The San Francisco call., 1909-02-27


quiet reigned- The scratching of Ern-
est's pen and the slamming Of a door
down stairs were the only sounds heard
for some time. when the boys heard a
peculiar fiuttering and cawing at the
outside door.
open the door. Isle" commanded
Ernest.
Isadore. being the smallest one Of the
trio. and exceedingly good natured. was
often made to obey the commands of
the other two.
He sprang to the door and. opening it.
in walked Harold JOrdan's little white
bantam hen.
The boys all burst out laughing and
Troy exclaimed. she must have come
up the gallery steps"
The dOrmitory waSs built like many
southern homes. with an outside stair
way leading to a gallery above. which
gives each room an outside entrance.
She did not seem at all afraid. but
walked sedately about the room.
stretching her neck inquisitively as she
peered under the bed. and behind the
other articles about the room. She I'm
ally went behind large trunk belong
ing to one of the boys. and seemed to
settle down. The boys waited with
interest for her TO appear again and
flnally resumed studying. They had
almost forgotten her when great
cackling was heard behind the trunk
and little Miss Bantam came fiuttering
out into the middle of the room
Ernest ran to open the door for her
and she disappeared down the stairs
When the boys looked behind the
trunk they found nest made OF three
dirty socks. in which rested tiny
white egg that was still warm.
Don't touch it," cried Troy, "and she
may come again"
For the next two days they watched
eagerly FOR her. but in vain.
They were about to give up the idea
of a second visit from her when, late
the third afternoon, she came strutting
in at the open door.
She did not stop to look about the
room much this time. but walked
straight behind the trunk. and she did
not appear again until another tiny
egg lay close to the first one.
When the boys went to their classes
they always left the door propped
partly open, so in case Miss Bantam
chose to make them a visit, she could
be sure to get into the room
Immediately on returning they would
look behind the trunk and count the
eggs.
This generally meant a lively scufie.
as each one tried TO reach the nest first.
Day after day she came and made
her visits and when she flew out again
there would be another tiny egg in the
nest until eight of them lay closely to-
gether on the quaint nest made OF
socks.
One night as the boys were preparing
to go to bed, they discovered she was
still on the nest. which they understood
must mean that the little hen was set
ting.
They firmly resolved that nothing
should disturb her. and planned on the
little feathered mascots their conese
would have. Rolls Of dust accumulated
behind the trunk. but the chamber maid
was forbidden TO intrude with her
broom.
For three long weeks the faithful lit
tie hen sat hopefully on her egSs, the
bows meanwhile anxtously counting
the days and putting up wagerS on the
success of the issue. They kept basin
of fresh water near her, and scattered
grain on the floor about her nest but
she ate very little.
At last one evening she walked
proudly off the nest and flew out the
window. leaving behind her six funny
yellow chicks.
The bows were as pleased and proud
as the little mother and every one in
the dormitory was made to come and
pay his respects to the little family.
Much TO the boys disappointment.
Mrs. Jordan came with a basket and
insisted on removing them to a little
coop on the grassy lawn
Here the little hen did the best she
could to care for them, but she was un-
fortunate enough TO lose all but two
of them which, let US hope, have lived
to~raise larger families
The three college boys have long
since gone in different directions and
are many miles apart. but the recollec-
ton of the little white hen will be read
lily recalled if they happen TO read this
story of The Little College Hen"