After Ned had looked some time at the Josh, and had half made up his
mind to take it, and had motioned away all the sugar monsters and
Noah's arks and bronze Napoleons and even the penknives, the shopman
said, "You have not looked at my fancy fowls, young gentleman; I
should like you would see them before you decide what you will have
of my variety this morning. That is quite a new article which I have
just received."

Ned was not used to being called young gentleman. He was nothing but
a boy. Of course, he went to look at the new article, after this.
Every one but him and the shopman had left the shop. It was very
quiet, and, just as the shopman had finished speaking, a cock, who
was in a crate in the corner, set up the loudest crowing that Ned
had ever heard, and with a decidedly foreign tone.

In a moment, Ned made up his mind that cock he would have. His
father had given him leave to keep fowls, and he already had a cock
and three hens of a fine breed.

"What's the price of that fellow?" said he; "he's a real buster;
he'll wake us all up early enough in the morning."

"A dollar, and cheap enough, too," said the shopman; "but, as it's
you, and I know your family, you shall have it for that."

"I have only seventy-five cents," said Ned, "and shall have no more
till next week, when I have my allowance. If you will trust me, and
are willing to wait, I will take the rooster."