The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1904-07-09
Leaving the FARM.

q Il was SUNDAY aICernoCns 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
dolefully.
whats the matter, deacon?" ven
tured Hank at last. you seem to
have the blues to-day"
"Mebbe / have-'tain't surprisin'."
Lets hear about it," said Hank,
alphabetically.
"'Taint nothing new" returned the
deacon feebly, with another sigh.
Pm 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 lonely. 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.
Il 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 bare Hvtn' there, l guess,
but they could "a done better round
home on the land 1 calkerlated to give
EN-. 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 At or a pleasant
place for boys an girls to liver
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
" occurrence, Mrs. Pepperton made
tne discovery that her supply Of soap
had run out"
"What'll l do" she demanded, rs
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 bought you gone al
ready"
Yes; an I've got to have more
right away"
Suddenly his face frightened. 'T'n
go over an borrow some at Hanks
mousse They buy by the box, an are
sure to have plenty"
And away he went across lots.
Presently he returned, his hands full
VI soap and his head full of news.
What dye thinkT' he began.
Mrs. Pepperton snatched the soap,
and retreated to the kitchen, mutter-
ing that she was too busy an flus-
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! Myl / never see
seen a Teller for fool ideas!'
curiosity conquered hurry. Mrs.
repperton's lips and eyes bulged full
OF questions.
WeIl," said her husband, after a
dramatic pause, you may'nt believe
~ out that Teller Is jest Dustin him
1il maxim a croquet ground out in
ms side yard under some apple trees.
mes diggin' an levelin' an haulin'
'Ny' an poundln' 1t down. An he's
"Ousnt croquet set an big, red, two,
seated swing, an two hammocks, that
eS swung close together under a
opreaoln' tree, an don't know what
-l didn't stop to see any more"
o, Anu' painting and growing, the
sooo deacon subsidized into a chair and
"n nn himself vigorously.
A., Nor the land sakesr' calculated
mrs Pepperton, her mouth wide open
WIN aston1shment.
bo. an there's worse yet" continued
ts' 1 husband, "Bin Waddle told me
rs" mornin' that Hank Peters had
q rubber-tred buggy, SOS his