The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-08-09
Our Olio.
0hanticlesr-A Study of the Cock in Lit
erature, History and Life.

In the country it is delightful to hear
the cocks crow, in the early morn, at mid.
day, or 10 the small hours Of the night.
Let their notes fall on the ear when they
may they never strike us unpleasantly;
and what loss it would be If we were
deprived Of the cocks noisy presence and
lordly bearing. He is pattern Of direct
ness, and there was never a more gallant
defender Of a household. No other cock
can enter his domain with impunity. A
neighboring cock may trespass for the mo-
ment, but be can gain no firm footing till
he has vanquished his foe, The Persians,
the Greeks, the Egyptians and tho Rho.
dams all admired this quality in the cock
and emulated his plucky endurance. Pluck
is as much part Of the cock as his fcath-
ers and comb, and verify believe he
would rather die than yield to rival.
No ono ever saw n cock TINT was a craven.
If the leader Of the harnyard gives way
before the trained gamecock his retiring
in such circumstances is no disgrace; but
the chances are, though nothing but a
dunghIll. no will despise tho veteran of the
pit and will fight to the end,
LIBEL ON THE ROOSTER.
To say that a cock is vain, to call a
conceited fellow coxcomb, is a libel on
the bird. | do not believe there is more
than proper degree pf pride in the family.
What We see in the cock TO lead US to o
contrary opinion is an honest expression
of confidence in his ability to protect his
his own. If he holds out an assurance of
this, he never bellies il. The turkey puffs
out his breast, drops his waffle, bursting
red, spreads his tails, and puts on airs,
only to he scared by poodle. The pea
cock is never happier than when challeng-
ing the admiration of the world. He de-.
lights to squat on the top Of fence or on
the ridge Of the house--anywheFo where
he can hide his feet and bring Into relief
his wondrous tail, but he has no more
valor than the turkey They are both ar
rant towards, braggarts that love to display
their plumage, but with nothing to back
their claim 10 notice. But the cock en-.
ters onr presence with firm step--a con-
scious ability to take care OF himsOlf.
He Is always ready for fight, aud comes
out of one melee with an itching desire 10
engage in another His air Is lordly.
He likes to stretch out his neck and take in
at glance every corner Of his domain---to
answer with an approving note the faint
est cluek Of his mates, aud to scratch for
them all as well rs for himself.
no ROOSTER WAS EVEN nHEKPEGkEp,"
What could have given rise to the ex-
preston "henpeckecked" is more than |
can tell; for no cock that ever came under
my observation was ever open TO that i'm
pptation. IL is unjust alike TO the hen
and her mate. She may be exacting aud
sometimes qnerllous, but he views her fol.
bles with a lcniept eye and is as ready to
do the agreeable to the most irritable Of
danes as to the most cngaging Of pullets,
treating her vagaries not as the ebullition
Of virago, but rather as ethe tender
fierceness Of the dove" But. he will per.
nit no indiscretion on the part Of his
wives, aud If, perchance, one Of them
brings of brood Of ducks, he will
tuin deaf ear to her distress when the
ducklings take to the water, telling her as
plain as words can speak, "as she has
sown 50 must she reap But to those
that are constant he is tender and sympa.
thetic, responding most heartily when
Dame Partlet makes known that she has
increased her store during her brief seclu-
sion.
That the language Of the cock is intel
ligible TO his family there cannot be a
doubt Let a stranger draw near or