Hobshaw’s Hens.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 29, Issue 18, 6 March 1917, Page 2

Hobshaw’s Hens.

Hobshaw, normally a meek, and mild individual, whose wildest hobby was until recently connected with foreign stamps, is now ramping round his own particular neighbourhood trying his utftiost to discover the identity of \ a rogue or maniac who wrote a letter to the editor of a local paper above the name of “Veritas.” That, credulous editor gave publicity to the misleading missive ; Hobshaw chanced to read it, and straightway. fell a victim. “Veritas” made the statement that the surest and easiest way to make money was to keep. hens. Hobshaw read his statistics, written round a marvellous laying sijain, shook his head sagely on agreement, and forthwith went out and made a purchase of nine consumptive-looking birds at considerably over market price. He installed them in the woodshed, bought sixteen shillings worth, of corn, meal, and spices, and awaited results with a smile on his simple face. Just at that time Jigson. who lived next door, had the misfortune to snap one of the palings which divided his garden from Hobshaw’s, and appeared to bo in no hurry to mend it. He also rigged up two or three comfy nest boxes in his cyclehouse,. and scattered a grain or two of corn round about. Hobshaw did not lay claim to any great knowledge of hens, therefore he consulted Jigson regarding the lamentable shortage of money-making henfruit which he w§s experiencing. “Let ’em out into .the garden,” came Jigson’s advice. “They won’f stray, and a run will Ido ’em a world of good.”' . Of course the first thing the hens did on getting a little liberty was to squeeze through the broken fence and divide their time'between rooting up Jigson’s choicest bulbs and laying eggs in that gentleman’s nest boxes. When ‘the astute Jigson raked in three’ and sixpence for the spoilt bulbs he expressed his sympathy with Hobshaw. Then he gathered six more big brown eggs from his cycle-shod, and said to himself "If that silly old chump of a Hobshaw ever finds put who ‘Veritas’ is, I guess diplomatic relations will be strain vi.”