The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1911-09-19
mo Chickens for Sale''
By DONALD ALLEN
Copyright, 1911. by Associated Literary Press-)

But I'm going to take it myself"
said the young man.
And why?"
Il want TO see the girl who owns
that voice"
Nonsense! Mrs. Taylor is as old
as am. don't know OF girl within
live miles OF here
Nevertheless, the young man insist
ed on going. and after the unhappy
pullet had had her neck wrunE ne
started of with the body dangling
from hts right hand. Before his two
mile walk had been accomplished
dusk fallen and the moon had come
up. Thus. as he approa ched the cot
tage he saw figure OF a girl stand
ing In the highway. and heard a voice
calling:
If you are the man with the chick
en- make haste. please. Yes. you have
II. and I'm so glad and thankful. You
see. want to get the soup made right
away. Did you bring change for a
dollar?"
"Well-er-n-o-o." was the reply.
why. you are not farmers hired
mani" exclaimed the girl as she
looked at the chicken carrier for the
first time.
No, but | have brought the fowl.
Let me carry 1t in for you. please.
It's bleeding yet My name is Ches-
ter"
But really"
And do you know how to pick and
dress chicken?"
My stars. but never thought OF
that. and Mrs. Ryder's sound asleep!
| am Miss Frayne, Mrs Taylor's
niece. III have to run up and ask
auntie''
Perhaps ! can help you" said the
young man. trying hard to look wise.
ITO get the feathers of easily you
have to scald the bird believe. Can
you get some hot water?"
I've got big kettle on the stove.
and here's a dishpan. But you mustn't
help. You must take your pay and go.
That is-that-"
That is. I'm going to help with the
chicken You might spoil 1t for soup.
you know. We lay It in the dish. Now
we pour on boiling water. Now we
turn II over. After five minutes the
| feathers will be loosened."
But you are o northumberland you
are young man-and you must live
In the city-and how do you know
II ! don't know how to dress a chick
en- why should your"
And now we take II outdoors" con-
tinued the young man with a smile.
and don't you see how easily the
| feathers come of? And while I'm
holding the body over the flame OF tho
stove for minute you will please get
me the butcher knife. The chicken
must be drawn and then cut up
But why do you help?" asked Miss
Mildred.
Because | feel sorry for Mrs. Ry-
der. and because you don't know how
to dress a chicken. Now the knife.
Now to put the pieces III cold water
and rinse them thoroughly. One piece
will do for all the soup she'll want to-
night. Only about quart OF water.
Now put in the rice and pepper and
salt and boil for 80 minutes. and there
you are. must go now. but I'll drop
In in the morning to see how the pa
tent gets along
But who-who asked you to-"
"Oh. ! furnished the chicken didn' I
II" he answered with a laugh. Good
night"
Forty minutes later. when old Mrs.
Ryder was taking her chicken soup
and telling how good 1t was. she no
ticed serious look on Miss Mildred s
face and asked what had happened
Why. a young man brought this
! chicken"
Bless his kind heart!"
And he dressed 1t for you"
BLESS him some morel"
And he bossed me around terribly
He did. eh?"
And know Just how things are
going to turn out. He'll come here
again tomorrow, and then / shall have
TO ask him TO auntie's house. and
! she'll like him. and he'll like me.
and II. Well. # won't be two
months before he'll say he loves me
and must have me. and-and-"
'And you1l be engaged and then
married and be one of the happiest
brides in the land What a fine chick.
en-! What beautiful soup! Why. that
yourg man is worth his weight in
! gold!"