The Red Cloud chief., 1901-07-05

taking down the shapely white hands
which had been laxily crossed behind
her head. and waving M toward the
couch. II " could think. Myra, that
II was just fair for you, a successful
farmeress, to marry the best young
farmer In North wilcott. II would
have been far more philanthropie for
you each to have married some poor
soul who couldn't make both ends
meet"
Thanks, Miss Dolly; Just bear that
advice In mind when some long haired
professor offers you his soulful self;
but you must remember that It was
my failure In raising potatoes that FIRST
drew Johns mind Burtonward."
Because We didn't know enough to
feed the bugs on paris green instead
Of potato tops" laughed Ruth. But
after all. while potatoes and boarders
helped. IL was the chickens that paid
the debt"
"Of course IL was" answered Myra
warmly. I'VE should have pinche6
along till doomsdsy with only the farm
and boarders for profit But we could
never have made the old place bios
som as II does now IL ii hadn't been
for Jean and her biddies.
Jean flushed happily. MY hens have
paid: but you give me too much credit.
I could never have won the battle
alone; and feel like saying 30. ome
times. to the people who come here to
see your famous poultry yards or
the hens that paid the mortgage"
"Or the woman who can run O big
poultry plant. and yet look a lady
This was q standing joke. but Jean
could never take IL calmly.
II have had some Queer experiences
In the past ten years, and that was
only putting into words what most peo-
pie are too polite TO say. As IL there
were anything ~unsexing in keeping
hens"
Give us a resume OF the whole.
Jean. Call 1t a Cycle In Hendom.' I"
Jean gazed thoughtfully into the fire
and then began slowly:
"Of course. you and Myra know all
about the first five years, with their
constant struggle to make both ends
meet, keep decently clothed, and save
something toward the mortgage. And
then OF a sudden, as IL seemed, the
tables turned, and my poultry began
to pay all the bills very comfortably;
but there was nothing marvellous In
this; We had gained enough experience
In our general farming SO that we could
! nay shnaa hfll~ ..A hsxo a. n.OnNro 80.
had increased my nocks. houses and
experience year by year, till / had
enough Of all three to give me plain
sailing. ! had learned that in business
a good name was rather to be chosen
etc, and that the best never went IN
sold.
II think that above all else, my sue
cess has been due to the possession of
q good business head, hands that were
not afraid Of any work. however dis
tasteful. painstaking care In details,
and . determination to do and have
the very best. In short. I have sue
ceeded because l felt It to be as much
my duty to be an artist in poultry
keeping ~ you do In piano playing.
Besides. ] could never have done half
20 well had 1t not been for Ruthless
help. How you did mother those in
cubators the first winters. should
have used them for kindling before
ever mastered them"
Il didn't mind. ! was so glad 10
help. even a little-but 60 on, JEAN"
There isn't much more to tell. !
paid the last hundred on the mortgage
last week. / could have done IL long
ago, but preferred making some i'm
provements first. As long as / was
SURF of a certain income il seemed
foolish to get along without the com
forts We desired. So | put up the wind
mill, fixed up the old house, put In a
furnace. and owned the fastest horse in
North Wilcott, even while there were
some arms left to the Octopus.
You know that Myra had a reason-
able plenty for her wedding outfit. tina,
Dolly spent two years at the conserva-
tory. and that Ruth and l have had
much happiness s%prinkled through the
years. Our chief trouble has been tc
find a faithful mar who was willing tc
stay o.. here; but now that Tom IL
~ Sc4A'ShlSo We oSNm v ~ oot "
danger Hne stopped and looked a,
Myra. Can't you contribute to this
experience fund?"
W. experience is patent to all,
Myra al swered. with shining eyes. 80
am the liappiest woman in the world
with the dearest husband and baby.
rejoice that the rest Of you have ca
reers, but for me"
Love is king" quoted Dolly. softly
Your turn. Dolly"
II do not know what the future ma,
hold" she said dreamily. but ever
Myra, with her 'fullness Of life,' is n,
happier than ]. ! have all the conce
work ] "a possibly do this winter
} with the entree into the very best 30
! ~ciety-best because II Is life that mean
something. Next year shall &
abroad. and the future is fun OF posi-
bilities."
; A silence fell on the group. each bus