St. Landry democrat., 1882-12-09
ONLY A GOOSE AFTER ALL.

- -
was a proud mother the day she first
led her nine yellow children down to
the water.
Sitting so long on the eggs had been
very tiresome, but she felt fully repaid
for her trouble as she looked at her
flock and saw that they were the largest
and handsomest young ducks in the
farm-yard One of them, indeed, was
twice as large rs any of the others.
..He will certainly do me credit, :
she said. "He is my eldest son, and
shall be my herr
And this truly would have been fine
distinction, If there had been anything
to inherit.
The little ducks swan about in the
water, enjoying the bright sunshine and
the cool, pleasant air. Their kind
mother taught them how to stand on
their heads in the water, and other ac-
complishments necessary to a Well-bred
little duck education.
She was pleased to see how fast they
learnt, and how obliging and kind they
were to each other
'sTheY take their amiable disposition
from me, she said, delighted.
That is, all but the eldest son. He
would push and crowd to get the first
place, and at dinner-time he insisted on
having the largest worm all to himself.
He evidently felt that he was head of
the family.
II am the largest and finest duck in
the pondp' he said. Of course, l must
take the leadn'
'.But your position must not make
you proud, my son. said the mother.
anxiously. True greatness is humble.''
.tBut am handsomer than the 9TH
ers," persisted the proud little duck,
land I am taller. My neck is longer.
You can see it for yourself y
And he stretched it out to peck sharp
" at little brother, who ventured to
swim in front of him.
s.It is true" the mother said, thought
fully, as she watched him sailing grandly
away; he will be larger than any of
our family. Perhaps, indeed, he is n t
duck at all, but swan. Ihaye heard
of such things"
Madam Webtoes considered this new
idea for some time, and the oftener she
thought Of it, the more confident she felt
that it must be true.
And whenever the other little ducks
ran to complain of their elder brother $
unkindness and disagreeable temper,
she only shook her head wisely.
HE is different from the rest of you
He must not be contradicted! There is
something extraordinary about him, :
sha said sOlamnlV.
1.-The only thing extraordinary / can
see is his Appetite moaned the poor,
abused little duck, as he sadly watched
the nice, fat grub he had found dssap-
pear down his big brothers capacious
throat. Il @
Eyes, indeed, y replied another, feel
ingly, remembering the beautiful long
worm he had got only q taste Of that
very morning. .tsssA s'Ft. nv W
But the other fowls would not put up
with the airs of the eldest son. Old
Mrs. Whitehead few at him and pecked
him sayagely when he. abused one Of
her chickens, and he was driven from
the yard when he gobbled more than his
share. of the food, and that was very
often. III III 81 ti & 5.ss
His mother could not excuse hislquar-
relsome temper and greediness, which
grew worse and worse every day; but
She felt that the secret OF his noble birth
would explain it all. isti il9 lts5
superior people are always peculiar,
you know she said to her old crony,
the speckled hen, to whom she confded
in strict confidence her suspicious of the
truth. Il
The speckled hen replied promptly: Y
ssOh, yes! Of coursen' ~.
But she was not more, sincere than
some other fine ladies, for afterwards
she made much fun OF the wonderful
secret with the other hens. who laughed
at such ridiculous pretensions- .s5s
"a swan, indeed!' they said, scorn.
fully. s'He is not even a respectable.
looking duck. A hideous, long necked,
overgroWn creatIrer 4 S5$
And they snubbed Madam Web toes
very decidedly the next time she came
over for bit of gossip.
Finding that her sons peculiar dis.
position was not understood, nor his
grandeur appreciated, by these vulgar
Inhabitants of the barn-yard. Madam
Webtoes resolved to seek the advice oil
| the wise and renowned Prof. Fussan-
| feathers, whose ancient dwelling was
but a short distance off in the heart oil
nsold oak tree - z1s' s.s..zs5efaSs'a's7
Prof. Fussanfeathers, by dint of cen
stantly rolling his eyes about. and keep.
| ing his mouth shut. had acquired a
wonderful reputation for knowledge,
IL / ,.,,,,,,I xpo 9 90 uorfu Sc1,mbf hr