The San Francisco call., 1910-07-03

little or 1t represented profit. That
would come in the next order.
But the next order didn't arrive, even
though a numerous family OF rowing
martins came to reside at their new
hotel within a week, and they ate up
thousands of insects, Just as Frank pre-
dicted they would. Ned's uncle said
they would do more to protect the
crops that summer than a dozen farm
hands. During this summer the boys
had various bites" and the big tour
ing car was in great demand among
the jolly young farmers. who liked
nothing better than to be taken over
to the property" and given a good
dinner at the hotel afterward. but they
didn't do anything in return except
give us the laugh" as Frank said dis
gustedly.
Even long article on the associa-
tion in the Prairieville Clarion did lit
tie good. They needed more en-
phatic waking up and proper real
ization of the benefit to be gained
Frank, to stimulate this interest, took
list OF all the prosperous farmers for
miles around and sent them to the
agricultural department and to several
bird societies interested in reviving
the purple martin. He requested leaf
let's and pamphlets to be forwarded to
these people, and after allowing ten
days to e1apSe he sent each one type
WTitLeu ClTCuiaE IetLST SJdL1nS InaL ne
would pay him visit in regard to the
question OF martin conservation"
tell you Frank was Tive wire" when
1t came to original advertising stunts!
And 1t worked better than Frank
dreamed it would-not in a flood of
orders, but In renewed and serious in
terest in the subject. Franks efforts
were taken seriously this time because
his prospective clients" were prepared
by the mass of articles and printed
matter sent to them. So many of his
personal invitations were accepted to
visit the martin house that he was
swamped and finally set day in early
summer as martin house day" when
all the parties interested would be
transported to the hotel as fast as the
automobile could go for them. He ex-
pected to take enough orders then for
the next season to keep the association
busy all summer.
Frank was very hopeful for the
events of the morrow when he retired
the night before the great day. 1t took
him long time to go to sleep, and it
didn't seem as IL he'd closed his eyes
five minutes when he was awakened by
BilPs excited voice:
Frank, get up! There's a big fire
up the river. Looks to me like it's the
Prairie house"
Frank rushed to the window and
looked There could be no doubt-it
was the Prairie house! All his great
dreams were shattered now The fire
grew brighter as he watched, and there
could be no chance Of saving the mar
tin house. as 1T stood within rs feet of
the hotel walls. The hotel was several
miles up the river. but Frank insisted
on dressing and going to the scene OF
the fire. He and Bill hitched up the
surrey and drove over as fast as they
could. II was plain the fire had been
burning a long time, for before they
had gone half way the flames died
down and daylight dawned, showing a
thick pail of smoke where the trim lit
tie hotel had stood.
Frank arrived at the hotel grounds
and found nearly all juvenile Prairie
vile there. A familiar voice sang out
a greeting, and he spied what at first
looked like human scarecrow, but the
blackened, smoke stained face turned
out TO be Ned's.
well, j suppose fits all over for to-
morrow, Ned. and I'm mighty sorry for
your uncle. too. / hope he was in
sured," said Frank, dejectedly, ana
then he saw to his surprise that Ned's
black face was grinning like a negro
minstrels.
Yes, uncle won't lose cent. and as