The morning times., 1895-07-11
Famous NappU Leon.

More than century ago, on the pictur-
ssque island OF Corsica, in the Mediterranean,
in a certain comfortable barnyard, a Fat and
handsome hen sat upon a bakers dozen
eggs OF her own laying Her husband,
sieur Bona, was a cock OF quiet, respectable
habits, never known 20 indulge inwordy con
troversies through the fence-palings, nor
in crowings and challenges of his ne ighbors
Since his marriage TO his spouse, Dame
Letitia Bona. he had not fought single
duel which, considering the times, was re-
markable circumstance.
Dame Letitia, ] fear, did not yield that
respect to her lord and master which he de
served; for often when he came bringing her
a particularly Juicy worm from the gar
den, a delicious grub, or some kernels of
corn fallen between the bars OF the Erdnary,
she would award his attentions by SO saw
age a peck upon the head OF so fierce
pluck al his glus that he would be lain 10
retire with a squall.
Dame Letitla Bona came of ancient fight
ing stock. There had been famous game
cocks IN her family; and, respectable te-
male as she was, when the white cock re-
siding in the adjoining yard would thrust
ms head between the palIng In cOntemptu'
Gus challenge of SiCur Bona tie latter, &C
cOrdIng 10 his custom, giving no heed To the
blusteT OF his quaTrelsome neighbor-Dame
Letitia had been known TO send the blusterer
back 10 his family with a nip in his comb
that all his wiyes-for he was a Turkish
cock and kept harem-had much ado TO
heal.
Ii is not 10 be maryeled AT, then, that
one, at least, OF Dame Lcttia'S brood,
when Matched, should exhibit tie hered-
itary fighting strain. This little rooster,
whom his mother named Nappy, Leon,
after some distant ancestor, fought his
brothers before the shell was off his back
and never a day passed but Dame Letitia
had To rescue one or another of her downy
children from the bin OF their fiery brother
Nappy
AS time went on the young Nappy became
the tyrant OF the harnyard. he fought
adoZenpitched battles with cocks ofhisown
age He peCked the heads Of all the GoSlIugS,
aud pulled Out the feathers OF all the duck
llngS one day he even confronted a tough
old gander aud it must have gone hard
with him had not his father happened
along, aud, by a judicious mingling OF
persuasion and flatery, soothed the irri-
tated cauder aud averted the impending
catastrophe.
Dame Letttia was secretly very proud
OF her mettlesome offspring, and by her
hints and encOura cement did much to even
the soft influence Of her husband. The
Sieur Bona would sigh deeply as he saw
his wife tendcrly preening the rurfled
feathers Of her fayorite after one OF his daily
battles
"Ah, wife" he would say, Il fear you
are doing very wrong 10 lend counte-
nance 10 our sons quarrclsome diSposi-
ton
Nonsense" she would reply, con
tempuously. "He viii get on all the
better for showing some spirit, as others
j could mention should do" This was
one OF her back handed buffets, which
she knew so well how 10 deliver For
the Sieur was notable in all the harm
yards around for his mild character.
Perhaps" would be the quiet answer,
unless he should get into the CUP
10 the meantime my dear.
After while even the dOting mother
began TO be alarmed at the pugilsm Of her
favorite. and sometimes went so far as 20
administer a peck upon the head OF the
youthful Neppy which, as every one knows,
is the ancient form of chRstisemenr among
fowls But NapPy had gotten beyond
maternal control, aKd with q ''squawk'
OF pain and anger, the spoiled chick would
be off 10 pick another sCuffle with the
red bantam, his particular enemy, or The
Black Spanish Cockerel, who was just
sprouting his spurs and boldly declared
his Intention Of putting down that hot
headed Nappy some day.
At length the hour came when the young
Nappy Leon must leave the paternal Toost
and seek his fortune in the great world.
He had grown to the age and proportions
of a fine broiler, and it was time that