The San Francisco call., 1909-08-22

officer. with assumed incredulity. that
the pig stays here at night?"
'oh, yes, sir" answered the woman.
simply, but he doesn't make much
noise. He's quiet pig. sir"
Nevertheless this woman listened
eagerly to the promise of the board
that presently changes would be made
which would exclude the well man
nered pig from the dwelling.
Neatness in Cramped Quarters
Another house. Noticeably neat, this
one. The stone floor swept, the table
scrubbed. the dishes and pans gleam-
ing. True, two calves lay in corner,
undergoing the process of weaving. and
a setting hen with an unfriendly eye
brooded over her eggs in another. Yet
the place was clean and had an at
mosphere of decent comfort. On the
dresser stood two mugs filed with
bright wild flowers from the hedge
rows
Out of the gloom by the fireplace
stepped a young girl. IS years old per-
haps with a trim, 1.-THE figure Her
bright print dress did not reach her
bare ankles. Her hair, unbraided, fell
in black waves over her shoulders.
Her pretty face was frightened by
dancing blue eyes and dazzling teeth.
Her manner was as calm and courteous
as If she had been conscious of a well
fitting directoire gown and was re-
ceiving her visitors in a Louis Quinze
drawing room. 1t was so gracious
that 1t put me at my ease. l was
grateful for the feeling. 1t robbed our
rfCf+ IL -
could not be absent from such an in
spection of the homes of strangers.
The fact that a government official
was present excused the call; but this
girls frank and easy welcome made it
a pleasure.
Eager for New Home
My mother is at market" she ex-
planned, and L am looking after the
house and the children. 1 am very
glad to see you"
And how are you getting along?''
was the official question.
AS well as may be. sir" answered
the girl. I'VE are doing the best we
can until the board helps us do some
thing better"
Wen. when the board does get you
some land and helps your father to
build a better house. with a stable and
a house for the chickens, do you think
you'll be able to get along better?"
''Ah, sir" with a fash OF the white
teeth, you needn't be asking that.
Sure. I've seen some of the new houses,
with their big windows and their fine,
concrete floors and all, and 1 know
We'll have a home TO be proud of
Father is away in England at the har-
vesting. and the biggest boy is work
ing for the board in the river. THEY'LL
both be ready for the work when you
1t be. sir?" she added, wistfully.
CHEEKY Assurances
Soon, now" was the CHEEKY answer
of the official, and you must be
planning how to make your new home
comfortable and pretty. You'll be able
to have flowers in your own yard then
and these calves will have fine stable
to live in instead of taking up room
in the house.
But ] am sure YOU will make the
best of your opportunities for / see
that you are keeping this house as
clean and comfortable as you cam
AS we turned to the door the official
remarked again: II am glad to see so
pleasant place"
The girl swept him a curtsey
Thank you. sir" she said. Il am
entirely pleased with your company
1t was a quaint expression. and car
ried a very pleasant SAVIOR of gracious
ness and sincerity.
So we went through the other
houses. They differed from one an
other only in degree; none was wholly
fit for human habitation. A year from
now all will be changed. Those poor
homes will be swept away. the inhabf-
tants established in comfortable, sani-
tary dwellings and another colony of
self-respecting, self supporting men
and women started on its way