The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-07-16
TEE EVENING STORY


despotic disposition, but his natural
tendency in this direction seemed 10
strengthen after his remunerative ex-
periments in poultry raising.
Josiah's mind apparently held but one
thought-his hens; the earth was mace
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 restl
When Flower Preston, Josiah's only
daughter, came home from boarding
school, and her father discovered by
dilgent questioning that the words m
cubator, brooder, trap-nest, bone-eutter
elected no answering enthusiasm, ne
grunted sarcastically, "A gal that's
been to boardin' school for three years
and don't know a leg-band from bone
cutteri"
You must learn about things as
soon as you can. dear, whispered tne
poultry-talk with your pa you might
just as well be in the desert OF san
ary!"
There's one comfort continued Jo-
siah; I amt raised the only fool there
There. there. pa" Mrs. Preston
spoke soothingiy, What IS the mat
ter?"
college t'other day, and what do you
thin, instid of studyin' law SOS 10
help his pa, he's been studyin' bugs
Four years in college, and don't know
thing but bugs!"
Maybe his pa wanted him to-" re-
marked Mrs. Preston, Practically.
wall" harshly. I can't crow over
Squire Curtis none. His boy don't
I kin hgger out, that gal know notnln
at all. The only advantage is 1t took
her a year less to learn iti''
When young Curtis began calling al
fuv fr-71 f7nr GIIzntCf0lIE
promptness, Josiah's cup of misery was
full
For the lands sake!" he exclaimed
testify to his wife. cant you go IN
there and set?" 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 we're chok-
ing.
Mrs. Preston nodded.
Don't take it so hard, pa" she
murmured. soothingly Jim Curtis IS
/ one of the likeliest young men. and
st could stand It better if 'twan' [
didn't want to be a lawyer like his
pa. why didn't he take up somethin'
sensibler than bugs. What good IS a
1 bug? Bugs-millions on 'em-couldn't
hatch out one chickenr
Hes studying bees now, pa, and
they're good for honey" appeasingly;
che has ever so many hives-new-
tangled ones-in his pas back yard. -"
Josiah only groaned.
And, pa, it's all arranged, only I
20 he al d-f cf7 a
enough to ask your consent; and
Flower like a good girl. said she d
never marry anybody without her pa S
consent. That's a good deal nova
days, pa"
Perhaps it was because of Josiah's
reputation for Feasibility, perhaps be-
cause the young man felt that he
could express himself more satisfac-
torily in writing, that his formal ap-
plication for the consent of the auto
crat reached Josiah by mail
The old man read the letter several
times, groaning and granting. When
/ he rose there was grim smile on his
face and look of determination In his
/ keen gray eyes.
This was on Thursday. In the even
ing Mrs. Preston reminded him" Aren't
you going in to see Jim, Pa"
"Dunno's he's calm on me" testify.
But youths letter.
Il amt in no hurry to answer 1t. I'm
maxim up my mind"
A similar reminder the next evening
met with a 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. If you bring me fourteen chick
ems outn them twenty eggs, III give my
/ consent.
"AIl right. Mr. Preston" returned the
young man, easily, Il shall be inland"
Pa PrestonY' cried Flower, indig-
nantly. Jim doesn't know anything
about embarrassing. and"
Time he did. them sharply, he'll
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 sardonic chuckle
! the Autocrat tramped out. leaving a
| greatly perplexed young man and a
dismayed. fearful girl.
He knows you can't do it, she
sobbed Three weeks from tonight =
Good thing he gave plenty Of time ="
| observed jim. cheerfully-
Plenty of timer echoed Flower,
despairingly. why. jim. don't you
| know that twenty-one days are required
to hatch chickens?"
well, I'll buy a hen on my way
home and put her right to work" with
twinkling eyes.
There's very little chance Of your
being able to get a setting hen,
gloomily-
rs that particular breed2" limo
Gently.
"Jim Curtis, Don't you know that
you must have hen that wants to
set? You can't make one hatch eggs
If she doesn't want to-
'Well, I can buy an incubator" un-
dauntedly.
YOU'D be four or five days late by
the time you could order one and
have it shipped here. And tomorrow
is Sunday OH" she cried. under
standingly "Pa had It all planned
that's the reason he wouldn't see you
until tonight"