Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-02
SIR PETER.
Written for The Star BY
CLEMENT CHAPMAN YOUNG.
Copyright. 1905, by O. @. Young.)
CHAPTER VIII.
Pete's Courtship.

fete'S CourtSn1p.
Sir Peter seemed pleased with his sur
roundings. He followed the boys about
and showed no fear: fear evidently had no
part in his makeup; he simply knew not its
meaning. Often during the day, when Mrs
Velton would go to the window to see
what caused a disturbance in the yard,
she found him in collision with some one
or other of the ROSTERS. 1t made no diff
ference how big they were. the little fell
low attacked them without moments hes
itation and drove them off.
The improvement so confidently predicted
by Tom had not shown itself. and when
Lucy taxed him with a failure to bring
about the promised reform he would look
serious and say: You know, it will take
time. He got into very bad habits when
Larry had him." And when Lucy's doubt
ing laugh showed how hopeless she con-
sidered Pete's reformation, Tom could only
answer: But think what he might do II
didn't watch him.
AS the months went by Sir Peter made
for himself stronger and more permanent
place in the affections of the boys. But
1t had long since come to be a settled
conviction with their mother that when a
tumult arose the little rooster was in some
manner responsible, and most likely at the
bottom of it. All through the winter
finding him ever ready. Not even the biting
cold of those bleak months could chill the
ardor of his indomitable spirit When the
summer set in and the days heightened
and grew warmer they seemed to bring
even greater opportunities, of which he
took advantage with q heartiness and en-
ergy that grew more and more embar-
RAISING.
He's jes a terror. he is Aunt Lucy
was wont to say; "a qualsome, fgbtn
chicken" But the good old soul was
thought to be prejudieed. for Pete, straying
into the laundry one day. had perched upon
her freshly ironed Shirts much to her dis
gust.
The gallantry of Sir Peter was in perfect
keeping with the fearless qualities inva-
riably displayed. Having whipped every
rooster that came near the place. he was
left in undisturbed possession of the field
and free to exhibit those personal charms
with which nature had richly endowed him.
Untroubled by the jealousies of active riv-
aftry, he could bestow attentions as fancy
dictated, and the numerous hens whose
society formed the solace of his leisure
moments received his advances with the
favor that has ever been shown by the
gentler sex to the possessor Of martial
honors
1t was laughable to watch the little fell
low displaying the airs and graees of en-
old beau. Indeed. when he drew near them
you could almost see thrill Of pleasure
rufffe the feathers of his ardent admirers,
and soft cluckings and glances that no
all too plainly of the feelings that agitated
their susceptible breasts.
Lovingly they wandered about the yard
with him or searched among the grass
and weeds for choice morsels dear to the
palates of their feathered kind. AS evil
dence of his protecting care Peter became
a diiigent forager, scratching and digging
with an energy born of a desire to please,
and the haste with which his cluck chuck
brought the fair ones to his side seemed
more an excuse to be near his engaging
person than a longing for the tempting
offerings brought to light.
And when amid these quiet pursuits.
marring their peacefulness with a note of
discord. would come family from afar the
mellowed growing of some boastful rooster
safe In his remote retreat then Pete would
cease his occupation, would listen silently,
and as the last echoes of the distant chc1-
lenge died away would swell his throat
with answering peal, loud and vibrant as
bugle blast, and in his eyes would kindle
and CLEAN the fierce light of hoped-for
battle.
1t was hardly to be expected that a ma
ture imbued with such restless energy
would remain content with homage so
easily won. For time the open prefer
enee of the hens was accepted with evil
dent pleasure, but finally their society be-
gan to pail upon him and the surfeit of
too easy conquests showed itself In the
gradual omission of those delicate acts of
gallantry that marked his earlier advances.
Conspicuous by her indifference to Sir
and more ungainly than the rest. was hen
who had long passed the uncertain line
that separates youth from maturity.
Prompted by a deeper knowledge of the
rooster heart than hens usually possess
and a clearer perception of the tender
passion CLEANED from ripper experience. she
studiously avoided Pete, meeting his first
casual overtuFes with distant and maid
enly reserve in marked contrast to the
lack of restraint shown by her sentimental
sisters.
1t may have been the old, old story, or
else the mind of Sir Peter harbored the
conviction that things unattainable were
things most to be desired. At all events,
he deserted his former companions and de-
voted himself to her Gradually his single
ness Of purpose and unremitting consistency
were rewarded. at first with slight recogni-
ton, later with evidences of pleasure and
little acts of innocent coquetry, tempered
always by q occurrences that was no doubt
becoming even In a hen. until finally the
warmth OF friendly regard was merged In
the glow Of tntenser feeling and the pent-
up tenderness OF years was released and
lavished upon him.
The two excited the Ire OF Aunt hslsy.
.sEe see dat fool rooster an dat bigger
fool henri He jes like maA fer fac.
Can't find hen he ewn size to mex eyes
at. got to strut up long ode sonne BIZ
oberGrOwn chde3Esu ole nozgh to b. BE-
xuulier An. look az her~-sfse - paeased
she put On al De airs ~ = P<z1llt Amt \
no en0a eozue out ~ dat MORT % eattin
Theirs was no denying the fkst that Pete