The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-12
A BARNARD STUDY.

One day. after three weeks of extraor-
binary patience, the old speckled hen ap-
peared excited beyond measure. The least
approach toward her nest, however gently
made was the signal for all sorts Of fussy
attitudes and clucks that the hen nature
could muster. Evidently q climax had been
reached. Her warm breast had, throughout
the night, felt the miniature bombardment
from beneath and the mother trern-
bled with excitement. Nature had COM
mitted TO her care the destines of a dozen
little imprisoned chicks, each one exerting
all its little power in breaking its way out;
and as one after the other, meeting with
success, emerged from it's oval home with a
crash, a new tremor of excitement would
seize the brooding mother above, lifting her
half off her nest that the new found free
dom may not in any wise be hampered.
All day long little smothered chirps came
from that feather bed and as each new ar
rival appeared upon the scene the chirrup
became choral Tiny yellow bills and bead
eyes were thrust from between the wing
feathers as though impatient to enter ac-
tive life Upon the second day the old
mother ventufed forth surrounded by twelve
of the prettiest, cutest specimens of life
imaginable. Away She stalked with stately
started at the least unusual sound and with
an alarm cry gathered her brood under her
wings She stood ready to fight for them,
ruffling her feathers in porcupine fashion,
bending her head low TO the ground and
with brave little dashes and retreats so be-
wildering the enemy that very few wished
to persevere in their hostility. She scratched
vigorously wherever she went, tearing the
grass from its sockets and scattering the
leaves to the wind. When a morsel was
found she hurriedly called them around her
and the first conner was served first-this
to teach the lesson Of staying at home.
Days went by but the same patient care
and guardianship was exercised. Those lit
tie downy balls developed into big, ungainly
fellows and ii was sight most pathetic to
watch that patient old mother vainly at
tempt TO cover her fast growing family
Every evening the difficulty became more
apparent; the chicks were simply being
crowded out of home by the force OF cir
though one felt like scoldng her for thus
meekly and uncomplainingly standing all
those bumps and jostles ii was positively
outrageous how those chickens persisted in
budding under that faithful old hen. Some
times, when two or three began lighting for
some choice place and thus disturbed the
whole set they nearly lifted her off her
feet; but all she would do would be to feebly
cluck and endure 1t all. But one day, soon
after the members of her family mad got
old enough TO quarrel among themselves and
hold momentary combat. the old hen seemed
slowly but surely TO be possessing herself
of the spirit Of antagonism; il seemed that
the truth which long since had presented
itself to US was at last making itself known
to her The time had come to sever parental
protection New duties were crowding
themselves upon that mother; and, besides:
IL was an absolute impossibility 10 feed and
shelter a dozen great fellows, any one OF
which would eat as much as she herself.
One afternoon while the mother was pick
ing rich morsel to pieces, two of her chill
dren came rushing up TO her for their share,
tumbling over each other as they came.
The next moment they were both sent
spawning What a peck that was and how
savagely the mother administered 1t! Those
two startled youngsters retreated to the
corner of the yard crying plaintively while
the others tried the same thing with the
same uncompromising result. Later they
held a long council: as a result they that
evening found an empty barrel and CHR
ruined themselves to sleep in it's feepest re-
cess X. ZAHlNG.