The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1919-05-10

THE CHILDREN'S HOUR.
PETERS HEN.

1.-THE best is none too good for the
wounded soldiers returning home
overseas" said father emphatically at
the breakfast table.
Jane quickly swallowed a spoonful
of oatmeal and looked across the
table at Peter, who met her gaze over
piece of hot, buttered toast; James
eyes were accusing, while Peters
were serious and pleading.
Il don't think you understand at
ALL" said Peter to Jane, as they met
in the kitchen after breakfast. Brown
Betty is the very best thing l have"
1.-The best is none too good, +"
quoted Jane. Il am going to give
Esmarelda."
Huh! What does a soldier man
want of a doll? Course he'll give her
back to you and you will have your
old doll again.
"Esmarelda is very comforting, and
she is the best l have" pridefully an
swered Jane.
"Oh, l expect I'll do. it, conceded
Peter But hen is different from
doll. Course, he'll keep Brown
Betty, and course, he'll eat her-sick
soldiers always eat hens"
Tell him that she laid an egg yes
terday and, perhaps, he'll keep her
until she lays some more suggested
Jane hopefully.
Il might give him the egg" said
Peter Fresh eggs are most as good
to eat as chickens"
The best is none 100 good
ooh, do keep still, Jane" inter
rupted Peter You say things over
and over like a parrot"
We'll, anyway, l am going to- give
Esmarelda to him. If l dress her in
her best clothes she will be nice to
look at, and she really is very loving
and a great comfort"
Jane went to get her doll.
Peter walked slowly out to the
coop in the back yard where his hen,
Brown Betty, had comfortable
home. Brown Betty, when a little
chicken, had been given to Peter by
a neighbour He had cared for her I'M
til she had grown up into hen and
only yesterday she had rewarded his
attentions by laying a large, white
egg. Peter was very fond of the little
brown hen, and very proud of the
large, white egg.
1t was yesterday, too, that Tim LAT
ferty, son of the Widow Lafferty,
who lived on the alley, had returned
from overseas. Tim had enlisted, a
strong, whistling young lad; he had
returned, with crutches. He was the
first soldier to return from the war
to the village, and Jane and Peter
were anxious to do something for
him. Peter thought footstoOl on
which to rest his damaged foot would
be useful present, but Jane declared
a soft cushion would be much nicer.
Jane was in favor of a glass of jelly
and plate of doughnuts while Peter
thought of chocolate bars. And now
father had said that their offering
must be the best, and Brown Betty
was his best.
Jane skipped cheerfully along, hug
ging Esmarelda in her arms, and
Peter carried the basket, from which
came protesting clucks from Brown
Betty
Just as Tim was telling his mother
that she was ''out of luck to have a
son with a damaged foot, the children
came with their treasures.
Jane did most of the talking with
only a word or two of explanation
from Peter. When Tim understood
about The best is none too good,
and Brown Betty, and Esmarelda, his
face frightened, then his lips parted
and he laughed.
Mother, did | say you were out Of
luck? | was wrong. You are in luck
gave his best to his country, in luck
to have two little friends who are Civ
ing their best, too. And we'll make
Brown Betty give her best. Wei
start the L. S. A. chicken ranch to
day in Lafferty's back yard, with the
little brown hen for starter. Esma
zelda may be queen of the ranch, an(
Jane and Peter hunored guests
Please said Peter, 1--WE would
rather be helpers than guests. | vii
bring Brown Betty's coop over"
Jane and Peter helped, and Jane
and Peters father and mother helped
The neighbors helped And soor
Brown Betty had many little hens fol
company that laid big white ane
brown eggs. The U. S. A. CHECKER
ranch in the Lafferty back yard grew
and grew until it was so profitable
that Tins face often wore a smile
And again and again he could be
heard saying: THE best is none toe
good" when some opportunity tx
help came his way.