Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1882-12-07
TIL BIGGEST DUCK IN THE PUD-
DIE

| The old gray duck, Madam Webtoes.
was 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. ione of them, indeed, was
| twice rs large as 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 a fine
distinction, if there had been anything
| to inherit. $50
The little ducks swan about in the
water, enjoying the bright sunshine and
the cool, pleasant air. Their kind
| mother taught them how to stard on
their, heads in the water, and other ac-
accomplishments necessary to d well-bred
little ducks education.
She was pleased to see how fast they
learnt, and how oblig:ng and kind they
were to each other.
''They 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. ...-.
Il am the largest and finest duck in
the pondr' he said. "Of course, l must
take the lead"'
''But your position must not make
you proud, my son. said the mother,
anxiously. True greatness is humbler'
''But am handsomer than the 9th
ers," persisted the proud little duck,
land I am taller. Ny neck is longer
You can see it for yourself"
And he stretched it out to peck sharp
ly at little brother, who ventured to
swim in front of him. -t.
1T is true" the mother said, thought
fully, as she watched him sailing grandly
away; The will be larger than any of
our family. Perhaps. indeed, he is not
a duck at all, but a swan. | have heard
of such things" ~.
Madam Webtoes considered this new
idea for some time, and the oftener she
thought of il, the more confident she felt
that it must be true. $3.50 5...
And whenever the other little ducks
ran to complain of their elder brothers
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.
she said. solemnly.
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 disap-
pear down his big brother S capacious
throat.
Eyes, indeed" replied another, feel
ingly, remembering the beautiful long
worm he had got only taste of that
very morning.
But the other fowls would not put up
with the airs of the eldest son. Old
Mrs. Whitehead few at him and pecked
him savagely, 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.
His mother could not excuse his quar-
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.
superior people are always peculiar,
you KNOW she said to her old crony,
the speckled hen, to whom she conlided
in strict confidence her suspicious of the
truth.
The speckled hen replied promptly:
.'Oh, yes! of course"'
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.
"a swan, indeed!' they said, scorn-
fully HE is not even a respectable
looking duck. A hideous, long-necked,
overgrown creature"
And they snubbed Madam Web toes
very decidedly the next time she came
over for a 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 of
the wise and renowned Prof. Fussan-
feathers, whose ancient dwelling was
but short distance off in the heart Of
an old oak tree.
Prof. Fussanfeathers, by dint of con-
stantly rolling his eyes about, and keep |
ing his mouth shut. had acquired a
wonderful reputation for knowledge, |
and his counsel was eagerly sought by |
all his neighbors when in perplexity. /
1T was true, his advice was not always
as practical as might be wished, but.
perhaps. that only made it the more |
highly priced, as each one could after
ward follow his own ideas, and imagine |
he was acting according to the pro-
foundest wisdom. = 1E,t .,.Fs, ..4
Madam Webtoes laid her case before
the Professor. She explained that. find +
ing her eldest son so much better
grown, more intelligent and high t
spirited than the others, she had ar !
rived at the conclusion that he was
sur rior and better-born than
the rest of the children.
Then she paused. and waited to hear
the Professor opinion.
Prof Fussanfeathers rolled his eyes !!
to the right, then he rolled them to the
left. then he rolled them up so far that
they nearly vanished from sight, and
then he said:
"Who! WHO'D! who-o-on'
IA q,