92 The Catskill Fazrtes.

“ The snow rose higher and higher, and the sun could not
warm the keen air. At last there were no more potatoes left
in the cottage, and the poor widow was forced to seek some
help from her neighbors, even if the way was blocked with
deep drifts.

“ Night came on, and the mother did not return. She had
lost her way, and frozen to death in the bitter cold before she
reached the first house. The children watched and waited,
then went to bed supperless. It was very sad that the mother
must perish thus; but such things happen in the winter every
year, especially in the backwoods of which we write.

“ Next morning a pretty squirrel rapped on the window-pane
with one paw, and when the casement was open hopped into
the room quite tamely.

“«T believe that I will skin and eat you, said the eldest
son, trying to catch the animal.

“Not so fast, chattered the squirrel, leaping nimbly up to a
high beam. ‘I can do you more good alive I am thinking.
Why don’t you go out into the world for yourselves ?

“¢T will? cried the eldest brother, and sprang through the
door.

“ A bridge of ice reached from the cottage quite to the heart
of the forest, and when he stepped on it he found it firm as
marble. He soon returned, carrying a beautiful little bird in
his hand, which he had found in the path. The bird had a
crest of scarlet feathers on its head, while the wings were vel-
vet black.

“*Tf you make a nest for the bird, it will lay a pearl egg

every day,’ said the squirrel.