The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1906-06-22
znc.:, an-an. MS Ureator. :

In the midst or dinner they heard
an cutlery In the yard. Toms game
cock had challenged the old rooster,
and the two were leaping and striking
with foot and wing. Before help came
the old rooster was badly cut In the
neck and breast. Tunk rescued him
and brought him to the wood shed,
wnere Trove sewed up his wounds.
He had scarcely finished when there
caIae louder outcry among the fowls.
Looking out they saw gobbler strid-
ing slowly up the path and leading the
ganecock with a firm hold on the
back OF his neck. The whole flock Of
fowls were following. The rooster held
back and came on with long but I'M
equal strides. Never hating, the tur-
key led him into the full publicity Of
the open yard Now the cock was lift
ed so his feet came only to the top Of
the grass; now his head was bent low,
and his feet fell heavily. Through it
all the gobbler bore himself with dig
nifty and firmness. There was no show
OF wrath or unnecessary violence. He
swung the cock around near the foot
or the maple tree and walked him back
and then returned with him. Half his
journey the poor cock was reaching
for the grass and was then lowered
quickly so he had to walk with bent
knees.
Again and again the gobbler walked
up and down with him before the
assembled flock. Hens and geese
cackled loudly and clapped their
wings. Applause and derision rose
high each time the poor cock swung
around reaching for the grass, but the
gobbler continued his even stride, de-
liberately and, as 1t seemed thought
fully, applying correction to the quar-
relsome bird. Walking the grass tips
had begun to tire those reaching legs.
The cock soon straddled along with q
serious eye and an open mouth, but the
gobbler gave him no rest. When at
| length he released his hold the game
| cock lay weary and wild eyed, with no
more fight in him than bunch Of .
rags. Soon he rose and ran away and
| hid himself in the stable The culprit
fowl was then tried, convicted and
| sentenced to the block.
"Its the fate Of all fighters that have
only selfish cause" said the teacher.
He was sitting on the grass, Polly
and Tom and Paul beside him.
Look here" said he suddenly "IlI
show you another fight"
All gathered about him. Down
among the grass roots an ant stood
facing a big, hairy spider The ant
backed away presently and made a
little detour, the spider turning quick
| ly and edging toward him. The ant
| stood motionless, the spider on tiptoe,
with daggers drawn. The big, hairy
| spider leaped like n lion to It's prey.
| They could see her striking with the
fatal knives, her great body quivering
with fierce energy. The little ant was
hidden beneath it. Some uttered a cry
Of pity, and Paul was for taking sides.
"Wait a moment" said the teacher,
restraining his hand. The spider had
'Took now,' said Trove, with some
excitement.
Her legs had begun to let go and
were Strengthening stiff on both sides
of her. In a moment she tilted side
ways and lay still. They saw twin
kle of black legs and the ant making
off in the stubble. They picked up the
spiders body; 1t was now only an emp
~ shell. Her big stomach had been
torn away and lay in little strips and
chunks down at the roots of the Stub
BILE.
"Its the end of a bit Of history"
said the teacher as he tore away the
curved blades Of the spider and put
them in Polly's palm.
Lets see where the ant goes"
He got down upon his hands and
knees and watched the little black
tiger, now hurrying for his lair. In
moment he was joined by others, and
presently they came into q smooth lit
tie avenue under the grass. 1t took
them into the edge Of the meadow,
around stalk of mullen, where there
were a number Of webs.
There's where she lived-this hairy
old woman" said the teacher-"up
there In that tower. See her snares in
the grass-four Of themT
He raped on the stalk Of MULLEN
with stick, peering into the dusty
little cavern Of silk near the top of 1t.
"Sure enough! Here Is where she
lived, for the house Is empty and
there's living prey in the snares."
"What weird old thing" said Polly.
"Can you tell us more about herY
"well, every summer" said Trove,,
ga great city grows up in the field.
There are shady streets in 1t, no wider
than q crickets back, and millions liv-
ing In nest and tower and cave and
cavern. Among Its people are toilers
and idlers, laws and lawbreakers,
thieves and highwaymen, grand folk
and plain folk. Here Is the home Of
the greatest criminal In the city of the
field. See 1t Is between two leaves,
one serving as roof, the other as floor
and portico. Here Is a long cable that
comes out of her sitting room and
slopes away to the big snare below.
Look at her sheets Of silk In the grass,
It's like a washing that's been hung
out to dry. From each a slender cord
~ cilly rtyv.c fr Tho MI In cobla Lyyau: