Evening journal., 1910-08-18
AGoodBegiinning
BY ESTELLE MARSH
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

"Dick." said his aunt Il think you
are making a mistake in not marrying
Jenny now. Start in with what you
have and it will grow"
Dick Larramore was very much i'm
pressed with his aunt's advice He
talked with Jenny about 1t, and they
agreed that they would make a be-
ginning at once. Together they could
raise $50. and they knew Of cottage
they could get for 500 a month. They
fixed a date for their wedding and
began to hunt for furniture that they
could pick up at small cost
One day Dick heard of an auction
sale OF household goods that was to
take place in a neighboring village and
concluded to go over and see If he
could get anything that would help
him and Jenny at their housekeeping
He bought a dining table for 81 and
a sideboard for So. Among other
things put up for sale was basket
full of shells. eggs and other oddities.
Dick had always taken great interest
In curious things and had quite a col
lection of old dirk knives, bits of un-
common metals, shells and other ar
hcles There were two large eggs in
the basket he saw at the auction that
excited his curiosity. He had never
seen eggs of that size or shape He
forgot for the time being that he need
ed furniture and began TO bid on the
basket of curios. An old woman seem
ed to covet them and bid against him
till she had raised her offer to 81. Dick
bid S7.25, and the basket was knocked
down to him.
That brought him to his senses. He
had invested about one-tenth of all
he had to spend for furniture in a
basket of worthless trinkets. He was
so disgusted with himself that he left
the auction and drove home.
The boldest thing he had ever thus
far done was facing Jenny, showing
her. among his purchases. the basket
of knickknacks.
why, Dickr she exclaimed when
she saw the latter
Dick hung his head.
They'll make a nice ornament for
our sitting room," said the girl. seeing
by Dicks rueful appearance that he
regretted his purchase as much as she
did, and. putting her arms around his
neck, she gave him a kiss.
what big eggs those are!" she said.
what bird laid them?"
Il don't know" said Dick, "and /
don't care"
Wen ask Professor Drummond'
Jenny showed Professor Drummond
the eggs, and he pronounced them
auk's eggs.
whats an aukr' asked Jenny.
MISUNDERSTANDING birds with 9
pointed bill. very short wings and legI
placed very far back. Penquins be
long to the alcidae family I'm no
sure" he continued. examining tn,
eggs critically, but these are eggs o
the great aux"
rs the great aux superior to tn
restT" asked Jenny.
"In one respect They are extreme
ly rare. Indeed, l think they are ex
tinct"
"If they are extinct how came thes
eggs to be in exlstence?"
''They must have been procured b'
fore the birds extinction. At any rat,
they are great curiosities. They mus
be very valuable"
Jenny's heart leaped for joy. Pei
haps they could sell them for wha
Dick gave for them. This would II
lieve his mind. and they could bu
some kitchen utensils she needed.
do you think. professor" she asket
"that we could get as much as So
for themT
The professor smiled. 'Tf they ar
great auk's eggs" he replied. you ca
get more than a hundred times $T.25
Jenny opened her eyes.
Il would advise you to put theI
away carefully. l will bring Profess
or Wilson. the naturalist. to see then
He viii settle the question whetht
they are great auk's eggs OF not"
Jenny put the eggs away. II was a
she could do to keep from telling Die
what the professor had said. but 81
shrank from raising her lovers e.
pectations to have them blighted. {
she kept her secret. and the next da
the two professors called. looked |
the eggs, and Professor Wilson pr
nounced the eggs those OF the grei
aux. He gave their value at about
thousand dollars each. He agreed
send a man who would offer for the
all they were worth except a ia
profit
Jenny kept her secret in fine styl
though she said. Heaven knows VIII
a struggle / have TO do SOY One nigl
when Dick came tossee her she said
him
"Dick. you know what a poor bu:
ness man you showed yourself in bu
ing that basket OF trinkets."
'Please bury that matter"
well. since you were so stupid
TO buy those things 1 think ! had be
ter sell them for you. I've sold d
two big eggs already"
sold themY'
''Yes. got a good price for them.
"How muchG
1.-TWO thousand dollars"
"Stop your nonsense and tell me"
Jenny drew a check for $1,000 al
: tried to show it to him. but her fe
ings overcame her. and. throwing h
hi 20 =