13 



They stood with their front feet wide apart, and 

 were somewhat wabbly on their hind-legs. In- 

 deed, their progress about their pen resembled 

 that of an inebriated gentleman endeavoring to 

 navigate an uneven sidewalk. But I recollected 

 that the young of Runt pigeons were delicate until 

 they approached maturity. Still, even with these 

 reflections, I did not feel entirely satisfied with 

 my bargain. 



After lunch I repaired to the pen, and in the 

 presence of my children administered a proper 

 amount of nutriment to my stock, which, how- 

 ever, did not manifest much enthusiasm for their 

 food, a lack of appreciation of our efforts in their 

 behalf which was unquestionably the result of 

 unfamiliarity with their surroundings. 



The next morning was Sunday, and, true to 

 my prophecy, neighbors began to stroll in after 

 breakfast to examine my stock. 



"Great Moses!" exclaimed the first man the 

 moment his eyes rested on the animals, "who 

 sold you those Runts?" 



"Well, never mind where I got them," I re- 

 plied shrewdly ; " it is n't every one who can get a 

 fine pair of Runts. They came a bit high, but I 

 was bound to have them." 



For a moment he eyed me with amazement at 

 my reticence, and then burst into a roar of laugh- 

 ter and clapped me on the back, swearing that I 



