Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-21
SIR PETER.
Written for The Star by
CLEMENT CHAPMAN YOUNG.
Copyright, l9os, by C. C. Young.)
CHAPTER II.
While the Coop Was Building

The next morning Aunt Lucy was in very
high spirits. but the outbursts of merriment
in which she INDUCED after Tom left the
kitchen were not in keeping with the way
she had been lecturing that young man.
Amt ye 'shamed to pose on yo mar
she had asked him severely.
why, Aunt Lucy, 1 haven't imposed on
mother"
Didn't We tell me right befo' her dat Pete
was as gentle as kiln? Amt ye been
cncealin' he badness an film her mine
wild de notion of his peacflness?'
TOMS expression was one of mild sur
prise. but Lucy went on:
''Kitnl" she exclaimed scornfully. I'VE
knows berry well dat Larry want lowed ter
keep i'm; Miss Larned's cook tole me all de
fac's."
''Sh? cautioned Tom, looking around to
make sure no one was listening.
Don't shish me- 1 amt gwInter be no
party to de 'ception.''
II didn't know Larry had to send him
away
But Lucy was not convinced EFF dere
want no 'greement b'tween you two why
Larry send dat rooster yer2"
II suppose he thought l could-er-reform
him. But l must go and help build the
COOP" said Tom, hurrying from the room
Lucy was so taken by surprise at the
reason given for Pete's coming that she
gazed after Tom in open-mouthed aston
ishment. "R'form i'm she muttered in a
dazed sort of way. "r'foIm dat rooster?"
Then the silence of the kitchen was broken
by peals of laughter which subsidized only
to reeur with greater heartiness every time
she repeated ''R'form i'm"
All day long there came from the cellar
a ceaseless din and merry chatter and
the sound Of saw and hammer. From time
to time Aunt Lucy's voice had been heard
in open protest, an whenever she came
up from the laundry there was a peculiar
smile upon her face that said plainly as
words. II am not responsible for what is
going on below"
The afternoon had nearly passed when
suddenly the saving and hammering gave
place to roars of laughter, loud shouting
and the challenging crow of Pete. APP
parently something unusual had happened,
and Mrs. Veiton went down to learn the
cause.
From the cellar stairs she witnessed a
scene of confusion. The builders had ceas-
ed their labors and had abandoned them
selves to excessive mirth, while the glimpse
that was caught of Aunt Lucy through the
laundry door disclosed her ample form
shaking with merriment.
Upon the top of the step-ladder was
Blackfe, the cat. From that safe point of
vantage she looked down at Pete with
eyes that glowed like Goals of fire. back
even to the tip of her nervously waving
tail; upon her startled face was an ex-
preston of deep surprise and she missed re-
sentiment at frequent Intervals. The rooster
eyed her intently and his occasional crow
of defiance sounded like an invitation to
come down and give battle, the result of
which he felt to be in little doubt, judging
by his calm demeanor.
You see, mother explained Tom
pussy had never seen Pete before and
don't know what she took him for. he's so
little; but she grew very much excited"
''I spec she took I'm fer jes' a ordinary
bird" interrupted James.
Anyhow" Tom went on Pete watched
her stealing along, creeping closer and
closer, her tail flashing from side to side.
He kept perfectly still. his eyes fixed on
the cat though wondering what she
meant to do"
'iShe meant to cotch I'm, dats what she
meant" said James. again breaking in
James, wish you'd keep quiet" said
Tom reproyingly. 'At first. mother. Pete
didn't seem to think she was after him;
but when pussy crouched ready for
spring he made up his mind something was
wrong; and he wasn't a bit too soon, either,
for just then Blackie leaped. But she
couldn't catch Pete mapping. Quick as a
fash he shot out both feet and hit her be-
fore she touched him. Well the cat tum-
bled over and rolled on the door, and the
way she picked herself up and made for
that stepladder was the funniest thing you
ever saw" And Tom roared.
She's de most s'prised cat IN dis town;
neber tackled dat kin o. bird befo." And
the enjoyment of James was as keen as
Toms, II less boisterous. But Mrs. Vel
toms attention was soon drawn TO a huge
box that blocked the cellar entrance.
What is that?' she asked.
.'Petes COOP" replied Tom, with pride.
His mothers amazement was so plain
that he and his brother exchanged sheep
ish glances as If they realized for the first
time the lack of proportion between the
house and its intended occupant. The ut
ter absurdity of the thing completely upset
Mrs. Velton's gravity, for there was coop
large enough for all the roosters about the
place; so big In fact that efforts to get It
through the double doors had proved in
vain.
why, James. how could you let the boys
build such a useless fhingY.
Deed. Miss Mary. couldn't stop EN-;
dey say he mus hab plenty room"
just then Aunt Lucy came out of the
laundry with pile of clothes in her arms.
She stopped and gazed at the coop with
the same expression that was noticeable
earlier In the day, then gave her mistress
q look that caused Mrs. yelton to follow
her up to the kitchen.
Toms memry Is sholy failn'. He clean
forgit to tell ye how dat rooster make dc