Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-11-30
OLD MORDECAI'S COCKEREL.

OLD MORDECAFs OCkEkEL.
"Grand old trees" said mamma, "a
fine view from the piazza and plcasan
inside"
II see no fault" said papa.
Except that hideous little house a
the foot of the garden" said Aunt Amy
"And that horrible old man, sitting
all day close up to our fence" said Bob
"Ono of his legs is shorter than ths
other" said little Lucy.
"Hc sits on his own land" said papa
"And he minds his own business,
said mamma.
Nevertheless, he is vecy Mordecai
at our back gate" said Aunt Amy.
But the summer went, and, despite
the hideous little house at the foot OF
the garden, and the old man smoking
his pipe 80 near the fence, everybody
had seemed quite merry.
81 like old Mortify," said Lucy, "he
hands me my kitten when she runs
away. She had grown use to seeing
the old man walking from side to side
on his poor old rheumatic legs, and felt
kindly toward him.
Now, the weather had become 30 cold
that Mordecai 10 longer sat by the
fence, or walked in his little garden.
In week it would be Thanksgiving.
The sky was gray and cold, and the fall
trees waved their bare branches to keep
warm until the snow should come to
cover them.
Everything looks awfully home
sick" said Bob, stan ding at the win
dow. "This is the meanest place |
ever saw"
At that moment a loud, defiant crow
fell upon his ear.
THAT'S old Mordecai's cockerel," he
said angrily.
Eyes said Lucy, al see him dswn
at the pile o. leaves"
81 told him never to crow on our
side of the fence" said Bob.
Lucy laughed.
"You may laugh, but you just see il
he crows on our side again, Lucy Jack
SON."
Once again the oockerel crowed
loudly and triumphantly. Once more
Lucy laughed. Bob went out, and
Lucy saw the cockercl scratching the
leaves. Then she saw Bob creeping
toward him with bow and arrow.
Luc, did not see the arrow fly from
the bow, but she saw Bob flying to the
stable with the cockerel i'll his arms.
She was so much excited that she ran
out at once, bare headed, to tind Bob
drawing out the arrow from the poor
fowls breast,
"Oh Bob" she whispered, "that will
hurt him dreadfully."
ADO you 'spose he likes it that way?'
said Bob, sarcastically.
Goa, Bob" she continued, 81 didn't
believe you could ever hit anything"
'Nor |, either"
She turned away her head while he
drew out the arrow. The cocke'el
tapped his wings little, then closed
his eyes and Icy quite still.
"He's going to die, whispered Lucy
"Thats just like a girl. Why don't
you nelp fellow out2"
"Pll do anything you want me to,
Bob"
"A girl ought to know more about
such things than boy"
II know it," sighed Lucy" "1'm
trying to think, but all can remcm-
Der is arsenicum and Jamaica ginger.
He hasn't sneezed, so | don't believe
it's arsenicum ne needs. Shall | 90
for some ginger"
''Do you think it would do him any
goodH"
"He opened one eye; maybe if he
mad some ginger he could open both.
III "A rXv ND
Lucy went for the ginger.
Hope you staid long enough, " said
Bob, when she oppeared at the stable
door with y cup in her hand.
"Thst mean cook wouldn't give me
the sugar. and | hurried so | splice
the ginger in the closet. Hew il her
lie keeps on breathing, but he
doesn't notice much"
Bob took the cup and gave the cock
erel spoonful OF ginger. The blrt
staggered to his feet and tapped hi
wings. Lucy thought surely he mean
to CROW again on their side OF the fence
but the next instant he lay motonlesi
before them.
Hes gone" said Bob, solemnly.
al wish we had tried the arsenicum,
said Lucy, sadly. What viii Ole
Mortify say?"
81 guess l shall be Old Mortify i
papa finds it out. How strong thin
ginger smells how much did you
put in?'
give spooniuls! Then you killed
HIM"
sob, Bob, don't say that" she cried
"Run in the house." said Bob.
''What shall you dor
81 am going to hide him under tn,