CHILD EN AND THE CHICKENS. 09

she reached the house before the ungal- And yet there are wicked men who
lant, proud old turkey caught her, and that make it their business to train these and
when she goes again to feed her pets, she various other creatures tofight, and then
will not venture alone upon his premises. have public exhibitions for the amusement
 Did you ever hear of a boy who had a of people! How strange that any one
pet old hen so tame, that he would "play can be willing to make money or seek
horse" with her? Well, we have, and it amusement in such cruelty !
was one of the funniest names. His And still worse, if possible, than this is
name was Winthie; and he called his pet the business of prie-fighters,-that is,
hen, Henpen." men who, perhaps never have met before
 This old hen would submit to any and have no ill-will toward each other, will
thing her young master did, with the ut- meet, and fight for a prize. The one who
most grace. She allowed him to carry beats, wins the prize. Hundreds of peo-
her about under his arm; would go to pie go to witness the scene, just as they
sleep while he washed her feet; and would to see dogs or cocks engage in this
would never object to playing "horse. cruel business !
 It was very amusing to see the old lady Such barbarous conduct is contrary to
with a breast harness on, as Winthie law in most Christian countries ; yet it is
called it, drawing a little wagon of as often done in secret.
rough a make as Winthie's vehicles usually We have a picture of two roosters that
were, and guided by reins tied to her are fighting. How they have torn and
legs. Henpen's nature and age never rumpled each other's feathers in their
permitted her to change her frantic jerks fierce battle.
and hops for a quiet trot, or even a re- Their wings droop, and they seem
spectable walk; and Winthie soon gave ready to fall down with fatigue, and yet
up the attempt. they will fight on. No wonder that little
 Not long after, Henpen enjoyed that boy near by shrinks away from them
release from an honorable discharge of with fear. We hope he and his sister will
duties that is customarily granted to all take a lesson from the sight before them,
fat hens of advanced age. and never get caught in the wicked
 It is not in the family, among broth- business of quarreling and tearing each
ers and sisters only, that we sometimes other's eyes. Shame on those roosters,
see "angry passions rise." No, the same but more shame on those children that
thing is seen among these feathered tribes know better and yet imitate them.
around the farm-house. Who would think Our young friends all know what a tell-
that such cunning little chicks, as these tale means. You generally apply it to any
in the picture, would soon begin to quar- one who tells tales about you. A boy or
rel and fight. What painful scenes we girl in school, who is in the habit of going
sometimes see among them. to the teacher and telling every little thing