Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1906-11-21


had "bit off bigger end than he could
chew" He kept his nerve, however,
which, considering his youth, was no
more than he should have done.
Then came a season in which the
crops on the Bickford farm were
larger than they had ever been be-
fore. 1t happened that there was a
foreign war, and the price of grain
was advanced enormously. When the
years profit was cleaned up the farmer
found himself in possession Of two
average years income instead OF one.
The sale of Johns chicken farm was
coming on, and Mrs. Bickford hoped
that, considering her husbands good for
tune. he would pay off the mortgage.
He did not. and the property was Sold
Wife" said Farmer Bickford one
day in November, what you going to
do about Thanksgiving
Nothing. Nobody but you has any
thing to be thankful for"
"Well," said the farmer, unruff1ed,
"John and Mandy have had a hard
time Of 1t this year. I'm not so mean
as to grudge 'em a dinner and good
one. l expect they need 1t. Invite 'em
here for Thanksgiving and get up the
best dinner money will buy"
Suppose they won't comeT
"They'll miss the dinner"
Mrs. Bickford and her daughter felt
that they could not willingly sit down
to a Thanksgiving dinner with so
stingy q husband and father. John
urged them to accept, and when he
found their resolution fixed not to do
so declared that he would dine with
bis father-in-law without them. Mrs.
Bickfori prepared the dinner and then
went over to her daughter, who was
still on the chicken farm, the two In.
tending to have dinner by themselves.
"Tell him." said Mrs. BickfOrd to
John, that as all our daughter can af-
ford Is tea and toast l shall share II
with her"
John set off to his father-in-law's.
He had not been there long before he
returned to his house and protested
earnestly that his mother-in-law and
his wife were acting unwlsely and un-
naturally.
John was head Of his family, and his
wife succumbed and consented to go
with him. AS Mrs. Bickford did not
care to remain away alone both went
to the Bickford farm and all sat down
to table.
=. give chosen Thanksgiving day." said
the farmer. "to end a family feud.
Johns exploit has ended just where /
believed it would and has been fail
ure Nevertheless from the time he
was married | resolved to save what
money he would sink, for I knew he
would need 1t in the end. I got to-
gether half the amount needed to pay
cash for the farm before this last crop
was marketed, and now l have the
whole. | intended to buy the farm for
you, Mandy; but, seeing your husband
learns faster than you, I've bought II
for him."
He threw on the table deed to the
chicken farm made out to John VIII
liams.
"Why, thought Lawyer Groat bought
the chicken farm" exclaimed Mrs.
Bickford.
$50 he dld-for me-"
Mandy sprang into her fathers arms.
at wasn't Johns fault that he fail
ed" the farmer went on. ut was the
fault of his inexperlence. admired
his pluck, but determined to let him
benefit by the experience. The har-
vesting Of this last crop has been too
much for an old man like me, and I'm
going to turn over the details Of Its
management to him. But, as I believe
no house is big enough for two fam
lilies. you children are to remain at the
chicken farm. using it for home and
nothing more. Does that suit you,
John?"
John grasped the farmers hand,
while Mandy chung to his neck. Mrs.
BicLfOrd scarcely found room to give
her husband a kiss. Then. after nor.
NAL condition was attained, they be
gan to discuss the best dinner that
money could buy.
Visitors in that region are puzzled at
the name Chicken Farm" given to one
of the prettieSt places thee. since II is
nothing like a farm. and there are no
chickens on it. Occasic.al'y ~ in
quirer gets the story Of how II g'ia.'d
Its singula~ n9rp
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