What would you think of me, if I discovered the cause of this wonderful
affair? I should think you very clever indeed. Well then, give me a
candle and I will soon find the ghost; he then took one off the table
and by its assistance, soon discovered poor me sitting disconsolate
under the table; at this the whole party joined in a hearty laugh;
except myself, who had got some soot in my eyes, which made them very
painful. Augustus took me in his arms, my poor hen, said he, you have
had many strange adventures, and if you should ever take it into your
head to write them (for all animals write their lives now-a-days), you
shall make good mention of me, for I will now give you a good supper
after your troubles.
At the idea of a hen's writing her adventures, the party was highly
diverted; no, said they, that can never be, as a domestic fowl can know
nothing out of the poultry yard, and that would never be worth reading;
but I think, my children, that some of the adventures I have gone
through, are almost as wonderful as those of cats and dogs, which I hear
are published in little books: talking of cats, I once had a severe
combat with one of them, in which I nearly lost one of my eyes, and had
many feathers torn off: as to dogs, I was always afraid of approaching
them, remembering the melancholy fate of my poor mother.
One time, when the family was paying a visit, orders were sent to the
servant to fatten one of the fowls, then kill it, and send it to a poor
neighbour who was sick; I was the one pitched upon, and was confined in
a little coop, where I could scarcely turn round, much less take that
exercise which is necessary to health, my confinement was still more
distressing, when looking out, I could see all my companions enjoying
themselves, how I longed to join in their sports.
I loathed the quantities of food brought me, and would freely have given
a saucer full of delicious white bread softened with cream, for the
delight of scratching up a worm for myself; but though I had no appetite
I ate, because I had nothing else to do; and that being such voluptuous
food, soon made me excessively fat, which caused me much pain, as I
could scarcely breathe. I look forward with joy to the time, when the
murderer's knife would end my miseries; the day was fixed.
On the morning of that day, to my astonishment, I saw Augustus enter the
yard, he had returned from his visit much sooner than was expected: when
I saw him, I thought of all his kindness, and wished to hear him speak
once more before I died; for which purpose, I called as intelligibly as
I could to him; at last I had the pleasure of hearing him say, what can
be the matter with that poor hen which is confined, I never heard so
pitiful a cry! Upon seeing it was his old favourite, Oh! my poor bird,
said he, were you so near being killed; but I am very glad I have come
in time to save you; saying this, he opened the door, and gave me
liberty, that greatest of all blessings.
I was expressing, in my language, my thanks, when Susan entered with her
knife; Oh! Susan, how could you think of killing this my favourite? Pray
sir, how should I know which you please to call your favourite? All hens
are alike to me, I caught the one which was nearest to me, and as it is
now fattened, we must have it, and you may take another favourite. No,
this one you shall never kill; it is cruel to destroy any, but this
which knows me so well, and is so tame, I never will have it killed; so
saying, he carried me away, leaving Sue in a great passion.
Soon after, my young master had to go to a boarding school, near London;
his mamma accompanied him, and shut up her house; what was to be done
with me, engaged much of his thoughts; at last he determined to place me
here, with this worthy farmer, till his return.