For such vermin as would destroy the gentler animals he carried a
gun. But it was turned only on those that preyed upon his
favorites. For hours he would climb through this wilderness, or,
seated on a rock, watch a bluebird building her nest or a
squirrel
laying in rations against the coming of the snow. In time he grew
to think he knew and understood the inhabitants of this wild
place
of which he was the overlord. He looked upon them not as his
tenants but as his guests. And when they fled from him in terror
to
caves and hollow tree-trunks, he wished he might call them back
and
explain he was their friend, that it was due to him they lived in
peace. He was glad they were happy. He was glad it was through
him
that, undisturbed, they could live the simple life.
His fall came through ambition. Herrick himself attributed it to
his too great devotion to nature and nature's children. Jackson,
he
of the frivolous mind, attributed it to the fact that any man is
sure to come to grief who turns from the worship of God's noblest
handiwork, by which Jackson meant woman, to worship chipmunks and
Plymouth Rock hens.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25