The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1899-01-13
WHERE DEATHS A STRANGER.
Why Maine Man Could Not
buy u Farm Up Yellow
House Way.

relative who died not long ago., SAID
Bartholomew Keiser, of Reading, Pa,
"and as had long had desire TO own n
farm somewhere among the Munataw-
ney hills, near the quiet hamlet of Vel
low House, If possible, thought l
would invest some of that legacy in
such farm, and live pastoral life the
rest of my days. So went over to Vel
low House, which isn't far from Read
ing, to find out what could buy farm
for in that vicinity. The citizen Of
whom | asked information looked at
me in astonishment awhile, and then
exclaimed:
"'What can you buy farm around
here for? Why, dang it, man, you can't
buy farm around here for any price!
There has been but one farm sold here
in more than 40 years, and that was
sold week ago, and folks are talking
about it yet. Ii was the Widow Krause's
farm. The widow isn't so years old yet,
and she wouldn't have been widow if
Joe Krause, her husband. hadn't been
killed in a runaway accident year ago.
Joe was coming 30 then, and was dris-
ing pair of colts he was breaking. The
widow is hale and hearty yet. tell
you, and folks haven't begun to get
through talking about her selling the
farm. Then she's going to move away.
That's the funniest part Of it,
The citizen turned to another citi-
zen at this point and said to him:
"'What under the canopy do you sup
pose the widow is going to move away
from Yellow House for?'
We'll, SIR replied the other citizen.
L think it's just because she's tired of
life
THE first citizen pondered moment,
then slapped his leg and exclaimed:
That must be it, by hoky!
Now this was all very puzzling 10
me, and | guess must have looked it,
for the first citizen spoke, and said:
"'How old do you s'pose | be?'
II replied that thought he might
perhaps be co; but, to tell the truth, he
didn't look it. He laughed and shook
his head, and said in a jolly sor, Of way;
"'Why, III never see so again; | am
past 90. And Abe here is Saint Ii
| 50. Abep
alt was So year ago. replied the
other citizen Its S4 now-S4 a week
ago yesterday and he didn't look day
older than his friend.
"'And Marg Rush is o. continued
the first citizen, 'and Sam Fritz is 81
Sally Dunn is 50. and she and Abel have
been married II years. Idon't know
! Just how old Abel is. but he must be a
couple 0. years older than Sally yet
There's Ad Rhoads and Dave Hernei
and John Francis and Abe Focht
Every one of EN- is crowding 90 pretty
close The youngest of 'em is Az
Rhoads and he told me only yesterday
| that he was Ss past. As for folks thai
are so, can't count 'em up. Mary
Rhoadarmel is 50 and is something o
a curiosity, because she had usbant
who only lived to be "a. Folks don
often die early around here, and nevei
saw bigger funeral than Joe Rhoad
armel had. Zeke Rhoads and Davt
Davidheiser are past IS. Marth Brciden
bach lives three miles back yonder, ant
she's So. But she walks in here t
church and back every Sunday, ant
uses her Bible and hymn book withou
glasses John and Lot Wagner ar
twins, and they're So. Why, sayl ther
are only 65 inhabitants in Yellow House
and 80 of them are over rs. A 60-year
old's n youngster.'
The citizen pondered again ant
presently said:
"'Buy farm around here. Not
YOU could cover it with dollar bills
| Life is too hard 10 dispose of in this gar
den spot OF the Munatawney hills TO
people to want to sell out and get away
That's the reason the Widow Kraus
has sold out and gone away, Joe, sur
as you live, She's tired of life. VIII
is that skipping along SO brisk owe
yonder, Joe? Jake Frey, amt it?'
That's who il is replied the cit
zen's friend Joe.
"'Now. you'd hardly take Jake TO b
oo,' said the citizen. but he is. Wor
der where he's going so fast?'
"'why, to Squire Shoemaker's, sal
Joe. He's going to sign another tie
years lease of the farm he's living on
$50 left Yellow House disappointed
Nobody had farm to sell anywher
near that apparent fountain of you'll
and | couldn't blame 'em much--coul
you?"--N. Y. Sun.
A Serious question.
| neaoo,, Ianas-Whuf'S de meefin' q