"
Had his words reached Miss Harper's ears she might have replied that
sensible and humane "wimmen folks" regarded the fearful slaughter of
birds as little less than a crime; but unfortunately she did not hear
this and resumed:
"Yet you hunt out these harmless and beautiful creatures and wantonly
destroy them. Nearly every boy gives way to this savage, brutal
impulse to kill something. He couldn't tell why if you were to ask
him. Children, do you know there is a society whose members pledge
themselves to protect the birds? I wish we might organize one here
to-day. I am sure, from a spirit of kindness, you would like to unite
in a promise not to willfully harm any of these wonderful creatures
that God has placed around us."
When Alice Glenn drove home that evening she carried with her a glad
heart, for in her pocket was a copy of the rules and by-laws of the
"Anti-Cruelty Society, of Mount Airy School," which Miss Harper had
organized that afternoon. And it was signed not only by the girls and
all the smaller boys, but by big Jim Stubbs and the boy who winked with
his nose.
CHAPTER XV
POLLY'S FAREWELL
Happy little maiden,
Give, oh, give to me
The highness of your courage,
The sweetness of your grace,
To speak a large word in a little place.
Pages:
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138