Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1856-11-20
OLE familp Girtle.
ETH ENvIcUS CHICKEN.
A FABLE.

For several days last fall, old Mrs. Vel
llowneck one of the wisest and kindest Of
hen mothers, observed her little daugh-
ter. Topknot, walking sullenly by herself
as if she was angry or sick. As she had
recovered from an alarming attack of the
pip aud touch Of the gapes, and passed
safely through the most critical period Of
childhood, her mother considered hercon-
stitution firmly established, and felt very
| little concern about her health.
Her singular behaviour on such love
ly. morning. when the sun was just begin,
ming to shine after two days rain, sand
when all her brothers and sisters were
scratching up the earth and picking
worms and growing, cackling and chirp-
ing on their good luck in the tinniestyoi-
ces imaginable, could not be passed unno-
ticed. So her mother called her to an ac-
count, and said, Ny. daughter, why do
you feel 50 unhappy. Are you sick or Of
Tended 2"
Topknot held down her head a minute
and seeing her mother was determined to
wait fora answer. replied, + | am think
ing how differently we fare from Mrs.
Graywing. We have basket Of corn
thrown out to US each day, and the big
gest gets the most, and we little ones tire
ourselves out scrambling and then go
away hungry. This morning walnut
which happened to be in the corn hit me
on the head, and stunned me SO that al
most lost my breakfast, and Just as / was
eating my second kernel, a great pail of
water came splashing down where Istood
and nearly drowned me. [ could bear. it
all patiently, but for Mrs. Cravings
good fortune. She has beautiful. house
of her own, and our mistress gives her
more corn than she can eat and the chill
dren carry her five or six meals day Of
pieces of meat, apples curdled milk, and
other dainties, and she has pan of fresh.
water by her side all the time. How diff
ferently, we have to scratch for all we eat
except the short allowance of corn, and if
| try to get drink out Of pail or pan
Of water. somebody halloos, G shoe shool
shoop and scares me SO that all my feath-
ers stand up straight"
my dear child, if you knew as much
of life as | do, you would not envy Mrs.
Crawling | could describe the untime-
who lived at ease in that handsome coop,
but I will not sadden your young thoughts
by knowledge unsuited to years. Be-
lieve me, we are better off than she with
her high living, though we have to live
from claw to bill, and work hard. Our
mistress kindness to Mrs. Graywing pro
ceeds not from love-"
:" That can't be mother, for heard our
master say to his wife how does Mrs.
Graywing come on? Does she fatten p
saw them all go out together and look
at her and feel af her, and our mistress
said she was most fat enough. Istood by
looking in, and they almost crushed me,
and when | cried out with pain, she said,
" that's what lazy chickens get; follow
your mother" How can [ help feeling
hurt at the difference in treatnaent2
= My daughter, cease this silly repining
and listen to the words Of wisdom. When
you are older, you will confess with
shame that speak the truth.
Our lot is happy one. We are free to
roam the meadows and catch the butter
flies and worms. and return each night to
our tree with Carlo to keep off danger
while we are asleep. When you have
lived in this yard as long as | have you
will learn to dread above all things the
life of idle fatting ease which Mrs. Gray
wing leads.
Mrs. Yellowneck now called her daugh-
ter to follow her, but seeing her obstina-
cy left her to indulge her spleen alone"
Topknot hung about Mrs. Gray wings
house for several days, growing quite
thin with envy, while the rest Of the
brood were thriving and merry as chick
ems could be.
AT last one morning Mrs. Yellowneck,
saw her hayward daughter rushing over
the field with wings extended and feet
touching the ground, uttering the most
alarming cries of fright and terror. Mrs.
Yellowneck called her family about her
in moment. and by the time Topknot
reached them they stood in cluster I'M
der currant bush, looking like an Ind
ian council with tall chief among adj
dressing them.
Oh, Mother Mrs. Graywing is kill
ed-her head cut off Master did i'll Oh,
dear what shall do? I am so scared
| want to come back to you and earn my
living. I am punished for my envy, and
discomfort. | never want to live in the
big hen house never, never! !"
Mrs. Yellowneek seeing her daughters
wild excitement wisely RETAINED from a
word OF blame, and welcomed her back to
her mothers love and to life Of indus
try and obedience When she became
calm her mother said, 81 hope all will
learn from Topknot's experience to keep
eontented with life Of honest labor; be-
lieving their mothers words, that riches
and prosperity do not always bring secur-
ity and happiness.
From that day Topknot grew fat, and
strong and helped her mother to take
care Of the little ones, as an elder daugh-
ter should and when I last saw her, She
held digniied and honorable position
among fowls of the poultry yard.
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