The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1912-05-28

We'll. I'll buy a hen on my way
home and put her right to work," with
twinkling eyes.
There's very little chance OF your
being able 10 get a sitting hen." gloom
iIy.
lis that a particular breed?' limo
Gently.
Jim Curtis, Don't you know that
you must have a ben that wants to sit.
You can't make one match eggs II she
doesn't want to-"
We'll. | can my an incubator" un-
dauntedly.
You'd be four or tive days late by
the time you could order one and have
it shipped here. And tomorrow is
Sunday. Oh" she cried understand
IngIy. pa had Il all planned-that's
the reason he wouldn't see you until
tonight" aE
Il know. Flower" with sudden in
spiration. TN make an incubator.
Come out and show me one Of your
fathers. so | may get an idea Of the
principles involved. Come"
Slightly encouraged. Flower led the
way. Meeting her father. she asked
coolly: Have you any objections to
my showing the incubators to Jim. pa
He's going to make one to hatch those
eggs" TO-
Preston grinned.
"No objections Not in the least Go
aheadI Show him all about 'em. and
tell him everything you know. 'Twon't
burden his brain none. He might put
the eggs into cold storage while he
builds the incubator"
On Tuesday OF the third week the
autocrat remarked sarcastically: Il
saw Jim this morning. Flower. I told
him II be brought the chickens I'd an
nounce the engagement In the county
paper an give you $500 for weddin'
folderols'
Flower set her red lips in a firm.
| straight line. She had not inherited
all her characteristics from her sub
missive mother.
Lend me your pencil. pa. I want to
make out a list Of wedding folde-
rolls"
Saturday evening came. but Mr.. Cur
tis did not appear.
where's the bug professor. Flow
er?" asked her father tauntingly.
Hes wrapping the chickens up in
cotton so they can't take cold" re-
torted Flower spiritedly.
The old man smiled GrimIy. but the
smile died away as Curtis entered the
room.
I'm a little late. Mr.. Preston" he
said cheerily. but here are your birds. "
He handed the autocrat a hat wood
en- box. which the latter opened with
trembling fingers. BE removed a sheet
of cotton. displaying number Of fluffy.
sleepy. peeping chickens.
There are eighteen" remarked Jim
carelessiy. -four more than you asked
for. but put them all In for good
measure"
Them chicks didn't come out'n the
shell today" he declared. with convic.
ton.
NO." answered Jim quietly. They
came out Thursday"
Josiah gazed at him in actual con
sternation.
IL hope. Mr. Preston" courteousiy-
81 hope there is no doubt in your mind
that these chicks came from the eggs
you gave meT'
Josiah shook his head mournfully.
NO" he said slowly. They're al
right ! know the strain"
He sat in silence pondering over the
mystery.
"'How doth the little busy bee i'm
prove each shining hour" suggested
Curtis. smiling. Bugs are good FOL
many things. Mr.. Preston"
The autocrat sprang up excitedly.
jumping gingerbreadr' he exclaim
ed. I'll bet dime you hatched then
eggs out in the beehive"
Jim laughed pleasantly.
II surely did. Mr. Preston. Wher
Flower showed me the incubators thre'
weeks ago tonight ! observed that th'
temperature was similar to that In IN,
beehiyes verified this on reaching
home by placing a thermometer In
hive. So | put the eggs in the uppe
section OF the hive. separating then
from the working apartments OF tn
bees by a cotton cloth. ] was positive
they would hatch. but you may imagin
my surprise when they began chipping
the shell in nineteen days"
Il guess I'll put fem in brooder.
said Josiah. recovering himself some
what. These chicks has cost me $50
too expensive to be allowed up dissi
patin' at this time In the night"
He bore the precious peppers away
muttering wonderingly:
Bugs. Hatched by bugs. And wv
days ahead OF timer
Later the antocrat announced In tn
county paper the engagement or nj
daughter to the brilliant young scien
tist, James Curtis"