The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-06-24

A0fS LIZ SSAk u hS8AIduOu La
that we get the pure country air the
year round, with sliding down hill on
a hand sled in winter and listening to
the lowing Of the kline in hummer, and
come out 5000 a year ahead of the
game. A Cripple Greek gold mine may
pay a little better, but 1 shall be salts
fed with the farm"
eyes; 1t looks like a good thing"
unused Mrs. Bowser.
0 course it does, and can you
doubt that it will prove so? 1 may
have picked up a few fads in my time,
but can you call this a fad? You were
a country girl, and you know a good
deal about farming, and you must ac-
knowledge that this is a straight bust
ness deal. Have 1 got the income too
high?"
Perhaps not"
"Do 1 figure the profits too high?"
al can't say that you do"
''Then there are the fifteen years
added to my life. One doesn't like to
figure dollars and cents against his
life, but shouldn't we set it down that
my life is worth at least $1,000 a year
to the family?
You might figure it at far more than
that If at ALL"
well, then, let us sum up, as the
lawyers say. Here L am, past the
prime of life and afflicted with rheu-
matism Inc bronchitis Inc asthma.
Life OF a farm renews my youth and
cures my complaints. Isn't that a
pleasant beginningT
"It surely is"
'Then we have the free and indie
pendent life of a farmer, the glorious
sunrises, the gorgeous sunsets, the fit
ting of the bluebirds by day, the hoot
of the owls at night, the gentle rains,
the balmy breezes, everything that one
can ask for in life. Mrs. Bowser, it
gives me thrills when 1 think Of it. l
can hardly wait for morning to come
that 1 may be off and buy me a farm.
Would you like to go along with me?"
"We will see when morning comes"
she answered.
Il think you will get up with the
same enthusiastic feeling 1 have and
that by night we shall have things all
settled. Now, then, have you got any
criticisms to make?"
None at ALL"
But 1 expected you'd have a hun
dred. You generally get at it and tear
all my plans to pieces and try to make
out that I'm a fool. So you've nothing
to say?"
"Just a word. Our butcher, as you
know, came in off a farm last year,
after filling the soil for at least fifteen
| years. He must now all about a
farm and can give you lots Of point
ers. The evening is early yet, and
why don't you go over and talk with
him for a few minutes"
by John, put that would be a good
idea"
1T would be a good idea, Mr.. Bow
ser. Just give him your figures as you
gave them to me, and let him go over
them. They say he's a smart, shrewd
man"
"Of course he is. I'd rather have his
opinion than any other man l know of.
Yes, I'll go over and have a little talk
with him, and if he backs me up
which I'm sure he will, l hope you'll
try and get up u little more enthusiasm
over the matter. Where's the cat to-
night?'
He seems to be out"
"If he was home I'd hug him and
beg his pardon for the many times I've
threatened to knock his head off. He
goes with US TO the country. and who
can say how many years his life will
Il 10 .,I,u1C TN no hnnI- IN nm hOrr
and perhaps you'll want to begin pack
ing tonight"
Mr.. BowSer set out with the Springy
step of a man of thirty, and his rheu
matism and bronchitis were forgotten
for the hour. The butcher was about
to close his shop for the evening. but
he took Mr.. Bowser into his private
office and listened to his story. He
neither sighed nor smiled. He simply
sat and stared at a sample sausage
stufing machine left him that day fol
trial and did not open his lips until the
story Of life in the country, illustrated
with cuts Of bullfrogs. %bluebirds, hay
stacks and cornields, was related
Then he rose up and asked:
"Mr. Bowser. do you want my homes
opinion on all this?"
why. of Counsel"
Then I'll give it to you straight. 1
is the dream Of a jackass! If it WASH
for the good n Of your wife as 6
counterbalance you'd be in an idio1
asylum
What Mr.. Bowser said in reply ant
in as many languages as he could
think of took some little time and wa
worth the price of admission. but thu
butcher had nothing to retract and
finally got the door closed on his caller
Five minutes later, as Mrs. Bowsel
peered from the front window. she saw
Mr.. BOwSer returning. His gait was
wabbly and his arms finging about
He arrived at the gate to kick it open
and his feet dragged as lie ascendeG
the steps. The cat had returned som