Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-07-18

arei"
Il amt so sartin that they don't under
stand themselves pretty well after ALL"
said Cephas meditatively. "fm goin'
to take some tine or other and have q
good talk with old Tamarack about it.
Farmin' has somehow advanced since
was young"
But while the Rock farm appeared to
be money making concern. Mr.. Clapp
found no opportunity of interviewing
the head centre of this successful evolu-
ton
"Uncle in tonight" he said to Mary.
"He can't see any one" Mary an
swered.
''Ain't very soc1able, is her" said Mr..
Thought I'd talk with him about the
small fruit question:" observed Mr..
Clapp.
81 can tell you all about fruit raising"
said Mary composedly.
"And since you have such luck with
your young goslins and chicks" added
Ce phas, 81 was calculatin' to go into bust
ness by myself"
Melissa understands that" said Mary,
indifferently.
"Wal, l do swami" said Mr.. Clepp.
The war went by. Mr.. Clapp received
his rent punctually on time. The poul-
try yard proved a success. The straw
berry hills were white with promise.
Patty's La France and Marechel Mel
roses had blossomed in the depth Of jan
nary and February, to the amazement of
the neighbors, and the three girls looked
placently at one another over their
account books.
81 knew We could do it," said Mary, ''we
shall pay up all the money we borrowed
from Aunt Matilda, and put by little in
the bank"
"No putting by just a present." said
Patty. "a business like this is bound
to grow, and it must be fed with CAPT
tal'
"Patty is right" asserted Melissa.
Rent is ukinous. We must buy the
farm out ana out. We must put up new
buildings and hire men. We must
just then Cephas Clapp came plung-
ing up the road in a state of high excite
ment.
give been cheated" said he, "You
three Humen nave not dealt fairly by
mer
"Why haven't we dealt fairly by your"
questioned Melissa.
"There amt no p. Tamarack?' p" bawled
Mr.. Clapp. "Pete1 Plane says he went
all through the house when ne hung
them window weights, and these wasn't q
soul there but the cat and the crickets.
You've deceived me! There amt no p.
Tamarackw
"Oh, yes there is" said Mary, with
misehievously sparkling eyes, "only he
is out in Omaha, with Aunt Matilda, who
lent US the money for our farming outfit.
We never said ne was to live here, did
we?"
"You-you said he was rheumaticky,
and couldn't see folks"
mo more he can," gaily retorted Patty.
"He keeps his room out in Omaha City,
and uses quarts and quarts of liniment,
poor soul! But what difference does it
make 30 you whether ther is p. Tama-
rack here or not, so long as you get your
rent regularity"
He was silent, vigorously chewing a
piece of straw.
care there any other questions you
would like to ask, Mr.. Clapp?" boldly de-
mapded Patty.
eyes," said Cephas, promptly.
"Ask them, then"
us 1t true that Miss Mary Is to be mar
ried to Peter Plane?'
81 believe it is" admitted Patty.
"And be you engaged to DR.. Wilson,
the new homeopathy, who moved here
last fall?"
eyes, I am"
Sand is MISSY actooally going to buy
the farm?"
eyes, she is-that is, if you are willing
to sell it,"
"Wal, I never!" said Cephas. "You
women do beat the world for gettin'
ahead. And never man about the
place-that's what puzzles me. ] didn't
know as women had so much Gale ala
Tion."
"Allow me to thank you," said Patty
courtessing low, sin the name of the
sex"
Cephaa Olapp went home and told his
wife of the wonderful tale that he had
heard.
"And I Declare" said he, sit almost
seemed to me-though 1 don't See how
it could be possible-as if that gal was
maxim fun of me-"
at couldn't be possible" said Mrs.
Clapp with decision"