FROM A NEW ENGLAND HILLSIDE. 297 



flock continued to grow, lots being trans 

 ferred to the brooder from time to time as 

 soon as they appeared to have got their sea 

 legs on, until all had been consigned to its 

 shelter. And a quizzical looking company 

 they were, but withal disposed rapidly to 

 put on the air of knowing it all, as if a 

 mother were of no account, and collectivism 

 were the only wear. And lively little ap 

 petites they have, and they know exactly 

 what to do with their bills. Should the 

 weather prove fair to-morrow, the trap door 

 will be opened, and then ho ! for the world, 

 the beautiful world ! 



My dainty Aramis, my Amadis de Gaul, 

 Thaddeus of Warsaw, Baron Trenck, Cas 

 anova, or whatever name he may be most 

 pleased to be called, has fallen from his 

 high estate. It is slanderously said that 

 every man has his price, and if this be 

 so, with some doubtless the price depends 

 upon the aesthetic sense. 



The Leghorns are moulting, the last of 

 the tribes. And a sorry lot they are, all 

 save one. Even the prince himself shows 

 a shabby tail, bereft of its graceful sickles ; 

 but bte threaten are, as the phrase goes, a 

 sight to behold. During their days of pros 

 perity my gentleman maintained his courtly 



