The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-02-10
BANTAM BOB.

Bantam Bob was little. He did not
know it. At least he did not seem to
know it. He held up his head and
strutted in his gait as loftily as though
he were the tallest of the Shanghais!
Little dwarf hardly larger than a
robin, his weight less than one pound.
Little, but so plucky.
1t is said of his variety Of birds:
They are more courageous and pug.
nacious than gamecocks five times
their weight and size-a beautiful ex-
ample of great soul in little body"
Bob was living witness of the truth
of this description seventeen times a
day. Did be not attack, rout and put
to fight every beast, every man,
woman and child-the owners, Frank,
Elmor and Carrie Marsh excepted
that crossed his path? Yes, Of course
he did.
Bob was handsome. He knew it.
At least he seemed to know it. In the
adjoining dooryard was a vain pea
cock, the green and black Of whose
back and wings, the blue Of whose
neck, the brown, green and gold and
violet Of whose tail made beautiful
play of colors in the shifting sunlight.
Bob was every whit as vain as the
peacock, else he never would have Wed
with or aped him so. II the peacock
promenaded along the top Of the board
fence with naughty air, trying to daz-
zle peoples eyes with his lustrous
splendor, Bob would strut up and down
the gravel walk with an air just as
naughty and twice as ridiculous.
He seemed to say: 'I-Ook at the
coarse monster. His features are the
colors of the rainbow. My feathers
are every one as white as snow. / am
twice as pretty as he. Hear his harsh
voice. He can't crow. i can" Then
up he would fly to the fence top and
follow right in his rivals footsteps,
growing Justify, until, tired Of being
crowed over by that little midget, the
favorite would vanish, tail and all.
Bob had accomplishments. He would
stand erect upon the palm of Franks
outstretched hand, and, at the word of
command, shut both eyes, hide his
bead under his wing and pretend to be
fast asleep.
The Marsh children had 80 many
pets that they played menagerie with
them on Saturdays. Admittance one
cent and always a full house. Frank
had mustang pony, five rabbits, a
woodohuck and coon. Elmer had a
calf, guinea pig, lamb and dog.
Carrie, who was only four years old,
had only tabby and her five kittens.
Bob was a joint possession.
These pets would have formed a
Happy Family" had it not been for
Bob's jealousy. II Frank caressed his
pony, if Elmer patted his calf, or Car
rie Rugged Tabby, Bob would fly into
their faces like small fury. Then
Elmer would seize and stroke him,
Frank feed him loppered milk and Car
RE call him pet names until his ruffled
feelings were smoothed and Bobby was
himself again. The children had their
hands full to keep peace on his &C.
count. Every member of the family
had something against him. He acted
go. Katy Kos-ta-ma-lasky, the Bohe.
milan hired girl told them "he had torn
her new ball dress made of pink mo.
squito-netting, and she meant to make 8
pie of him, bake it in patty-pan and
cat that pie herself, hateful little
rooster"
Frank and Elmer did not believe
Katy and said so. Eyes he had" sht
said, "she was at the well talking with
John NikOta when something came
whack up against the back of her neck
She ran into the house; the doOl
slammed to; her dress was caught and
dreadfully torn, just ruined"
There, there, you did 1t yourself, '
cried Frank. Elmer said: mo bust
ness to wear such a slimsy dress. '
They began quarreling, when Carrie
said: II know what made Bob teal
Katys Dress" "Whatp" said all theil
voices in concert. Zoos Bob, he wa,
jealous of Katy's beau" This witty
remark Of Carries restored harmony
at once, and, no doubt, saved Bob
life.
Mrs. Marsh was vexed at him ant
threatened to have him beheaded be
cause he flew on 10 the kitchen tabl'
and ate the top crust off her pies. A
this threat Carrie seized and hid hin
under sieve in the wOodhouse cham
Der, feeding him, in the meantime, 81
much rich fruit-cake he came near dy
ing of dyspepsia.
Il The music teacher both feared ant
hated him because he was for eve
shocking her nerves by jumping sud
denly upon her shoulders and flynn
into her face Unexpectedly. He hate
her because the noise of her plan
! drowned his crows. He wished alway
to be heard. But the children BE-
| friended him and saved his life many
time. Once though they thought
> was all over with their favorite. II
. had not spark of reverence in this
great soul of his, not an atom. n
, was saucy to the minister. Let Nj
: Marsh hear of that it would be useles
for them to interfere.
E Perhaps Bob was angry because tbs
{ | Solemn-faced minister so frightene
8 the children that they had not petite
8 him since bis arrival. At any rate. }
Q never showed more Ugh: or rage in b
lie than when he aew at the parson.