The evening world., 1911-09-14
A BIRD OF
BY O. Henry.

! have never encoun'cred a more inter
estlnG or "A more %pcrpleXlng case.
rear that I have overlooked hens In
nv -"""r-cSc- a.. ssEsT v5:.o.I- 80 Sc
their habits. their times and manner OF
laying, their many varieties and cross
oreodlnss, their span o. lie. their
on. don't make an Ibsen drama OF
~ Interrupted the young man. nip-
PANTY. "Riddles-especially old Hide
brant's rlddles-don't nave TO be worked
ont seriously. They are light themes
such a. sim Ford and Harry Thurston
Peck Ike 70 handle. But. somehow. I
can't strike Just the answer. Bill Wat
son may. and he ma not. Tomorrow
Will tell, Well. Your Majesty. I'm Vlad
ANYHOW that you butted IN and whlled
the time away, | guess Mr.. Al Rashld
h msclf would have ounce ack II one
~ hts constituents had conducted him
IN against this riddle. III say good
night. Peace To- yours. and wbat-you-
may-call-its OF Allah"
The Margrave. with n gloomy air. held
out his hand.
Il cannot express my regret" he s,'a.
sadly Never before have 7 found nv
self unable 20 assist in some way
what kline OF a hen lays the longest"
II Is n battling problem. There IL n hen.
! believe. called the Plymouth Rock
that
'ul u OUT fllU Inv NVnnN WtNs
The Caliph trade Il a mighty serious
one. ! doH't suppose you'd even zee
anything FUNNY In a preachers defense
OF John d. Rockefeller. Well. good
night. Your Nibs."
From habit the Mrrgrave BEGAN 20
tumble IN his pockets lie drew forth
a card and handed II to the young man.
DO me the favor to accept this. any
how" he said. The time may come
srhAr a. .K.tatt ~. =. 49,. A..
"~Thanks!' said the young man. mo-
keting 1t carelessly. MY name is SIM
mons"
Shame IN him who would hint that
the readers interest shall altogether
pursue tho Margrave August Michael
Won Paulsen Quigg. | am indeed astr,y
II my hand fail In keeping the way
where my pcruser's heart would follow.
Then let us. on the morrow. peep quick
ly In at the door Of Hlldebrant. harnesD
maker.
Hildebrandt's 200 pounds reposed On .
bench, sIlver-buckllng a raw leather
mnrtingale.
BIN watson came In first
Well" said IUldebrant, shaking all
over with tho vile concolt OF the Joke
maker. "haf you guessed him? Vat
Kind OF n hen lays der longest?'"
why, l tnlnk so, SAID Bill, ruo-
b'ng a ~eservile chin, Il think so. Mr..
Hildebrant-the one that lives tho long
est IL that right"
"Nelnl" said Ifildebrant. shaking his
head Violently. You nat not guessed
der
BIZ passed or and donned a b.dticb
apron and bachelorhood.
In came the young man OF tho Are
bian Nights fiasco-pale. melancholy,
hopeless.
we'll" said Hi'dehrant. hat you
guessed HIM Vat kind OF a hen lays
der longest?''
regarded him with dull
savarery In his eye, should hs curse
this mountain OF pernicious humor--
curse him and die? Why should
Rut there was Laura.
pogged, sncechless. ne thrust MS
hand, into his coat pockets ana stood.
HIS hand encountered the strange touch
NJ the M1rg-ave's card, lie drew n
out and looked at II. az men about 10
he hanged look Mt n era wiling nv. There
was written on II In Qulgg's bold. round
hand: Good FOR one roast chicken 70
bearer"
simmons looked M with n flashing
eye.
80, dead one"' yaii he.
"Goot'' roared Ulldebrant. rocking
the 'ah'H with giant giee. dot f.
right You gomesat mine house at 3
o'clock to leo party"