The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-04-15
CHAPTER VII.
THE FITTING DINNER.

All fools day in the Seven noun
tains is the time for "fiitt'ns," be the
sign and 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 ones arriving;
cattle m sheep and hogs driven along
the highways; higgins" of every pat
tern piled with a grotesque confusion;
women n children perched high
among the boxes and bureaus and
dressers; old bed posts sticking out at
every angle; and reapers and moving
machines dragged along behind hay
ladders" through the April slush. One
day later you will seek In vain through
all the region for any trace Of a
'1itt'n.'"
Like all other institutions in the
MISUNDERSTANDING, schnittings,
"flitt'ns" are governed by certain in
flexible traditions. AS a rule, only near
relatives are invited to a "hitt'n."
Should this exclusive circle, however,
not possess the requisite number of
"~riggin's," 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, the
affair must be crowned with an ample
dinner furnished by the filter and pre-
sided over by the good fitting 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. It
had come to him like a flash in clear
weather.
step in here, Dan" the squire had
said to him n day in February.
Come into my office, will your" And
he had gone in, greatly wondering.
Your lease expires April 1st, don't
Yes"
I'm sorry, but I can't renew it."
"What-what's that?" It was as II
the air had suddenly been pumped
from the room.
mo; l can't renew it. You See"
why, squire, I've lived on your farm
nine years. Haven't / suited yeh?
I've put a lot Of money out. I've TAX
en- pride in it. I've"
Sorry, Dan, but / can't help It.
You've run 1t well; ! haven't any fault
to find, but that nephew Of mine three
years ago wanted the lease. I'd al
ready made it out to you, but he made
me promise I'd give him the next
chance. 1t seems / signed a paper. I'd
forgot all about 1t till he reminded me
Of it yesterday. He said he was going
to hold me right to It: there's no use
Of my kicking. I'm mighty sorry,
Dan"
But the improvements I've made,
squire"
ITS hard luck; 1 see that. But YOU
know l didn't ask you to make EN-"
But the farms worth double what
1t was when l o 1t, I've sunk more'n
a thousand dollars on it in work and
money; you'll
LAS 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 l was satisfying yeh, why
did you promise him the place? VIII
didn't you tell me?"
1.-THE rascalts a sharper; that's the
long and short Of II. There's no use
trying to hide it; he got the best OF
me, and you know mighty few can say
they ever done that. l didn't realize
bwhat he wanted till 1t was too late
and I'd entirely forgot about it till he
and fast. There's no way out of 1t
Dan. Pm powerless as a child" Ano
Dan, after a moment of protest, hao
given in, despite the flimsy excuse, fol
it is useless, however great h provo
cation, to ran ones head against
stone wall. Now he vas moving into
Sugar Valley, and IL farm wagons
stood in his yard.
The morning had swarmed with sur
prises. The first a come when Amo:
Harding had Syiven up with the squire'i
best team; then had come Rose will
her buggy full of baskets and bundles
to help with the dinner-clearly the ole
man was doing all he could for Dan.
but the crowning sensation, was jim
Farthing, who had driven in late witt
his fathers great team Of Percherons
The workers held their breaths: any
thing might happen now.
Young Jim was In joyous mood; h,
had caught a glimpse OF Rose In tn,
kitchen, and the effect had been magi
cal. There had been small chance I,
speak to her since that eventful nigh