The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-09-21
fContinued.l

ever they chose, and although Mar
ME had never been on a horses back
in her life, she was not in the least
afraid and before her visit was over
she had become very nearly as good
a rider as Doris herself The chill
dren took long rides out into the
surrounding country but they were
always mindful not to over-tax their
patient steeds, and to see that they
were properly watered If they were
gone for long.
Frequently they rode into farm
yards to allow their horses to drink
and many a pleasant visit had they
with the farmers wives and the little
farm children.
Marine thought that next to riding,
the pleasantest feature of the farm
was feeding the chickens and search
ing in the barn and in the made
nests for eggs.
One day she found one old hen
that had stolen her nest up in the
hay-loft and Mrs. Jones, the wife of
the farmer told her to watch the
nest from day to day and perhaps, be-
fore she had finished her visit the
little chicks might be Matched. This
! happened sooner than Marine had ex-
pected. A few days after her dis
covery when she went to take corn
to the old hen, who always pecked
at her for her pains, imagining that
she had come to do her or her nest
harm, Marine heard a faint peep,
peep" and running breathlessly into
the house she told Mrs. Jones that
she thought the chicks had come.
Mrs. Jones accompanied Marine to
the barn and there, sure enough,
were seven little punches of yellow
down!
Now, you will none of you believe
it perhaps, when l tell you that these
were the first baby chickens Marine
had ever seen, but such is the case.
She thought the tiny creatures were
just the cunningest things in the
world
Doris took as much interest in the
brood Us did Marine and the two girls
watched and fed the cross old mother
hen, who was only cross in her anx-
iety for her little ones.
When Sunday came the big old
family 'phaeton" was gotten out and
Mr.. and Mrs. Jones and the two little
visitors, together with Mrs. Methven
and mademoiselle were bundled into
the heavy vehicle and driven to the
tiniest little white church that can
possible be imagined. The kindly
faced preacher delivered such a sweet
simple sermon that Marines heart
was filed with thankfulness and she
was very thoughtful for the re-
mainder of the day.
Mrs Methven had planned picnic
for Monday morning and the chill.
dren of the neighborhood for severa
miles around were invited to attend
The party drove on hay-racks to {
deep grove of trees, miles away. Mrs
Methven said it was a bit early. fol
picnics but as the day was very mild
the children did not find the event a.
all unreasonable.
Such a luncheon as was spread
under the trees, which were scarce
ly leaved out, but which were greer
an bright Notwithstanding! Near a
hand there was a fine orchard whicl
was fragrant with blossoms. Marni
: had never even imagined anythin,
one-half so beautiful.
The rosy farmer boys and girl
were all citation too, for their holt
days were not so frequent that the
did not enjoy them to the fulles
J when they did come. All sorts of oil
e fashioned games were INDUCED il
and then, promptly at noon, the bias
! kets were brought from the wagons
and the goodies within were tempt
ingly arrayed under the eyes of tn
{ hungry frolickers.
i There was cold chicken, ham
s jellies, cookies, cake and all sorts 0
: sandwiches, and there was plenty O
good milk and stuffed eggs and plat
: hard-boiled eggs, and number of tn
t children lent a hand in the arrang
: ing of these things in true picni
fashion.
After they had partaken of tn
T sumptuous feast, Mrs Methven sal
: she had surprise for them. Their
were to be Olympian games, wit
s prizes for the winners. Also othe
!. games and contests.
What are Olympian games?
\ cried the children.
Mrs. Methven explained that the
were athletic games and jumpin
:. and feats Of strength. The CIR