The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-04-15
CHAPTER VII.
THE FITTING DINNER.

All fools day in the Seven noun
tatns is the time for "fitt'ns," be the
sign n the moons phase what they
may. Everywhere on this April morn
ing you will meet long lines of vehicles
loaded with household goods-every-
where a Kaleidoscope OF movement: old
families leaving. new mes arriving;
cattle n sheep and hogs driven along
the highways; higgins of every pat
tern piled with a grotesque confusion;
among the boxes and bureaus and
dressers; old bed posts sticking out at
every angle; and reapers moving
machines dragged along behind hay
ladders" through the April slush. One
day later you will seek in vain through
all tho region for any trace of a
"fitt'n.'"
Like all other institutions in the
Observation-Disclosures. schnittings,
infares. apple-butterings. weddings
flexible traditions. AS a rule. only near
relatives are invited to a "fitt'n."
Should this exclusive circle, however,
not possess the requisite number Of
higgins" then others are very well
come. for it is unlucky if there be not
teams enough to take everything at one
grand trip. Finally, like all things else
in the Dutch belt, even funerals, he
affair must be crowned with an ample
dinner furnished by the filter and pre-
AlS OScI Oy liz ROOO 0J1t1nP wife
So much of fittings.
Dan Tressler was moving into Sugar
Valley. Six weeks before nothing had
been farther from his intention. but
much may happen in six weeks. 1t
had come to him like q flash in clear
weather.
step in here. Dan." the squire had
said to him n day in February.
Come into my office, will you?" And
he had gone in, greatly wondering.
Your lease expires April LIST. don't
Yes"
"What-what's that?" It was as IL
the air had suddenly been pumped
from the room.
No; 1 amt renew it. You see"
why, squire. I've lived on your farm
nine years. Haven't 1 suited yeh?
I've put a lot Of money out. rye tax.
en- pride in 1t. I've"
Sorry. Dan, but I can't help it.
You've run It we'll: I haven't any fault
years ago wanted tho lease. I'd al
ready made it out to you, but he made
me promise I'd give him the next
chance. 1t seems I signed a paper. I'd
forgot all about it till he reminded me
of it yesterday. He said he was going
to hold me right to it; there's no use
Dam ~
But the improvements rve made.
SQUIRE"
ITS hard luck: I see that. But Won
know I didn't ask you to make 'em."
But h FARMS worth double what
1t was when l took 1t. I've sunk more'n
q thousand dollars on 1t in work and
money: youth
A I say, that's your own matter.
I didn't require 1t. You did it on your
own responsibility. It's your lookout"
But If I was satisfying yeh, why
did you promise him the place? Why
didn't you tell me?"
The rassaIs a sharper: that's the
trying to hide it; he got the best Of
me. and you know mighty few can say
they eve o that. l didn't realize
what he wanted till 1t was too late,
Ia entirely forgot about it till he
came in yesterday. He's got me tight
and fast. There's no way out of 1t,
Dan. I'm powerless as a child" And
Dan, after a momen of protest, had
given in. despite the fiimsy excuse. for
IT Is useless. however great the provo
cation. to ram ones head against a
stone wall. Now he was moving into
Sugar Valley, and IL farm wagons
stood in his yard.
The morning had swarmed with sur
prises. The fret had come when Amos
best team: then had come Rose with
her buggy full of baskets and bundles
to help with the dinner-clearly the old
man was doing all he could for Dan;
but h crowning sensation was Jim
Farthing. who had driven in late with
his father's great team Of Percherons.
The workers held their breaths: any
thing might happen now.
Young Jim was In Joyous mood; he
had caught a glimpse Of Rose in the
kitchen. n the effect had been magi-
cal. There had been small chance to
sneak to her since that eventful night