The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-20
THE EVENING STORY
The Mushroom Farm.
(By J. Ludlum Lee.)

The Mushroom Farm.
By j. Ludlum Lee.)
The girls were holding an indignation
Injecting. Clara Carruthers was curled
up. on the window ledge, Myrtle Reed
had stretched herself comfortably on
1.-THE lounge, Mary Sands was perched on
the side of a table swinging her feet,
while two or three other girls were
icomfortably seated in armchairs. Myr-
/ tie Reed was reading the Goshen
Leader the principal local paper.
i Girls, it ought to be stopped! Here
she is, advertising for a man to fix the
roof of that old stable. Yesterday she
wanted a man to fix the furnace, and
the day before it was a boy she wanted
to water the mushroom beds. Her fam
| lily are poor enough without encourag-
| ing Florence Weiss in any more of her
foolish fads. Why don't she marry, as
the rest Of us have done?"
That's what / asked Jack the other
night" chimed in Mary Sands. But
she says she hates the men, and wants
to raise mushrooms and make a for
tune of her own. Her grandmother left
her 5000, you know, and that is what
she invested in the mushroom fad.
Lets go down in body and apply
for the job" suggested Clara. 1t is
glorious day and the walk will do us
good"
In the meantime Florence Weiss was
unlocking the door of the old stable.
Dressed in short walking spirit and
scarlet sweater, with an old tam O.
shanter on her golden hair, she made
a picture most unfarmer-like. Her blue
eyes sparkled with anticipation as she
entered the cellar of the stable to view
her precious mushrooms. Florence had
ideas and ideals, and she meant to live
up to both. If the family expected her
to marry just to replete their purse,
they would be sadly disappointed. Wo-
men were born for nobler things, she
argued and she would go forth and
make money with her own hands and
brains, and not tie herself to any man:
She knelt down by the side of one of
the beds and, with spoon, cut off
tiny mushroom, sprung up over night.
She examined the spawn in another
bed felt the temperature of third,
a ID then went to the door to call
Malachi, the boy whom she employed
to do chores.
Malachi! Malachii" she called, but
Malachi did not appear, SO she went
out to look for him. Behind the stable
on the side hill she found him covered
with tar and beating a fire.
Malachi, what is all this?" she de-
manded. Il
Yes, ma'am-you see, ma'am-oh
Lord, miss, rye set fire to the tar" he
walled. You see, miss, 1 was gettin
ready for the man to fix the roof an
I opened the barrel of tar an 1T
wouldn't run, so I thought, you see,
ma'am, thought I'd melt it-yes,
ma'am."
well, Malachi, you're an idiot-that's
what you are, and never want to see
your face again. You've melted 1t all
right, and I'll have to buy more tar at
IS a barrel e.t
Malachi was discharged, and the man
who applied to put on a new roof was
installed in his place.
''Clean up the place. said Florence.
when asked what he should do until
more tar arrived for the roof.
Florence started for town, and so
missed the call that the girls paid. She
was back the next morning, however, to
see her new man started on his work |
Get some of that fertilizer, Joseph, |
and bring it to me. This bed Is in very |
poor condition, and will never yield
anything unless we work on 1t.
Joseph stared in blank amazement.
Fertilizer, ma'am," he said. lis 1T
that pile of rotten stuff that was lyin'
out yonder what you're speakin' off"
Yves! Yesr' answered Florence.
Right there at the side door"
well, I'm after durnpin' it in the
,rook ma'arn." he announced. You
old me to clean UP the place, and
lone it, ma am, to the best of my abil-
ty," and he Strengthened up his some-
what bent shoulders, as If to eEnpha-
Size his brilliant stroke of work.
It was too much, added to the loss OF
he barrel of tar, and Florence sat down
IN the damp cellar floor and cried But
lot for long. She soon dried the tears
niger on the head of Joseph. He stood
or moment listening, then turned
md went out, muttering:
II thought it was lady, but might
# knowed diggin' in the dirt never
made a lady yet And Joseph was
hing of the past.
Florence sat upon the stone wall to | I
hink it over. Eight dollars for the tar
( yesterday, twelve for the fertilizer of
oday. Ideas were not always practical,
nd ideals did not materialize as they |
1ight. Fight as she would against |
hem, the tears would come again. The
ound of wheels on the road near at |
and reused Florence. She turned to
ee the express wagon from the general |
tore about to deliver the barrel of tar.
he jumped down from the fence and .
urried to the gate which led to the old :
table.
why, Mr.. Rivers, what are you do
ng? Driving the express wagen?' she !
reclaimed as she recognized in the !
river one of Goshens leading young
1en.
Hello. Flo" he cried, as he tied the
Id horse to the gate post. Its me all |
light, just loafing around for a few
avs finishing up business trip. DadI G
aid you ordered this tar from the +
tore, and said I'd deliver it and kill !
No birds with one throw. I was COM | /,
ag up to see the wonderful mushrooms i
nyway- before / left. Call your man I
D help me unload The barrel. will your
20, Dick-Mr. Rivers, mean. / /
aven't any man, nor any boy, nor any /
Yes I've been crying"
he added, as he glanced sharply at the
wet cheeks. You see," she
rent. on, i've had bad luck with my
They wandered instinctfyely toward
he wall. Dick took out his pipe and
egan to light it.
Didn't your idea work out ?'' he said
18th fine impersonal interest.
ssNJof vary xua11 he admitted. 4 :