But when the noise subsided, he went at it again, and got as far as "Ladies and gentlemen, the domestic barn-yard fowl affords a subject of the highest interest to the--" when the Poland rooster became engaged in a contest with an overgrown Shanghai chicken, and this set the hens of the combatants to cackling, and in a moment the entire collection was in another uproar.

This was too much.

Mr.Butterwick was beside himself with rage.

He flung down his manuscript, rushed to the cage, and shaking his fist at the Poland chicken exclaimed, "You diabolical fiend, I've half a mind to murder you!" Then he kicked the cage to pieces with his foot, and seizing the rooster twisted its neck and flung it on the floor.

Then he fled from the hall, followed by peals of laughter from the audience and more terrific clatter from the fowls.