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THE BIRD OF WISDOM IN IOWA.

Civilization, it seems, is making some headway in Iowa. Boys are no
longer allowed to shoot small birds there, especially song-birds. And so
the little warblers can pipe it all day, if they like, and when they
grow tired and hungry, they are welcome to refresh their small systems
at the strawberry beds. There is one feature of the regulation in
question, however, that does pain us. While vocal and fly-gobbling
talents are tenderly fostered, dignified Wisdom is not only neglected,
but persecuted. Our old friend the Owl is reputed by the people of Iowa
to be rather particular in his diet, (as all wise creatures are,) and to
prefer a nice young spring chicken to almost any other "delicacy of the
season"--a proof of wisdom and refinement that proved too much for the
people of Iowa. And so they have left the poor old Owl out of the
protective enactment; and it is not only legal to shoot him, but
meritorious. The legislators could have stood the wisdom, perhaps by
itself; and possibly they might have respected the taste; but the
combination troubled them, and could not, of course, be tolerated.

* * * * *

[Illustration: "THE MERRY FIRST OF MAY."

_First Young Wife_. "OH! THIS HORRID HOUSE-MOVING--AN'T YOU DISTRACTED
ABOUT IT, DEAR?"

_Second Ditto_. "O DEAR! NO. WE HAVE ARRANGED IT NICELY. CHARLES WILL
SEE TO THE FURNITURE AND THINGS, AND I WILL SUPERINTEND THE REMOVAL OF