The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1912-05-28
An AutOCrat of
The Poultry Farm
He Tried to BaIk Cupid, but
Failed.
BY OHIO 3. sENGA.


despotic disposition. but bis natural
tendency tn ,his direction seemed to
strengthen after his remunerauve ex-
lperiments in poultry raising.
Josiah's mind apparently beld but
one thought-his hens. The earth was
made for the sole purpose OF providing
them with a scratching ground The
sun rose to give them light and
warmth. Night followed day that they
might have time to rest
When Flower Preston, Joslah's only
daughter, came home from boarding
cchool and her father discovered by
diligent questioning that the words in
cubator. brooder. trap nest. bone cut
ter. elected no answering enthusiasm
he grunted sarcastically. "A gal that's
been to boardin' school for three years
and don't know a leg band from q
Done cutterF'
"You must learn about things as soon
as you can, DEAR" whispered the moth
er nervously. IF you can't talk pouI-
try talk with your pa you might just
as well be in the desert Of SaharyT
There's one comfort" continued Jo-
siah-"I amt raised the only fool there
is in this county"
There. there, pa Mrs. Preston
spoke soothingly. What is the mat
terf"
Squire Curtis boy got home from
college t'other day. and what do you
think-instid of studyin' law SOS to
help his pa he's been studyin' bugs.
Four years in college and don't know
thing but bugsr'
Maybe his pa wanted him to-" re-
J marked Mrs. Preston pacifcally.
"Waal," harshly. 81 can't crow over
Squire Curtis none. His boy don't
know nothin' but bugs, and. as near as
] kin igger out, that gal don't know
nothin' at all. The only advantage is
it took her a year less to learn itr'
When young Curtis began calling at
the farm. which he did With suspicious
promptness. Josiah's cup OF misery was
full
For the lands sake" he exclaimed
testify TO his wife. cant you 60 in
there and setT' indicating with bis
thumb the room from which came the
sound Of young voices and laughter.
You let that gal git boys and bugs
inter that aim brain OF hern and she
won't be good for nothin'.-
There. there. pa. don't talk 90 loud
You didn't want my ma to come in and
oct when you used to come TO see me-"
Josiah's face purpled- he clutched
at his collar as II he were choking.
you don't mean he gasped-
Mrs. Preston nodded.
Don't take II so hard. pa" she muir.
INJURED soothingly. Jim Curtis Is one
OF the likeliest young men. and
IL could stand il better II 'twan't for
the bugs" be moaned feebly. 'lf be
didn't want TO be a lawyer like his pa,
why didn't he take up somethin' sensi.
bier than bugs? What good Is bug
Bugs-millIons on em-couIdn't hatch
out one chicken
He's studying bees now. pa. and
they're good for honey" appeasingly
HE has ever so many hives-newfan
gled ones-in his pas back yard"
Josiah only groaned.
"And. pa. it's all arranged. only
said he'd have TO be old fashioned
enough TO ask your consent. and Flow
er. like a good girl. said she'd never
marry anybody without her pas con
sent That's a good deal nowadays
pa"
Dorbona q, rron haoauca nf InSiah's
reputation for Feasibility. perhaps be
cause the young man felt that he could
express himself more satisfactorily In
writing. that mis- formal application fol-
the consent or the autocrat reached
Josiah by mail.
The old man read the letter severa
times. groaning and grunting. WheT
he rose there was a grim smile on MI
face and look OF determination In hi:
keen gray eyes.
This was on Thursday. In the even
ing Mrs. Preston reminded him
Aren't you going In to see Jim. par
"Dunnos hes calm on me-" testify
"But you his letter.
IL amt In no hurry to answer II
I'm maxim up my mind.
similar reminder the next evening
met with a like rebuff.
But on Saturday evening Josiah di'
not want TO be reminded He march
ed into the best room." carrying ;
small basket. and displayed its con
tents-twenty large eggs. fair ant
beautiful. TO the astonished young per
sons
There. young man." he growled
there is my answer Three week
from tonight. II you bring me fourteen
,hickens out'p them twenty eggs. II
,Ixe my consent"
"Ail right. Mr.. Preston" returne'
, the young man easily, Il shall be ol
hand"
PA Preston" cried Flower lndlG
. nantly. "Jim doesn't know anything
about chicken raising. and
, Time he did then. sharply, He
/ have a chance to show what fou
years Of science Is good for, And an
. little thing ne don't happen to SnoV
I a. nj