Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-11-22
No.. 4.
The Oshkosh Hen.

An Oshkosh hen of summers twain
when all her hard sheled eggs were
lain, was seized, as all good hens have
been, with what her master deemed a
sin. In nerve and joint and burnin.,
quill, she felt sudden impulse thrill;
longing for maternal things; brooa
ing sense within her wings In vain
she sought quiet nest; her master
followed her with zest; he plungefl
her into waters cold, from whence sb.,
rose to cluck and scold. Around her
neck gay strings he tied; still woule
her thoughts on chicks abide; at last
he planned novel way, to foil this
hen, SO good to lay. Beneath the
barn an aged hen, upon a nest full
time bad been; at most, another day
would make the shells 'noath tipy
hammers break. Some eggs from here
he softly took, and bore them to cozy
nook; near by he placed a narrow pen,
from which he freed the stubborn hen.
Had mem'ry fled the morbid fowl, or
dared she more her masters scowl7
She spled the eggs with eye askance.
and gave them one immortal Glance.
Why there and warm she did not ask.
hut thought while sitting to her task /:
GA three-weeks' siege on shelly walls.
then each beneath my fever falls"
Before an hour she gan to make long
forage plans for bush and brake: to
build from now a brighter then; sweet
Metaphysics Of the hen. The sun few
Ger the Western bars, and left mes,
OF yellow stars; the moon came up and
sat'thereon, and hatched them all be-
fore dawn. Full soon the hen on
aliens eggs felt gentle thumps about
her legs; Sir Bantam s roll next morn
will tell, an answer came from ev'ry
shell. Amazed, our hen concealed the
fact from dorking danes and subtle
tact; mingled shade spread Ger ner
face; twas joy diluted with disgrace.
Naught can evade a gossip's eye ard
'mong all fowls that lay~-or lie, the
frozen footed, fruitlcss hen deserves the
scorn of maids and men +; such was Old
Prude, who cackled hard, till she in
1amed the peaceful yard; none would
have dreamed the clumpy mass
was once bouncing Shanghai lass. a
court convened to try the case; Sir
Bantam took the JUDI e's place from
twenty monsrels called by chance.
twelve jurors swore to ignorance.
Lord Dorking, decrepit rake, for
banlshment plea did make; young
Dominique more wisely owned, faults
harmlng none should be condoned.
What awful doom would have bef.l
tie haples5 victim, none can tell; be-
tore the verdict could be heard. frcm
meath the barn a cry was heard. They
flew from bench, from box and rail, in
answer TO that dying wall The aged
hen had been dispatched, with all her
brood as soon as Matched Sir Bantam
dropped his steel,blue tail the Dork-
ing DANES grew strangely pale. They
mourned for twelve dear chickens dead.
Twelve eggs had she," old Prudie
said. The master now came on the
scene; said he ''What does this hubbub
mean I? Sir Bantam crowed a full
reply: ''Twelve chicks have fed the
fox SO sly" Not SOP the master az
swered then, ''six. eggs were ta'en TO
yonder hen, whose haste you've
charged as an offence, by circumstan-
tlal evidence. Poor Biddy's SORROWS
soon did end; cen Prude became her
bosom friend. The master, toe, will
not forget, that hens were made to las
and ''set."