The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-03-31

fCopy right, 1907, by w. R. Hearst)
 The procreative instinct was aroused fin Mrs. OBrien's Muscovy duck. But the ducks desire to sit upon number of eggs for several idle weeks did not meet with Mrs. O'Briens inclination. h. deed. she wished that her favorite bird would rather employ her time in laying eggs for Easter. Cajolery and even force was used by the housewife to bring the duck to a more reasonable and econom- ical turn of mind, but without avail. The duck tried to satisfy Ter natural instinct in the wood box upon a doorknop, out was driven from this retreat by Mrs o,Brien's broom. Then she took refuge fin Mir. O'Brien's felt hat, and was again foiled in her maternal purpose by pail ful of cold water, which dampened her enthusiasm and her feathers. It was the season of the year when all nature strives to rejuvenate itself, when puus began to appear, and the sap began 10 flow upward through the veins of the trees; when spears of green began lo sprout in the stubble of the meadows, ani when nature began to uecoid'e hei self in shining verdure
 Against this Universal desire Mrs O'Brien found it difficult to contend, ana she voiced her querulous complaint In the ear of her sympathetic husband. Salo she
 dear Faith. I can do nothin wid her, for she wants to be havin' childer' and I don't want to be havin thim walkin around the kitchen floor and musslh up me oilcloth, If she'd only be dacint and lay dozen eggs for Easter, l woulon mind"
 Still the duck persevered in her efort and was found one afternoon trying 10 scratch hole in the best quilt upon the parental OBriens bed To this Mrs O'Brien objected with mop and num- Ter of maledictions. She exclaimed:
 What do you want to be spoilin' mo quilt for. ye ould blatherskite? Amt there enough gravel in the yar-rd to be scratch in up? G'out O this before I twist your neck and make a pot-pie of yeo'
 Urged by Mrs. O'Bren's broom, the frightened duck flew around the kitchen, knocking the clock off the mantel and creating general confusion. By this time Mrs O'Brien's patience was worn out Calling her boy. Patrick, she said
 I'm afeerd we'll have to let her have her way There's no use in wastin' the duck's time settin on doorknobs. She may as we'll be workn' while she's at it. Now. you run down to Callahan's and get four or five eggs-ducll eggs. and 
 find. wisht I had an ostridge egg to nut underneath her. 'Twould keep her busy for six months hatchin' that out. But. mind you, Paddy, don't git none O thim eggs that's made by macheenery, bekase Mrs. Reagan is after tellin' me they won't hatch"
 Patrick was delighted with the idea. for he had long sympathized with the duck in her disconsoate condition. When the boy returned from the store, he car ried three assorted eggs. one of them beinC an enormous hens egg and the other two of duck extraction. The eggs were of uncommon size, and the O'Brien's decided that it was necessary to sur round them with wool in order that they should be kept warm by the duck until tho period of parturition ensued. The duck was placed in proper state in an old wash basin, filled with warm flannels and wools, in order to assist her in her ,audible intention. In this homely incu- hator the duck was installed under the kitchen stove, but it was only after much c,erulous quacking that the duck set fled down to business and started to be- come af oster-mother in earnest
 The ensuing three weeks were flle4