Then, looking more closely, I saw the glistening form of the black snake, and the quick movement of his head as he tried to seize the birds. The sparrows darted about and through the grass and weeds, trying to beat the snake off. Their tails and wings were spread, and, panting with the heat and desperate struggle, they presented a most singular spectacle. They uttered no cry, not a sound escaped them; they were plainly speechless with horror and dismay. Not once did they drop their wings, and the peculiar expression of those uplifted palms, as it were, I shall never forget. It occurred to me that perhaps here was a case of attempted bird charming on the part of the snake, so I looked on from behind the fence. The birds charged the snake and harassed him from every side, but were evidently under no spell save that of courage in defending their nest. Every moment or two I could see the head and neck of the serpent make a sweep at the birds, when the one struck at would fall back, and the other would renew the assault. There appeared to be little danger that the snake could strike and hold one of the birds, though I trembled for them, they were so bold and approached so near to the snake’s head. Time and again he sprang at them but without success. How the poor things panted, and held up their wings appealingly! Then the snake glided off, barely escaping the stone which I hurled at him. I found the nest rifled and deranged; whether it had contained eggs or young I know not. The male sparrow had cheered me many a day with his song, and I blamed myself for not having rushed at once to the rescue, when the arch enemy was upon him. There is probably little truth in the popular notion that snakes charm birds. The black snake is the most subtle of our snakes, and I have never seen him have any but young, helpless birds in his mouth. --JOHN BURROUGHS. ST. JOSEPH’S MONTH O, holy St. Joseph! in thee we confide, Be thou our protector, our father, our guide; The flowers of our innocent childhood we twine In a fragrant white garland of love at thy shrine. St. Joseph, who guided the Child on His way, O, guide us and guard us and bless us, we pray! Long ago didst thou teach the Lord Jesus to speak, And thine arms were His strength when His footsteps, were weak; So lend us thy help in the days of our youth So teach us to walk in the pathway of truth! St. Joseph, Christ’s early protector and stay, Protect us and save us from evil, we pray! When the years glowing o’er us shall smolder away, When their ashes down-drifting, shall crown us with gray, Still loyal and true may we keep to our vow To honor our saint as we honor him now! St. Joseph, who guided the Child on His way, O, guide us at last to His presence, we pray! --H. W. A SONG OF SPRING