The Song of the Cardinal
by
Gene Stratton-Porter
IN LOVING TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF MY FATHER
MARK STRATTON
"For him every work of God manifested a new and
heretofore unappreciated loveliness."
CONTENTS
1. ["Good cheer! Good cheer!" exulted the Cardinal] 2. ["Wet year! Wet year!" prophesied the Cardinal] 3. ["Come here! Come here!" entreated the Cardinal] 4. ["So dear! So dear!" crooned the Cardinal] 5. ["See here! See here!" demanded the Cardinal]
Chapter 1
"Good cheer! Good cheer!" exulted the Cardinal
He darted through the orange orchard searching for slugs for his breakfast, and between whiles he rocked on the branches and rang over his message of encouragement to men. The song of the Cardinal was overflowing with joy, for this was his holiday, his playtime. The southern world was filled with brilliant sunshine, gaudy flowers, an abundance of fruit, myriads of insects, and never a thing to do except to bathe, feast, and be happy. No wonder his song was a prophecy of good cheer for the future, for happiness made up the whole of his past.