The Advocate and news., 1898-08-31
BY MABLE DIcCS.

appeared quite as happy as usual, and
that is saying a great deal; for a jollier,
better natured old fellow than he never
graced farm yard. Sunshine, rain or
snow were all the same to him; and he
crowed quite as Justify under any and
all circumstances.
We'll" said he, laughing heartily, as
his bright eyes glanced about the hen
house, "you all seem to be having a fit
of the dumps"
The only reply to this remark was a
faint cluck or two from some meek ap-
pearing hens, who Immediately put their
respective heads back under their wings,
as though ashamed to have spoken at
all.
This indifference was quite too much
for the owner of the white plumage, who,
standing first on one yellow foot and
then on the other, turning his head
from side to side, said:
well, we are a lively set. Anyone
would think, to look in here that we
were surrounded by a ban of hungry
foxes, and that life depended on keep
ing num-"
Just then a darling little white ban
tam rooster hoped down from his perch,
and, strutting pOmpously over to the big
white rooster, created quite stir among
the feathered stock by saying
Were all lively enough when our
crops are full; but, when we are starv-
ing to death, the wonder is that we can
hold our heads up at all. If ever see
that farmers boy again, Tll-I'll peck
his foot"
"You won't see him until he feeds us,
and then guess you'll peck his corn"
was the reply.
"Oh, OH" moaned the brown hen:
don't mention a peck Of corn"
Madam" remarked the white rooster,
bowling politely, you're trouble is my
own; that is, I'm hungry, too. But we
might be worse off: we might be on
our way to market in box. Then, too,
suppose we haven't had enough to eat
to-day: at least we have room enough
to stretch our limbs"
why that is a fact!" she answered,
and all the feather people, the smallest
chickens included, stretched their rooms,
adjusted their feathers, and looked a
little more animated
Nov then" continued the rooster,
suppose we have a little music to help
pass the hours away before roosting
time. We will all crow. There, l beg
your pardon, ladies': 1 am sorry you
can't crow. We will sing a merry song.
Will you be kind enough to start lively
tune, dear Mrs. Brown Hem"
The brown hen, thus appealed to,
shook herself proudly, tossed her head
back, and began in musical soprano,
"Cut cut cut ka da CUT" and in less than
two minutes everyone in the hen house
Joined her.
Now the horses, cows and sheep were
not far away; and hearing the happy
voices in the hen house, they too, joined
in the grand chorus, while the pigs did
their best to outsing them all.
Higher and higher, stronger and
stronger, rose the chorus. Louder and
louder quacked the ducks, and shriller
and shriller squealed the pigs.
So interested and happy did the feath-
cred people become that they quite for
got their hunger until the door Of the
hen house burst open, and in came three
chubby children, each carrying dish
full of steaming chicken food.
Don't stop your music, Mr.. Rooster"
said the dear little girl, who was so
snugly bundled up that her dear little
face was scarcely visible You see we
were so lonesome we didn't know what
to do; but when we heard all you folks
singing out here in your house, we
laughed and laughed until we pretty
near cried. Then we went to tell Jack
about you. He was lonesome, too poor
Toc1Yya afaly V.,ith fhn pora throof an lao