Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1867-06-12

Helen was mad. Her eyes were
nearly put out with the feathery dust
and dough, and she went at Timothy
with true feminine zeal. She broke
his watch guard in dozen pieces,
crushed his dickey and began to pull
his whiskers out by the roots, when
she suddenly remembered that limo
thy had no whiskers to pull out by the
roots.
But when she came to look closer,
she perceived that the man she had
nearly annihilated was not Timothy,
but James Henshaw. l- l11
Poor Helen burst into tears and fled
into her chamber, the usual refuge for
heroines and James after washing his
face at the kitchen sink, went home,
sternly resolving never to marry a wo-
man with such a temper as Helen
Hayes had.
The hen, meanwhile, who was the
heroine, returned to the barn to estab-
lish herself on the ruin of her nest,
determined to set if the heavens fell.
Mrs. Hayes soon discovered her, and
she having heard that dipping in water
would cure ''broodness," she set forth
for the brook with the fowl in her
apron,
Mrs. Weaver, an old lady of very
quarrelsome temperament, who resi-
ded near, and was at swords point
with Mrs. Hayes, was Just coming to
the brook for pail of water, and spied
the yellow head Of the bird peeping
out from Mrs. Hayes apron.
"Therep she exclaimed. "I'Ve
found out what puzzled me to death
nigh about week. I've found out
where that yellow pullet has gone TO-
Mrs. Hayes, l allars knowed that you
was q wicked, deseatful woman, but
didn't think you'd steal"
"Steali me steal2 who are you talk.
ing to, Mrs WeaTerw said Mrs. Hayes,
on her dignity.
'Pm talking to you, madam; that's
who Pm talking tol You've stoler
my hen what got over to Unkle Gil
lies, and paid for in sassengers. She:
real Dorking. Give her to me right
here or Tll use force.
"She's my hen and you touch her il
you dare l' c-
"I'll show you what dare % yelled
Mrs. Weaver, growing purple, anC
seizing the ill.started fowl by the tail
she gave hera wrench and the tail came
out in her hand.
The sudden cessation of resistance
upset Mrs. WeaVer's balance, and she
fell backward into the brook, spatter
ing the mud and astonished polliWog.
IN every direction.
She was spry woman and wa:
soon on her feet again, ready to renew
the assault.
"GiYe me my hen, she cried, thrust
ing her hst into Mrs. Hayes face. ''you
old bag and hypocrite you" and she
made second dive at the bird.
1he hen thought it proper to show
her colors and uttering an unearthly
yell, she few out of the coveret square
into the face of Mrs. Weaver, which
she rakcd down with her nails until il
resembled the pages of q ledger, crossed
and recrossed with red ink.
Mrs. Hayes caught a stick of brush
wood from the fence-Mrs. Weaver
did the same, and a regular duel would
probably have been fought ifthe bank
Of the creek had not suddenly gave
way and participated both the indig-
nant women into the water.
They scrambled out on opposite sides,
and the hen sat perched in an apple
tree and caeklsd in triumph.
The ladies shook themselves, and
then both went home. They have not
spoken since.
The hen disappeared and was not
seen until three weeks afterwards,
when she made her appearance with
eleven nice yellow chickens. She
found some other fowls nest and set
in spite of fate.
But although not broken up" her
self she broke up two matches-for
CynthY Bennett was not at home the
next time Timothy called, and Mr..
Henshaw never forgaTe Helen for hay
ing such a temper. O.