LONDON MILTON HOUSE, LUDGATE HILL BELL & DALDY, YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN 1868 250. m. 383. THE HEN THAT HATCHED DUCKS. A STORY. NCE there was a nice young hen that we will call Mrs. Feathertop. She was a hen of most excellent family, being a direct descendant of the Bolton Grays, and as pretty a young fowl as you should wish to see of a summer's day. She was, moreover, as fortunately situated in life as it was possible for a hen to be. She was bought by young Master Fred Little John, with four or five family connections of hers, and a lively young cock, who was held to be as brisk a scratcher and as capable a head of a family as any half-dozen sensible hens could desire. I can't say that at first Mrs. Feathertop was a very sensible hen. She was very pretty and lively, to be sure, and a great favourite with Master Bolton Gray Cock, on account of her bright eyes, her finely-shaded feathers, and certain saucy dashing ways that she had, which seemed greatly to take his fancy. But old Mrs. Scratchard, living in the neighbouring yard, assured all the neighbourhood that Gray Cock was a fool for thinking so much of that flighty young thing,-that she had not the smallest notion how to get on in life, and thought of nothing in the world but her own pretty feathers. 'Wait till she comes to have chickens,' said Mrs. Scratchard. Then you will see. I have brought up ten broods myself as likely and respectable chickens as ever were a blessing to society-and I think I ought to know a good hatcher and brooder when I see her; and I know that fine piece of trumpery, with her white feathers tipped with gray, never will come down to family life. She scratch for chickens! Bless me, she B |