The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1907-01-16
An AutOCrat of
!: The Poultry Farm
By Ohio B. Sensa
By Ohio B. SenSa
Copyright, 1906. by C. II. Sutcliffe


: Copyright, 1906. by C. II. Sutclifse
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Josiah Preston always had been Of q
despodc disposition, but his natural
tendency Ia this direction seemed to
strengthen after his nemuneradvs ex-
periments in poultry raisins.
JosIah's Haind appareatiy heh but
one thought-his hers. The earth was
made for the sole purpose Of previding
them with scratching ground The
sun rose to give them hight and warmth:
night followed day that they might
have time to rest
When Flower Preston, Josiah's only
daughter, came bone from boarding
school, and her father discovered by
diligent questioning that the words In
cubator, brooder, trap nest. bone cutter
elected no answering enthusiasm. he
grunted sarcastically, "A gal that's
been to boardin' school for three years
and don't know leg band from bone
cutterr'
"You must learn about things as soon
as you can, DEAR" whispered the moth
er nervously. IF 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; .I amt raised the only fool there
is in this county"
.sThere, 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 thing
but bugs"
Maybe his pa wanted him to-" re-
marked Mrs. Preston paci6cally.
WAL" harshly, Il can't crow over
Squire Curtis none. His boy don't
know nothin' but bugs, and, as near as
I kin fgger out, that gal don't know
nothin' at all. The only advantage is
it took her year less to learn it,"
When young Curtis began calling at
the farm. which he did with suspicious
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 purpied; he clutched at
his collar band as if he were choking.
''You don't mean he gaspcd.
Mrs. Preston nodded.
Don't take it so hard, pa" she mur-
INJURED soothingly. "Jim Curtis IS
one Of the likeliest young men, and"-
Il could stand it better If 'twan't for
the bugs" he moened 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-
sled ones-in his pas back yard"
Josiah only groaned.
And, pa, it's all arranged, oaly
said he'd have to be old fashioned
enough to 1sk your consent, and Flow
er. like a good girl, said she'd never
marry anybody without her pas con-
sent. That's a good deal nowadays,
pa"
Perhaps 1t was because Of Josiah's
reputation for irasctbility, 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, groaning and grunting. When
he rose there was a 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 gee Jim, pa?'
"Dunno,s he's calm on me-" testify.
"But youths letter.
Il amt in no hurry 10 answer It.
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 q small
basket, and displayed it's contents