Arizona weekly journal-miner., 1893-08-16
FED HENS ON CRACKED ICE.
He Gave the old Woman Some UscfuI HnInia nn AN..L-t InuILrr Enrr,Ln.-

He Gave the old Woman Some Uscful
 Points on Western Poultry Farming.
 An old woman, rather shabbily but evidently comfortably dressed and bundled up in a heavy plaid woolen shawl. got on the train between Bos- ton and New Haven a short time ago and looked about confusedly for a seat. She finally found a place in a seat occupied by a well dressed young man, who was talking to some com panions just behind him.
 When the young man looked up at the old lady, who jostled against him with her big bundles and the basket which she carried upon her lap, he gave a suppressed groan, much to the amusement of his companions.
 Then the young man winked and gave a sidelong glance, as much as to say Just you watch me! We'll have some fun
 The old lady looked unconcerned and was totally unconscious os the mirth she was about to provoke.
 Rather cold day, ventured the young man in a suave voice.
 Yes, 1t Is right sharp, answered the woman. almost cold enough to freeze these eggs have got in here
 What arc you doing with the eggs" asked the young man. with friendly interest.
 "Oh, I've been saving them up this good while, and Iintend tO take them into town to sell, and the old lady, who was inclined to be social, looked pleased at the interest evinced by the young man.
 Now. began the youth as he cast a sidelong look at his companions, If you were out in Utah, where l came from, you could get your own price for the eggs. It Is so warm there you know. that Tn summer nearly all the hens die of In fact, he continued, looking straight into his companions eyes. when a hen does set, which Is a rare occurrence out there, the eggs have to be spOnged of with cold water every day to keep them from getting too warm"
 ''Waal, do tell!' remarked the wo- man, If l ever heerd anything to beat that Ain't it queer how things Is out westl Now, there's my son John. He's bound to go out there and git rich, but hen never get my consent If it's so hot as all that. I've heerd tell q good deal about that air country, but l never heerd afore that 1t was too hot to set eggs"
 Its worse than that in Nevada, continued the youth, pleased with the effect of his story. Here he looked around at his friends. who appreciated all that was going on.
 "Worsep exclaimed the woman in amazement. If it's hot enough to kill hens, then that's all l want to know. Idon'twanta anything hotter"
 Yes. was the answer. Tn Ne vada we have to feed hens cracked ice to keep them from laying hard boiled eggs.
 This was too much for the old woman. Even her credulity could not stand this She gave the youth one long, scrutinizing glance, then gathered up her numerous bundles, her basket of eggs and her umbrella and tIudged over to another seat.
 She rode on in an distracted state for a quarter of an hour or more. Her face was a curious study. Its expression was one of mingled injury and thoughtfulness.
 The conductor called New Ha- ven"
 The old lady got up, but when she reached the seat she had occupied a few minutes before she took ho,l of the youths arm and said, See, here, young man, just explain how in that air torrid country you tell about they git the ice to feed them hensl''-New York Herald.