The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1903-04-24
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the requisite number of bOarderS
There were Mr. and Mrs. Smythe. a
wealthy elderly couple who were
charmed with the big rooms, the old
fashioned, claw-legged tables and
chairs, the vine-hung porches and
verandas and the wholesome country
fare
There was Mrs. Fenshawe. a gushing
widow. who went into raptures over
the beautiful view of crusted hilltops
and shadOwy valleys, bounded by the
far blue-tinted horizon
And there was Miss Tuition. a good
natured. placid-faced maiden lady, who
was quietly content with everything
about her.
Besides those already mentioned,
| MOllie's bOarders numbered a sallow-
faced young gentleman, who had
sought the country in quest of health
and brisk, wide-awake geOlogist, Pro-
fessor Tallman whose chief delight
and occupation was in gathering
specimens"
The garden thrOve luxuriantly, and
once a week Mollie took her early peas
and cucumbers, mountain sweet corn
and young cauliflowers to the neigh
boring village of Sweet-briar. where
she readily disposed Of them, bring
ing back their value in coffee, tea,
sugar, and other necessary commod-
| ties
Uncle Dabneys horse and wagon
were always at Mollie's service on Sat
urdays to convey herself and her
truck" to market which proved quite
a convenience to the young house
holder.
The old orchard, too, which had been
well trimmed and cared for, showed its
gratitude by producing quite a crop of
Harvest Sweetings and Red Astra-
chans, affOrdng Mrs. Hull ample
means for the exercise of her culinary
skill in the construction of luxurious
'pan-dOwdies, apple cobblers, and the
like, while the milk from "Buttercup."
the little Jersey cow, furnished butter
for the table and cream for the tea
and for the big bowl of raspberres or
blackberries which figured daily at the
evening meal.
But, while affairs continued to go
swimmingly for Mollie, the croakers
found fresh cause for gossip in that
very fact
They live mighty fine, an set tip
top table," admitted Aunt Melzena
who had been spending the day" at
the old homestead. But | dunno how
Mollie works it, I'm feared she goes
in debt fur all them nick-nax."
But Mollie was too smart "A girl to
go in debt, and, If she did not lay up
much she paid her way as she went.
Miss Mcllie," said the professor one
day, taking seat on the porch beside
MOllie, who was scraping carrots for
dinner what do you think these areY'
Mollie gave cursory glance at the
rough-lOOking bits held out to her. The
professor was always exhibiting
specimens" of one kind or another
II should say they were rocks re-
turned MOllie, in true Western dialect.
Exactly" smiled the professor. But
what kind of rOcksY"
Il don't know" was the answer. Il
don't know one kind Of rock from an
other"
so thought returned the profess
sOr, gravely. IF you did. you would
not beskeeping boarders for a living"
Molle looked up in surprise
Why she asked, with some curl
osity. what have rocks to do with
my keeping boarders?"
Just this" was the answer. This
bit of white rock here | Clipped off a
ledge in the old sheep pasture on the
hillside. And to the best of my knowl-
edge and belief, that ledge is magne-
sian limestone, a superior kind of build
ing stone which is in great demand.
This other bit is of a different kind OF
rock, but quite valuable also, and is
used for door and window stills. 1t is
worth forty cents a square foot, and
there is no doubt but what it exists in
abundance on your farm. But, if the
E other proves to be really magnetism
limestone, you could sell out tomorrow
for ten thousand dollars, Miss Mollier'
20. Professor TallmaEi But how
| but how should l go to work to find
out?' asked Mollie, clasping her hands
eXcitedly.
= Leave it to me-" said the professor
= kindly. Il am going to the city to-
morrow ON business and | will take
these bits of rock and exhibit them
to the proper authorities. Then, Miss
> Mollie. you can either lease or sell your
property to good advantage"
ct shall not sell - daclarad NfolIia ct,