Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1904-04-21

"If I'd got a head like fathers. ]
might have a chance to do something
in the thinking linel l seem TO have
gone in more for legs" said Absalom,
slowly.
MY plan is this" said the profes.
sor. b~riskly-'and / want you to no.
tlce, my dear Absalom, the plan or
rule by which a brain like mine works.
In the first place, you have heard me
suggest that, in order TO carry on my
business properly, | should go, as il
were. to the fountain head, and so
save large prices, and heavy rates, and
things Of that kind. In a word, | catch
my bird or beast, and stuff it; think
of the saving! Now. ON the other
hand, we have mutually determined
or | have determined for you-to go
abroad. Let me ask you a simple
question; when you go abroad, how
do you start?'
We'll, | suppose by sea-" said Alb
salon.
"Good-by sea. Very well, then"
went on the professor; following my
invariable rule in working out these
matters, what is the first thing we
have to do?"
We'll, to go to the sea. | suppose"
answered the brilliant Absalom.
"Excellent-remarkably good!" ex-
claimed the professor. 81 find, on in
vestigating our stock of ready money,
that We have just about sufficient to
take us to one of those great seaport
towns from whence vessels to all parts
of the world start; we will go there,
and we will leisurely choose u YES
sci. These things must not be done
in a hurry"
THAT sounds very nice. Daniel
said Mrs. Tapney, but how are you
going to get on the vessel without
money!"
"Ah. my love. you think too far
ahead" said the professor, with an
indulgent smile. Zone thing at a
time. my dear, and we shall do well.
Let us advance step by step and care
fully see our way. We will go to
Southampton; we will then decide
what is best to be done"
So the little professor and his large
wife and his long son started, with
some diplomacy, for Southampton.
Diplomacy was necessary. because GER
tain threats had been made by incon-
sidcrate people who wanted money;
therefore a a of the most innocent
type, which might have been. under
happier circumstances, conveying
away stuffed specimens for eager pur-
chasers, conveyed instead, under COY
err Of the darkness, certain boxes and
bags. Earlier in the day Mrs. Tapney,
after a most affecting farewell to her
husband and son, had gone out, bear
'lg a substantial basket, as though
for the purpose of shopping; Absalom
had followed her; and sthe professor,
the last to desert the sinking ship,
had strolled out. casually enough, in
their wake, smoking a cigar, and
dreaming already OF those foreign
places where he should be able to
catch his bird with his own hands
before stufing it for the market. The
shop. with all the labor of many
months which 1t contained, was left to
its fate.
They reached Southampton in due
course: and for a day or two the lit
tie professor might have been seen
with his head more on one side thar
ever. wandering about with a cheerful
~countenance, watching the great ships
hat came and went, and evidently a
little doubtful in his mind as to which
particular one to select.
Meanwhile Mrs. Tapney, while she
placed every reliance on the brain OF
her husband, yet began to think It
might be we'll to stir In matters for
herself, especially as on application
to the professor she discovered that
his stock Of money was practically ex-
hausted. More than that, the people
at the place wherein they lodged were
no better than those they had LEFT be-
hind in London. in that they demand
ed money In precisely the same way.
although with another accent. The
monotony OF this beginning to pall on
Mrs. TApney, she consulted l.bsalom,
and received from that youth q prac-
teal and common sense reply.
Pop the luggage said Absalom,
promptly. One thing at q time, as
father says" he added. dutifully. and
In the present state OF fathers brain,
he won't miss the luggsze."
The suggestion was adopted. In the
serse that. for Q little time, they lived
- 49, -sL