Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1908-02-01
The X, ac
Mushroom
Farm BY }. LuDLUM
VI uHHs LEE.
Copyright 1907, by p. c. Eastment

up OH the window ledge. Myrtle Reed
had stretched herself comfortably or
the lounge. Mary Sands was perched
on the side of table swinging her
feet, while two or three other girls
were comfortably seated In armchairs
Myrtle Reed was reading the Goshen
Leader, the principal local paper
Girls. 1t ought to he stopped. Here
she is advertising for man to fix the
roof of that old stable. Yesterday she
wanted a man to fix the furnace. and
the day before II was boy she want
ed 10 water the mushroom beds. Her
family are poor enough without en-.
couraging Florence Weiss In any more
of her foolish fads Why doesn'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 for
tune OF her own. Her grandmother
left her $500, you know. and that is
what she invested in the mushroom
fad"
Lets 20 down in body and apply
for the job" suggested Clara. ut 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 skirt and
scarlet sweater, with an old tam-o'
shanter on her golden hair. she made n
picture most unfarmerlikc. Her blue
eyes sparklcd 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. II the family expected her
10 marry just to replete their purse
they would he sadly disappointed. Wo
men were born for nobler things. she
argued. and she would go forth and
make money with her own hands ana
brains and not tic herself to any man.
She knelt down by the side of one
Of the beds and with spoon cut of
tiny mushroom sprung up overnight
She examined the spawn in another
bed. felt the temperature of a third
and then went 10 the door 10 call Mala
chi. the boy whom she employed to dc
chores.
Malachi. Malachi" she called out
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 fire
Malachi, what is all this;' she de
mandcd.
ayes. ma'am-you see. ma'am-0
Lord, miss. I've set fire to the tar" he
walled. You see. miss | was gettin
ready for the man to fix the roof. an
opened the barrel of tar. an Il
wouldn't run, so | 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 al
right and I'll have to buy more tar AZ
IS n barrel"
Malachi was discharged, and the
man who applied to put on a new rooi
was installed In his place.
Clean up the place" said Florence
when asked what he should do unit
more tar arrived for the roof.
Florence started for town and sc
missed the call that the girls paid
She was back the next morning, how
ever, TO see her new man started on
his work
and bring 1t TO me- This bed Is in very
poor condition and will never yield
anything unless we work on IT,"
Joseph stared in blank amazement.
Fertilizer, ma'am." he said. rs II
that pile of rotten stuff that was lyin
out yonder what you're speakin' of"
"Yes. yes" answered Florence
Right there ut the side door"
We'll I'm after dumpin' II in the
brook. ma'am." he announced. You
told me to clean up the place, and
done 1t. ma'am. TO the best OF my abil
ity." And he Strengthened up his some
what bent shoulders as II to emphasize
his brilliant stroke of work.
II was too much added TO the loss OF
the barrel of tar. and Florence sat
down on the damp cellar floor and
cried. but not for long. She soon dried
the tears on her old apron and vented
her bitter anger on the head OF Joseph
He stood for moment listening, then
turned and went out, muttering;
II thought II was lady. but !
might of knowed diggin' IN the dirt
never made lady yet" And Joseph
was thing OF the past
Florence sat upon the stone wall &c
think II over. Eight dollars for the tai
OF yesterday, $l2 for the fertilizer OF
today, Ideas We're not always prac'
teal. and ideals did not materialize rs
they might Fight as she would against
them, the tears would come again
The sound of wheels on the road near
at hand reused Florence She turned
to see the express wagon from the gen.
eral store about to deliver the barrel
OF tar She jumped down from the
fence and hurried 10 the gate which
IaI 20. no .fI afaIta