St. Landry democrat., 1882-12-09

ING her eldest son so much better
grown, more intelligent and high
Spirited than the others, she had ar
rived at the conclusion that he was
something superior 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:
.Whoi who-o! who-o-on'
eft is my son. your HONOR said
Madam Webtoes, who thought that this
was the proper way to address such a
learned person, and who was not at all
put out at finding that ne did not direct
" understand her. 1t proved that he
was occupied with very important mat
tiers.
ga genius is always eccentric, your
honor, and am sure it is his high birth
that makes him so naughty in his man
ners. Don't you think am right, Pro-
fessor?''
"T'wit! Twho!" said the Professor,
regarding her gravely with his large
saucer eyes.
"Witty, your honor? Oh, yes, in
deed, he is wonderfully witty'' eagerly
said the foolish old duck. ..And, as you
say, your honor considering aOho he is,
it is hardly to be expected that, being
born swan, he should condescend to
associate with the low-bred shanghais
and bantams. "
The Professor sat for some minutes
perfectly still, gazing with his big eyes
at poor anxious Madam Webtoes, who
| waited patiently to hear if he had any
thing more to say. And at last the
Professor bowed his head grayely three
times, and then closed his eyes, as if to
declare that the interview was over; so,
after thanking him warmly for his val
liable advice and assistance, Madam
| Webtoes fastened home to repeat his
opinion in triumph to her friends.
:. You see, l was. right!' she cried
loudly to the assembled fowls. ''The
Professor agreed with me. He said Twas
right. My son is certainly a wonderful
person.
And she tossed her head scornfully at
them.
Now, Prof. Fussanfeathers was an
authority. His opinion was clearly i'm
portant. Perhaps Madam Webtoes' I'M
pleasant son would turn out to be a
swan. after all!
Several of the hens were much inn
pressed. and looked uncomfortable, and
the speckled lady secretly wished she
had not been so indiscreet. Only old
Grandfather Cookies shook his head
slowly. He had heard people talk OF
swans before.
Here he comes!" cried the mother,
angry at their doubts. "Canst you be-
lieye your own eyes? Can't you see
how much taller and handsomer he is
/ than any other duck in the yardp'
The eldest son seemed to be in q
hurry. He came forward, stretching
/ his long neck with the peculiar kissing
! noise he always made, and followed by
! his Youngest brother, who was crying,
having just been knocked down by the
/ tyrant for daring to stand in his way.
But Madam Webtoes only pushed hel
injured child hastily aside. while she
eagerly told of Prof. Fussanfeathers' de.
cision.
..Of course said the eldest son,
haughtily. Il always knew | was fal
superior, to the rest. There is no eoubt
about it; / am swan. And Lean atf'orc
to despiSe all baser born creatures
/ AS he spoke. through the gate flock
Of great white birds were driven. They
stretched their long necks forward with
loud Kisses, and ran awkwardly past the
other fowls on their way to the pond.
:. Here are the swans! Here are my
equals at last" cried the eldest son, full
i of his blind conceit.
And, Kissing contemptuously, ht
fastened to join them. z ,ss
~. Oh, come back, my someone
back!'' cried his mother, in despair
+. You are mistaken! Those are no
Swans. they are geese! SIS
j II But he did not hear her; he had gone
And while poor Madam Webtoes
crushed by this terrible fall OF her pride
tainted entirely away, all the hens ex
claimed, with shrieks of laughter:
4 ss "a swan, indeed! And he was no
thing but goose, after all!''- EuG Il
Carson, IN G0iden Days. H