The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1904-07-21
three soap boxes and made houses of

three soap boxes end made houses of
them.
Each hen," said Mrs. H., "shall have
her own home"
something on the Utah plan," l
replied.
Mrs. H. didn't respond. Her atten-
tion was directed to the task of putting
a ribbon around each hens neck.
didn't object. She could have made
them dresses, and l would have ap-
plauded. Yes, indeed. And she named
them. "Lizzie" was big fat slob that
had lost most of her tail feathers
through overwork. l don't remember
the others names, but Mrs. H. had no
difficulty in seeing each hen to her
proper abode in the evening.
The first night after the purchase of
the hens, Mrs. H. was very restless.
Several times she asked: "Are you
awaken" Once when 1 asked what the
matter was she said: 81 am so worried
about those chickens; do you think
they are comfortable TO which l
replied: "Of course they're comfort
able; any hen in bran new soap box
with pink ribbon round its neck and
sofa pillow for bed can't help but
be comfortable. What do they expect?
If they want folding beds and mosquito
nets they'll have to go elsewhere"
Mrs. H. sighed, and was soon asleep
But about a. m. she arose and dressed,
and upon my demanding what she
intended doing she said she heard one
of the chickens Growing, and Mrs.
Norris had told her that was sure
sign of newly laid egg. Mrs. H. was
afraid to go alone into the yard in the
dark and insisted that 1 60 too.
"Wait till morning" said /.
mo, indeed" she replied; "Pm going
to get an early breakfast and use the
three eggs" Optimistic Mrs. H.!
When we got to the hens lodging
houses, we discovered by the aid of a
lantern that the chickens had vacated
the pleasant quarters provided for
them, and further search revealed the
fact that they were perched upon the
fence. Mrs. H. was indignant. "There's
appreciation for you," said she.
"Yes, indeed" 1 replied.
"Take this stick and shoe them
down." said she.
1 wanted to leave them alone, but
Mrs. H. said: "No, sir, suppose they'd
lay eggs while they're up there?"
"Why not stretch table cover under
them to break the fall," 1 suggested
Mrs. H. didn't know if 1 was joking OF
not. 1t was lucky for me that she
couldn't see my face.
The chickens were "shooed" down
amid an awful cluttering, and wher
Mrs. H. had piloted each deserter to its
own house, they struck!
"Let's tie them down this time," sale
Mrs. H.
Gall right" said 1.
, AS day broke the three rebellious
hens were secured by rope and we
awaited developments. Nothing de
veloped. After breakfast we untieC
the hens, and Mrs. H. said, when NJ
eggs appeared, that the hens were
strange and day or two would bring
them around all right
j, "Quite likely" replied.
But as the days went by and M
e eggs arrived, Mrs. H. blamed thu
market woman. "She cheated me
D She said these were fine layers, tn,
! best hens she had"
5 "They certainly look motherly," sait
l.
t appearances are deceitful." sait
t Mrs. H.
! "Quite true" replied.
J. "Tm going to the market this morn
ing and just give that woman tn
dickens" said Mrs. H.
"Go ahead" said I.
!. :. When I went, at Mrs. HIS sugges
: tion, to the hennery that evening,
;. beheld an enormous rooster who wa
: communicating his future home ant