Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1906-10-24
An AutOcrat Of
The POuItryFa
BY Ohio B. Sensa
Copyright. 1905. by c. H. su.cline

Josiah Preston always had been OF a
despotic disposition, but his natural
tendency In this direction seemed to
strengthen after his remunerative ex-
periments In poultry raising.
Josiah's mind apparently held but
Sne thought-his hens The earth was
made for the sole purpose OF providing
them with scratching ground. The
sun rose to give them light and warmth;
night followed day that they might
have time to -est
When Flower Preston. Josial's only
daughter, came home from boarding
school. aud her father discovered by
diligent questioning that the words In
cubator. broOder, trap nest bone cutter
elected no answering enthusiasm, he
srunted sarcastscally, "A gal that's
been to boardin' school for three years
and don't know Reg band from bone
euttery'
you must learn about things as soon
ms you can, DEAR" whispered the moth
or nervously. III you can't talk poul-
try talk with your pa you might just as
well be in the desert of Saharyw
There's one comfort" continued Jo-
siah; II amt raised the only fool there
Ii in this county"
There, there, pa" Mrs. Preston
spoke soothingly. What Is the mat
ter?'
Squire Curtis boy got home from
college tother day, and what do you
think. instid of studyin' law SOS to help
his pa. he's been studyin' bugs. Four
years In college, and don't know q thing
but bugs-'
Maybe his pa wanted him to- re-
marked Mrs Preston Practically.
WAL" harshly. II can't crow over
Squire Curtis none. His boy don't
know nothin' but bugs, and, as near as
j kin figger out. that gal don't know
nothin' at all. The only advantage u
Ii took her year less to learn itr'
When young Curtis began calling at
the farm, which he did with suspicious
Ssomptness, Josiah's cup of misery was
Pull.
For the lands sake" he exclaimed
testify to his wife, cant you go In
there and setT indicating with his
thumb the room from which came the
sound of young voices and laughter
You let that gal git boys and bugs
inter that slim brain Of hern and she
won't be good for nothin'"
There, there, pa, don't talk so loud.
You didn't want my ma to come in and
set when you used to come to see me-"
Josiah's face purpled; he clutched at
his collar band as If he were choking.
rsSsYou don't mean he gasped.
Mrs. Preston nodded.
Don't take it so hard pa" she MUIR
INJURED soothingly. Jim Curtis is
one of the likellest young men, and
"I could stand it better If 'twan't for
the bugs" he moaned feebly. IF he
didn't want to be lawyer like his pa,
why didn't he take up somethin' sensi-
bier than bugs? What good is bug?
Bugs-millions on 'em-couldn't hatch
out one chicken
Hes studying bees now, pa, and
they're good for honey" appeasingly;
"he has ever so many hives-newfan-
gied ones-in his pas back yard"
Josiah only groaned.
"And, pa, it's all arranged, only
said he'd have to be old fashioned
enough to ask your consent. and Flow
er, like a good girl, said she'd never
marry anybody without her pas con-
sent. That's good deal nowadays,
pa" .:..-.ssSssSk7~ ~.
Perhaps il was because of Josiah's
reputa ton for irasclbility, perhaps be-
cause the young man felt that he could
express himself more satisfactorily In
writing, that his formal application for
the consent of the autocrat reached
Josiah by mail.
The old man read the letter several
times, grooming and grunting. When
he rose there was a grim smile on his
face and look Of determination in his
keen gray eyes.
This was Oh Thursday. In the even
Ing Mrs. Preston reminded him
Aren't you going In to see Jim, pa y
"Dunnos he's calm on me-" testify.
"But youths letter.
Il amt In no hurry 10 answer IL.
I'm maxim up my mind"
A similar reminder the next evening
met with like rebuff.
But on Saturday evening Josiah did
not want to be reminded. He marched
into the best ROOM" carrying a small
basket, and displayed its contents
twenty large eggs, fair and beautiful,
TO the astonished young persons.
There. young man." he growled,
there Is my answer. Three weeks
from tonight, II you bring me fourteen
chickens out'n them twenty eggs, I'll
give my consent"
"All right, Mr. Preston" returned
the young man, easily, ~ shall be on
hand"
"Pa Preston" cried Flower, indig-
nantly, Jim doesn't know anything
shout chicken raising, and
''Tme he did, then" sharply. Hell
have a chance to show what four years
OF science is good for. And any little
thing he don't happen to know You
can learn him." and with a sardonic
chuckle the autocrat tramped out.