Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-07
HlDALGO.

Wilson's and Bakers almost from the time
they began to raise chickens for market
1t was not on account OF rivalry in trade
oh, no!-they did not care for that, but 1t
was just because the chickens ignored such
obstacles as boundaries and fences.
As the cause of complaint was the same
on each side Of the line, it would almost
seem that the two families might have
called things even. But the trouble was
just this Wilson kept his hens the east
side of the house, and on the other side of
the fence line was Bakers vegetable gar
den. Baker kept his hens on the west side
OF the house, and just beyond the fence
line Mrs. Wilson's flower garden
Now, Baker did not care for flowers, and
could not see any point of comparison be-
tween few of his chickens scratching
among Mrs. Wilson's plants and his own
choice vegetables being overrun by Will
sons hens On the other hand. Mrs. Will
son could not understand why few
chickens In Bakers "old cornfie.d'' should
make her keep silent about the destruction
of her beautiful flower garden. Under the
circumstances there was nothing for them
but open rupture. and this strength
ened and extended by the ostentatious
aversion of the girls and the open hostility
of the boys.
In the Baker family was one. member
who objected to this state of affairs with
the whole strength of his srieved little
heart, and in the Wilson family there was
another who ignored it with the same
ease that the two factions of hens regarded
the fence line. Ed Baker pale, frag-
lie little fellow of nne who depended on
pair of clutches for support. Carlo Wilson
shaggy, brown-eyed Newfoundland or
three, who delighted In a wild race across
the fields. or a hilarious scamper among
the squawking fowls. Before the feud they
had been devoted friends and companions;
now they gazed at each other from the adj
joining yards, one with silent wistfulness
and the other with impatient banks.
Sharing Eds affections with Carlo was
high stepping black Spanish rooster, which
was the lame boys special property HI
dalgo, as he was called. had evidently
many ideas that were above the common
run Of poultry yards and among them was
habit Of standing one foot and lis
tening intently whenever the piano was
played. and of keeping the front yard free
of intruders. He and Carlo were under a
treaty of peace, but to all other dogs he
was a terror. Fear was unknown to him.
and on several occasions he had attacked
tramps with such fury that they had re-
treated with hands before their eyes.
Back of the Wilson Baker houses was
wild swamp: broken by rough Lodges and
brier thickets. Small game was abundant
here and not infrequently the boys killed
a rattIesnake, and even a coon. Carlo often
accompanied them and. against his New
foundland nature, came in time to eVince
considerable interest In hunting.
One afternoon two Of the Wilson girls
took their baby brother down to the lower
end of the lot for a romp on the grass.
Ed Baker was sitting on his back steps
in the swamp. and Carlo Wilson was with
him, for he could hear him barking. Hi
dalgo had been picking contently about the
yard when suddenly he uttered note of
dot nd 6irpctly the fence
to Mrs. Wilson's flowers. But even this
did not appear to suit him. for after little
desultory picking he staiked inquringly
Before he reached them. there was a call
Of Carrie" Mary from the house. and
the girls ran In. leaving the baby cooling on
the grass. They were gone only few mo
springing up and down near the baby, his
feathers fluffed and his eyes blazing like
veritable fury. The girls screamed, and
then stopped with white. terror-strfken
faces. Mrs. Wilson heard them and came
rushing out. and what she saw made her
snatch up the baby with a cry Of horror.
Then her husband appeared from some
What is It? What's the matter?" he
called.
When he reached the scene. Hidalgo
was smoothing his feathers with strange.
exultant little chuckles and gurgles, and
on the ground before him lay huge rattle
snake, dead.
ugh! What monster!" cried Mr.. VIII
son. who killed it?'"
.'The-the roosterI' gasped Mrs Wilson.
fearfully. He saved baby's life. I'll never
shoe him again, never! He can live In my
flower beds after this II he wants to-"
Exulting voices were now heard ap-
preaching through the swamp. and pres
emily the two Baker boys emerged from
the brier thickets into their yard, with
Carlo bounding beside them.
oh, father" they heard one Of the boys
call We've got the coon that's been
catching our chickens. Carlo killed him"
That sog" cried Mr.. Baker, as he came
hurrying down his steps That dogs
worth his weight in gold" Then he
caught sight Of the Wilson family and
stopped suddenly.
Come here to the fence, jim called
Mr.. Wilson. cordially. as he advanced
with outstretched hand. Let's have an
end of this thing I'll change my poultry
yards to this side OF the house. or you
change yours to the other. We can easily
FIX things SO there won't be any more
trouble. That Black Spanish Of yours is
a regular Napoleon on the field of battle"
And that Carlo Of yours Is too good a
dog to be kept on one side Of the fence"
responded Mr.. Wilson, heartily. My boy
Eds been moaning for him the last six
months. Can't you all come over TO sup
port"
Il guess so; can't we. wife?'
Yes" answered Mrs. Wilson. hugging
the baby close; but tell Sallie not to put
herself out any"