Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1888-06-01

the chickens from her flower beds
and, as Uncle Jack headed them off
he remarked, "Them's fine chickens
Barbara
"Fine chickens, indeed I wished
everyone of them had their necks
twirled," and in rage she dashed in
to the house.
"Hum." said Uncle Jack. Into
the chicken coop he went. and ere
long nearly dozen hens lay in row
outside.
"Would you like me to help you to
pick them 2" he asked innocently,
putting his head in at the kitchen
door.
"Talk sense and I'll answer" she
replied snappishly.
81 thought" he said mildly, "that
they had better be got ready to-nig bit,
if they was to go market in the morn
ing"
What chickens !? Jack Dalrymple,
what Dc you mean? You have never
gone and killed all my chickens ?"
Opening the door and seeing the
row of headless chickens lying in full
sight, she sat down and cried.
"Why, Blrby," said Jack, little
more scared than he cared to show,
"Did you ever ask me to do anything
that | did not humor you if | could !?
l hated awfully to kill them Shanhais
but heard you say that you wished
their necks were twisted, and as they
was yours. 1 did as you wished"
"The finest chickens L ever saw, "
mourned Barbary, land layin' eggs
so steady, too. .I'd rather they'd
scratch up every green thing in tn Q
garden than lose them"
But without saying more, she went
out with Jack to pick the chickens.
Barbara's face was still very grave as
she stood looking at the chickens,
ready dressed for market, lying on the
kitchen table.
"Do you know, Barby," asked
Jack, his eyes twinkling, "what is
the reason these chickens will have
no hereafter 2"
"No," she said. shortly.
Because they have had their
necks twirled (next world) in this,
ha, ha, ha !" But no smile appeared
in Barbara's face
Uncle Jack harnessed up the light
wagon next morning and went off to
market and returned by noon. He
brought with him, tied in pairs, a
dozen chickens Of the choicest breeds
he could find, and placing them in the
coop and throwing them some corn,
he went into the house
The subdued look was still in Bar
bara's face, making Jack mentally
exclaim. "She hasn't got over it yet. "
He handed her roll of bills.
"There's your pocket money Bar
by" aud went to hang up his coat.
Come with me" he said taking
her by the hand, and leading her out
to the COOP Nov 1 want you to
take all the pleasure in these you can.
I'll build you a chicken yard aud
fence it in so you will have no trou-
ble."
She glanced at them and them at
him. Her lip quivered.
"You are better to me than / am
to you"
"Not bit of it, he said, putting
his arm about her and kissing her. l
am well satisfied with my part of the
bargain, | had an idee, and | car
ried it out. and as l said before, l am
we'll satisfied"
AS they sat together after tea,
BaIbara said, ~ ou are always talk
ing, Jack, about your idee; what do
you mean by it 2"
He gave her curious look.
81 am afraid you wouldn't like to
hear it,"
"I'll take the risk, for it is some
thing Pm mixed up in. isn't it ?"
"Well, you are warm in the game,
as they say. And as you promised
not to mind, I'll let it out" You see,
wanted a wife, and as | looked
around, | thought of YOU. Now. l
heerd you wasn't easy to get along
with" stammered Jack, feeling as if
he was about to touch a lighted
match to bomb she'll.
go on Jack" she said composed
ly, II know worse things about my
self thar you can tell me-"
81 had an idea," he continued
"that maybe the reason you wasn't
always-always-easy-likei in your
mind, and maybe a little-rough," +"
striving for soft word as possible,
"might be, because other folk are
cross grained to you;" so thinks l eff
Barbara is treated right, she'll come
around; the goods all in her, just
ready to be drawed out, and so I've
found it."
~ have always heard that Jack
Dalrymple was friend to everybody,
and that everybody was friendly to
him; but I never knew how good you
was until | had trial of you; and |
want to say once for all, that | am
going to be as good wife to you as
| know how, and if the old Adam
crops out now and then, as of course
it will, just shut your eyes as you
haye done all along, and shame me
out of it, And if there is anything
you would like me to do would give
you pleasure just let me know"
"There is one thing | would like,
if you will agree to it." said Uncle
Jack. 1--WE have been married now
about three months and | would like
to give tea-party-just few of the
nearest neighbors to supper; and |
would like if you would be just as
pleasant to Joshua Wilson as you
can"
"He never liked me l know" she
said
"That was because he never knew
you"
Barbara laid herself out for that
party. and outdid Uncle Jacks fond
est expectations. Such waflles, stew
ed chicken, peaches and cream and
other delicacies had never been seen
in that house before.
Joshua Wilson was placed at the
right side of the hostess and received
specials attention. which so astonish-
ed him that he could hardly eat for
| o1I ba rrouad Of I1nn1n