Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1905-06-09
HIS CHICKEN FARM.

which had hitherto engrossed him in
the employ of Binks & Co, and would
thereafter devote his talents and en-.
ergies to a chicken farm in tthe pas
toral regions of Michigan, the out
burst of Indignation he expected from
his family, including all his. wife's
relatives, was not long in coming.
What! Give up your home in the
city and immune yourself on chick
en- farm!" exclaimed his wifes eldest
sister. THE man must be crazy"
He seems quite determined" said
Mrs. HARDER, rather doubtfully.
THAT comes from his reading so
many magazines" announced one of
his brothers-in-law. They're always
full of pipe stories about people who
made fortunes raising chickens. You
should take a firm stand against it"
Thus advised Mrs. Harder made a
feeble and futile protest, for the new
move would mean separation from
her sisters, her cousins and her aunts
and the taking up of life's burdens in
strange community.
What can we do with the house,"
she asked her enthusiastic husband,
who had hitherto spent his odd mo-
ments admiring his home from vari-
Gus points of vantage.
I'VE will rent it," he answered,
promptly. I'VE will have no trouble
renting SO pretty and well-sustained
a home as this. While we are max
ing money on our chicken farm in
Michigan the house will be bringing
in more money over here. 1t is a
great scheme no matter how you look
at it."
Mrs. Harder knew her husband well
enough to realize that further argu-
ment was useless and she sadly be-
gan making preparations for the haz-
ard of new fortunes.
We'll probably get somebody in
here who will chop kindlings on the
hardwood floors and drive nails in
the parlor walls" she warned her
husband. 81 know the house will
be ruined"
Don't worry" he returned, gleeful-
ly. I've got that all fixed. The
Joneses will take the house. They
have been living in steam-heated flats
so long that Jones says they will just
revel in house again with big yard
like ours, where they can play GRO
quet. He is a fiend on cutting the
grass, l understand
BE sure and make them sign a
lease, then" cautioned Mrs. HARDER.
1--WE don't want them moving out aft
er a month of so while we are away
over there in Michigan and then hav-
ing tramps move in or thieves cut out
the lead pipes"
Leave it to me-" said Harder. "Tll
: have everything fixed up in shape.
Why, you are going to have the time
of your life in this little chicken farm
pure air and fresh milk and-and
everything"
Are you going to have chickens
that give milk" shifted Mrs. Harder
Her husband scorned to answer.
In due time the Joneses came over
and were delighted with the house
Mrs. Harder explained about the
storeroom and the shed and showed
Mrs. Jones where the storm sash
were kept.
81 suppose we'd better make ths
. lease for a year." suggested Harder.
"Oh, maybe it would be better tc
make it six months" said Jones. "Yor
may get tired of raising chickens"
Not me-" said Harder enthusiast
tically. Il expect to stay in Michigan
indefinitely. However, we'll make i
six months If you say so. By the way
we would like to keep one of thu
spare bedrooms to store our furnitur,
In"
That was agreed to- the lease wa
signed and in two days the Jonese
moved in. HARDER and his wife wen
to her mothers to live while Harbe
completed his dicker with the rea
estate man for the Michigan chicke
farm.
At the end of the week he cam
home and blithely told his wife it wa
all off.
81 have decided not to co. he el
planned. well just move back int
the house and maybe We'll get tn
chicken farm in year or two"
"But how about the Joneseef" asl
ed Mrs. Harder in alarm. They won
= want to give up the house"
"Oh, thatll be all right" said Ha
, Der confidently. IT'S our house, 20
l know. They wouldn't stay where the
weren't wanted"
When he explained his change {
- heart to Jones and suggested the a
visibility of that gentleman movin
out, Jones laughed long and loud.
81 "Why. we're just beginning to Liz
. it." he declared. I'VE haven't II
least idea of moving till our lease e
+ hires You can have access to IL