The Hen that Loved the Horse 



' ' A very intelligent and observant person 

 has assured me, that keeping but one horse, 

 he happened also on a time to have but one 

 solitary hen. 



These two spent much of their time to- 

 gether, in a lonely orchard, where they saw 

 no creature but each other. By degrees, an 

 apparent regard began to take place between 

 these two. 



The fowl would approach the quadruped 

 with notes of complacency, rubbing herself 

 gently against his legs, while the horse would 

 look down with satisfaction, and move with 

 the greatest caution, lest he should trample 

 on his companion. 



Thus, by mutual good offices, each seemed 

 to console the vacant hours of the other." 



The gardener's friend 



187 



