Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-02-16

AASOO8 SuVf No ~ tS0hby OSOAAe@\S -
Y the little yellow fellows were IN the
preponderauce. At least they were
until the red winged blackbirds and
bobolinks that had nested ON the up
land came. swaru,ing BY hundreds for
these last few weeks befOre migration.
Never was there finer feast spread
for the birds. The grasses were Oiled
with seeds; 20. TOO. were weeds Of
every variety. Fall berries were ripe.
Wild grapes and black haws were
ready.
They seemed to feel the new reign OF
peace and fullness most of all. As for
hunting. they didn't even have to hunt
for themselves these days. for the
bounty now being spread before Little
Chicken every day was moro than ho
could master. and he was glad to have
MS parents cvuis down and iesst with
him.
He was q fine. overgrown fellow. and
his wings. With quilts Of jetty black.
cleaning with bronze. were 70 strong
they almost lifted his body. The funny
little hops. springs and sidewise
bounds he gave set Freckles and the
angel hidden out IN the swamp watch
ing him, into smothered chuckles Of
delight
Sometimes he fell to coquetting with
himself and that was the funniest
thing of all. for be turned his head up.
down. from side to side. and drew in
his chin with prinky little jerks and
tits. He would stretch his neck.
| throw up his head. turn it to one side
and satisfactorily smirk. the most
complacent and self satisfied smirk
that any one ever saw on the face of q
bird. 1t was SO comical that Freckles
and the angel told the Bird Woman OF
1t one day.
When she finished her work on Little
Chicken she left them the camera all
ready for use. telling them they might
| hide back in the bushes and watch.
| II Little Chicken came out and truly
smirked and they could squeeze the
bulb at just the proper moment to
snap him she would be more than de-
lighted.
Freckles and the angel quietly curl
ed down beside log and with eager
| eyes and softest breathing patiently
waited. They were becoming anxious.
for the light would soon be gone and
they had so wanted to try for the
picture. At last Little Chicken lifted
his head. opened his beak and gaped
widely. He dozed q minute, or two
more: The angel said THAT was hi
beauty sleep. Then he laZily cape
again and stood up. stretching all;
yawning. He ambled Ieisurely down
toward the gateway. and the angel
said. Nov. we may have chance.
at last"
II do hope So" shivered Freckles.
With one accord they rose to their
knees and trained their eyes on the
mouth Of the log. The. light was full
and strong Little Chicken Prospected
again with no results. He dressed his
plumage, polished his beak. and When
he felt ine and in full toilet he began
| to dirt with himself. Freckles eyes
snapped, and his breath sucked be-
tween his clenched teeth.
Hes going to do it, whispered the
angel. ~ -f..srr' = ..s.t.s,5... !.
Little Chicken nodded dafntily and
rufiied his feathers. He gave bis head
sundry little sidewise jerks and rap
| idly shifted his point Of vision. Once
there was the 1eeting little ghost of
smirk.
Now! Nor" snapped the angel.
Freckles leaned toward the bird.
Tense as steel trap he waited. On
consciously the hand Of the angel
clasped his. He scarcely knew It was
there. Suddenly Little Chicken sprang
straight up in the air and landed with
! a thud. The angel started slightly.
but Freckles was immoyable. Then.
as IL in approval of his last perform
ance, the overgrown" baby wheeled I'M
til he was more than three-quarters.
almost full side. toward the camera.
Strengthened ON his legs, squared his
shoulders. stretched his neck full
height. drew in his chin and smirked
his most pronounced smirk directly IN
the face Of the lens.
| Freckles fingers closed on the bulb
convulsively. and the angels closed
on his at the instant. Then the angel
heaved a great sigh Of relief and lift
| ed her hands to push back the damp.
| clustering hair from her face.
| Hand in hand they ran for the
north end Of the swamp. yelling. I'VE
got itv'
The Bird Woman plunged into the
swale at the mouth Of Sleepy Snake
creek and came wading out with
couple OF cameras and dripping tri-
pods.
| Moved BY an impulse she never aft
erward regretted. she bent and laid
her lips on Freckles' forehead. kissing
him gently and thanking him for his
many kindnesses to her In her loved
work. Freckles started OF walking
on air, and he felt inclined to keep
watching behind to see If the trail
were not curling up and rolling down
the line after him.
/ Next day Freckles saw them com
Ing. The angel was standing. waving
her hat. He sprang on his wheel and
raced, jolting and pounding. down the
corduroy to meet them. The Bird
Woman stopped the horse. and the an
gel gave him the bit Of print paper.
Freckles leaned the wheel against q
tree and took the proof with eager
fingers he had never before seen q
study from any Of his chickens. He
y