Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-14
"Mothsred" by q Rooster.
DELLA HINE MERIT.

Ever since the creation, we have heard of
the devotion Of mothers to their offspring.
We have also heard again and again, the
old adage, it is the exception that proves
the rule. The following little chicken story
Proves the truth of the old saying.
When Uncle Philip WIS a small boy he
lived in the suburbs Of large city in big
old-fashioned house surrounded by verandas
and standing in the center Of three acres Of
ground. The grounds in front and at the
sides Of his home were laid out in velvety,
green grass. but the land at the rear was
devoted to a garden AMI a barnyard. where
a stable and hen house were the dominant
features.
Philip loved nothing better than to pay
O. journey to this section of Belle View, as
his fathers estate was called, to feed Jet
and Prince. the beautiful black horses. their
measure of oats. How many fine rides the
little fellow had enjoyed behind these hand
some steeds over the beautiful country
roads or through the crowded streets of the
city. But what Philip loved most of all
were the fowls. Both his father and moth
er were chicken fanciers and were the proud
possessors Of many choice Biddy's and
Chandeliers. Three times a day the chick
ems gathered around the little lad, while he
therw them corn. and how he did laugh to
see the greed displayed by his feathered
friends Among the hens was beautiful
brahma hen. Evincing a desire to ''set,'' a
dozen Of the finest eggs procurabl were Sc
cured d I'D Silver Crest, as Philip had named
the fowl, was placed on q nest in snug
place N the barn and there sat, as queen
on throne. She set" on the ovals re-
Egiously, and gave every evidence Of be-
coming {. model mother. But alas! no soon
er did the downy. fluffy chickens break
through the shell OF their prison houses and
hop around short time in the sunlight,
the hen who had given every evidence of
being model for the human parent to pat
far hon VII he 1,ala
less little chicks and as George, the coach
man said, 'yamoosed'
Philip was the first one to discover that
tie brood had been abandoned, for going to
the bar2yard he found the little yellow
ftuffs running aimlessly hither and thither
and peep, peep. peeping in a most doleful
manner.
you poor little things. where is your
mother?' said Philip. and the chicks an
swered his question with plaintive peeps.
do believe she has run away" contin-
ued he. Never mind, 1 will run to the
house and tell father; he will see that you
are taken care CT"
And this champion of helplessncss In dis
tress ran to the house to secure the help Of
one who had never failed to give aid when
needed. The assistance of the genus man
was not needed however. for when father.
accompanied by his little son, appeared on
the scene strange sight met their gaze.
The King of the barn yard. a most haughtS
and Oyerbearing Cochil rooster had appar-
entiy aoopteu Inc worse than motherleSS
chicken babies and was scratching in the
soil most industriousiy for worms to feed
the hungry brood that were gathered around
him in eyer enjoyment Of the feast he was
procuring for them. He. the rooster, not
only scratched for his adopted family but
would gather the little chickens under his
wings at nightfall. In the most approved,
mothefiy manner, and this pugnacious Coch-
In. who lad heretofore spent his days in as
serting LIS authority over the chicken coll
Ony, TOOK care of the abandoned ehtcLauc
Until The were able to "fend" for them
selves