The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1882-05-06

vines that ran over q doorway not more
than three feet from the sill where he
| had taken his position. Once or twice
on this day he entered the honeysuckles,
when there ensued great chattering
and he soon came out.
1t was pitiful to see the poor little
creature and hear his loud cry all day.
| lie Law flat on his breast, often his head
dropped and | thought he was dying.
| Every little while tho hen would como
10 visit him, alighting near him, some
times quietly talking, sometimes scold-
ING, on which he would fly away. To
| day also saw that the hen carried food
into the honeysuckles, andI concluded
she had babies to feed, and perhaps her
circumstances with him had been that
he did not help Evidently she had o
good deal on her hands, hungry babies
and a disabled spouse
He was very awkward on his one leg,
could not stand up moment and when
he moved used his wings violently. Sew
cral times he fell off the window sill, but
caught himself by means of his wings
and flew back. Much Of the time he lay
with his bill open and seemed so weak
thought he could not live another day,
But the next morning new emotion
came to brace him up, including him to
do what Mrs. Dombey failed-"make an
effort"
Madam evidently made up her mind
TO shake of a useless partner, and early
in the day a rivalappeared on the scene,
The cock who assumed this despicable
role was a tumbled up sort of fellow,
who looked as though he needed wife
TO keen his coat in order and / had my
doubts whether that little hen had made
wise choice He would alight on the
sill. One-leg being on the ledge above
Here he would plant himself in dog
ged way, in crouching attitude, and
call, though not with the least spirit.
His feathers were ruilled, not bristled
up in anger or in fighting humor; and
in fact | could not resist the conviction
that he was a hen-picked coward order
ed TO 90 out and fight, and dutifully,
but not heartily, obeying.
The knowing bird on the ledge evi.
IDENTITY despised him. He answered him,
call for call and louder than his chal-
lenger but did not deign TO touch him till
the ragged.looking fellow attempted to
enter the honey-snckleS, when instantly
the little hero flew furiously at him and
he retired Then madam came out and
Fcoldod him, and he returned TO his
ledge 10 rest and get his breath,
After awhile another candidate for her
favor arrived on the sill This was a
different looking bird; for much alike as
are sparrows there are differences of
manner and looks readily seen on close
examination. The second wooer was as
bright and full of life as bird could be.
No crouching down in this case, no
weak forced challenge. He looked sauci-
IL at the unfortunate he had come 10 cut
out, bristled up and delivered his call in
loud, defiant tone. and was ready to
battle at once for the home in the honey
suckles This fellow too was different
foe in the eyes of the poor little cock on
the lodge. He did not answer his chsl-
lenge; he crouched low against the
house; his head sank, and thought he
was dying.
SO perhaps did the rival, for he flew
boldly into the vines. That reused the
dropping hero. In defense Of his hearth
stone he would rise almost from the
dead, He flew instantly and drove him
away, returning at once to his post. AT
ter little madam herself alighted on
the sill with the rival in full view Of her
despised spouse; buthe put them TO rout
like whirlwind.
On this day he took up new stand,
on the very corner Of the roof, where he
could overlook the window and also see
the honey-suckle vines from both sides.
There he would lie long time calling
and driving away those who presumed
to interfere with his domestic affairs.
This was an exciting day about the hon
ey-suckles, full of challenges, seedlings,
furious attacks and probably, too; suf-
fering, for the little hero often seemed
exhausted and | feared he would not
survive his accumulated calamities.
Once, toward night, madam alighted
in the usual place with one who was
plainly lover. He began to puff out
| hia feathers and assume the airs of o
| tuitor, when down upon him from his
| post on the roof came the avenging huS-
band and drove him away in twink
ling, The hen did not fly, however, and
her spouse alighted near her. She be.
gan TO scold, but he tried to make love
to her Come" said his manner, 'let's
make up; shall not always be SO help
less as now.' But every time he tried
to approach her she turned her bill to-
ward him, talking vigorously. You're
good-for-nothing" one could almost
hear her say you'll neither help me
yourself nor let any one else, and hero
I'm nearly worked to death and the ba-
bies like to staryen Then he coaxed
again, but she refused him harshly and
flew TO the nest
| This curious scene took place toward
evening, but the next morning things
had changed. He was better and bright
ef eyeryway, could get about much
more easily on his one leg and saw no
more of rivals. He went in and out OF
tao honeysuckles quito often. Some
times he was greeted by scolding and
sometimes by the fine chirping Of the lit
tie ones, but he went as often as he
chose Under this new aspect Of things
| hn Ioyo ., IA NOR, hool, he ,notn ,nl 90