The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1878-06-19
The Pert Chick.

was dear old hen, very kind to her
chickens, and very pretty chickens she
had. There were Tee-Tee, and Wee
Wee, and Tu-Tu, and Twit-See, and
Ohee-Ohee, and Peep-Weep, whom they
called Peep for short six in all-six
well-meaning chickens, although they
had their little faults. Peeps fault was
pertness. He was always answering
back to his mother and saying sharp
things. He wasn't bit afraid of his
brothers ard sisters, and thought it a
joke TO tell Tee-Tee she was ''a fluffy lit
tie fool, or call Tu-Tu ga young goose"
And when Tu-Tu would ruffle his PIN
feathers and show he was game little
chicken, and not goose at all, old Cluck
would say Peep was only witty, and
liked to talk, but meant no harm, and
her chickens must not fight. Peep was
always the last to come under Cluck's
wing to bed at night He would play
about and say, "I won't go to bed,"
and even cry out to his mamma, in a
saucy way, "Go to bed yourself, Mrs.
Chuck.
s. Oh, how naughty, Peep ~ Oluck
would say; but she never stopped his
nimble little tongue. She couldn't bear
to scold or punish him, for she loved the
bright little fellow. His feathers were
getting quite long and glossy now, and
he was growing tall.
At meal-time Peep had way of
pecking at his brothers and sisters, and
while he ate as much as any body else,
he called them all "pigs, and laughed
nt them.
at last, when Cluck told him, quite
gravely, that good chick must mind
his mother, Peep said, "Oh, go away
mothers don't pay" in a manner that
wns very naughty; but Cluck found it
so bright and clever for such O fledgling.
Peep had his own will in his family. He
said and did whatever he liked, and
grew quite big and handsome, AMI
thought himself the finest fellow in the
world.
Well, one day Peep kept running
far away from the coop, and his mother
was afraid some of the barn-yard fowls
would hurt him, so she called him back.
"Don't you FUSS" said Peep; "I'm
going to take walk" and he looked so
bright, and spoke mp so sharp and funny,
that Cluck was quite lost in admiring
his ways and his fine tail feathers,
proudly waving as he strutted off.
"Surely," she thought, elf they see
him in the barn-yard, all the hens will
envy me such clever chick"
To the barn-yard Peep went, and be-
gan scratching about for his lunch with
the rest of the fowls. Pretty soon an
old bird gave a crow that was really a
very fine loud noise, and sounded far
and wide over the fields.
81 can do as we'll as that, and better
too, old chap" said Peep. Now Peep
knew he couldn't, but he had way of
saying pert things.
TO his wonder, nobody laughed; but
big hen-the growers wife-said,
Can you, indeed, do as well? Let us
hear you"
She looked quite fierce at him, not a
biz like fond, good old Cluck, and all
he fowls gathered around Peep.
Poohl" said he, 81 don't want to,
but can" Still nobody seemed to ad-
nire him, but instead, said the old
poster,
You can brag, young fellow; but
ou shall show what sort of a crow you
have, or I'll peck you to death.
Peep was very much scared, and tried
IS frst crow. 1t was such a feeble
olish noise that all the hens and roost
fa. and even the turkey-gobblers ant
ncks and guinea-hens and pigeons
s.--cghed at him and despised him.
Peep was not daunted yet, but h'
ntted off among the younger fowls
struck right and left with his bill, a
bid at home; he laughed, and calleC
nes, and Dragged, and at last fin,
young rooster, as big as himself
as handsome, said,
Come, Mr.. Chicken, I don't ik,
bur airs.
You don't amount to anything" sal,
sep, Just as he spoke to his mother.
Don't !" said the young rooster
nd before Peep knew what he wa
Bout the stranger had strewn the fin
feathers, poor Cluek's pride, all owe
ground. Peep was struggling il
AMI; the young rooster pecked an,
ecked till the blood came. One O
eep's eyes was gone, one leg was use
eas, and not until he lay quite still an,
lRirly beaten did the enemy hold off.
Over Peeps body the fowls all said
II served him right for his impu
ance."
After a while Peep hoped home yer
ebly on one leg, and lay down quit
nbly under old Oluck's wing.
Where has my poor Peep been
he'd Cluck, with the tears runnin
~ her bill.
Been out in the world, mother,
|d Peep.
And didn't the world admire you ?
Not a bit. Oh, my little brother
Md sisters" said poor Peep, " chick
must not be pert and rude and unkind &
home among their friends, for when the
carry the habit out into the world wit
them they meet their match and com
p grief !" and Peep kicked once wit
one leg, rolled up his one eye, and
this happened in the land {
China. OF course there are n