The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1906-08-31

"Only on one coz ition," she ex-
plained. will he part with his speck-
led biddy. and that is that co1sent
to become his wife
The rich man leaned back in his
chair and laughed. IL was the first
time in many years that his risibles
had operated. and his household was
greatly stirred.
Very we'll" he said. when soberness
had returned 10 him. promise TO bs
his wife"
When the maiden returned again a
great joy was in her breast. aud she
brought 10 her father the speckled hen.
The moment the rich man touched
the hen she caclled and a diamond
weighing AHA karats rolled upon the
floor The rich man said "Ahi"
Whereat the hen eackled again and
another diamond as large as the first
hit the carpet
So the rich man went on stroking
the hens back and saying "Ahl" and
the diamonds continued 10 accumulate.
When il was roosting time and the
hen exhibited a tendency to become
nervous the rich man penned her in a
corner and went on stroking her until
he had diamonds enough to fh a bar
rel. At last. physically exhausted, he
set the hen on the back OF gilt chair
and went to bed.
In the morning he got up early and
stroked the hens back. whereupon she
began once more TO produce diamonds.
While he was thus delightfully."- en-
gagged there came to the door a poor
youth who called for the rich mans
daughter. and when she appeared he
took her in his arms and kissed her.
saying he had come to claim her for
his wife.
Then the rich man, who had been
peeping out OF the southeast corner OF
one eye and listening with one ear.
rushed forth and ordered the youth
away.
BE gone. vagab0nd." he cried. "or
will have you turned over to the po-
lice"
But" the youth replied. If | go
your daughter must come with me.
have her promise that she will become
my wife"
The rich man Knocked him and re-
fused to deliver his daughter or to re-
turn the speckled hen. and the youth
was dragged away TO prison Then
the rich man returned to the hen ami
stroked her back again. but she
blinked after the manner OF hens and
refused TO lay. A scora II times the
rich man tried 10 again start up the
diamond works. but his efforts were
unrewarded. The hen was as obstl-
nate as country constable who knows
the owner OF the automobile has at
least $50 on his person At last the
rich man went 10 the seer and laid the
matter before him.
Gazing into his crystal. the seer
said:
You have not kept faith with the
youth. II you had done 50 all would
have been well. After he had married
your daughter you could have be-
slowed great wealth upon him and the
hen would have kept on laying for you
until you had gratiied your ambition
to become the richest man of all times
AS II is. you must either give back
the hen-ln which case all the dia-
monds she has laid thus far will at
once melt away and you can never be-
come the richest man in the world
or you must give to the youth your
daughter to live with him In penury
where you may never see her again"
And II now give her TO him shall
still become the richest man the
world has ever seen or ever will seeg''
"Yes. The moment your daughter
becomes his wife the hen will again
begin laying diamonds: but IN that
case your child. who might have had
great happiness II you had kept faith
with the youth. viii be unhappy all
her days"
The rich man went home and put
the hen in one room and his daughter
into another. Then he sent out for the
youth. and when the youth had been
brought in the rich man looked at him
long and earnestly and paced the ficor
and ran his fingers through his hair
and fell into deep thought.
A score OF times he decided and as
many times gave up his decision. but
AZ last he took the young man by the
hand and led him TO a closeu door.
saying:
Enter and take for your own what
you shall find in this room"
Which. think you. followed. a sigh
Dr. a cackleg-Chicago Record Herald.