The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-08-25
mo Chickens for Sale"
By DONALD ALLEN


But I'm going TO take It myself"
said the young man.
And why7"
Il want TO see the girl who owns
that voice"
'"Nonsensel Mrs Taylor is as old
as am don't know OF a girl within
i've miles OF here"
Nevertheless, the young man insist.
ed on going. and after the unhappy
pullet had had her neck wrung he
started on with the body dangling
from his right hand Before his two
mile walk had been accomplished
dusk fallen and the moon had come
up. Thus. as he approached the cot
tage ho saw a figure OF girl stand
Ing IN the highway. and heard a voice
calling:
III you are the man with the chick
en- make haste. please Yes. you have
It. 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 a farmers hired
mani" exclaimed the girl as she
looked at the chicken carrier for the
first time
mo. but have brought the fowl.
Let me carry II in for you. please.
It's bleeding yet My name is Ches-
ter"
But really"
And do you know how TO pick and
dress a chicken?"
My stars. but | never thought Of
that, and Mrs. Ryder's sound asleep!
l 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 Off easily you
have TO scald the bird. | believe. Can
you get some hot water?"
i've got a big kettle on the stove,
and here's a dlshpan But you mustn't
help. You must take your pay and go.
That is--that-"
That is. Pm going TO help with the
chicken, You might spoil It for soup.
you know. We lay IT in the dish. Now
we pour on boiling water. Now we
turn it over. After FIVE minutes the
feathers will be loosened."
But you are a gentleman-and you
are a 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 you?"
And now we take It 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 fame of the
stove for a 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
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 in cold water
and rinse them thoroughly. One piece
will do for all the soup she'll want to-
night. Only about a 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
n in the morning to see how the pa
.ient gets along"
But who-who asked you tor
"Oh, | furnished the chicken, didn't
2" he answered with laugh. Good
night"
Forty minutes later when old Mrs.
Ryder was taking her chicken soup
ind telling how good 1t was, she no
iced a serious look on Miss Mildred's
ace and asked what had happened.
Why a young man brought this
Bless his kind heart!"
And he dressed it for you"
Bless him some more!"
And he bossed me around terribly"
He did. eh?"
And | know just how things are
,oing to turn out. He'll come here
gain tomorrow, and then shall have
o ask him to auntie's house. and
he'll like him, and he'll like me,
nd II. Well, it won't be two
1onths before he'll say he loves me
nd must have me, and-and--"
And you'll be engaged and then
married. and be one of the happiest
rides in the land What a fine chick
n! What beautiful soup! Why, that
oung man is worth his weight in
old"