Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-10-23
DOWN ON
THE FARM
The Rural Lite Didu't Appeal to Billy.


afternoon and. with a sigh that might
have meant any one of NUMBER Oh
disconsolate things. softly SET MS
suitcase down. the other fellows ia
the office were not surprised
They were alarmed.
They thought that something must
have happened To Billy or his glri OF
his family
Anything the natter one oil
them asked. tenderly and sympstnet'
ically.
"Oh. no" answered Billy; mot
thing the matter. I've just decided l"
alter my vacation plans. that's all.
The fellows looked at each other
quickly. significantly. and felt relieved
Billy had elected that summer 70
take his vacation on farm. Inc day
he left he had been sneering aoou' 'ne
"barbar;c violence" that characterized
the business streets ana the "hideous
noises" that "stifled his very soul
He told them that he was going 10 al
old.fashioned farm. where ne eouia
spend a few days as the Creator III
tended man to live"
Naturally his early return was
matter of interest.
Things didn't pan out?" ventured
another. in tones that invited conn
dence. Tell us about 1t, Billy.
Every fellow was looking as solemn
as he could. Consequently Billy talked
mo more" he said decisiveiy. Win
a shudder, as at a bad memory. Down
On the farm may do for the
poets. but hall bedroom and
civilized mattress and gas and bath
tub and running water within waking
distance for mine, every time. Maybe
| picked the wrong farm. There may
be farms all to the good. Just as 'he
poets say. but | don't want TO LOOK
for EN-. Two weeks at that place and
| would have been hopelessly bug
THAT farms about seven miles
from the railroad station. as ! tolu
YOU. 1 think, before left. BY the way
that seems about month ago, IN
stead of three days. My troubles be-
gan at the station and never let up
till got back here.
A yap Of boy with one eheeK
bulged with quid of tobacco ana a
sty on one eye was awaiting me at
the station. He had an old spring
wagon. as they called ii. to which was
hitcbed a plug of horse that seemed
10 he forever trying to make up for
lost sleep. In the back end OF the
wagon was a rocking chair for me 10
sit In. climbed up and perched' eV-
erybody at the station locking on ana
the journey was begun.
Going up the first hill the plug fell
down and broke the harness. The zap
was nearly an hour patching II up
and in the meantime yours faitniuiiy
was calmly baking and Dlistering IN
the sun.
II arrived without further damage
but lust as ! jumped out or the waRo"
one of the numerous dogs about the
Mace discovered that stranger was
i'm their midst and IL took the yap. MS
ma and pa and the hired girl TO get
me safely to the house.
THAT supper, Ill forget it never
Cold hog jowl. pumpkin butter. nall
sour at that. corn bread and butter
milk
Il had to 20 to bed at $50 to keep
from being left alone.
Did you ever hear that talk ABOUT
the luxury and comfort Of real coun
try bed? Jumping into that feather
bed was Just Nike diving. The middle
of NV body sank until my feet were
right in front of my face ! tried the
stomach method OF repose. but my
SHINE was not sufficiently flexible
Finally ] squatted on one side ano
managed to drop into doze. But MOI
for long.
MOSQUITOES, They extended me an
ovation. I hid under a guilt ano
sweated and had nightmare the resi-
of the night.
AT dawn the mosquitoes left and
was getting a wink OF precious sum
her when the farmer pounded on the
foot of the stairs and yelled for the
i van to get up and feed the horses. A
! little later ! was again getting te
sleep when the hired girl banged OF
nv door and told me it was time ts
get I'D aud wash for breakfast
II had to dress before washed
The washing was done in tin BASH
/ in front Of the kitchen door.
Breakfast menu - strong nam
strong coffee, strong eggs and stroni
butter.
And during the meal the b2S.
which occupied a high chair be1--'
me. spilled its milk in Ey i1p- i
didn't mind that. though. for LIS
Just been told that in ray honor th'
dogs had been chained.
AFTER the delightful repsst
though; I'd go for stroll in the yer
dxnt meadow Just abaft the 5arEyard
/ Do.-rf- a hull ror after me | barell