taught the boy who watched the eagle's actions?
XXXI. ALPINE SONG. (88)
William W. Story, the author, was born in Salem, Mass.,
In 1819. His writings in poetry and prose are well known, and he also
gained distinction in his profession as a sculptor. He died in 1895.
1. With alpenstock and knapsack light,
I wander o'er hill and valley;
I climb the snow peak's flashing height,
And sleep in the sheltered chalet,--
Free in heart--happy and free--
This is the summer life for me.
2. The city's dust I leave behind
For the keen, sweet air of the mountain,
The grassy path by the wild rose lined,
The gush of the living fountain,--
Free in heart--happy and free--
This is the summer life for me.
3. High above me snow clouds rise,
In the early morning gleaming;
And the patterned valley beneath me lies
Softly in sunshine dreaming,--
Free in heart--happy and free--
This is the summer life for me.
4. The bells of wandering herds I list,
Chiming in upland meadows;
How sweet they sound, as I lie at rest
Under the dark pine shadows--
Glad in heart--happy and free--
This is the summer life for me.
DEFINITIONS.--l. Al'pen-stock, a long staff, pointed with iron, used in
traveling among the Alps. Knap'sack, a leather sack for carrying food or
clothing, borne on the back. Cha-let' (pro. sha-la'), a mountain hut. 2.
Gush, a rapid outflowing. 3. Pat'terned, marked off in figures or
patterns. 4. List, hearken to.