The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1878-06-06
The Pert Chick.

a little apart from the barn yard. Cluck
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
Chee-Chee, and Peep Weep, whom they
called Peep for short-six in alI-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 a bit afraid OF his
brothers and SISTERS. and thought it a
joke to tell Tee-Tee she was ga fluffy
little fool" or call Tu-Tu ga young
goose" And when Tu-Tu would ruf1e
his pin-feathers and show he was game
little chicken, and not goose at all, old
Chuck 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 Clucks
wing to bed at night. He would play
about and say, 81 won't go to bed
and even cry out to his mamma, in
saucy way, SEQ to bed yourself, Mrs.
Chuck"
sob, how naughty, Peep I" Chuck
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 times Peep had way of peck
ing at his brothers and sisters, and,
while he ate as much as anybody else,
he called them all ''pigs, and laughed
at them.
At last, when Chuck told him, quite
gravely, that good chick must mind
his mother, Peep said, "Oh, go away |!
mothers don't pay" in a manner that
was very naughty; but Chuck found it
SO bright and clever for such fedge-
ling. Peep had his own will in his
family. He said and did whatever he
liked, and grew quite big and hand
some, and 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 up so sharp and fun
ny that Chuck was quite lost in admiring
his ways and his fine tail feathers, proud
ly waving as he strutted off.
"Surely," she thought, :" if they see
him in the barn-yard, ali the hens will
envy me such q 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 crow that was really a
very fine louo noise, and sounded far
and wide over the fields.
st can do as we'll as that, and better
too, old chap" said Peep. Now Peer
knew he couldn't, but he had way Of
saying pert things.
To bis wonder, nobody laughed; but
big hen-the growers wife-said,
Scan you, indeed, do as well? Let us
hear you"
She looked quite fierce at him, not a
bit like fond, good old Chuck, and all the
fowls gathered around Peep.
Pooh r said he, st don't want, but
can." Still nobody seemed to admire
him, but instead, said the old rooster.
You can brag, young fellow, but you
shall show what sort of crow you have,
or I'll peck you to DEATH
Peep was very much scared, and tried
his first crow. It was such feeble,
foolish noise that all the hens and roost-
ers, and even the turkey-gobblers and
ducks and guinea-hens and pigeons,
laughed at him and despised him.
Peep was rot daunted yet, but he
| c+rT1tto5 off oYooo1orp Tho uoy7Y1oro1s f0xD1c
, He struck right and left with his bill. as
he did at home; he laughed and called
names, and Dragged, and at last fine,
tall young rooster, as big as himself,
and as handsome, said.
"Come, Mr.. Chicken, don't like your
airs. !"
" You don't amount to anything,
said Peep, just as he spoke to his
mother.
"Don't To- said the young rooster
and before Peep knew what he was about
, the stranger had strewn the fine tai
feathers, poor Cluck's pride, all over the
ground. Peep was struggling in vain
the young rooster pecked and pecked til
, the blood came. One of Peeps eyes was
gone, one leg was useless, and not unit
he lay quite still and fairly beaten die
the enemy hold off.
Over Peeps body the fowls al said
| cit served him right for his impu
dence.
} After while Peep hoped home very
} feebly on one leg, and lay down quits
: humbly under old Cluck's wing.
"Where has my poor Peep been 2
asked Chuck, with the tears running
t down her bill. !"
"Been ont in the world, mother,
r said Peep.
> "And didn't the world admire your
: "Not bit. Oh, my little brothers
, and sisters" said poor Peep, "chickl
+ must not be pert and rude and unkinG
3 at home among their friends, for wher
. they carry the habit out into the worle
: with them they meet their match and
t come to grief = and Peep kicked once
] with his one leg, rolled up his one eye