The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1899-06-23

that reminds me of my fable. Pr'aps
you'll like ter hear it. don't sup
pose it's as good as Esop's or any of |
them noted fellers, but there's some
truth in it an 'twon't hnrt you any to
hear it Just about now"
Marguerite signilled her desire to
hear the fable, and grandpa went on.
"Wa'al now, he was in an early
brood, and he was mighty cunning
when he was the size of that feller
you have in your hand-just soft
bunch or yellow and white down,
with the cutest little head and
brightest eyes. | used to tell mother
he was prettier'n her canary, and he
was-that's fact. and "A sight more
interesting. Wa'al, everybody fell in
love with that chicken. Louise was
so crazy over him she wanted to paint
him from life. Said she'd never seen
such delicate colorS in a common fowl
afore, she had him in the house and
tried to make him stand still while
she took his picture. And Miss Will
liams-lives down in the brown house
yonder-she used ter come up to see
him most every day, and she was al
ways telling what fine, handsome
chicken he was and how modest, not
greedy and ugly like some are; and
she wanted should sell her a settin'
of his mothers eggs. She was sure
he was a specially fine breed. Here,
there. stop that"
Grandpl's voice was raised, and
again the lade came down on the
naughty chicken, which was this time
viciously picking smaller companion.
"Therc! you see how have to train
him. Wa'al, where was I?'
"Mrs. Williams thought lie was OF
the finest breed" supplied Marguerite.
"Oh, yes. She's right about that,
too; though she's changed her mind
now,' and grandpa chuckled to him
self. "But there's where the fable
part comes in," he continued "He
was pea,t fellow and grew 'mazing
fast. and, in course of nature, nature,
mind you, Margret, he lost off all his
soft, pretty down, with its yellow puff
flness. which always made me think Of
Archie's yellow curls; before you cut
'em off mean, Wa'al, a sorrier look
ring chick you never saw than that
critter when he was gettin' his feath-
ers. He amt handsome now: but he
was a sight three weeks ago, and no
mistake. HIS pretty feathers all gone
and only hateful little pinfeatbcrs
sticking out all over him. And his
disposition changed too. He was
kinder off his iecd awhile, and he
stopped that pretty chirp the women
folks like 81 well. And he grew ugly
in his ways. That's when Mis- Will
llams and Louise dropped his ac-
quaintance. Mis- Williams didn't
want the scttin' of eggs, aud had con-
siderable to say about his ugly tem-
per.
"But you see, Eve raised chickens
this thirty year and l didn't get scar
ed 50 easy. He's got IA good, smart
look in his eye if he has lost his soft
ways, and he carries his head pretty
well for young rooster. Louise made
no end of fun of that cracked voice Of
his, but he'll have a good crow on him
by and by. He is pretty forward, al
ways first for his dough and not over
careful about crowding TIE young
chicks, and he's rather free with his
heak when he can get good dab at
anothcr's back. Take him all around
you might think Inn poor stuff.
Mother says he amt worth raisin' an
Mis- Williams says he has inherited
bad traits. She's great on heredity,
you know. She declares | can never
make anything out of him. He does
give me good deal OF care. l have
to rap him half dozen times n
day and talk consid'able to him
rather sharp sometimes; but"
Grandpa paused while he scanned
the flock carefully through his spccta-
clcs, as II searching for some particu-
larchicken.
"Ah, there's the one | want" he
cried. "Ovcr there by the grape rock
that large, handsome cock with the
big tail feathers. See ulm, Margret?'
i, Marguerite assured him that she haG
, found the master spirit Of the yart
| and added: "No question about his
being OF superior breed"
"Ah, ah," laughed granpa, "you'r.
right, just right, and this little
troublesome rascal is the same breed
purest blood in town; and that's just
Z the way he'll look q year from now.
When he's strutting around next
. Spring, scratching up worms for his
: flock and gallantly escorting his wives
i and sweethcarts, MIS- Williams will
9 say. Now, what want Is rooster
/ like that fine fellow But l shall
' have deal q trainln' and feedin' to
J, do before then, and, Margret, you'll
& have deal o. trainin' to do before
. your boys are great, stalwart men,
y good TO look at aad safe for a woman
TO trust her heart and life with; hui
; don't you get discouraged becaus,
0 they don't act 50 handsome Will,