II OW, one day as Timothy was passing a poultry-yard his attention was at- tracted by the great cackling made by a Cochin-China hen. Timothy — had grown very suspicious and mistrustful of all his neighbours, even the dumb creatures; and he said— “That hen would never be so very proud and triumphant with- out some good reason. She has - evidently stolen my Idea!” And he watched the hen for a long time, until at length she laid an egg. “No,” said Timothy. ‘ Laying an egg is a very poor idea—my Idea was very, very much better than that: she hasn't stolen it.” 12