The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-07-30
Al MAHAskA HOME.
Entertaining Description Of Visit to
the William Boyd Home.

Mrs. Presnell and were invited 10
spend few days at w. J. Boyd's
home, so we left Osl1aloosa on the first
train, and very soon we were at Lacey
where Mr.. Boyd met us with his fine
new carriage, and we had a delightful
ride to the Boyd home, IL miles west
of Lacey, where Mrs. Boyd and daugh-
ter were ready to welcome us. The
house is a two-story, eight-room house
painted a dark red with white trim
mings, a porch back and front. It
was built late last fall. Ross had
told us so much about it we thought
we knew how it looked, but it was
finer than we had imagined, finished
inside with hard pine, oiled. We
found a piano, two Celephones-one
private and the other belonged to all
| the farmers, and when one rings all
the phones ring on that line, and you
can hear all they say Gf you want toy +.
| thought l would listen one day. One
lady said "Hello!" The other answer
ed Hello" Soon one said II can't
hear what you say" The other said
81 can't hear what you say" could
not hear that either had said anything.
They quit and so did I. We thought
there was a good ring about it.
After going through all the rooms
on first and second floors we descend
ed to the cellar, which they told us
was rat and mouse proof. We exam
ined it thoroughly but could not find
a place where a rat or mouse could
get in or out. 1t is a fine cellar.
There was something in the east side
we thought was a very large tin can,
but Grace said it was gas generator.
Cost over two hundred dollars. They
explained the process so perfectly
and it seemed so simple that we
thought we could manage one our
selves. Then we examined the incu-
bator which contained nine dozen of
eggs. We were sorry to hear that
they would not hatch for week. 1t
would have been fun to see the little
chickens pop out Of their shells. Next
we went to the bath room.
Some one said dinner was ready
and so were we. Such a dinner as
only farmers wife could GET
chicken, Of course, and ice cream. I
tell you, we did justice to it. After
resting a while we were ready to see
the farm which we found to consist of
200 acres Of fine farming land and a
fine orchard of apple and plum trees,
laden with fruit. They told us to
help ourselves, and we did it. 1t is
not every day that we can pick fruit
off of tree,-city people, anyway.
One evening I had the pleasure Of
going after the COWS with Grace. We
went down a long lane through the
middle of the farm. / saw in one field
a lot of fine cattle that Mr.. Boyd told
me would sell for twelve hundred in
the fall. In another field fine pair
of gray work horses were taking a
rest. They had been doing the spring
work. They looked as if they had
earned their rest. I was glad I did
not open the wire gate to let them in
to the lane. If you want to know
why, ask Grace. In the next field
were fifteen or twenty fine colts.
stopped at this gate, afraid to venture
any further, and Grace went after the
COWS. After they had taken a good
look at me they went running after
Grace I was glad was not with her.
Soon she was back with the COWS, so
we drove them home. enjoyed 1t
very much.
In the evening we had music and a
recitation from Olive Graham, who is
making her home with the Boyds.
Next day we visited and enjoyed the
swing under the trees.
Mr.. Boyd intends to build a large
barn in the fall. They have vino
mill, as most farmers have, which
pumps all the water that is used in
the house, which saves lots Of hard
work for the women of the family.
We thought they pretty nearly had
the earth with fence around it.
Saturday, after lunch of fresh
cake and lemonade, we left for home
and in due time we arrived at Oska-
loosa and we thought we had had a
fine time. And l think we behaved
ourselves; we tried to, anyway. They
asked us to come again.
Miss Mary Bradbrook.