The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1904-07-21

MINNESOTA, THURSDAY, JU
quarters, and escorted us to the build
ing where stood and munched several
Of the bovine species. Also one of the
equine variety, the same noble animal
which had walked us from the station.
Jack was immensely proud of the
aggregation and when we had ex-
pressed the admiration we didn't feel
for the collection of quadrupeds, he
took us to see the pigs. Now, they're
my hobby. If there's anything | dote
on it's pigs. They're so refined and
gentle Such nice table manners, too.
And so considerate of each other.
Why can't men be more like them?
But l digress. After interminable
walks to see melancholy sheep, and
after beholding flocks of bandy-legged
ducks, Jack said he'd take us down to
see the oats growing in piece of
meadow land. The prospect of a
further walk in the not sun deferred
the ladies from accompanying us, and
Jack and myself went alone. | learned
more about fertilizers and harrows and
drills and burrows that day, than l
could learn from reading two years
issues of the Farmers Journal"
Believe me.
We were gone an hour, and when we
returned the ladies were sitting on the
porch in animated conversation. They
were so intensely interested in their
talk that l feared the subject was
relative to the wearing properties Of
crepe de chine, but no,-it was poultry!
Vast sums of money were to be made
in it, declared Mrs. Norris. Mrs. H.
was as enthusiastic as the other lady.
A pleasant day ended and we were
soon at home. The following morn
ing, was not surprised when Mrs. H.
said: 'Im going to raise chickens"
''Where?" asked
"In our yard" said she.
"What for?"
Eggs" said Mrs. H.
$50 you are going into the poultry
business
eyes, indeed" said Mrs. H.
"For revenue onlyl"
"Not altogether" said Mrs. H. ;;"what
we don't sell we can eat"
"You mean, what aoon't sell we will
eat"
"There you CO." said Mrs. H., "mak.
ing fun again. 1 never want to dc
anything to help along, but what you
make fun; but want to raise chick
ems" And her eyes filled with tears
Mentally kicking myself, promised
she should have chickens to her hearts
content. "And," said l, "you can have
ducks too, only don't cry"
II don't want any ducks" said sht
crying in earnest now; "they're too
ugly"
"No ducks, then,' said !, "just chick
ems, just chickensv' Aud Mrs. H
smiled. (Golly, when think how sh'
; could manage me. And how anxious
[ was to be managedD
"Well,' said l, "we shall have to ge
some chickens for nucleus. Suppos,
we go to the market and buy some:"
, Gall right" said Mrs. H., "let's g
now." And we went.
, The first man we approached said
"No, have no live 'hen chickens TO
sale.'
"What are those?" asked Mrs. H
pointing to coop of iedgeIings.
7 "Why they're frying chickens, they'r
4 too young to lay eggs"
"Oh," said Mrs. H. Then we went t.
: another man and he only laughed AM
: said: "No, 1 have no motherly hen
4 for sale.''
Mrs. H. said to me: "These marke
l people are too mean for anything, bu
0 I'm going to get some motherly oil
:. chickens just the same" And she die
s We came across an old lady away dow
4 by the. fish market. She had chicken
e to fare-ye-well, from one day old u
d to six years, and stih scratching. Mr.
s 81. selected three old hens tina
J; ought to have known better, and upo
!, the market woman's reiterated avowal
}. of their good laying qualities, we ha
i them sent home. 1 was In favor Q
}, rigging up respectable roost for then
b but Mrs. II. said it must be so tiresom
K for hen to scratch around all day an
J. then sit on stick all night, so we too