EXHIBITION. 85 



As noon approaches, all hands muster, for all 

 dearly love the poultry. 



The cart arrives; the horse stands quietly, 

 with nose in bag, eating his corn. Anticipated 

 triumph, or timid doubt, is in every face : not one 

 is listless. How busy they are! No castle of 

 indolence here. Hamper after hamper is brought, 

 with its living freight, and carefully secured. The 

 pile rises like a pyramid ; at length the last crowns 

 the tier, magnificent in its gay lining, and graceful 

 in its limber wicker work. The cordial glass goes 

 round, to drink them success, and they move 

 slowly away, under a shower of old shoes for luck, 

 to the station, where a covered van awaits them. 



As the cart recedes through the apple-trees in 

 the orchard, one and all follow it with wistful 

 gaze; when it finally disappears behind the in- 

 tervening hedge-row, each gives an anxious look 

 on his neighbour, and they disperse to their sus- 

 pended occupations. 



Great anxiety prevails to hear the sentence of 

 the judge. This is known before the fowls return, 

 when all are kindly cared for, but the prize-win- 

 ners are handled with an almost pious reverence. 



