Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-07-08
Leaving the FARM.

L was SuHudy AFTERNOON. Hank
Peters, dressed in his best
clothes, was making a neigh
borly call at Deacon Pepperton's home.
But somehow conversation Jagged, in
spite of the visitors brave attempts
to keep up a cheerful flow Of words.
The deacon's face was unusually long,
and every now and then he sighed
d%olefully.
Whats the matter, deacon?" ven
tured Hank at last. you seem to
have the blues to-day"
"Mebbe l have-tain't surprisin'."
Lets hear about it." said Hank,
alphabetically.
"Tain't nothing new" returned the
deacon feebly, with another sigh.
I'm jest sad, that's all-sad, an
a bit lonesome at times. Mrs. Pepper.
ton is lonesome, too. Sos the farm
an the pony-an' the dog. Every
things lopely. Jest you wait till your
own boys an girls leave home-then
you'll understand how we feel"
For a moment, there was silence.
Mr.. Peters, thinking his own thoughts,
looked curiously at the speakers lug.
ubrious countenance. There was SYM
pathy in the look, and yet, combined
with sympathy, there was something
else in the grave blue eyes that studied
the deacon's face.
What made 'em all leave" ask
ed Hank at last, quietly.
81 dunno. First John went, then
Mary, then Tom. Now Harry's gone,
an there's nobody left 'cept Mandy
and mean the dog an the pony an
the farm. Well, the youngsters have
all got work in the city, an they're
scrapin' up a bare Twin there, l guess,
but they could "a lone better round
home on the land l calkerlated to give
'em. But no. they wouldn't stay
said they'd enough O. farmin' to last
them a lifetime an longer. Why, to
hear them youngsters talk you'd think
that a farm amt a fit or a pleasant
place for boys an girls to live"
Some farms are not"
"Eh?" said the deacon, looking up
quickly.
But Hank had an innocent, far-away
look in his eyes that disarmed suspi-
cion.
The next day was Monday-wash
day, Of course. In the midst of the
usual festivities incident to that week
ly occurrence, Mrs. Pepperton made
the discovery that her supply Of soap
had run out"
"What'll 1 do" she demanded, as
she rushed to the back door and an
nounced the discouraging fact to her
husband.
"Shoo-o! You don't say! Is all the
ten cents worth l bought you gone al
ready"
Eyes; an I've got to have more
right away"
Suddenly his face frightened. "Ill
go over an borrow some at Hanks
house. They buy by the box, an are
sure to have a plenty"
And away he went across lots.
Presently he returned, his hands full
of soap and his head full Of news.
"What dye Think" he began.
Mrs. Pepperton snatched the soap,
and retreated to the kitchen, mutter-
ing that she was "too busy an fus-
tered to think Of anything 'cept the
washin'."
But the deacon, eager to unload his
store of news, followed her into the
house.
you'll never guess what Hank Is
up to now, woman! My! 1 never see
sech a Teller for fool ideas!"
Curiosity conquered hurry. Mrs.
Pepperton's lips and eyes bulged full
of questions.
"Well," said her husband, after a
dramatic pause, you may'nt believe
1t, but that Teller is jest a Dustin him
self maxim a croquet ground out in
his side yard under some apple trees.
He's diggin' an levelin' an haulin'
clay, an poundin' 1t down. An he's